As the mother of twin toddlers, I absolutely understand that their attention span can be short…read more However, after the experience we had with Nancy at RI Ballet Arts, I would caution parents with young toddlers before starting her pre-ballet class. After a recommendation from a friend with a daughter about 9 months older, I asked Nancy if we could visit a class and allow my daughter (turned 3 end of August) to observe and determine her level of interest before we signed up for class ($90 without apparel and shoes). Nancy was accommodating and also said she could participate if she wanted to. We first went 2 weeks ago, with only one other student in class, and she went in to participate. My daughter was a little hesitant but excited about class and the new environment. During the class, Nancy did remind her to listen a few times and although I thought she seemed a little abrasive for a toddler class with a new student, I assumed it was just an old school personality. My daughter wasn't performing the skills perfectly, but hey, it was her first class, and she liked it, so we decided we'd come back again. We talked to her at home about using her listening ears before today's class. My daughter was so excited, told her grandparents "dance is her favorite" and couldn't wait to get into class today! There were 3 other students and 4 parents in the small waiting area this week. Nancy asked if my daughter was going to listen this week, which I didn't think was a super appropriate greeting for a 3 year old, but okay. Class started, and my daughter was happy and having fun but not exactly performing the best - again, she's still new. Within 10 minutes of the class starting, I hear "get out then, go, go, go, go!" Another parent saw her walking out before I did and asked if she was alright, as she came out of the dance room crying and upset. I consoled her and gave her a drink of water. While she was still upset, Nancy came out of the dance room and very rudely said "(Daughter's name) doesn't want to listen and she's disrupting the class so I told her she needs to get out." I honestly wasn't prepared for that type of interaction and just said ok, and started talking to my daughter again, who was still upset. She then said "Are you going to come back in and listen and not disrupt class?" and when my daughter didn't respond because she was upset, she then rudely said "Then you miss out!" and walked back into class. I did not respond. I asked my daughter if she wanted to participate again after she settled down, and she wanted to go home, so I changed her and we left. Afterwards, my husband wanted to call and ask what happened and what we could do, if anything, at home. Nancy immediately started yelling saying that our daughter didn't listen and we need to tell her to pay attention, said she was jumping when she wasn't supposed to be. My husband asked why she rudely asked her to leave the class because it was upsetting for a small child, and her response was "goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!" and she ended the call. I was stunned. We participate in a ton of things - swim, soccer, preschool, playdates, etc., and even though their skills are not on point at first, they're still pretty well-behaved, and at no time have we witnessed any teacher, coach, or instructor act in this way to any child. Every child has moments where they don't want to participate and that's okay. They can take a little time and go back. How Nancy handled this was inappropriate and it seems like this age group might not be the best for her to teach, even though no child of any age or skill should have been treated that way. I respect and admire dance and the level of discipline it takes but at ages 3-4, this was shocking. I'd like to say my daughter had a great experience and this place welcomes little learners, but I can't. I truly hope others with young children have a better experience here but I felt I needed to share for anyone looking to sign their child up for beginner ballet. Thankfully, my daughter still wants to dance and I know she'll thrive elsewhere.

I'm surprised there hasn't been a review for this dance school. What a hidden gem! The teachers…read moreare all professionals with formal ballet training. The director Nancy started out in RI and then went on to study at the Boston Ballet and NYC at the Ballet Russe School. We sent our little one to another local school first and was shocked by the chaos and trashiness of that place. Then we came to Ms. Nancy's school. What a difference!! This is what ballet, as an art, should be! Not that we want our daughter to become a professional dancer, but we want her to learn, through dance, the discipline and dedication required to do something well. If I were to summarize this school in 3 words, they would be: grace, elegance, discipline. We are very happy to have found this school!

Music Together is such a positive way to help our daughter grow into her musical self, and as a…read moreparent I have had a wonderful time, too! I am so grateful that we've been involved in the program, starting when she was a baby and growing up over the years - we highly recommend for families with young children!

"Our goal is to nurture your child's (and family's!) natural enthusiasm and skills for music and…read moremovement." Mister Christopher is a natural with children. The classes that he holds are simple and easy to do for children of all ages. The classes concentrate on children younger than five but includes family members so that interaction is intimate and comfortable within his circle of music. He provides simple musical instruments for the children and accompanies on guitar encouraging children and adults to move, sing and play. The more that you interact with him the better the class gets. He teaches not only music but basic social skills such as sharing, cleaning up after yourself, politeness, and trust. The classes are such that you can attend one and feel included but people are encouraged to come back repeatedly and some families have been taking their kids there over and over again. It's a play group especially for kids to relax, have fun, spend quality time with their parents, or any family member. There are two locations where the classes meet. A Class location in PORTSMOUTH, RI at Elite Academy (formerly known as "Steppin Out Studios") 35 Dyer St. (off of Sprague St.) and A Class location in NEWPORT, RI at St. Paul's Methodist Church - 12 Marlborough St. (downtown Newport) I've taken my niece to the second location a few times. She's a special needs child that has a difficult time socializing. She really responds to Mister Christopher (that is what he has the children call him in class). He is very patient with all the children even kids that other parents may not know how to handle. I have a lot of respect for him as he has a CD of his own songs so you can practice dancing and singing at home with your kids. He also has the kids take home simple homework. Nothing too strenuous but an excellent way to have your children grow up with the expectation that you take work in your classroom and apply it at home. I have to add that when I first attended class with my niece I was a skeptical of Mister Christopher's methods. The classes seemed very childish. After attending it again and paying attention to his process and watching the other kids and my niece's reaction I was really impressed with him and the classes. He's very polite, engaging and easy to talk to. The class is suppose to be child like to capture your child's interest and make them comfortable so they can follow directions. When you first come to any class you and your child take off your shoes. So wear socks. Be prepared to pick your child up if they are very shy and have them dance with you if they can't (or won't) dance by themselves. Ask questions if you don't understand why Mister Christopher is doing something or if you can't hear. It can get noisy with the instruments at times but it's not all banging on drums or tambourines. Most of all relax and let Mister Christopher guide you through the class. Your child will really benefit from this class and Mister Christopher's attitude.

