I must warn others about my troubling experience with Arka Montessori. When we first enrolled the kids at Arca Montessori, we had concerns about the
9 a.m. check-in, since our son was used to a 9:30 check-in. However, the staff reassured us that if we called ahead before 9 a.m. when running a few minutes late, it would be fine, and we could still bring them in.
Despite this, the school lacked a visible Montessori curriculum, and the environment felt cold and uninspiring like a jail. Communication was poor, and the director's professionalism fell far short--she never introduced herself, did not acknowledge parents, and made herself unavailable for meetings for concerns. When we raised concerns about flexible check-in, we were told by front desk staff it would be fine--only for them to later deny us entry when we were 3 minutes late. Our kids were only enrolled 8 days!
The worst part came on day 8, when Jessica Kohler, the manager, aggressively confronted me as I was leaving with my children at 5pm. She spoke in a demeaning, disrespectful tone in front of my kids and other parents. When I requested a meeting with the director in a professional setting, she refused and continued her aggressive behavior saying the Director gave her authority to speak to me in that manner and in that setting. I told her I no longer felt safe due to her tone and aggression towards me while i had my children--if I didn't feel safe, I knew my children weren't either. I told her that it would be my kids last day at the daycare.
She asked me to get their belongings since i was unenrolling them. While retrieving their belongings, she rushed into my space, yelling that she wasn't intimidated by me--while I held my 12-month-old daughter and had my 3-year-old son.
I calmly explained I was only following her instructions to collect their things, but she screamed at me to "leave or else." All while in me and my daughter face, pointing. I walked out headed towards to front door.
After this, she threw our belongings on the counter and ordered me out. Afterward, I met with the director via phone, whose professionalism also fell short--she never took accountability, made no effort to make herself available, and simply deferred to the manager's conduct.
In short, Arka Montessori is unprofessional, lacks a true Montessori environment, and both the director and staff--especially Jessica Kohler--failed in their duty to provide a safe, respectful space. Please do not bring your babies to this daycare. It is not a safe environment for them or yourself. I do not recommend this daycare. read more