Choosing a nursery
Montessori and Steiner nurseries compared
How the two approaches differ day to day, and what to ask any nursery that uses them.
The short version
- Montessori leans towards individual, hands-on activities.
- Steiner leans towards imaginative play and shared rhythm.
- Each nursery interprets its approach in its own way.
The two approaches side by side
| Montessori | Steiner Waldorf | |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | The ideas of Maria Montessori | The ideas of Rudolf Steiner |
| A typical day | Children choose from arranged, hands-on activities | A gentle rhythm of play, stories, songs and baking |
| The adult's role | Guiding rather than leading | Setting the rhythm and modelling |
| You might see | Child-sized furniture, mixed-age groups | Natural materials, lots of outdoor time |
| Reading and writing | Introduced when a child shows interest | Usually left until later |
The same standards apply
Registered settings in England must meet the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and are inspected in the usual way, whatever their philosophy.
What to ask
Ask them
- What training do your staff have in this approach?
- What does a typical morning look like?
- How would you support my child's needs?
Then watch a session. How your child responds, and how the adults respond to them, matters more than the label.
Keep reading
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