This study aims to investigate to what extent current Japanese Montessori nursery schools embody the physical elements of the environment suggested by Maria Montessori. Based on these elements, a questionnaire was constructed and mailed to a total of 701 Montessori and non-Montessori nursery schools all over Japan. Replies from 95 and 192 schools (Montessori, non-Montessori, respectively) were ana