Save Curbside Drop-Off

I find this program to be an easier transition for my son, no prolonged good byes and wailing babies. I find afternoons when I pick him up to be a better time to check in with his teachers and see what he did that day.

I live next to this school and I do not have a problem with the curb side drop off.

Curbside drop-off made our morning routine calmer and less stressful. For those of us with multiple kids/babies to juggle, it was especially appreciated. Additionally, this program was completely optional, so I don't understand the rationale for banning it. If anyone feels like they need to talk to their kids' teachers in the morning, no one is stopping them.

Curbside drop off was very helpful for our family and we have never felt any difficulties interacting with his teachers.

Who exactly does it benefit to ban Curbside Drop-Off? Definitely not the parents or the children. If your reasoning is to promote morning time interaction with teachers, then perhaps all school buses and bus stops need to be banned as well. Your logic here does not make sense. I interact with all of my daughters teachers at the end of the day when I pick her up from school- without issue. I love Sunflower Montessori, but more importantly my daughter adores and is proud of her school. I do not understand why there have been so many unnecessary issues and problems created for the wonderful people at this school over the past year. Curbside Drop-Off is safe and makes the children feel secure during the departure process from their parents. Your agenda may be unspoken, but it is becoming quite clear and definitely not proving to be in the best interests of the students. Please bring back Curbside-Drop-Off now.

My son has always had a really hard time when being dropped off for any sort of childcare or babysitting. Prying him off of me is always so heartbreaking and it always takes him a long time to get calmed down and start his routine at school. The ability to do curbside drop off helped immensely. By the time he reached the doors to his classroom he was calmed down and ready to participate. The loss of curbside drop off will negatively impact our experience and our morning routine, and is not in the best interest of my child. The logic behind not allowing curbside drop off is flawed, and I certainly hope it will be revisited for those of us who genuinely benefit from curbside drop off.

What possible rationale could there be for subjecting children and their parents to a cumbersome, lengthy separation each morning??

Curbside drop off served the best interests of our son. It allowed him to be independent, and say goodbye to Mom/Dad at the car. This scenario had a more positive impact on him than the alternative which is now having Mom/Dad "leave" him at the classroom. It also provided additional interaction with Sunflower's owners and teachers each day, since it allowed for an opportunity to chat individually with administrators and staff before the start of the school day. Also, as a parent, Sunflower staff always made clear to me that curbside drop off was optional, and that I was always welcome to park and walk my child in if that was my (or my child's) preference.

Curbside drop off is MUCH safer for the kids!

Sunflower is a WONDERFUL place and the effort and care that the staff shows to parents is evident every single day. The curbside drop off is just one example of how Sunflower is striving to make parents' lives easier and drop off quick and safe. Staff is always available to talk to and administration is always quick to respond to my questions, not to mention they are the ones standing there at curbside! I have been taking my children to Sunflower for over 3 years and the State's "concern" over parents not having contact with the teachers is completely bogus and contrived. What parent decides to have an in depth conversation with teachers when they drop off their children? Drop off is fast as most of us are scrambling to get to work on time! I also have no doubt that if I did have some extra time to talk to the teachers before rushing to work, they would take the time to visit with me, without hesitation. Sunflower staff and administration are always available and claiming that curb side drop off is restricting our time with the teachers is ridiculous and frankly, I am embarrassed that the licensing agency is handling this so poorly when Sunflower is BY FAR the best place in Missoula for children to go.

There seems to have been a fair number of instances where your agency has required changes be implemented at Sunflower Montessori. I am an involved parent and have toured the facility and spoken many times with the teachers and staff and have found the environment to be very positive. Can you please explain the basis of your concerns? Thank you Thor Burbach

Curbside dropoff is great for kids to help avoid a difficult goodbye in the morning, and gives the parents a one on one greeting from the administrators with plenty of time to relay any important messages for the day. I can text my child's teacher and will see her at the end of the day to check in again. Curbside drop off cuts 20 extra minutes of shuffling kids around out of my morning, and usually saves a lot of tears too!

Sunflower is the best of everywhere I've checked. Also your disciplinary action is on the parents who were given less than 2 weeks notice to find new childcare over the Thanksgiving holiday for babies while there is a shortage in Missoula already.

Not only was this service very convenient for parents, teachers and children, it gave us (the parents) an opportunity to see the school owners (typically elusive in traditional school environments becasue they are busy running a school!) every morning and it gave them an opportunity to get to know the students even better. Parents had ample time in the afternoon with the teachers to discuss anything about their child. This is a very valuable service!