This review is my experience as a parent with a child previously enrolled in the preschool program…read moreat the Brea, CA campus. She was in room 15.
I want to start by saying how much I loved Ms. Rolon and Mrs. Calabrese. They were always so welcoming and genuine.
My daughter started in July, feeling confident this was the right fit. However, that quickly changed. My daughter's teacher (who I will leave unnamed) right off the bat, my husband and I felt didn't like my daughter, and my daughter felt it. High-strung energy and frantic energy are not good for young ones who are nervous to start. Not welcoming, and immediately made her out to be a "BAD" kid. I think it ruined her first preschool experience.
Backing up, my daughter was born 4 months before the pandemic broke out and had never been in daycare or school, which was explained when we enrolled her. I was very transparent about everything when touring and signing up. Mrs. Calabrese, who gave us a tour, and who sold us. She was absolutely wonderful & genuine. Mrs. Calabrese left shortly after my daughter started so we relied on some of the staff and teachers. Which didn't provide us with much comfort.
I strongly believe if your child doesn't fit the mold of their concept of a perfect child, there will be red flags that they will not welcome you back, soon. Not every child is the same and they did nothing to help with my daughter's social integration troubles. Which by the way, is completely normal and even more so since she is a Covid baby. More and more I researched and spoke to other preschools, Covid babies are showing delays since the world stopped for 2 years. I am not making excuses for my child and will be the first one to admit she is strong-willed and determined. Those attributes are wonderful if channeled the right way. This school is not for your child if your child shows any type of out-of-the-mold behavior.
The classroom was absolute chaos, my daughter's diaper was always dirty picking her up, the wrong clothing was sent home often, and never once did I hear anything positive about my daughter doing well.
Furthermore, we got a week's notice that she wasn't welcome back the next month, we were told we should keep an eye on some behaviors & get her assessed as she might have something wrong with her. Since then I have gotten 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions from qualified individuals, and think this is ridiculous & untrue. You have no idea, how horrible this felt, and I hope was a true intention on their end but I doubt it.
What really bothered me was on her last day, we walked in to put her lunch bag away in her cubby and her name was already taken down from her cubby. It broke my heart because it proved how much they wanted her gone. Luckily, my daughter isn't old enough to understand it, but if she were older that would have been really awful to explain.
Now, we have found a fabulous preschool (with the same ratio btw), and my daughter has made a full 360. The teacher is patient, loves kids, and really wants them to do well.
Every child is DIFFERENT! Do better Heights Christian. Run this as a school, not a business!