So grateful to have found this montessori while looking for an infant daycare. We are fortunate to…read morehave our little one here and thankful for the family we have formed here I wouldn't change anything and would definitely do it all over again!

Absolutely love our experience at Arcadia Montessori. Our daughter has been there for over a year…read morenow and she looks forward to school every day! She has the best teachers and the best friends. She has learned so much from numbers to songs to Spanish. Highly recommend AMS!!!

I am extremely disappointed in the way Khalsa Montessori School has handled my daughter's presence…read morein the classroom. Instead of working collaboratively with us as parents, she is constantly being singled out in ways that other students are not. This has made her feel excluded and different, which is heartbreaking and unacceptable in an environment that claims to support children's development. As a parent, I am actively doing the work needed to support my child and address any areas that need growth. However, it feels like there is a constant problem being created rather than solutions being offered. The lack of consistency, understanding, and inclusivity has left me frustrated and angry. No child should feel targeted or left out while others are treated differently. I expected a school that values compassion, communication, and partnership with families. Unfortunately, that has not been our experience. I sincerely hope the school reflects on how they approach and support children who may need extra understanding, because the current approach is damaging--not only to the child, but to the trust parents place in the school. My daughter is now in a school where they prioritize all of the needs, but where they focus on the academics and she is thriving which validated all of the concerns I had. Switching my child out of Khalsa was the best choice I ever made!

My name is Anand Khalsa, and I attended Khalsa Montessori School from preschool through 4th grade…read more While my experiences at Khalsa Primary School were nurturing and positive, my three years in elementary school were marked by emotional abuse and neglect from my lead teacher, Carie Modeer. I saw this behavior directed towards a number of students, including myself. My primary school teacher, Judith, created a safe and supportive environment for all students, using Maria Montessori's methods to encourage a vibrant classroom community. When I left primary school, I was a happy, upbeat kid. Judith reported that I was a "fair-minded, natural leader", who would "be an asset to any elementary classroom." Yet, as soon as I entered Carie's classroom, I was singled out for mistreatment and exclusion. Throughout most of my first grade year, I was locked in a bathroom hallway, isolated from my peers, who I later learned had been instructed to ignore me. Later on in elementary school, I was more often shamed in front of my peers than isolated. Isolation, shunning, and shaming were all weaponized as tools of punishment by Carie for anything she deemed as "bad choices", which included (as per my report cards) "gets distracted easily", "has trouble staying organized", "frequently daydreams" or "asks too many questions of adults". I must thank my teacher for, at the very least, accurately recording my early struggles with executive functioning, as her reports were instrumental in getting a diagnosis of ADHD-PI later in life and receiving treatment. Yet unfortunately, in the classroom, Carie treated my neurodevelopmental struggles as serious moral failings warranting punishment, and repeatedly told me I was making "bad choices" and therefore couldn't remain in the classroom environment with my peers. I remember being emotionally crushed by my isolation. My pleas for help with my struggles, and my insistence that I was doing my best, were met with either silence or quiet derision. Maria Montessori strongly discouraged the use of isolation or shunning as a punishment in schools, saying "it behooves us to think of what may happen to the spirit of the child who is condemned to grow in conditions so artificial that his very bones may become deformed." If this is the case, why were these techniques being used at an ostensibly Montessori School? The answer lies in the school's foundations. Yogi Bhajan, as he was known, was a cult leader who taught his own version of Sikhism he called Sikh Dharma or 3HO. The Khalsa School was founded by followers of Bhajan, who has since been disgraced as a serial abuser of women and children, as confirmed by an independent report by The Olive Branch. Bhajan's followers were encouraged to send their children to Indian boarding schools. These schools were run in an intensely disciplinarian, and often highly abusive manner, with children subjected to everything from malnourishment to confinement. While the scale of abuse differs in magnitude, the parallels to the Khalsa School are difficult to ignore. Across these very different educational settings, the underlying educational principles that Bhajan commanded his followers adhere to remain eerily similar. Rather than following the Montessori Method in good faith, the school cynically deploys "Montessori" language and aesthetics in order to conceal their underlying teaching philosophy, which is much closer to that of a strict Christian day school, with some features of an early college preparatory academy. In fact, Khalsa School's principles run in direct opposition to many of Maria Montessori's teachings, which include: accommodating each individual child's unique needs, interests and pace of development, creating a vibrant classroom environment that encourages frequent interaction and collaboration between students, and strongly discourages the use of punishments and rewards, particularly social isolation. Instead, Khalsa School's core principles, include: enforcing strict disciplinarianism with little tolerance for individuality or difference, creating a cold, sterile environment where children are told to sit still and shut their mouths, and creating a culture that encourages faculty and students to shun and bully any children who are different and don't fit in to the "Khalsa mold". These unspoken tenants are all, directly or indirectly, influenced by the teachings of Bhajan. A former assistant teacher who was present during my time in Carie's classroom called it a "prison of silence". That phrase sums up my experience quite well. For those three years, I felt like I was suffocating, drowning, with no escape in sight. I wish I could go back in time and warn my parents to not send me to Khalsa. Instead, it has taken me nearly 20 years of my life to unravel this very traumatic period of my childhood. Now, I hope sharing my story can help others to avoid what I went through.

