There are many laws and regulations that impact Montessori programs. For example:
- Some states do not allow 5 or 6-year olds to be in the same classroom with three and four-year olds.
- Many states cap the number of children that can be in a classroom or have small adult-child ratios impacting ideal class size.
- Some states do not adequately recognize the Montessori teacher credential, so teachers are required to complete additional, non-Montessori coursework to be able to lead classrooms.
- Some states mandate that items that fit through a choke tube (think golden beads and button frames) cannot be in a classroom with children under 3 or under 4.