Question 1

Where is the kindergarten?

Accepted Answer

Arcadia Montessori is at Strada Arcadei 2–4, in Corbeanca, Ilfov County, north of Bucharest. 10 minutes from Carrefour Corbeanca, 2 minutes from the 441 and 441B bus stop. We are open Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 18:00.

Question 2

From what age do you accept children?

Accepted Answer

The 1.8–3 years group welcomes children from 1 year and 8 months to 3 years, and the 3–6 years group children aged 3 to 6. For the 1.8–3 years group, the child needs to walk independently; they do not need to speak, and nappies are fine.

Question 3

How much does the kindergarten cost?

Accepted Answer

Fees for 2026–2027 start at 665 EUR per month for the short programme (tuition and meals) and are the same for both groups. Details are on the Admissions & Fees page.

Question 4

Are meals compulsory?

Accepted Answer

No. Buying meals is not compulsory. If you do not choose them, the child brings a packed lunch from home or can be picked up at 12:00.

Question 5

Is there a sibling discount?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A 5% discount on tuition is granted for the second child enrolled. The discount does not apply to meals or other fees.

Question 6

Is English included?

Accepted Answer

Yes, English is part of the programme and is included in the tuition fee, in both groups.

Question 7

How do I book a visit?

Accepted Answer

Write to us on WhatsApp or call us on 0724 557 667 and we will agree on the day and time of the visit together. We are open Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 18:00.

Question 8

What does Montessori education mean?

Accepted Answer

At Arcadia, it means a prepared environment in which the child chooses their activity from the materials that have been presented to them, works at their own pace and can repeat as much as they need. The teacher observes and individually presents the next step when the child is ready.

Question 9

Why are the groups mixed-age?

Accepted Answer

Because in Montessori children are not divided by year, but by developmental stages of three years each. The younger ones learn by watching the older ones, and the older ones learn by explaining to the younger ones. Each child works at their own pace, without competition.

Question 10

What does a day at Arcadia look like?

Accepted Answer

The day begins with arrival between 08:00 and 09:00, followed by the Montessori work cycle, movement in the garden, lunch and rest. The full hourly schedule is on the group pages.

Question 11

How do you handle sleep and meals?

Accepted Answer

Sleep is not compulsory: each child has their own bed, and those who do not fall asleep rest quietly. Meals come from our partner kitchen Health&Joy, with a menu approved by a nutritionist, and allergies and intolerances can be accommodated.

Question 12

How do you communicate with parents?

Accepted Answer

Through the Transparent Classroom platform, families can follow their children's activities and learning experiences. Beyond the platform, we encourage direct dialogue with the teaching team, through individual meetings and conversations about the child's development, settling in or any difficulties that may arise. We also organise meetings and workshops for parents, about education, child development and the relationship between family and kindergarten. We want parents to be able to bring into this relationship not only their children's joys, but also their questions, doubts or difficult moments.

Question 13

How long does settling in take?

Accepted Answer

In the 1.8–3 years group, usually one to two weeks; in the 3–6 years group, up to one week. The child's pace remains the guide, and the parent stays close during the first days.

Question 14

How do you handle difficult emotions and separation from the parent?

Accepted Answer

We do not distract the child from what they feel and we do not tell them "it will be fine". The teacher stays beside them and names the emotion, and the child learns that they can get through a hard moment with a present adult.

Question 15

How does a child move from spoken language to writing and reading?

Accepted Answer

In Montessori, language development starts with speaking and enriching vocabulary through conversations, stories, poems, songs, language games and classifying objects and pictures. Children then learn to distinguish the sounds in words and to link them with letters. Sandpaper letters help them connect the sound, the symbol and the movement of the hand. With the movable alphabet, they can compose words even before they can write with a pencil. At the same time, practical life activities, the metal insets and tracing exercises prepare the hand for writing. Reading is built progressively: simple words, labels, picture matching, written instructions, sentences and books. Particularities of the language are also introduced, including letter groups and words with specific spelling. In this approach, writing often comes before reading. The emphasis is on understanding language and on the child's own discovery.

Question 16

How does a child move from concrete mathematics to abstract calculation?

Accepted Answer

The child starts by handling real quantities, using materials such as the number rods, the spindle box, and the numbers and counters. Before recognising the numeral 5, they experience concretely what five objects means and then match the quantity with the symbol. Operations are discovered through action: addition by combining quantities, subtraction by taking a part away, multiplication by repeating equal quantities and division by sharing them out equally. As they understand mathematical relationships, the child gradually moves from materials to representing operations with numerals and symbols. The goal is for them to understand what they are calculating, not just to reproduce a result.

Question 17

What does the teacher do when a child refuses an activity or says they can't?

Accepted Answer

First we try to understand the cause: the child prefers another material, is not ready or is facing a difficulty. We respect their pace without losing sight of the goal; we can return to the presentation at another time. If the refusal comes from frustration, the teacher acknowledges the emotion, offers support and encourages repeated attempts. Difficulty is not presented as proof that a child cannot do something. Support is adapted to the child and the situation, without excessive pressure. For example, learning to close a zip is not just an exercise, but a step towards independence. We respect the child's choice and help them persevere, without doing things for them.

Question 18

What do we look for in a 5–6 year old before school?

Accepted Answer

School readiness concerns the child's development as a whole, not just academic skills. Autonomy: getting dressed and putting on shoes, looking after personal belongings, preparing and tidying up after activities, following the routine and asking for help when needed. Attention and concentration: starting an activity, working with a purpose, following instructions, completing tasks, noticing and correcting mistakes and returning to work after a difficulty. Emotional and social development: waiting, respecting limits, communicating needs and emotions, managing age-appropriate frustrations, cooperating and resolving simple conflicts. Self-regulation does not mean the absence of emotions, but building the tools to manage them. Cognitive and academic development: curiosity, initiative, clear communication, phonological awareness, progress in writing and reading and understanding mathematical concepts. We assess progress relative to each child's own pace.

Question 19

What does it mean for a child to be ready for the preparatory class?

Accepted Answer

Readiness is not just about fluent reading or doing calculations. What matters is the child's ability to adapt to a new environment, to communicate what they need, to ask for help and to respect rules and responsibilities. We look at autonomy in daily activities, the ability to start and finish tasks, relationships with others, handling difficulties and confidence that they can learn new things. Academic skills remain important, but they develop together with social and emotional ones, at the child's individual pace.

Question 20

How does a 5–6 year old's progress show after a few years in Montessori?

Accepted Answer

A child who has spent a few years in a Montessori environment has practised getting dressed, preparing their snack, organising materials and tidying up after activities. In learning, they are encouraged to choose, explore, ask questions, concentrate and look for solutions. They learn that mistakes are part of the process and that some achievements take practice and perseverance. In the group community, they practise following rules, cooperating and resolving conflicts. These skills do not appear identically in every child; each has their own strengths and support needs.

Question 21

How does a Montessori child adapt to a traditional school?

Accepted Answer

Montessori does not prepare the child only for working with specific materials, but for learning and functioning with more independence. The child practises listening to a presentation, understanding instructions, concentrating, finishing activities, correcting mistakes and asking for help. In the traditional system they will also meet differences: a shared timetable, group instructions, simultaneous activities and less freedom of choice. These require a period of adjustment; adapting is not automatic and differs from child to child. The Montessori experience can give them a foundation through autonomy, responsibility, respecting limits, confidence and the experience of learning by trying.

Frequently asked questions about Arcadia Montessori

Practical

About Montessori

Everyday life

Settling in and emotions

How children learn in Montessori

Preparing for school

Didn't find the answer? We can talk about it at the visit.