Montessori classroom are generally larger in size, often 24-30 students in a group. Such groups will typically have 3-4 teachers assigned to it. Unlike traditional schools, however, this large group will rarely be subdivided. The children learn best a part of a large, multi-age group.

Traditional education is teacher-centered. The teacher is assumed to be the primary mechanism for learning. He or she is the source of instruction and knowledge imparted to the students. The teacher is also the primary source of feedback. In effect, the teacher is the hub of the class. Because he or she can only service one or two children at a time, the others are forced to stand by until he or she is free to provide instruction or feedback. In that setting, low student/teacher ratios and small class sizes are necessary for effective learning.

As a general matter, Montessori teachers don't directly impart the majority of information. Instead, they facilitate the absorption of information by the student from the self-correcting materials. The feedback comes from the materials themselves.

Feedback and instruction also come from older peers. A fundamental principle of Montessori education is that mixed age groups stimulate learning. This age mix, however, requires a sufficiently large class size to ensure that (1) two-thirds of the students return each year (most children stay for three full years) and (2) there is a carefully planned balance of different ages and genders.

Walk into any Montessori preschool and you'll see that small class sizes are not needed for calm, focused learning to occur! The right teaching model is the key to success.

Montessori teachers have known for years what current research now shows: organization is important for young children. Having a regular, daily routine of attending school helps young children obtain an inner sense of organization by making the weekday routine predictable.

We also meet five days a week in order to help the children most effectively use the materials. During “Sensitive Periods” of development, children will be drawn to use the same materials over and over until they have mastered them. Daily exposure fulfills this need.

Keep in mind that most Montessori preschools offer a half-day program. Daily attendance by a three-year-old until 11:30 am is generally not be overly taxing. It allows plenty of time for the child to join his family for lunch and play while still maintaining a nap or rest time each day.

We do, however, recognize that different families have different needs and feelings about this issue. Over the years, we have seen many families struggle with the decision—they want their child to have the benefits of a Montessori education, but don't feel ready to let their child participate in a 5-day program. (After all, parents can be equally wonderful teachers!) Placing their children in a “play-based” preschool program in order to get the weekly schedule they prefer feels like a compromise to many.

To address this need, Barat has recently developed a 3-day program. While the complete Montessori curriculum cannot be offered during this abbreviated time period, the 3-day classroom is a wonderful introduction for younger, first-time Montessori students. It helps children prepare for the 5-day class by teaching them the “ropes.” While we strongly believe that most 3-year-olds can do very well in the 5-day setting, we are happy to discuss this option for beginning students.