I can't say enough about how wonderful The Learning Bee and its staff have been for us as parents…read moreand for our daughter. She started there at three months and is almost two years old now. Every day, she surprises us with how much she's learned: letters, words (English, Spanish, and sign language), colors, animals- and she genuinely enjoys it. Sometimes, I have to work to entice her to leave! As two working parents with often opposing schedules, the on site chef is a major convenience as it leaves one less thing for us to worry about. The staff is warm, patient, kind, fun, and engage the kids in a variety of activities to keep them learning and having fun. They readily chat with me about her day and answer any questions I may have. I get daily reports about what she's learning, eating, dsiaper changes and potty training, naps, and loads of fun pictures! She's not always an angel and they apply patience, thoughtful boundaries, and kindness in helping her learn the appropriate behaviors. I had to chime in and improve the rating as one person had a different experience eight years ago and gave one star, but we truly value this business and wanted to share our experience.

We had a couple years of positive experiences but something has changed dramatically recently. I…read morecould detail my many minor frustrations with the lack of communication and what seems to be intentional deceit with moving students between classes without notifying parents, but I feel the two major incidents that caused us to leave will speak for themselves: In the last week and a half my daughter was first directly given a known allergen by a staff member, causing an ER visit and extremely stressful day for my whole family. To be clear, this was not an accidental exposure - she was handed a cup of milk despite having a well-documented allergy to milk. Yesterday, my daughter was sent home with dried feces caked on the back of her shirt from a BM that occurred at 10 AM. She was walking around all day with a significant amount of feces on her. Based on the fingerprints and smudges she was touching it frequently, so it is fair to assume that everything she touched and even the other children she interacted with were exposed to the potential bacteria and illnesses known to be in feces. When I called to address both issues their response essentially amounted to 'mistakes happen.' Obviously this was extremely upsetting given these two incidents so close together, which clearly indicates a larger issue. After a tense but professional phone call with the owner I was told my daughter was no longer allowed to attend, effective immediately. Luckily we were already making plans since we didn't feel she was safe there anyway, but I was still appalled that rather than bear responsibility they chose to dismiss it. I am truly fearful for every student in that center. I don't know what it is happening but there is a clear lack of appropriate management and it is putting kids' well being at risk.

This is our little one's first year at Goddard (Urbana) and we could not be more please. I thought…read moremoving to a new town and a new school would be a bit overwhelming for her, but with Goddard's help she took it all in stride. They embraced our little granddaughter and the responsibility for her learning care with all the gusto we could hope for in those charged with caring for her for a significant part of her day. Now five, she gets up each day knowing and excited that something new and different awaits her. Learning is everywhere and concern for her well being is front and center. Be it their attentiveness to her numerous allergies or their proactive eye towards seeing that she is in the right level and with the right classmates so that she continues to be challenged, the school is a great fit for our always curious grand baby. An added bonus has been the daily sharing by email of her progress as she navigates a balance of guided work and learning play that the curriculum affords each student. I'm confident she has been well served and will be more than kindergarten ready in the fall, but her time at Goddard will not have ended there. Being just steps away from her new primary school, we will be taking advantage of Goddard's before and after care program giving us the reassurance that she has a safe and nurturing place to get homework out of the way and be with friends until we come to collect her. We've never had second thought about enrolling her.

I had 2 of my children attend the Goddard School in Urbana over the course of the last 2 years. It…read morestarted out great & wonderful, the upbeat of the teachers and the kids loving the School. However, as time has worn on, it seems like the true colors of the school has shown themselves. The owners of the School (in particular Jill) seems to be all about the money. I don't understand how they can justify increasing the costs each & every single year (when they already charge an arm and a leg for tuition across the board) & they say it's due to them losing their talented teachers to the local Public Schools. Jill thinks throwing more & more money at the Teachers will make them want to stay at Goddard. I think the reality is why don't you create a better culture and focus more on the environment for the Teachers to be happy in. They even created a Kindergarten program for the first time this year. Instead of the classroom being located inside of the building, they added a Trailer outside of the building next to the Playground. It seemed as though the class was totally separate from the School itself (literally & figuratively). There were also many times throughout the year when we received conflicting messages/emails between the Goddard School & the Kindergarten classroom on different activities & events. At times, this caused us confusion and many emails/phone calls to the school to determine what was really going on. If you are looking for a quality Pre-School located in Urbana, I would HIGHLY recommend going with Kid's Villa Learning Center. Save yourself the money & the headaches

My children began their journey at FMS as Kindergarteners…read more They are currently in middle and high school, respectively. Located on a beautiful vast campus, FMS offers a unique and nurturing environment that encourages students to grow and thrive. With a focus on Quaker values, the school emphasizes the importance of respect, empathy, and social responsibility, providing students with a strong moral foundation that will serve them well throughout their lives. Another key aspect of the school is its commitment to diversity and inclusivity. The school celebrates the diversity of its students, faculty, and staff, and provides a safe and welcoming environment for all. As a mother of bi-racial children, it is of the utmost importance that our children feel safe, and well-respected. Especially at a place where they spend the majority of their time. Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion are reflected in the school's curriculum, which is designed to promote cross-cultural understanding, empathy, and respect for differences. In addition to its academic programs, FMS also offers a range of community service opportunities that encourage students to give back to their community and develop a sense of social responsibility. From volunteering at local charities to participating in environmental conservation projects, students are given the chance to make a positive impact on the world around them. If you're looking for a school that will help your child grow into a confident, compassionate, and socially responsible individual, then Friends Meeting School is most definitely worth considering.