We have 2 children that attend CHP and it is a wonderful preschool! It is family run with teachers…read moreand staff being long time caring employees. It is a holistic education, with strong academics, lots of play, cultural studies, art, science, emotional intelligence, music, soccer, yoga, health, and the list goes on. The food cooked on site is organic and real food that the children enjoy. There are performances by the children, family events, holiday events, field trips, and more. Our oldest child has started K and was very well prepared coming from CHP. We are so happy we found this gem for our children!

We loved this school. Teachers and staffs are caring and loving. My child was more than ready…read morewhen he went to Kindergarten. Each kids became good friends in class. The school really combined learning and fun together. Parents can rest assured to place their child with this school.

Both of my children attended school at Awakening Seed School. Though they are now older and have…read moremoved on in their lives, it is readily apparent that what they learned at the school has stayed with them. The Seed helped them learn how to engage with others from a variety of backgrounds, believe in themselves, and be actively involved in our community. Both my husband and I feel very fortunate to have found Awakening Seed for our kids. It is truly a special place.

The Awakening Seed is an outstanding school with an experience unlike any other school out there…read more This school allows the children to experience things that have gone away at other schools. Show and tell with real animals, the ability to plan and get dirty at playground time and so many other experiences that are unheard of now. The teachers really care about the students and it's more of a huge learning family than a school.

Little Lantanas has been my son's school for the past 2 years and it was the best decision we made…read morefor his social, academic, and emotional development. This is a very small school that creates a close community of children that really care about each other. My son loves coming to school every day because his friends and teachers are patient, caring, and kind. He always says Mrs. Elledge and Ms. Tae are his favorite teachers. My son struggled at other schools but Mrs. Elledge welcomed him with genuine care and intention to understand him and guide him through the Montessori program. It is a school that develops the whole child and where each child is seen as an individual. This means children are taught academics at their pace, taught how to engage with their environment and classmates with respect, and where the teachers have a relationship with each child. Now that my son is going to first grade, we will always cherish the time he had at Little Lantanas and will definitely be back to visit!

my son has been at Little Lantanas since the age of 3. As soon as we met Mrs Elledge we knew this…read morewas the best option for us. Mrs. Elledge is a long time educator with a depth of experience. she challenges herself and works to deepen her skills by continuing her education. She truly loves education and is GOOD at it. Her love of learning directly impacts the students. My kid is happy there and absolutely loves the different learning activities they have. At pickup he often wants to take me in the classroom and show me his current favorite work activity. Little Lantanas without a doubt has been the best school for us.

Our daughter has been going here for 2 years, they've made a lot of improvements & focus on early…read moreintroduction of education. We love this school!

A lot billing of errors. Dirty tables on the playground outside. Staff makes no attempt to clean…read morethem. The Director has refused to allow my daughter to come to school. She stated I had to pay an invoice that wasn't due till November 6th before I could bring her back. As of today it's November 2nd. I am not passed due on any invoices. This school randomly increases tuition with very little notice. A lot of staff changes. I have messaged the director. I have called the office multiple times with no answer. I don't know who's above her but they need to know how unprofessional she is. My daughter suffered an injury while her their care. No report filed until I notified them. Now they want photos and a doctor note as proof when it's all on camera.

This daycare has been a great experience for my children. I have a one year old and a three year…read moreold and they have been learning and growing in this family-oriented daycare. I appreciate the staff and teachers. I love the safety system in place and the nutritious meals they make. My kids enjoy the food here more than at home haha. It's a great experience. I do recommend this childcare center as it not only focuses on social emotional growth but their overall development. 5 stars does not do justice for this center. I would give it a 10 stars if I could. My heart is at ease that I found a center that is like their second home.

My daughter has been going here for a year now and she loves it, she is thriving, I love her…read moreteachers and all of the ladies are so friendly and caring about your child. Home-cooked meals and have good Security for safety I love that also they are teaching our children! I would recommend this daycare!!

Maple bear is a great school with a structured curriculum and educated full time staff. They are…read morewonderful. They require all students to wear a maple bear T-shirt which is great, makes getting ready easy and provides extra layer of consistency. They communicate daily and my son binds so well with the teachers. They only employ full time teachers so that students have the same adults all day. They don't shuffle around to maximize ratios. In fact they keep Their ratios below state standards.

My wife and I enrolled our 7 month old daughter at Maple Bear 3 months ago. She has absolutely…read moreloved her time there so far. From her second day, she gets "excited" to go see her teachers (Ms. Darla, Ms, Kelsey, Ms. Bianca and Ms. Betty) and little friends in Bear Care 2. Originally we hesitated sending her to daycare at all as we were worried about missing out on so much of her critical developmental months, but after seeing how much she enjoys it and how much she has improved at things she used to hate (tummy time, floor time, etc), we know we made the right choice. We also love getting photos and updates on the app throughout the day. Thank you, Maple Bear staff!

