TLDR: I don't recommend CIS for high energy kids and parents who value communication, peace of mind, and reliable child care that is attuned to a child's individual needs and won't kick your child out with little notice.
My kid was at this school for 9 months until we were asked to leave the school and 'find other options', quite abruptly, because our child was not napping during naptime. CIS is a private school so it is within their rights to expel students but the situation was handled very badly.
First, even though they had been dealing with this for several months, it was never communicated to us as a problem until we were asked to leave. The director didn't propose any solutions (besides telling me to keep reminding my kid to nap at naptime), blamed me, implied that my kid had behavioral or mental issues that needed medical attention and was unwilling to work with me to figure out ways we could make it work. When I asked how they dealt with non-nappers in the past, she said they were also asked to leave. They weren't willing to adapt, try different things or explore creative ways to help my child nap. The onus was on my 2.5 year old child to change their behavior.
The teachers mean well but they seem stretched beyond capacity. This school seems under-resourced and under-staffed. The teachers who took my child in at 730am were the same ones who were there at pickup as late as 6pm. That's a very long, draining work day.
They are ill-equipped to deal with unexpected issues. Every child is different. Shouldn't child care professionals know how to handle a variety of situations or at least have potential solutions for when they arise? If they can't deal with nap strikes, that doesn't inspire much confidence. Certain things the director said made me think she doesn't have much experience with children--like when she said that if you talk to any child sharply enough they will obey.
Other negatives: Due to covid protocols and bad communication, we never saw the inside of the school and had no idea what was going on on a daily or even weekly basis. It was like dropping my child into a black hole every day. We didn't have much communication with the teachers. Also, when we were troubleshooting why my kid was still wired at naptime I found out that the kids only got about 20 minutes of outside time a day.
Positives: My child didn't get covid and wasn't constantly ill while enrolled there. 7am-6 pm operating hours are very convenient for working parents. Tuition is comparatively affordable and meals are provided.
I cannot recommend this school. As a parent, I felt that the professionals who I had entrusted with my child's care did not support me in finding the best solutions for my child. Being abandoned and left to scramble for alternative options with little notice in November, when most schools are already full, was also very stressful.
Worst of all, my usually very happy kid who the director described as 'a positive, fun, and intelligent child' started crying and resisting school in the final month. I'm not sure what changed. All I know is that my kid started saying things like 'you're not listening !' and 'no no no no!' so I imagine that the interactions between my kid and the teachers turned quite negative and my kid was made to feel bad for the crime of not napping.
I'm writing this review after 5 months at a different, well-staffed and well-resourced school where teachers seem happy and are attuned to children's individual needs, creative, and firm but caring. My kid is supported, thriving and actually naps! In hindsight, CIS wasn't a good fit and the fact that there aren't any recent positive reviews is a red flag. read more