[Missmarymack]

Our local Montessori school runs a kinder program fro 2 year olds - 3x 2hr sessions per week, however it costs a whopping $850 per term.

Does anyone else know of a kinder type program for 2 yr olds in Melbourne's SE suburbs? I think it is something my DD would enjoy but I'd never come across it until now.

[Heather11]

What do they do at 2yo kinder? Do 2yo really need formal learning? At this age I think playgroup is good enough.

I'm not sure about other States but in SA you only have to pay the Playgroup Association fee once and you can attend however many playgroups you like. You just have to pay the small fee, usually only a couple of dollars, every time you attend.

[dae-gu]

What do they do at 2yo kinder? Do 2yo really need formal learning? At this age I think playgroup is good enough.

I'm not sure about other States but in SA you only have to pay the Playgroup Association fee once and you can attend however many playgroups you like. You just have to pay the small fee, usually only a couple of dollars, every time you attend.

This^^^^^

We pay $3 / week to go to playgroup.

[Missmarymack]

From their website:

"The Early Starter program is the first introduction to a Montessori Education. It provides an opportunity for your child/children to be active in a purposeful way, in an environment that supports creativity, exploration and observation.They will develop concentration, independence and self confidence in an environment which has been purpose-built for their size and abilities."

We already attend a mothers group, a play group and kindergym but when you have a not yet 18 month old with an incredible thirst for learning, who can count to 20, can recognize all letters of the alphabet, can sight read around 5 words, then you are constantly looking for new ways to stimulate them. This was just another idea. I understand it is not for everyone.

[Jenflea]

I was going to suggest an Early Learning Centre(my niece is at one in the ACT) but I think that's for 3yr olds and up, not under 2's.

[Heather11]

We already attend a mothers group, a play group and kindergym but when you have a not yet 18 month old with an incredible thirst for learning, who can count to 20, can recognize all letters of the alphabet, can sight read around 5 words, then you are constantly looking for new ways to stimulate them. This was just another idea. I understand it is not for everyone.

she has obviously learnt all this through her current environment and it doesn't mean she can't continue to learn by just continuing to do what you do now. Reading books, singing songs together and just playing is what my kids enjoyed.

Is she bored with what you are currently doing or is it just your perception?

[amabanana]

We were in your position and after much deliberation decided that we would just suck it up and pay the fees. I know that is not possible for everyone but we have sacrificed in other areas to come up with the cash.
Not sure what school you are looking at but there are LONG waiting lists so you may find its too late even if you change your mind. (I know our school has already sent out offer letters for next year for the 2yo program. )
For what its worth, I'm glad we made the decision to send our children there and wouldn't do it any other way.

The other option I looked at was home schooling using the Montessori Method (2hrs three times a week in conjunction with using the method in every day life) . Not difficult to do IMO and if you couple it up with some other activities can be just as stimulating. It just means more work for you.

[mum850]

All my kids have been very early readers, and known their alphabets from before two. My sincere advice is to not expect any sort of literacy teaching or activities at the right level, from preschool. I have tried in the past, but it's hopeless. So for example one kinder (i.e. preschool) kindly did "extension" for my four year old who was reading fluently, by giving her sheets of paper with say the letter "A" on to colour in. IMHO preschool is just for play and if you have a kid who is academically advanced it's well nigh impossible to get preschool to do anything with it. Better for your mental health to not even ask! Go to the park/museum/zoo etc.
My other not very encouraging advice is to not worry about things now, as it's quite easy to keep a gifted toddler entertained ( do you think she's gifted?) , there's a whole world of pain waiting for the year before school, and at school.

Sorry to be negative but I am on my third kid through the system

[amabanana]

All my kids have been very early readers, and known their alphabets from before two. My sincere advice is to not expect any sort of literacy teaching or activities at the right level, from preschool. I have tried in the past, but it's hopeless. So for example one kinder (i.e. preschool) kindly did "extension" for my four year old who was reading fluently, by giving her sheets of paper with say the letter "A" on to colour in. IMHO preschool is just for play and if you have a kid who is academically advanced it's well nigh impossible to get preschool to do anything with it. Better for your mental health to not even ask! Go to the park/museum/zoo etc.
My other not very encouraging advice is to not worry about things now, as it's quite easy to keep a gifted toddler entertained ( do you think she's gifted?) , there's a whole world of pain waiting for the year before school, and at school.

Sorry to be negative but I am on my third kid through the system

That is exactly why we chose our preschool. DD is doing the equivalent of 4yo kinder and there are kids writing full sentences, bringing home readers, learning the names of the continents and states of Australia, the botanical names of plants, baking bread, doing projects on the life cycle of chickens, counting and doing math in to the thousands etc etc etc There are also kids in the same class only starting to recognise letters and count to 20. They all work together. 28 kids. 2 teachers. It's awesome! It can be done.

[mum850]

That is exactly why we chose our preschool. DD is doing the equivalent of 4yo kinder and there are kids writing full sentences, bringing home readers, learning the names of the continents and states of Australia, the botanical names of plants, baking bread, doing projects on the life cycle of chickens, counting and doing math in to the thousands etc etc etc There are also kids in the same class only starting to recognise letters and count to 20. They all work together. 28 kids. 2 teachers. It's awesome! It can be done.

OK. I am impressed!

Is this montessori?