ZERO STARS! ZERO STARS! ZERO STARS!…read more Before considering to work here and ask questions thoroughly. They put kids ON TIME OUT. That's absurd. Also, when I was applying, the director was "nice" but once I got the job her attitude changed. Very inconsiderate, very disrespectful and rude because when I was scheduled to do a "TB test" she immediately thought I did a no call no show! Then fired me. Didn't even give me a chance. I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. (Also I tried applying again and the disrespect is through the roof!)

Our 18 month daughter has been at PPP for 5 months after being cared for at home for her fist 13…read more Months. It has given us such piece of mind having our daughter at PPP each day. The professionalism and care of the staff has been exceptional, especially during the challenging economic and covid times. Margot (the director/owner) has been a great coach to us as the parents and to our daughter as she transitioned from home care to day care, walking us through what to expect as our daughter started and adapted to preschool. By the end of the first week our daughter was cheering (YAAAAAY!) when we got to school and does a stomping dance as we walk toward the entrance. We've also learned that if we pick her up during afternoon recess, she cries because she's not ready to leave. This is a great, clean, and well-organized center that our whole family appreciates. Margot runs a tight ship and you can see how much she cares by how involved she is with every classroom and coordinating drop off and pick up. We have watched out daughter grow mentally and physically as she learns to interact with other kids, follow directions, and do arts and crafts. I'd highly recommend PPP and it was a shining light standing out in the limited daycare/preschool options in midtown and we are glad to have found it.

Choosing a pre-K school or daycare for your little one is stressful, especially when research has…read moreshown that the years before kindergarten are crucial for learning and development. Parents strive to find the right place where their child can have the best chance of success. Whether or not you adhere to the Montessori principles, Tree Roots Montessori (TRM) is a top-notch environment for any child. Here's why we chose TRM and stayed there for 3 years (ages 2-5): 1. The staff operates under a growth mindset. We experienced a positive relationship with Ms. Hulya and her staff. Ms. Hulya has over 15+ years of experience and demonstrates a desire to stay current and advance her professional development. She attends yearly workshops and maintains a curiosity for learning. When you find an educator with such deep passion for teaching, it makes a night-and-day difference for your child. 2. The setting is ripe for learning. It's obvious that everything at this school is designed to advance and elevate the students' learning experiences. This space is purposefully curated, impeccably organized, and remarkably clean. It continues to pass official health inspections by always adhering to their standards. Think of TRM as a daily retreat or sanctuary for your kids. 3. Intimacy yields social and emotional development. The teacher-child ratio is optimal (including Ms. Hulya, there are 2 additional assistants on-site). The small class size helped our kid develop deeper relationships with other kids and gain a sense of collective responsibility. As younger kids grow and progress, they are encouraged to provide mentorship for incoming kids. It's these relationships that emphasize social and emotional development, making academic achievements possible (i.e. reading, writing, math skills, etc.). 4. Mealtimes cultivate positive experiences with food. We wanted a place that stressed good nutrition and smart eating habits. TRM always has snacks on-hand (from Whole Foods) and follows a strict policy of 'no sugar or junk food' in lunches. Kids participate in setting the table and loading dishwasher, eating their veggies first, and helping with meal prep. These communal eating experiences and regular cooking activities also led to good dining etiquette and meal planning for our family at home. 5. Trust and transparency are key to everyone. Much of TRM successes are attributed to Ms. Hulya and her teaching philosophy. This is why parents must equally invest in developing a transparent working relationship with her. We found Ms. Hulya to be open to our suggestions, honest in addressing our concerns, and willing to provide reasonable solutions for any course correction. Her communication was warm and friendly; mostly done via in-person or phone call (sometimes via text message or email). Overall, we wouldn't trade our experiences at TRM for anything. Our child felt the support of educators who invested in his development within a loving environment. He now has self-confidence and social skills needed to transition to kindergarten. He has an enthusiasm for learning, creating the building blocks for academic success. He also discovered passions (like cooking and painting) that we'll continue to foster. We know it's not always easy to find the right learning environment for your child. Choosing a school can be a trial-and-error process. If TRM is a good fit, you will not be disappointed. Hope this review is helpful --- and good luck!!

My daughter has been with Tree Roots since she was 2 and is now 4. She will be attending until…read moreKindergarten because of how vital Tree Roots is to our lives. Not only has she had one on one education since the day she started, but she has grown so close to her school friends over her time here. Mrs. Hulya and Ms. Patti are two of the most kind, loving, and gentle teachers we could have hoped for. From gardening to swimming to fostering independence... the skills she has learned at her time here are beyond sufficient to build the strongest foundation for her future. I only wish every child had the opportunity to benefit from such an amazing institution.