Absolutely Avoid This Place - Terrible for Both Teachers and Children
I observed Blue Kangaroo Learning Center both located at Summit Ridge and South Reno. I am going to write this review as professional as possible. Though neither of the schools are placed as higher educational school, I highly recommend avoiding this particular place (Summit Ridge) if you care about your child's education or if you're an educator who values a supportive and professional environment. Do not send your child to or work at Blue Kangaroo Learning Center because this place is an absolute disaster when it comes to providing quality early childhood education and a respectful work environment.
For Parents:
*The educational support for children is practically nonexistent. Instead of fostering a nurturing and stimulating learning environment, teachers are discouraged from using effective child development strategies.
*Floaters who implement nurturing, positive guidance techniques are unfairly accused of playing favorites--even though these practices can help children form secure attachments and improve their behavior.
*The predominant approach to discipline involves the use of time-outs rather than constructive, developmental guidance.
*Children who display challenging behaviors are ignored rather than guided. This means that instead of helping kids learn how to regulate emotions and develop social skills, the staff simply looks the other way.
*Although one teacher in Wallabies demonstrates effective positive guidance, positive behavioral management is not embraced by the majority of the staff.
*The curriculum is outdated, and there is little to no effort put into meaningful lesson planning or engagement.
*Your child is unlikely to receive the kind of care and learning experience they deserve.
*A program director has been observed bringing a 1-year-old girl out for gummy bears--an amount that poses a significant choking hazard for young children.
For Teachers:
*If you're an educator who genuinely cares about early childhood education, this is not the place for you.
*Teachers who try to use evidence-based, child-centered teaching methods are actively discouraged from doing so.
*There is no open communication--if colleagues have an issue with you, they won't discuss it with you directly. Instead, they'll go behind your back and complain to management.
*Leadership does not support its teachers, making it nearly impossible to grow or implement good teaching practices.
*The work environment is toxic, and many passionate teachers leave because of the unprofessional and unsupportive culture.
Adding to the problematic culture is the fact that this is a family-run business. The management team is largely composed of family members. While family involvement isn't inherently negative, it becomes an issue when non-family staff are consistently marginalized. Gossip and backdoor conversations among non-family teachers are common, and management shows little support for those who are treated unfairly (again, because this is a family business).
The culture of unequal treatment that exists at this school raises concerns about both the welfare of the children and the overall professionalism of the institution.
This center does a disservice to both children and staff. If you're a parent looking for a quality preschool or a teacher seeking a respectful and professional workplace, do yourself a favor and stay far away from Blue Kangaroo Learning Center FOREVER. read more
