My daughter attends and I couldn't be more pleased with the level of care she receives. Since…read moreattending, she has blossomed so much and learned a lot. Included with tuition are snacks and lunch; which is great for busy parents. The meals are kid-friendly and well balanced. The weekly lessons feature age appropriate and interesting topics that integrate math, science and literacy. My daughter will be ready for pre-k after attending ERDC.

Their sister day care "Infant Sweet" is absolutely terrible and wouldn't think of leaving my child…read morethere for one more second. They lure you in by giving a week free trial, they tell you how flexible they are. And at the end of the day they put your child in high a chairs for time outs, they allow sick children to still come in. They allow sick staff to take care of your children. The owners mother has a TERRIBLE bedside manner and no respect for the parents at all. If you show up or call before opening she will give you an attitude because it cuts into her coffee and chain-smoking newports on the side of the building before the kids come in. They give children tap water, don't heat up their food, don't give babies their bottles. They actually let the bottles sit out for hours on end. I cannot say enough bad things about this facility. Please please please don't take your children here.

I was nervous about putting my first born into a day care - I was driving an hour to his…read moregrandmothers before work and his father drove an hour to pick him up daily for his first 6 months in that time we visited quite a few day cares even other locations of academic explorers- when I tell you I feel so blessed to have this location so close to home I can't explain the extent I feel it- every teacher and young adult I have encountered/ watched with my son and other kids is amazing! The infants classroom has two primary care-ers and both are nothing short of perfection- the ladies that open the doors greet my son, child and parent in such a warming way! I love having somewhere my son is happy going into and leaving - somewhere I don't worry leaving him- no tvs etc as he's under two and studies show that's terrible -- I'm grateful to have found this location and to have the staff it has !! (Thank you God for the staff at Academic Explorers Merrick) My boy is going on 9 months now and I can only pray I can write a similar review in the next few months/years to come

I'm really surprised by the review about the Seedlings Classroom below. My son just started in the…read moreSeedlings Classroom this year and so far our experience has been wonderful. There was a simple miscommunication when it came to his diapers (super minor) and the teacher rectified it right away and contacted me to clarify/discuss. The teacher and/or school are always reaching out, even for something simple, to keep me and my husband apprised and informed. We appreciate this so much and truly find it to be a reflection of those they hire to nurture and educate the children. We find their COVID protocols very well followed, and we're not nervous sending our son here a few days a week. The staff, teachers and administration always greet us at pick up/drop off and make us feel like our sons going to a special place and loved. In reference to the other comment on curriculum, they're under 2 years. They are just getting acclimated to going to school, let alone the ability to do a true art masterpiece. I think that's a bit unrealistic when it comes to an expectation of artistic ability at that age. Our son has come home with some really great art projects and we're really happy with his progress being he's not even 18 months old. He's learning so much already and we're grateful. Overall, we're very happy with Ridgewood Montessori and will continue to send our son for years to come (as long as everything stays as great as it's been!). In addition, once our daughter is age appropriate we would love to continue the legacy with her attendance as well. Thanks RW for a great experience and for showing our son love, attention, and teaching him every week. We're proud to be part of this school!

My son has been at Ridgewood Montessori School since 2018. He began in 3rd grade and is now in 6th…read moreand I can't say enough positive things about the personalized education he is receiving. From the incredible teacher to student ratio, personal education plan for each child, and all students in the elementary school even learn a real instrument (mine is learning guitar) ... the list goes on and on. I have even been impressed by the amazing handling of the past 2 years of Covid protocol.... All impressive!! I personally feel that these children have had the most "normal" school experience possible during the past two years giving them support and consistency that children need. Teachers are very responsive to emails and always make themselves available both before and after school for any concerns both in person and via zoom. Administration knows all the children by name and engages with them regularly. We came from another private school where our experience was disheartening and are so happy to have found our Ridgewood Montessori School Family!

We love Girafas and Monica. First I have to say I've never seen a school that kids don't cry when…read moretheir parents drop them off until I went to Girafas, my daughter on our first visit to the school wanted to stay so badly that I sign her up right then and she stayed, amazing! She is so happy on the days she goes to school, even if the weather isn't great she's a sunshine! The days she isn't going she asks me to. She really developed at school, it's amazing how the kids are so well integrated and the families are like one big family. With people of so many different cultures is great for the kids and us parents to learn new things everyday. It's located in a great neighborhood, we commute to get there but it's so nice to get there and stop by at the cafés and get to meet the neighbors. The little kids love going on field trips to explore it. Thanks to Monica my daughter has had a great experience as a base to her school life ahead.

