Experience with Growing Light Montessori?
We are considering enrolling my son in Growing Light Montessori's 2 year olds program next year. I like the Montessori philosophy, but not when it's too rigid. It's important to me that children get ample free range play time, but I also think learning how to cooperate, concentrate, and be independent is very important as well. If anyone has any experience, positive or negative, they'd like to share about Growing Light's 2 year olds program I would love to hear. Thanks in advance!
Jul 15, 2016
Parent Replies
My two boys attended Growing Light (Oakland campus). We are very pleased with the experience. My youngest also spent his first year (18 months to 2.5 years old) at Grand Lake.
Pros:
Lots of exposure to Spanish. Depending on the class the kids will be exposed to Spanish about 1/3 of the day. The kids start to grasp it quickly.
Not as rigid as Grand Lake (and less expensive).
Good use of facility.
Not a lot of churn of employees.
Cons:
No grass (they do make great use of the facility).
Shuts down for week during Greek Festival week (great week to plan a vacation or work with other families for coverage).
My two boys were very well prepared for Catholic School. When they started kindergarten they had excellent "soft" skills and were able to use their energies to focus on the academics. We don't hesitate to recommend Growing Light Montessori.
I highly recommend Growing Light. My daughter age 9 and sone age 5 both went there beginning in the 2 year old classroom in Kensington. It was a very positive experience with a balance of the Montesorri structure and free play. The teachers are carrying & dedicated and Surya is lovely. The parents and kids are super nice and smart. We have been there a combined 7 years and are very sad to leave as my son will be heading to kindergarten but thankful to have been in the school.
miki