Montessori Preschool in SW Metro?

My daughter went to a Montessori in St.Louis Park, at first that was my opinion too this place isn't fancy shmancy and the toys were dated back to my childhood.It was in a church basement but... It was clean, and santitary though just not fancy. But it was the best place I EVER sent my daughter. I regret not keeping her enrolled there til kindergarten but I just couldn't afford it.

Here's one for ya, I've heard that in the state of MN any daycare/preschool can call themselves a Montessori you have to research and make sure they are really a accredited montessori or something like that check they're credentials.

I have a friend that works at one in Burnsville. I think it's called American Montessori School or something similar and she'd tell me horror stories if there were any and they're not, her daughter attends there also and it does wonders for her child. There is also a brand new montessori off of Hwy.5 in Burnsville called Classical Cyprus Montessori or something similar I believe they just had a open house or are about to.

Keep looking, Montessori's are wonderful! Usually the good one's are owned by foreign born persons, and they do a better job than most daycares or preschools. My daughter's teachers and owners were all foreign but they were extremely loving yet strict my daughter wasn't a number she was a part of their group. Usually Montessori's don't have high turnover rates and are great places.

The fancy bright colored daycares like New Horizon etc. is the last place I'd ever send my child... (bad experiances)

If you want my recommendation Early Education Montessori in St.Louis Park off of Hwy7 across from Cub Foods in a Luthern Church's Basement.

I was a Montessori teacher before I had my little guy. That's really too bad you had such a bad experience at those schools! Part of the Montessori philosophy is a clean, beautiful, and well-kept-up environment. I wouldn't bring my child to any run-down place either!!
I think the best Montessori in the twin cities is Lake Country, located in South Minneapolis. http://lakecountryschool.org/
I'm not sure about any others. I did interview at Orono Montessori in Wayzata, and thought it looked like a nice, clean place.
Ramalynn Monetessori in Bloomington is nice and clean, but their Methods are a bit heavy on the core academics (light on the cultural, internal motivation, and community education).
I taught at a public Montessori in St. Paul (Crossroads) which is wonderful, free, but in St. Paul.
Also, ask owners for their accredidations. There are two to look for AMI (American Montessori International) and AMS (American Montessori Society). You could even ask on the phone before visiting if they hold current accredidation. Their standards are pretty high. I don't think any run-down joint could hold their accredidation with either organization. Since the name Montessori isn't trademarked, anyone can slap it on their door, even if they don't have Montessori materials and their staff is not Montessori trained. So, it's pretty important to look for that CURRENT accredidation (it gets renewed every so often and the facility and staff get re-checked). They look to make sure that staff has reputable Montessori education and certification (teachers must hold certificates from accredited Montessori teacher programs) and they check to make sure that classrooms have complete sets of Montessori materials that are in good working order.
Best of luck finding a good place to send your little one. Good for you for choosing Montessori--it really is an excellent philosophy of education!
:) M.

I take my 20 month old little girl to Mr. Lali's Little friends Montessori in Bloomington. I love it!!! The cleanest daycare I looked at when I moved to the area in June. It's definitely worth a look!!!!

My step-son went to the Early Education Montessori in St. Louis Park and LOVED it. They were really nice and kept him active & engaged. I think the facility is in clean, well-maintained condition - though not brand-new.

We send our daughter to Primrose School of Savage which is the first Primrose School to be franchised in MN. The company itself has a long history. We have been really, really happy with it. The building is new, toys are all new and they even have a Primrose bus. The owners and staff are amazing; we've been very impressed. I understand that there is a Primrose in Eden Prairie as well, but have not been to that school. The approach is their own called Balanced Learning -- somewhere between a traditional approach and a Montessori one. If you need more information, let me know and I'll tell you of our experience.