I enrolled my child at Children's Home Montessori School after being presented with a vision that…read moreappeared consistent with traditional Montessori principles. However, our experience did not align with those expectations. One concern was the school's limited parent access. Parents are not permitted in classrooms or the building during the school day, making it difficult to observe the learning environment or interact directly with teachers and staff. During our child's enrollment, communication with the school was primarily through email, and it was often difficult to speak directly with staff regarding concerns. Over several months, our child consistently expressed reluctance to attend school. She reported that teachers and students were hitting her, that teachers frequently raised their voices, and that she felt uncomfortable during nap time. When we brought these concerns to the school's attention, we did not feel the responses adequately addressed them. On another occasion, our child came home with visible marks on her neck and shoulders. We reported the incident and sought clarification, but the explanation provided did not fully resolve our concerns. As time went on, we noticed increased anxiety related to school, including crying when discussing attendance and visible distress in school photos. Ultimately, we decided to withdraw our child. Every family's experience may be different, but based on our experience, the school did not provide the level of transparency, communication, or environment we were expecting. Prospective parents may want to ask detailed questions about parent access, communication policies, and incident-reporting procedures before enrolling.

With utmost gratitude I write this!…read more I am a beyond proud alumnus of this kind and loving school! I graduated from MIT last spring 2025 and I couldn't have aspired so high if it wasn't for my extraordinary teachers who pushed me to excel when I thought I couldn't. I remember most their words of encouragement and how special I felt day after day. I hold you all forever preciously in my heart.

We were nervous about starting our 1 year old son in any day care during the pandemic, but I have…read moreto say that Viaquenti have been amazing to us. Isaira and team have gone above and beyond to make us comfortable and excited each and every day we drop our boy off. The class itself is very well structured, the ongoing communication via an app with updates and photos are a welcome relief, along with regular feedback on how he is doing. Our son has developed so much in the short 2 months he's been there, especially in terms of confidence & socialization - shoutout to Ms. Nicole.

We are so lucky to have found Viaquenti. Our child is thriving and loves his teachers, activities…read moreand the friends he has met. I highly recommend this daycare!

Gold Material Montessori is a great school! Children feel at home - very warm environment and great…read moreeducation! The teachers are fantastic as well and care about the students and their development a lot! I highly recommend Gold Material Montissori!

My son likes his day care, some days a lot, some days not so much... It is what it is- Montessori …read more And you pay money ($1300.00) for the great experience . Teachers and care takers are the GOLD of this place - the ones who truly tried their best and make your child happy there! Your experience as a parent - 1 star only, there is nothing gold about it, especially, when you are the kind of a parent who asks questions. Do you want to be afraid of asking a question ? You are feeling like being bullied for your money. There is no two way conversation. Person who is talking to you at the front door does not know anything about your child progress or any other aspects of your child ups and downs. The only matter that person good at - "ruling" everyone around without any respect involved. Listening is not part of his job; fighting back, get offensive, threatening you - this is his style. You are asking why all of a sudden extra $ 100 for supplies is demanded from parents - the answer : " I do not want to talk about it, either you pay or you out!", you are curious what kind of supply they are going to buy ? - the answer : " You do not need to know, we KNOW what we need money for." You say " Let me think about it..." and you getting one more blow " in your face" - " there is nothing to think about , WE are giving you one week notice to quit our day care!" and he shots the door right in your face without even consider to listen to whatever you want to say. Do you want to be that parent ? Do you want to see that bully every day? Wrong person to deal with parents, makes your child 5 star expirience slides down to 1 star overall.

Sent both my kids to this wonderful school. I trust this place with my heart and soul, they used to…read morebe in 5th ave but moved 3 blocks up on 8th Ave and 41st. The whole staff is very professional and my kids always felt so happy in this school.

The best childcare place in the neighborhood. They are very interactive, not like some daycares…read morethat just give toys to the kids and let them entertain themselves. This is like a school but with play based learning. And they pay a lot of attention to hygiene as well.