We visited a bilingual Montessori kindergarten in Poznań’s Jeżyce district to speak with founder Dorota about independence, education and why trusting children matters more than ever.
Choosing the right kindergarten in Poznań can feel overwhelming for international families. Opened in 2015, the kindergarten was one of the first Montessori settings in Poznań and remains the city’s only bilingual Montessori school.
She is also featured in Poznan Daily’s first ever paper edition which you can find around town in over 150+ coffee shops and restaurants. In case you missed it, here’s the online version.
Montessori Education in Poznań
“I actually started with the Helen Doron method,” Dorota tells us, “but after three years I knew it wasn’t right for me.” Montessori, she says, felt natural, especially as a mother of two. “My own children also joined the school and grew up in this Montessori environment,” she says.
The school works with children aged 3 to 6, all learning together in one mixed-age group. “We don’t separate children by age,” Dorota explains. “It’s more like a real family. Younger children learn by watching older ones, and the older ones learn responsibility, patience and empathy.”
English is the main language spoken at the school, with Polish and Spanish also part of daily life. Alongside Montessori work, children take part in activities including judo, acrobatics, tennis, football, culinary workshops, chemistry, dog therapy and movement classes.
Asked what parents should see to truly understand Montessori, Dorota answers without hesitation: “Trust the children. When you step back and really watch them, you realise how much they can do on their own.”
She believes traditional schools could learn from Montessori’s flexibility. “We encourage, we don’t push. That difference matters,” she says. Another common misconception is that Montessori is too relaxed. “It’s freedom of choice, not freedom without limits — there’s a big difference.”
One of the hardest parts of her role is diagnosing children’s needs and discussing them with parents. “It can be a sensitive subject,” Dorota admits. Looking ahead, she would love to see more Montessori schools for older children. “For ages seven to fifteen, I think there’s only one in Poznań.”
And will parents see quick results? Dorota smiles. “In twenty years, you’ll definitely see them.” As for being around children all day? “It’s exhausting sometimes,” she laughs, “but I couldn’t live without it.”
For parents looking for a Montessori kindergarten in Poznań, the school offers a bilingual environment where independence and curiosity are encouraged from an early age.