I have been a part of the co-op family here since 2007 when my oldest son entered the three year…read moreold program. "What is a cooperative preschool?" you may ask. As a family, a parent (or grandparent, guardian, etc) contributes time on one school day a month in your child's classroom and devotes at least two hours of time to the annual May Fair fund raiser. The result is a great family vibe that is a socially nurturing environment within a solid academic curriculum. My oldest (the only one in elementary school at this point) was super well-prepared, socially and academically, to enter kindergarten. Impressive for a half-day program. The session is chock full of good learning for these kids. I have my second child finishing up the four year old program here in May and my youngest entering the three year old program in the fall. I almost wish that I had more children just so I could hang out here more than the two years I have ahead. Yeah...I love it that much.

I had the pleasure of picking up my dear friend's daughter on multiple occasions late spring this…read moreyear from EDS. Out of curiosity, I decided to check out the reviews on Yelp the other day, and was shocked to find the 1-star rating. It totally contradicted my impression, and more importantly, that of my friend who swears by this place. In a nutshell, this day school serves 3-5 year olds in the heart of downtown Newport, and conveniently allows parents to customize the schedule based on their needs. You can have your kids attend 2, 3, 4 or 5 days a week, and classes are small, with 3 full time teachers that live by EDS's philosophy "Instilling lifelong love of learning... building a foundation for life". It's a super nurturing environment for discovery and exploration, with strong ties to the community. I felt the need to share, as sometimes one bad review can totally overshadow other great experiences. Think twice before overlooking this great school, and check it out in person!

This is our first year at The Emmanuel Day School and I have to say both my husband and myself were…read moreimmediately impressed and so glad we visited for a morning before deciding where our daughter should attend pre-school. Word of mouth from other parents led us to this school and I have to say it is such an inviting, creative, and wholesome atmosphere. Our daughter gets excited each day she attends and we absolutely love the convenience of drop off because some days it just takes a little longer to get going and Emmanuel Day allows drop off from 8-9am. The teachers keep us up to date on everything and we also enjoy all of the family oriented events they host. It gives us a chance to meet the other parents and get to know the staff better. Thank you Emmanuel Day School.

The dancers are amazing the teachers are so nice they have great steps I go there to and I am I…read moreprelim

This is a great dance school with reasonable pricing. My kids love it!read more

The staff at the Carriage House day care are very caring. The building is extremely clean and…read morepleasant. I would recommend this daycare with confidence, to anyone looking for a childcare provider.

My 5 year old daughter has been attending Carriage House Day Care Center in Cranston. My partner…read moreand I had some significant concerns and we sat down two days ago with the director and assistant director, who are mother and daughter. We were concerned about Natalia obsessively singing patriotic songs and saying the Pledge of Allegiance. She came home a few days ago and said very sternly that the assistant director told the kids to tell their parents that they need to stand for the national anthem during the Super Bowl. Of course we told her that that is not true, and tried to discuss that this is a complicated issue and that people have different opinions. We tried to have a calm and rational discussion with the administrators. We explained that when we were in high school we made the choice to not stand for the national anthem. I said that we support people's right to not stand during the national anthem to protest police brutality against people of color and stated we support Black Lives Matter. The assistant director stated that they are training the children to say the Pledge of Allegiance and stand for the national anthem because they will be expected to do this in elementary school. I said that my daughter never has to stand for the national anthem. The director told us we were "making her blood boil and her blood pressure go up," and told us we were not welcome at her school if we did not share her values. She walked out while I was still talking. Also, when we arrive for the meeting there was one staff in charge of 16 preschool students. That is not the appropriate ratio. I observed several kids playing roughly and intervened so that no one would get hurt. The staff was in the other room and did not see what was going on. I also expressed concern about high staff turnover and the assistant director kept insisting it was due to two or three problematic children (whom she identified by name) in my daughter's class. I stated that I had personally observed the administration being harsh and punitive with staff and that is likely the reason for turnover. I stated that this was an issue when Natalia was in a class without those "problem students." We also expressed concern about staff speaking harshly to several students and being completely rigid and inflexible with parents, staff, and students.

We love Kelley Ann Dance! My four year old daughter takes two weeknight classes at the studio --…read moreacro-tots and hip hop dance. She'd love ballet most of all, I am sure, but we can't make the Saturday morning time slot. There is a recital each spring and each age group preps all year for it. There are two physical studios in the same little strip mall. All the teachers are so friendly and competent. Looking forward to more.

Our kids have been dancing at Kelley Ann Dance center for 5 years, and there is no better dance…read morestudio than this one. The staff members are all incredibly talented and professional and very dedicated to student growth and development. One thing that we've found here is that the teachers offer very individualized attention to each student, meeting them wherever they are in their dance journey and helping them grow and thrive. They work very hard in their classes, but make dance SO much fun that my kids (ages 7-13) can't wait to go, and often are there 5-6 days a week.