Patasala

Yesterday I checked out a Montessori school called patasala with a lower case 'p' ( a sanskrit word meaning centre of learning). I had passed that route on many occasions and knew it had to be good going by the name itself - anyone who had the sense to call it that must be a creative person. The golden nameplate looked a bit elitist though, and I knew it had to be expensive.
I saw lil girls with brooms and mops in hand, and pails of water, and a boy cleaning cobwebs. While some learnt to draw, paint or build blocks, some practised writing. Each seemed to be involved in a different activity - each kid let to do things of his own liking.
I checked with a colleague who knew the person who runs it. She said it was very good. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/11/20/stories/13200375.htm
I was asked to come again with my ward, so today I went with mom and Ash. After a long wait we met the person in charge of admissions. She said that there were no vacancies for his age group and that he was a bit overaged - the kid has to start montessori education at 2 1/2 or earlier. Since the last term has already started it seems a waste of money enrolling him now. There is an admission fee of Rs.5000, a term fee of 4000 and a fee of 3500 for equipments every year. But he would be too old to join in the next academic year when he would be 3+. They dont take children over 3 yrs. And kids have to be fully toilet trained.
Another admission seeker said her elder son had gone to a different montesssori school but this one was supposed to be better. She wanted to put her second kid here. OF course she said there is a problem when the child is shifted to a traditional school where learning is less fun and more a burden.
I have to check out some other schools. I didnt want him to join a matriculation school where children are driven too hard. A montessori would have suited his temperament.