I am a nanny and have worked with multiple families who send their kids to Thistlewaite…read more This place is amazing! The staff is so well trained, great with the kids, challenge them, expect and teach manners, are affectionate, and actually play with the kids. You can tell everyone there absolutely adores children. The facility is always clean. I love the toy selection! Very heavily focused on STEM play, fine motor skills, vocabulary, and nature. I've worked with several families who I knew prior to going to Thistlewaite, and see a dramatic positive change in behavior, focus, and how they interact with adults etc. I've been told it's expensive, but from what I've seen, it's worth every penny! One complaint: I enforce naps strictly. I noticed that they would let one of the kids I worked with get up and play when he really needed to be napping. But I know that's really hard with groups of little ones though.

My daughter had a really hard time transitioning from being with her nanny to going to school full…read moretime and the Cadence staff supported her every step of the way. She went from scream crying every day to running into the classroom into the teachers arms. They are so warm and encouraging and knowing that my daughter is happy all day long is the biggest relief! Thank you Cadence!!!

Our grandson has now been at cadence for four months. It has been a stimulating and kind school…read more The teachers are so lovely and caring. He feels secure and is happy to go every day. We get two emails per day with a review of what he's been up to, including photos. What a gem of a school! So happy to have found it.

We have now been at RMS going on 2 years with a second child entering next year and we are so happy…read moreand grateful to have found it. We looked into every Montessori w/in a 25 mile radius (Wilton, Ridgefield, Danbury, Newtown, Washington) and the Toddler/Primary programs here are second to none. The school is not too big, so you feel you're part of a family. There is something so special here and you feel it as a parent the moment you walk in, but your child experiences it, too. We saw this during observations and we're experiencing it now as parents. It's important to know several things about Montessori schools. 1. Not all are created equal and each is independently owned/run. This means some adhere more or less to Montessori values/principles. RMS is a beautiful balance, adhering to the principles while making room for modern needs and allowing each child to grow but also, to be. 2. As in any school setting, the teachers make or break it. The Teachers in every room/program here are beyond plugged in, nurturing, warm and caring. AND, they work very collaboratively while still minding their individual programs. This means a holistic approach for your child as they grow through the years. My daughter embraces each of them and speaks so highly of them outside of school. She looks up to them but doesn't view them as simply 'adults' or teachers. These are her guides and she is so thankful for her relationships with each one of them. I did see a review from several years ago mentioning 25 students to a class/teacher. Not only is that not the Montessori method, but it has never been the ratio at this school (nor do I believe it's allowed by the state in these settings, but I could be wrong). For interested parents: In each Toddler room (2), you're looking at about 10-12 kids with 2-3 teachers/class (depending on enrollment each year) so usually a 1:4ish ratio and the Primary room (used to be 2, is now 1 large room broken up into 2 sections to follow core Montessori method) you're looking at about 30-36 kids total with 4 Teachers and the class is somewhat split into 3s/4s Section and then 5s Section w/2 teachers focused on each at any time. You're still at a 1:8 ratio roughly, so not sure where the 1:25 ratio came from. In any case, we're active and present and have seen this school from all angles and truly, couldn't be happier. The physical space itself is also beautiful, pristine and built for kids (bathrooms in the Toddler room, bathrooms right outside the Primary class). The biggest issue we're facing is what comes after RMS as we've yet to find anything in the area that is suited to follow. We hope others will take the time to come see for themselves what makes this school, the teachers, the program and the students so [truly] magical. These years should be spent exploring through play, not rigid curriculum, and RMS has made good on that every step of the way while still exposing these littles to the world around them in a way that engages them and lays a foundation for a true love of learning. Thanks you, RMS

I was recommended Ridgefield Montessori School by a friend when my son was just a baby. I am so…read morehappy she did! My son went to the school from when he was 1 years old when they used to have an infant room all the way until Kindergarten. My son is now in public school and misses RMS very much. It was like a family to him and the relationships he made there were wonderful. We loved how independent and creative he became all due to the Montessori way of teaching. He is currently thriving now in public school because of the foundation he was taught. They also have very flexible hours for working parents which was very useful. He loved the after school activities like cooking and science. He would beg to stay late. The staff and teachers are the best! You won't regret your decision to send your children here!

Our older son goes to the RCK 4's program, and he loves it. The teachers are competent, patient and…read morekind. They have a good mix of structured learning, physical activity and good, old-fashioned play. I'd highly recommend RCK to parents new to the area - it's strongly connected to the local community.

