How is the classroom prepared?
Ask how materials are arranged, how children access them independently, and how the environment supports concentration and choice.
Vancouver Families Guide
Questions to Ask During a Montessori School Tour
A school tour is your opportunity to look beyond the brochure and understand how children actually learn, how educators guide the classroom, and whether the school feels right for your family. These questions will help you make the most of your visit.
Start with the Classroom
Observe how the environment supports independence and learning.
A Montessori classroom should feel calm, purposeful, organized, and accessible. Pay attention to how children choose work, move through the room, use materials, and interact with educators.
Are authentic Montessori materials used?
Look for purposeful materials that support Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural Studies.
What should I notice during observation?
Notice whether children appear engaged, independent, respectful, and comfortable asking teachers for support.
Is there an uninterrupted work cycle?
Ask how much time children have for sustained, self-directed work without frequent transitions or interruptions.
Questions About Teachers
Strong educators understand both Montessori and child development.
A school tour is a good opportunity to learn about teacher training, classroom guidance, observation, and how educators support individual children.
What training do the teachers have?
Ask about Montessori credentials, Early Childhood Education certification, experience, and ongoing professional development.
How do teachers follow each child’s development?
Learn how educators observe interests, readiness, concentration, social development, and progress over time.
How do teachers guide behaviour?
Look for calm redirection, respectful language, clear limits, emotional support, and peaceful problem-solving.
How do teachers communicate with families?
Ask how progress, concerns, classroom experiences, and important updates are shared with parents.
Questions About the Daily Program
The daily rhythm should support security, concentration, and independence.
Understanding how children spend their day helps you decide whether the program fits your child’s needs and your family’s routine.
What does a typical day look like?
Ask about arrival, the Montessori work cycle, group time, meals, outdoor play, rest, enrichment, and dismissal.
How are meals and snacks handled?
Learn about nutrition, allergies, food policies, mealtime supervision, and independence during meals.
How much outdoor time do children receive?
Ask how outdoor play is scheduled, how weather is managed, and how movement and nature exploration are supported.
How are rest and non-nappers supported?
Learn how the school accommodates children who sleep, rest quietly, or no longer need a nap.
Safety & Family Policies
Clear procedures help families feel informed and secure.
A quality preschool should be able to explain its supervision, health, emergency, arrival, dismissal, and communication procedures clearly.
How is the entrance secured?
Ask about visitor access, identification procedures, authorized pick-up, sign-in, and sign-out.
What are the illness and medication policies?
Learn how illness, allergies, medication, emergency contacts, and individual health needs are managed.
What emergency procedures are in place?
Ask about drills, evacuation, emergency supplies, staff training, and family notification.
What policies should families review?
Ask to review the Parent Handbook, enrollment agreement, fee policies, attendance expectations, and communication procedures.
Questions About Fit
The right school should work for both your child and your family.
Beyond curriculum, consider whether the school’s expectations, schedule, community, and approach align with your family’s needs.
How are new children supported?
Ask how teachers help children separate from caregivers, learn routines, and develop trust in the classroom.
Does the location work for us?
Consider commute, parking, drop-off flow, work schedules, and daily family logistics.
Do the hours meet our needs?
Ask about regular hours, optional early or late care, closures, holidays, and attendance expectations.
How does the school feel?
Notice whether the environment feels warm, respectful, organized, welcoming, and genuinely child-centered.
School Tour Checklist
Bring these questions with you during your visit.
A simple checklist can help you compare schools thoughtfully and remember the details that matter most after each tour.
Classroom & Curriculum
Ask about Montessori materials, the work cycle, curriculum areas, classroom organization, and opportunities for independent learning.
Teachers & Guidance
Ask about qualifications, observation, individualized support, positive guidance, and communication with families.
Daily Routine & Care
Review arrival, meals, outdoor play, rest, toileting, enrichment activities, and dismissal routines.
Safety & Policies
Ask about visitor access, authorized pick-up, health procedures, emergency plans, attendance expectations, and fees.
Family Fit
Consider the commute, school hours, community atmosphere, communication style, and whether the school’s values match your own.
Your Overall Impression
Notice whether children appear engaged, educators seem warm and attentive, and the environment feels calm, respectful, and welcoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Montessori school tours.
What should I ask during a Montessori school tour?
Ask about the classroom environment, Montessori materials, teacher training, the work cycle, daily routines, outdoor play, safety, family communication, fees, and how new children are supported.
What should I observe during a preschool tour?
Notice whether children appear engaged and comfortable, how educators interact with them, how the classroom is organized, and whether the atmosphere feels calm, respectful, and purposeful.
Should I ask about teacher qualifications?
Yes. Ask about Montessori credentials, ECE certification, experience, professional development, and how teachers observe individual children.
Should I bring my child to the school tour?
Ask the school before your visit. Some tours are intended for adults so parents can focus on questions, while other schools may invite children to participate.
How many schools should we tour?
There is no set number. Visiting more than one school can help you compare philosophy, environment, teachers, schedule, communication, and overall fit.
Bring Your Questions and Visit Us
A thoughtful school tour helps families understand the classroom, meet the educators, and decide whether the program feels right. We welcome you to visit Together We Grow Montessori School and experience our prepared environment in person.
Book a School Tour