Where to begin.... 1st there is favoritism. The kids from wealthy families get special treatment…read moreand their bad behavior gets overlooked. Kids call teachers by first name which is weird and doesn't show respect. My daughter had a teacher who made sexual comments to her and when it was addressed with The head of school no disciplinary action was taken. In fact the teacher was presented with an award in front of my child at graduation. Terrible!!! The same teacher also gave another student the finger and that was also reported. No disciplinary action was taken. What are we teaching children when this behavior is allowed especially in a Quaker school. I would never recommend this school. Safety should be the number 1 priority and clearly the school is more concerned about their reputation than the students. On a positive note there are some teachers there that are very good.

We had a wonderful experience! Our daughter was happy, nurtured, and challenged in the best ways…read more Communication was excellent between the school and parents. The teachers are experienced and dedicated. The environment is warm. Could not have asked for better! I have an older daughter who went to a local Goddard and I feel bad she didn't get this experience.

Absolutely blown away by the care and support shown at GVMS. My child loves it here and it's been…read moreso wonderful seeing her flourish under the care of professional Montessori trained teachers and grow her independence and interest in academics! I really believe in the Montessori method and what it can do for children. She started at 2 years old and attended until she was 5. All of the staff are very hands on and there's such a community that feels safe and inclusive. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a Montessori experience for their child

My four years old son is going to kids villa since he was 2 years old. Teachers here are all caring…read moreand friendly, and you can tell they all love kids. They learn your kids name very fast and would call them as soon as they see them in a hallway. We never had any problem with teachers. The principal, Barbara, is a really caring lady. She is a great listener and always find answers for your questions. Principal assistant, Cristal, Is really helpful with any problem or concern. Miss Dorothy prepares kids food. She always smile when she sees us or our kid. Very warm and sweet lady. They have end of the year pic nick, Christmas party and KGE graduation party. It's always fun and they put a great effort on these programs. They are also involve in charity programs. They support food bank, family support during Christmas time, and toys for tot. They have camera in each classroom. You can register and with very small monthly fee, watch your kid in a class. We also had our older son here He just finished his KGE a year before. Can't say anything bad about this place.

We LOVE Kids Villa! My 3.5 year old boy is so happy at school. He loves his 3 teachers and…read moreclassmates. The school does so many wonderful enriching activities for the kids and involves the parents wherever possible. My sons development has skyrocketed since being at Kids Villa. We highly recommend them!!

Great teachers, safety is the top priority and there is a definite love of learning! There are many…read moregreat activities and parent interactions! Definitely recommend!

If you're looking for a school where your child is truly known, loved, and challenged to grow, La…read morePetite Academy of Spring Ridge is it. From the moment you walk through the doors, you feel the difference. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and full of positive energy. The teachers don't just "watch" the children -- they genuinely connect with them. They take time to understand each child's personality, learning style, and needs. You can see the care in the way they greet families, the patience they show in the classrooms, and the excitement they bring to learning every single day. The curriculum is engaging and thoughtfully planned. My child comes home talking about science experiments, new vocabulary words, art projects, and friendships they're building. It's the perfect balance of structured learning and playful exploration. The classrooms are clean, organized, and inviting, and safety is clearly a top priority. The leadership team is responsive, professional, and truly invested in both the children and the families. Communication is consistent, transparent, and reassuring -- which gives such peace of mind as a parent. If you're considering enrolling, don't wait. This is more than just childcare -- it's a community. Choosing La Petite Academy of Spring Ridge has been one of the best decisions we've made for our family.

I enrolled my oldest child at this center about two years ago now and just recently enrolled my new…read morebaby. I had a lot a of anxiety bringing the baby to care but the management team and the infant teachers were nothing but supportive and welcoming which helped my family have a smooth transition back to work. I love the activities in both the infant classroom and the toddlers and twos programs. I have noticed my oldest picking up with his speech and other skills so fast and I owe it to this center. I also love the community feel of this school. Between events and other ways the school has gotten involved to help others, my family and I are just so happy to be apart of it. Ultimately, being able to wake up every morning and watch my oldest excited to go to school is priceless!

For an entire year, my daughter was denied a vegetarian meal, despite my providing a doctor's note…read moreand repeatedly informing staff of her dietary needs. Gloria was the staff member responsible for not providing the meal, and this was not a matter of miscommunication--it was a consistent disregard for both medical and parental instructions. In addition, I have witnessed and experienced targeted treatment toward my children, particularly my youngest. For example, when another child physically harmed my 5-year-old, the incident was overlooked. However, if my daughter made a verbal remark, it was treated as a serious offense. This pattern of inconsistent discipline, favoritism toward certain children, and a dismissive attitude toward others raises serious concerns about inclusivity, fairness, and possible racial bias. In my observations, Gloria frequently displayed a rude and unwelcoming demeanor toward children she did not favor, while showing preferential treatment to others. This environment does not reflect the values of respect, equity, and inclusion that should be expected in a setting responsible for the well-being and development of children.

My daughter is finishing her second year at Hagerstown Children's School, and she has learned so…read moremuch! She has been reading since she turned 4 and can talk with authority about her favorite planets, dinosaurs, and continents. She is very independent, so the Montessori model of "follow the child" is a good fit for her. This year she began to manifest some struggles with emotional and sensory regulation, and her teachers (Ms. Susan and Ms. Allie) and the staff (Ms, Heather and Ms. Brenda) have been very patient, supportive, and creative as we work on these challenges with them and other caregivers. We are so grateful for their love and concern for her wellbeing, not only now but in preparing her to move into public school for kindergarten. Thank you, HCS!

If your wondering if HCS is the right fit for your child, go no further! Hagerstown Children's…read moreSchool has gone above and beyond our expectations. From the Administration to the Teachers and the new amazing facility, you will not be disappointed. Our girls have been attending HCS for a total of 5 years. HCS has done a wonderful job preparing them for kindergarten as well as nurturing the life skills they need to be independent. Take a tour today, your children are going to love it here!