RCK is an amazing place for children to grow and learn. My 3 year old currently attends and my 2…read moreyear old will attend next year. It is a play based learning program. My family loves it here!! The teachers are kind and creative, and the children all love them. It is a home away from home!

My son started at CKS in November of 2018. We were pushed out of a Montessori that we were in b/c…read morethey didn't allow therapists in to work with their students (he was aging out of E.I.). This was a few months into the school year, so I set out to find a school ASAP. I toured two others in the area, most of the schools I tried were already filled. Luckily I was able to get a hold of Ester who is the owner, and runs the school. I think upon hearing my situation, she took sympathy on my plight, and was able to get my son in. For that alone I will forever be indebted to her, but also for creating this incredible environment for every child that is lucky enough to attend school here. My son has thrived here, has made some great friends, and the parents are all great too. It is family run, and some of her kids work there, or have worked there. The staff is excellent too. They're all just so sweet and kind, the children and parents love them. They have chickens, two baby sheep, and a tractor to go for rides on. They're very big on outdoor play which I really LOVE - no matter what the conditions are (sans wind). They do sports in the morning to get the kids going, and they love it. The teachers make home cooked meals for breakfast and lunch every day (it is a nut free environment). Not having to think about what I am making my son for breakfast, snack, or lunch five days a week is a life saver. It also helps knowing its homemade and healthy. It is truly a remarkable place. They're also up to date on the times with everything they do there from the books, the toys, to activities and even their app for the school - Brightwheel. It gives you updates, pics, and videos of your child's day to day school life. You can message the school within the app and vice versa. This school is a magical place, and if you are ever able to send your child here, consider yourself hitting the preschool jackpot. My son literally asks me to go to school on some days when he is not there. It's that good!

As good as it gets pre-school, made for working parents! I was initially considering sending my…read moreson to other 3's/4's programs in the area when we moved here, with only 3-4 hour days, summers off --- which would have required hiring a sitter/nanny. I am so glad I didn't assume that a daycare model pre-school wouldn't be as good! . I don't know how he could have learned any more over the past 18 months -- he is reading, speaks some Spanish, has learned great social skills and how to be a good friend, etc. And he eats the daily homemade food, trying all kinds of food he won't try at home. Coming from NYC, we never thought we'd end up at a family owned daycare, but we could not be happier we found CKS. The director/owner is wonderful, and her team a mix of her family (son and husband), as welll as fabulous, warm teachers who seem to really WANT to be teachers and are educated as such. My son is very ready for Kindergarden!! And for working parents, other than 2 weeks in the summer and a week at Christmas, this school is always open -- even during crazy snowstorms this year, they were open, allowing us to work when we needed to.

Our two babes have been at Children's Academy since September and we have been thrilled with our…read moretransition. The kids are happy to go to school, they have developed strong relationships with their teachers, peers and administrative staff. My three year old comes home teaching us new songs (affirmation song, months of the year, days of the week, etc). The staff is attentive to the kiddos needs and go ABOVE AND BEYOND with their thematic weekly units with developmentally appropriate activities (sensory bin, open-ended play, show and tell, keepsake worthy arts and crafts). These are memorable learning experiences that will set the foundation for their educational career. Oh and did I mention they get to play outside because there is an outdoor space? The staff is always looking for ways to create positive learning experiences for the kids (i.e firetruck came to the center, farm animals, Halloween parade, etc.) They are also VERY receptive to feedback. We are so grateful for Children's Academy. Special shout out to: Ms. Nancy, Ms. Rebecca, Ms. Angel, Ms. Tiara, Ms. Monica, Ms. Safia, Ms. Gabbi, Ms. Lindsay, Ms. Kate, Ms. Laura for taking such great care of our babes as if they were your own.

Having already been to Almost Home, Cadence Academy, Wilton Montessori, Ridgefield Montessori and…read moreeven a daycare in New Hampshire with our two eldest, we were daycare pros by the time we sent our 3rd to Children's Academy (at somewhere about 4 months I believe? #thirdchild). We've had positive experiences almost everywhere we've been, but never so much help, support and consideration for working parents. The sheets, laundry on site, keeping frozen bottles and communal bibs made things sooooo much easier for this full time working mom of 3. And it was great to have a digital log of the eating and diaper changes. We hope our youngest will be able to be a drop in some day!