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Choosing a School or Centre
Australia does not have a national programme for accrediting Montessori schools. Each school or centre is run independently and is either privately owned or run by a non-profit association. It is important to understand that the name "Montessori" is not copyrighted. Therefore anyone can open a school and call it Montessori. Nevertheless, the vast majority of schools calling themselves "Montessori" offer a high quality and authentic Montessori programme.
Most schools encourage parents to observe at the school before enrolling their child. This is an excellent way to assess if the school will be an environment that will suit the developmental needs of your child. Most schools have a parent handbook which will also provide useful information about the school, its programme and policies. It may also be helpful to inquire when the school was established, whether it is a member of a State Montessori association and the qualifications of the teaching staff.
The following two articles contain information that may assist parents in choosing an authentic Montessori school. The following will not always be applicable in the Australian context but may give some useful background information. It is very important not to apply rigid external criteria when selecting a school for your child. Some of the most authentic and beautiful Montessori schools in Australia may not meet all the criteria specified in the following articles.