Max’s Playhouse focuses on Montessori education
Children paint with magnets during a science activity at Max’s Playhouse. The business has been in Culver for five years.
Brandy Pohl, owner of Max’s Playhouse, was having trouble finding quality child care.
She was living in Ohio, working in the corporate world and feeling like she wasn’t making a difference at her job. It wasn’t until she enrolled her daughter in a day care program that used the Montessori Method that she began to figure out what she wanted to do.
Montessori is a method of education based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood, according to the American Montessori Society website.
Pohl said she fell in love with the method, and soon enrolled in classes at Ohio State University for middle childhood education.
“You could teach it to any child, you can teach it in any language,” Pohl said. “It’s not about what the teacher is saying, but how you’re feeling and doing the work.”
In June 2013, Pohl started Max’s Playhouse in Culver to fill a child care gap she saw in the area. At the time, there was only one other day care, which operated on the calendar of a preschool.
People often think of day care as children just running around and playing, Pohl said. But day care has since shifted to be education based. A Montessori classroom is hands-on, with a focus on math, science, language and writing.
Pohl said a large part of the Montessori method is encouraging the independence of the child. At Max’s Playhouse, children will often pour their own milk and put their own food on their plate.
“We’re too nervous that they’re going to make a mess,” Pohl said. “But that’s part of it, making the mess but learning through it.”
Max’s Playhouse just celebrated its fifth year in business. Looking ahead, Pohl said she hopes to be able to take on more children, and she’s happy to serve the Culver community.
Max’s Playhouse is now offering a five year anniversary special. Save $20 per week if enrolled by August 1, 2018 and Mention the code ChamberChatter. Immediate full & part time openings available. Call 574-540-7312 for more info.