Hello everyone. We are currently checking out the local scuole materne as my son will hopefully be starting in September (although it only seems 5 mins since he was born!!) Could you let me know what you like/don't like about the scuole materne you have had experience of? In particular I would like to know:
- what questions to ask the teachers on open day
- if you decided to use private schools, why. (We are also looking at the scuole private convenzionate but not the international schools).
- if we send my son to a Catholic school will it make any difference to them that I am not catholic?

Thanks for any info/opinions - I'm getting really confused by it all and the deadline is fast approaching!

Re catholic schools, I do not think they will particularly care about your believes. But keep in mind that they may have many hours of catholic religion teaching even at materna level, and this may be a problem for you or create conflicts in the way you want to educate your son.

I would check very carefully about class size. Unfortunately, we were not told the truth about the size of my child's materna class and it is far too large, even if the teacher is very good. (We will be switching my oldest to another school this year where I am certain class sizes are smaller.) Make sure that you ask about it, but also check with other parents who send their kids there (the absolute best way to learn about a school) and be sure to ask to see existing classes. Both of my sons have been in private, Catholic schools and we have been pleased with them. The public asili nidi and materne are very difficult to get into in Rome and the hours are not convenient for our work and we found the private schools to be more flexible with longer hours and shorter vacations. I have liked Catholic school and there are many non-Catholics in my childrens' classes, but they will get religious education, lunchtime prayers, etc so you have to be comfortable with that. Good luck! I am sure that your son will love it at materna.