If you’re searching for a preschool, you’ve probably heard the word Montessori thrown around. And rightfully so. It’s one of the most well-known early childhood education philosophies, and has some amazing strengths. Kids get to move at their own pace, they learn independence (yes, your child can pour their own water), and Montessori classrooms are gorgeous – calm, orderly, and beautiful.

But that’s not the whole story.

Traditional Montessori is highly individualized, encouraging kids to work alone. While independence is great for focus, it’s not so great for learning how to collaborate, take turns, or succeed in a world that requires teamwork. Montessori is also known for being child-led, but it actually has a rigidity to its teaching methods. Want to use this material? There’s a lesson for that. Want to mix colors? There’s a right way.

So, what’s Piper think?

Well… we love some of it. But we also love some things that Montessori lacks. Yes, we value a child’s independence, but we don’t believe it should be at the expense of working together, learning from each other, and navigating group dynamics. And while we love order and routine, we also love creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.   

Enter Reggio. While Montessori is all about independence, Reggio Emilia is all about collaboration. Do children learn through direct instruction? Sure. But they also learn through art, storytelling, and hands-on experiences. Kids who have the chance to explore ideas as a group experience an invaluable connection as a part of their development. Classrooms are filled with natural light, real-world materials, and spaces that encourage curiosity through collaboration and creativity – two principles we could never omit.

And yes, we prepare kids for kindergarten, too. Turns out, you can embrace progressive early childhood education and acknowledge that kids need to be ready for traditional school settings.

At the end of the day, it’s not about being “Montessori” or “Reggio” or anything else. It’s about raising curious, capable, confident kids. Piper doesn’t fit neatly into a single educational philosophy – and we don’t want to. The goal isn’t to check off each box of one specific philosophy. It’s to create an environment where children thrive. We give kids the independence of Montessori without eliminating collaboration. We embrace the creativity of Reggio while also providing structure and predictability. We ensure that children develop the foundational academic skills they’ll need for kindergarten, without pushing rote memorization or unnecessary worksheets. We want our kids to love learning – not because it’s structured or free, but because it’s meaningful. Children are empowered to think on their own, to figure things out, to try, fail, and try again. The confidence that comes from a child trusting their own ideas is what builds a real sense of self and allows kids to graduate feeling confident in all kinds of classrooms… and in the real world.

So, are we Montessori? Yes… and more.