Great environment. The teachers and staff are extremely kind and care deeply about the well being…read moreand education of the children. Materials are hand crafted creatively by the teachers. There are quite a few custom built pieces like benches, drinking fountain, pergola, and little house for the kids to play in.

1. They are careless about COVID guidelines--the staff often do not wear masks or do not cover…read moretheir noses. COVID exposure seems to have forced them to close down for some time in Summer 2021. 2. There are not many activities: the children run about the "garden" aimlessly, screaming at each other.

Though named and marketed as Montessori, the principles, education, and structure are not present…read more Rather, this is a childcare center where teachers do whatever they want and leave the actual work of caring for children to the part time and non-lead-teachers. There are frequent times when the leadership team - made up of the owner and the "front desk" is unavailable or out of the office for extended period of time. The children and families are great, and really deserve the best care possible for their kids! But, if you're looking for an actual, practicing Montessori, and a place that works with the ICCSD & University of Iowa schedules, I'd recommend to keep searching until you find somewhere that feels right for your family.

From the owner: La Montessori Nurtury is a home away from home for the little ones entrusted to our care. We…read moreprepare an authentic Montessori environment in which our children explore, learn, and grow every day. In our classrooms, specially trained teachers thoughtfully select learning materials and provide opportunities for students to learn with gentle guidance and assistance. Children are involved in their daily routines of care to foster independence, and they assist in caring for the classroom environment to promote responsibility and respect. Our small class sizes, cozy environment, and involvement of families in the life of the Nurtury facilitate a sense of community and help our teachers get to know each child as a unique individual. Specializing in the first five years of life, we know and love the little years and are grateful for the opportunities we have to nurture our students in these especially formative years.

Omg I was fuming today. Caleb, who just turned 3, had his first day back at daycare the other day…read more I get a call today from the head of the daycare saying that he isn't allowed back because he won't keep his mask on and is running around the room. Ok? I explain he doesn't leave the house and isn't used to wearing a mask so maybe give it another day? Oh no then she says his speech is too delayed to continue there? Knowing he's waiting for classes to open up. Wtf! He's 3 lady and your a "school" so you claim. No help offered, just he's delayed and not welcome back. How rude and evil. Agghh some people shouldn't teach! Well don't worry my child won't be back where he's not wanted.

I wonder if this school is still "suspending" or "expelling" 3 year olds for ... wait for it…read more.. behaving like 3 year olds? Because when my son was there, this was actually a fairly common practice. Several children from my son's age group were routinely sent home for "bad behavior," which amounted to normal kid behavior. The school is also very proud of the fact that they don't do "special education," which is an odd thing to be proud of, IMO.

Not worth your time, money or effort. I did an observation and was extremely disappointed. I…read morewitnessed a very aggressive teacher who was awful with the kids. If your child attends please do an observation.

Please do not discount or discredit this rating. It has taken me a very long time to come to terms…read morewith our time at this school, and if I could give a negative rating, I would. Looking for a Montessori education we came across Montessori System Preschool of Black Hawk County and considered ourselves lucky to get in. If only we knew what the next year would hold. Continual dismissals of our children. Messages and emails about needing to pick children up early due to incredibly minor issues ie: a runny nose with no additional symptoms. Children cannot return once sent home until the "symptoms" disappear, until at least 24 hours pass, or with a doctor's note. I never had issues returning with a doctor's note, but urgent care and primary providers definitely rolled eyes and expressed frustration when I took up their time (especially during cold and flu season) due a "fever" of 99.0 degrees. I'll repeat what was said in other reviews - more closures than the public school system, additional money charged for childcare during mandatory conferences or closures. Alleged behavioral issues that staff had been dealing with for "weeks" with consequences to begin immediately (ie: come get your child now), while we, the parents, just found out about said behavior and had no choice or chance to work through it with the school or help address the behavior with a child to help them actually grow and learn from said experiences. The reason I am writing this review is more due to how parents and children are treated. You and the child are made to feel small, unworthy, and at fault - always. What is happening is because you are a bad parent and you have failed. Because your child is a bad child "never in our (40 years) have we had to deal with this" ... Because your or your child has failed in some way. There are no meetings or conversations to help work through possible issues or concerns, and no efforts to treat anything as a learning experience. Children (and parents) are always learning. Day in, day out, we are learning and growing, and teaching kids how to learn, grow and adapt behavior, along with consequences for their actions, is part of why we wanted a Montessori education. What we got from this school is knowledge that some educators punish children for having their own minds, their own thoughts, and their own feelings, and I wish we were able to warn more parents away sooner. I didn't get the chance to interact with many teachers. I can tell you that we, and our child, adored Ms. Katy during our time there. The administration should answer to a board, and that board would quickly see the need to replace the administration. After leaving, I talked to former parents whose children attended years before my time, and the behavior and treatment of children and their parents has not changed in well over a decade. This school is not worth your sanity or your child's well being.

The administration as of 2022 is ruining what could otherwise be a wonderful school. The contract…read moreyou sign leaves you with little power, and makes it nearly impossible to leave if you are unhappy (unless you are willing to pay out the remainder of the contract). My children were sent home from school almost weekly for illness, and sometimes for ones that seemed, frankly, invented. When I tried to bring one of my children back with a doctor's note to show we had waited a medically approved amount of time, the director told me she didn't trust doctors, and asked that her daughter inspect my child to determine if she was healthy enough to return. They twist facts to make themselves look good and to make people with genuine concerns look bad. Can't recommend for any working parents, or to those who wish for their children to be in school with regularity. Really disappointing.