Montessori fills childhood education gap

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When Miss Mary’s Daycare Center at 122 Frontage Rd. near Acord’s Home Center surrendered its license earlier this year, childcare services for about 40 local children were lost. But this fall a Montessori school will open at the same location.

Christine Vinson, who received her Montessori training 25 years ago in California, said they will be welcoming children ages six weeks to six years old when Natural State Montessori opens in August.

Vinson said her family has been in Northwest Arkansas for the past eight years. Joining her as a teacher will be her daughter, Bailey Bauer, who has infant and toddler Montessori certification from Colorado.

“It seems there is not enough quality education in smaller counties,” she said. “Once you move away from Springdale and Fayetteville, there aren’t many options. There was a lot of interest in the community and we had people say, ‘We need you. Please come’. We really love Eureka. It’s a place where we can do a lot of education outdoors. We are going to follow the Eureka Springs School calendar with the exception that we will remain open for the summers.”

Vinson said the differences between traditional and Montessori education are what makes it unique. The Montessori method is more self-directed and self-taught, allowing the child to become an independent learner.

“They learn from their peers and they are allowed to learn alone,” Vinson said. “They are not all doing the same thing at the same time. They get this experience of exploration within limits. At a very early age, they are doing things for themselves that in a typical child care setting, the teacher would be doing for them.”

Vinson said a significant number of preschool children are being cared for in homes that aren’t licensed.

“So that parents can work, the need has been met, out of necessity, by people who aren’t being regulated,” Vinson said. “Parents want to make sure there is oversight so they know their child is being well taken care of.”

Vinson said growth between birth and five years old is the greatest in a lifetime. Good foundational training sets the stage for the rest of the child’s education.

“Children need more than toys,” she said. “They teachers need training. Montessori is very specific to whatever plane of development they are teaching. Your child is getting the best education possible.”

Contracts for a year are required. Vinson said they don’t do drop-ins because consistency is very important in the Montessori method; it is important once they start that they don’t stop. There is a one-time registration fee of $150. There are several payment options that can be found under the parent handbook portion of the website, naturalstatemontessori.com. Costs depend upon which program the child is enrolled in, infant, toddler or preschooler.

“And we are willing to work with people based on financial need,” Vinson said. “I believe Montessori is for every child. I have taught children with Autism, Down Syndrome, and children who are geniuses. The method is good for all children. I don’t consider it an elitist school. We hope to do some partnerships with local business for scholarship funding. I would like to see a nice mix of all children here. Tours are being scheduled now. People are welcome to call us (479) 981-2824 anytime with any questions.”

Space is limited. There will be three full-time teachers on staff, a part-time teacher and full-time administrator, Terry Brewster.

“One of the teachers I’ve hired is Hispanic, so hopefully we’ll be putting in some bi-lingual instruction,” Vinson said. “I would like her to speak as much in her native tongue as she can while she is here. We will be doing different things like yoga and art that will not cost extra. We have an idea of forming a partnership with a local nursing home for a weekly reading buddy program. Our goal is to be involved and support the families and residents of Carroll County by providing an additional option in quality childcare.