Our daughter was recently diagnosed as being on the spectrum. When we had her in the 3 year old program she was evaluated to receive speech twice a week. Some days she was extremely difficult for my wife in the morning and had to go to the program in her pjs. Mind you it was 3 hour sessions, three days a week. We had a teacher Ms. Diane who not only called my wife about this; she seemed annoyed and disgusted on the phone. One day she went ahead and called my wife in her seemingly annoyed tone stating "You need to have your kid evaluated." My wife replied with "she has been.. hence why she gets speech there twice a week". One day I picked up my daughter and overheard the teacher say to another teacher "I have to remind myself that these are not third and fourth graders... That's what I'm used to teaching". That's nice; then go back and teach those grades since you're not willing to be equipped to handle younger kids developing with speech, behavior issues, or possible occupational therapy being with needed. Speaking to some other parents whose kids were in my daughters particular class agreed that this teacher and this place should NEVER be allowed to take in any kids with an IEP of any kind. My daughter hated going there at such a young age. Let's fast forward a year to UPK in Island Trees school district; NIGHT AND DAY difference! My daughter's teachers were so amazing (Ms. Tina and Ms. Gabby to name a few) that we all were upset when the school year ended. Just goes to show you some teachers are amazing and some are not. I'm a civil servant and you either get someone on the phone that will do their job and assist anyone anytime or someone who just shows up to work. read more

If you have a child who is typically developing, does not have any academic or behavioral issues and doesn't require any additional TLC, this is a nice school with great, fun projects. I certainly did enjoy all the colorful, bright, fun work that was sent home! To add to the silver lining, the communication from school to home is excellent, However, if your child has any kind of struggle - emotionally, behaviorally, academically, in reaching milestones - I'd highly recommend looking for another arrangement. At my request, my son was evaluated two months into the year and qualified for speech and occupational therapy. Both of these factors delayed his letter and number learning as well. His teacher had no patience for him whatsoever. I heard nothing but negative feedback from the beginning of the year, and did not see any attempts made to modify his classroom behavior, motivate him, or differentiate to meet his needs. There were no sticker charts offered, no modified, multi-sensory work to help with his delay in learning letters, no small, attainable goals set for him - there were just a series of complaints. It was only thanks to his wonderful service providers from outside the school that my son finally started to make progress toward the end of the year. Still, it didn't feel like enough, and, as my son started kindergarten, I was convinced he would have the same issues. Not so. Within a week, his teacher knew exactly what he needed, got him on a behavior chart, and I'm amazed that he's currently able to do so many of the things his preschool teacher insisted he just couldn't do - all he needed was the right teacher. It was a different world - one where my son actually felt motivated and capable, which he hadn't felt at Tendergarden at all. It's sad to me that an early childhood setting would do so little to help a child who just needed a little extra support, encouragement and love, but, sadly, that was my experience there. It is my hope that this may be limited to this one teacher, and perhaps the added stressors of teaching PreK during a pandemic, but, if you are concerned about your child, perhaps research other places where he or she may get more support. Preschool is supposed to be an enjoyable start to school, so I really hope no other children have the disappointing year that my child did. read more

I can say so much and for other mothers I'm friends with who have children that are still attending the school, it's funny that I have playdates with the children in my daughters class that I took her out of, who the teacher claimed her classmates didn't like her, who says that anyway, the teachers have no experience than they complain about your child and I heard from other parents in my daughters class who get weekly or daily complaints about these child who are only four years old, from a teacher who never had experience and should realize many children who are four never been apart from their parent or in any school or daycare, before pre k, I didn't even attend pre K as a child. Ms Ashley is the new teacher for 2023 and I had a bad feeling the minute I walked in for a meet and greet. also the teachers they hire are very untrustworthy I had a random teacher that worked there cuss me out over a parking spot and they didn't care, and told me one time I hope your child gets run over I immediately reported it to the director my mistake I should of reported it to the actual owner, my family and I were furious that I had to remove her from the school for those reasons and lack of trust and just that the director didn't care I would go to kiddie junction if you have the option but I didn't, and my nephew went there, I heard of this before I even signed her up up for UPK. unfortunately I had to take her out like I said I choose too, because of the stressful and the lack of communication with the teacher and her lack of experience this was her first year the teacher and she has no kids as well no kids so she should learn to communicate this is our child most mothers their child is everything to them, she doesn't get that she gives parents anxiety and worry and stress and won't communicate to days later anyway I'm sorry but I think you should have atleast two years of experience when your working with kids especially toddlers who are four and you shouldn't judge them because they don't fit into this box of a robot, kids have different personalities and children don't always go to daycare sometimes they have a mother that takes care of them all on her own from birth and has no nanny, or help or any siblings so it's called adjusting but any experience teacher would know and come up with a plan or how to work with that child unless the child is mentally impaired my child has a normal IQ of 100 the people they hire there pay is terrible I can see why they hire aggressive and inexperience teachers, they ruined my experience of school for my child, but I know elementary school will be a much better experience also my child has matured and my child is already thriving and improving with experienced people. Pre school and early education should be a fun and joyful experience. read more

We have absolutely loved our children's time here at Tender Garden. Our son attended Miss Lori's class last year for UPK, and we decided to also send our daughter a few days a week for pre-school. Miss Lori was like a magician, our little boy went from kicking and screaming the whole way to school, to the end of the year where he loved learning and was proud to be graduating to Kindergarten. He absolutely adored Miss Lori and she prepared him and all the students SO well for Kindergarten. We also took advantage of the Kindergarten prep class over the summer to keep everything fresh in his mind, which was very affordable. This year our daughter attended full day PreK in Miss Catherine's class. We could not have been luckier to get Miss Catherine as our daughter's teacher. She is kind, caring, and SUCH a talented teacher. You can tell she truly loves these children as though they were her own. The wall outside her hallway is always lined with projects, and they are changed out every few days; it's clear she does a TON of fun projects with these kids. My daughter has learned so much and has come so far. She also took the time after class each day to speak with parents about their children's progress. Miss Catherine has the biggest heart of any teacher I've ever known and we will truly miss her. Miss Yvonne, the owner of Tender Garden, really knows what she's doing. She runs a phenomenal school. It's clear she only hires the best people to work here, and we are going to miss this place. We are grateful our children spent this time here, where they learned and grew so much. read more

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We've been sending both our kids here for the past 5 months, and we couldn't be happier. The teachers are really nice and the kids love them. The prices are affordable, and there are after school activities if you need them. The parking lot can get crowded, especially sharing with a church, but there is additional parking within walking distance. read more

Please, save yourself the aggravation do not send your children here. My daughter has been there for two years. The first year was great, plenty of parking, great staff, and my daughter was happy. Now, good luck getting a parking spot. They have an adult learning center next door with some scary looking characters. The church will also cancel school because of big funerals with only a days notice, leaving you to scramble for a babysitter. Pay the extra $20 a month anywhere else, you'll be much happier. read more

Nothing but great things to say about this preschool! Those in charge are wonderful and the teachers are excellent, they treat your children as they would their own, very caring and the curriculum definitely gets them ready for their next phase of school read more

My daughter just finished the Pre-K program today and I must say that I am very impressed with the staff. Her teacher, Ms. Dawn, was fabulous. The assistants were as well. Ms. Evon runs a beautiful program. I highly recommend. read more