U ovom radu istaknuta je važnost ranog odgoja te stvaranja poticajnoga okruženja za prirodno učenje u okruženju dječjega vrtića. Posebice je istaknuta važnost uloge odgojitelja, druge djece i odraslih, različitih igara, praktično-životnih aktivnosti, s obzirom na djecu rane dobi te osiguravanje uvjeta za odvijanje što prirodnijega procesa ranoga učenja. Organizacija aktivnosti, vremena i prostora, ima odlučujući utjecaj za proces odgoja i obrazovanja djeteta. Ovaj rad donosi pregled načela i metoda rada Montessori vrtića te njihovu usporedbu s načelima i metodama tradicionalnih vrtića. U metodološkom dijelu rada prikazani su rezultati istraživanja u dva tradicionalna i Montessori vrtiću.

This work emphasized the importance of early education and the creation of a stimulating environment for learning in an kindergarten environment. In particular, it highlighted the importance of the role of educators, other children and adults, various games, practical life activities with regard to young children and ensuring the conditions to maintain process of early learning as much as possible natural. Organization of activities, time and space, has a decisive influence on the process of education of the child. This paper provides an overview of the principles and methods of Montessori kindergarten and their comparison with the principles and methods of traditional kindergartens. Methodological part of the paper presents the results of research for two traditional and one Montessori kindergarten.