A little over a year ago, I opened my own school for 5- to 12-year-olds in an area that had no alternative types of education. For a long time, I was the sole member of staff, so my learning has been broad!
You are not everyone's cup of tea. When starting a school from scratch, it can be tempting to admit anyone who shows interest just to build up numbers. If people aren’t properly educated about the philosophy or haven’t had ample opportunity to understand the school, its principles, and who you are, there could well be trouble. Who you are and what you stand for is important; attempting to be all things to everybody is neither sustainable nor healthy.
Make a list of your target market and find ways to reach that market through your advertising. Think about your language in your communications too. For example, if you want to ensure you are reaching people interested in a holistic, well-rounded education (which Montessori provides), make sure your social media shows many examples of this.
It can be really hard when a family leaves, especially when starting up, but it is better for everyone if the child's best interests are at heart and the family finds something that works for them. There may or may not be things you can change, but ultimately, stay humble and focused on your reasons for doing what you are doing.
The 'behind-the-scenes' stuff takes up a lot of energy and time.
Be prepared for substantial time and energy commitments in maintenance and administrative tasks.
Cleaning has never really been my forte! The amount of ongoing cleaning required when starting a school is quite substantial. In a Montessori school, this includes the kitchen, toilets, and the main classroom, including all those little spaces where dust and single-unit golden beads accumulate.
Invoicing, paying bills, seeking funding, and budgeting also take up a significant amount of time. Add to this an economic downturn and unpaid tuition.
Other things that I've found take up a lot of time include setting up administration systems, liasing with potential families, organising social media and advertising,
Take whatever help you can get and be proactive in seeking it. Some types of help can be built into the community of your school. For example, at our school, it is compulsory for all families to contribute 20 hours a year through fundraising or assisting with maintenance.
Seeking help can also involve organising mentors or upskilling through enrolling in courses or reading books that address areas you find challenging.
I’ve also found online tools such as Montessori Compass incredibly helpful. Montessori Compass assists with reporting to families about what is happening in the classroom and includes easy-to-read captions so families can understand the reasons behind each lesson. It can also help to quickly track upcoming lessons and assist with long-term planning.
Keep the child at the centre. When "storms" and bad days happen, try to think about what is best for the child in front of you. For me, this might mean dropping the plans for the day to take the children out to the playground or having a dance party. Other times, it might involve recognising the progress a child has made. This week, one of my learners, who arrived last year as a nearly six-year-old who knew a few letters of the alphabet, has started to spontaneously use her writing journal. She even phonetically spelled "female" as "feemayl," and I was truly delighted. This is a win.
Look after yourself and celebrate your wins. Apart from a very small grant I haven't had any wages from my school, I also haven't had a school day off. The job can be unrelenting. You have to find your own wins and celebrate however you can. Eat the chocolate, close up early, spend time with your family. At the end of the day the school could fail and the kids go to another school but your family only has one of you.
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