Children who finish a Montessori preschool usually move into Class 1 at a CBSE, ICSE or State Board school with confidence. The skills Montessori builds carry over well: concentration, independence, early reading and a real feel for numbers. Some things will feel new, such as sitting in rows, timed lessons and homework. A little preparation in the last term makes the change smooth.
What Montessori children take with them
- Concentration. Years of the long morning work period build the habit of staying with a task.
- Independence. Managing their own bag, lunch box and belongings.
- Reading and writing. Phonics learned through sandpaper letters and the movable alphabet.
- Number sense. Counting, place value and the four operations learned with real materials, not only on paper.
- Getting along with others. Mixed-age classes teach children to help and to ask for help.
What may feel new
- Sitting at a desk for a whole lesson
- The same activity for the whole class at the same time
- Bells, timetables and homework
- Marks and tests
Most children adjust within the first term.
How to prepare in the last year
- Practise the routines of a big school: a fixed seat, a timetable, a little “homework” that is fun.
- Talk positively about the new school and visit it together if you can.
- Ask your Montessori guide for a summary of your child’s strengths to share with the new class teacher.
- Check the admission age rules of the school you choose. They differ between boards and schools.
At Kidoz
In the M3 (UKG) year at Kidoz, children aged 4.8 years and above follow the same Montessori curriculum. Their guides also prepare them for the move to Class 1. Parents get regular progress meetings and written reports, so you can plan the next school with a clear picture of your child. See admissions or call +91 89397 89900.
Common questions
Will my child fall behind in a CBSE school after Montessori?
Usually not. A child who completes the Montessori years has worked with reading, writing and numbers every day. The bigger change is the routine, not the learning.
Do Montessori children struggle with tests?
Tests are new to them, so the first ones may feel unfamiliar. They tend to settle quickly because they are used to working on their own.
Should I move my child out of Montessori before UKG?
The final year of a Montessori class is when children consolidate and lead the younger ones, so completing it is valuable.
