Are Montessori Really As Expensive As They Seem?

Meeting new parents is something we do on a daily basis, and we find meeting prospective parents an enriching experience, more so, when we discuss the person in question – the child. We also love  sharing the wonderful benefits of a Montessori House of Children, like ours.

Many parents are usually aware of the Montessori method of education; and then there are few parents who need to be informed about Montessori. Some parents do tend to compare their options, especially the fee structure. As a new House of Children, we try to make Ayelet affordable without compromising on the quality & the authentic Montessori offered.

Having said that, it’s unfair to compare an authentic Montessori to a conventional pre-school environment. The latter can decide on what to offer to the child and the fees can be decided accordingly. In case of an authentic Montessori set-up, we need to ensure a lot of Montessori elements are offered to the child.

The main factors responsible for the fees are the three core elements of an authentic Montessori:

The Montessori Material: “The child making use what s/he finds around him/her shapes himself/herself for the future" The scientifically developed Montessori material is a core of an authentic environment. Each premium, high-quality set is development by professionals with accuracy & precision. Each Montessori environment (classroom) needs an individual set of material, which comprises of many materials across various areas. We develop a lot of in-house materials as well, for the complete development of a child. All the material is regularly upgraded and worked upon.  Ayelet offers: We ensure our environments are equipped with premium quality Montessori material.

The Montessori Environment:  "Education is a natural process carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiences in the environment.” A Montessori environment needs to be beautiful, clean, child appropriate, natural and of course free from any unnecessary clutter. This means, we need to be extremely particular while finalising the space for the House of Children. This also means the maintenance costs as well as rent/lease of the place is on the higher side. Ayelet offers: Our beautiful space is located in a green, cosy, little lane (mostly commotion and noise free) in MICO Layout, BTM 2nd Stage. Our facility is a hygienic, naturally lit, well ventilated, neat, safe and inviting.

The Montessori Guide: “The training of teachers is something far more than learning ideas. It includes training of character, it is a preparation of spirit.” All guides in an authentic Montessori environment need to be trained Montessori adults. The Montessori training is extremely intensive and requires a lot of hard work and continuously updating one’s skills. Montessori guides need to ensure we follow a specific approach, which is different from traditional pre-schools. It requires years of observation and working closely with children. Ayelet offers: Our Head Guides as well as Assistant Guides, have undergone rigorous Montessori training. Besides this, we also ensure our non-teaching staff are aware about the Method and follow the same while dealing with children.

Other factors which play an equally important role:

Follow the Child: Montessori method doesn’t believe in 'one size fits all’. The Montessori curriculum is individualised and result of regular (daily) analysis of each child. It is a child lead and not a teacher lead approach. When we discuss the child in our conferences or invite parents for observation, we need to discuss the overall development of each child and not just academic. Ayelet  doesn’t treat any two children as same individuals. Regular updates to parents besides the annual or bi-annual updates are also offered.

A community: A Montessori environment needs to work as a community. We need to ensure there is a constant flow of communication between parents and management. Ayelet offers: Our parent communication partner, Transparent Classroom, ensures you stay updated about your child. We believe Ayelet is a community of students, teachers, non-teaching staff, parents and guardians; for this we ensure an open communication. Every feedback and suggestion is taken into consideration, and is given serious thought. We see our parents as our partners and believe in working as a team.

The Founders: Authentic Montessori schools are set ups which have been formed after years of research, study and understanding; most people behind Montessori schools are extremely passionate and highly involved in the day-to-day functioning of the school. An authentic Montessori school will work at providing the best to your child. Ayelet offers: Out core team believes in the Montessori method and our children. We also believe we exist to provide an authentic Montessori which becomes their second home and ‘Happy Place'

The Montessori method might seem expensive, but is it really so?

If we see all factors an Authentic Montessori offers to your child, you would not find Montessori schools expensive. To see what a true Montessori environment can do for your child, you need to ensure your child complete the entire Montessori cycle. Congratulations on choosing the Montessori method and Ayelet for your child.