I highly recommend Montessori Children's School. Ms. Deborah and her staff are wonderful and so…read morecaring. When my daughter first started when she was 3 years old, she hardly spoke any English (we speak another language at home). Within a few months, not only was she speaking English, she was reading! She is also learning addition and subtraction. Thanks to Ms. Deborah I know my daughter will be excelling and well prepared for kindergarten. Most importantly, my daughter loves going to school and has grown so much over the past year. I am very impressed and will plan to send my younger child to this school when she turns 2 and a half. We are so fortunate to have found Montessori Children's School - cannot recommend them enough!

Can't say enough about this school! Deborah is not just an excellent teacher, but is also a…read moreremarkable person, mother and friend. She has taught all of our boys (she has taught 3 of them) so much. If anyone is in the market for a preschool/montessori program, I highly recommend the Montessori Children's School in Wayne!

I can not sing the praises of Ms. Kristin and her teachers highly enough. We sent our son here for…read morehis first starting School as well as for Summer Camp. The most Important thing I can relate is that, towards the end of his 1st year Ms. Kristin told us of concerns she had with my son's development and alerted us to the possibility of him being neurodivergent and helped us engage with a formal evaluation process. This demonstrated to me that she is not there to take your money - Ms. Kristin truly cares for the wellbeing and development of each child. Additionally, I want to point out that this isn't some "Day Care" attached to somebody's house just using their backyard, nor is it just someplace to park your kid. This is an actual Pre-*School* teaching social skills as well as independence and self-care. They are very devoted to a traditional Montessori education approach which is a long established practice. Based on our experience, I can whole heartedly recommend sending your children to this school.

Our son attends Children's House as part of the first class and it's been an incredible experience…read more Kristin, the head of the school, is really committed to the well-being of every child. Everything is very student-centered and the materials are regularly rotated and curated to expose students to new subjects and ideas. The teachers put a lot of thought into the activities for students, even the youngest ones, so it's a really enriching environment. He loved some of the units they worked on: raising butterflies, learning about the life-cycle of a hen, and learning about planets and the solar system. The teachers are also super committed, caring, and communicative. They really know the students and their interests and foster a respectful and fun learning environment. We are first-time parents and felt really supported. I cannot recommend this school highly enough.

My 3rd child is currently enrolled at Long Hill Montessori, and I only have positive things to say…read moreabout the education, care, and attention my children have received at LHMS, in no small part to the new owners Kelly Legiec & Fiona Rouse. They both have strong education backgrounds, and have been at LHMS for 5 + years, and recently bought the school from the sorta shady guy that previously owned the school. The school is set up in 2 large classrooms - the Acorn Room is set up for the the 2.5 y/os - 3 yr/0, and the Oak Room is for the 3-6 yr olds. It's a nice set up so the super young kids don't feel overwhelmed by the older kids, and the older kids have a sense of accomplishment moving on to the Big Room . There is a pretty nice, mulched playground out back for the kids can burn off some energy during the day. I knew nothing of the Montessori system when my first child started there, but it's really kinda cool. The students are given a lot of autonomy for such a young age -- they are gently guided through age-appropriate tasks & lessons, where they work independently or in small groups. Not only are they learning counting, letters, shapes, sizes etc--- the things you'd expect your kids to learn in preschool, but they are also learning to self-motivate, work independently and work in small groups --- all great life lessons. My older 2 children are thriving in public school in great part to the skills, confidence, independence and education they gathered at Long Hill Montessori. I highly recommend this school !

I am so thrilled to have found LHMS! My eldest daughter is currently enrolled in Kindergarten in…read morepublic school and is thriving academically and socially after her three years at LHMS. She started out in the Acorn room with the schools' youngest students, and like many of her peers, she was weary to leave her mommy at three years old. Her teachers showed her such compassion and patience that within a matter of days she was eager to get through the gate in the mornings and excited to tell me about her day when I came to pick her up each afternoon. Over the course of the three years she was enrolled in LHMS, our entire family noticed such a change in her! She went from clinging to my legs at family gatherings to confidently looking adults in the eye and playing with other children. I remember how quickly she learned the alphabet, the sounds each letter makes, counting, cultures from around the world, the environment, animals and their habitats - I mean, you name it - and I am so grateful for that strong foundation because she now does her homework with such ease, making the whole school experience so much more pleasant! My youngest child is now in the Acorn room and absolutely loves it! The teachers have a way of making school so fun, that he went from crying every morning to literally running to get in the car to see them. It's the personal touches - the way they patiently help him settle down to nap, the way they brush off an accident instead of dwelling or shaming, they even personalize the school's annual fundraiser so parents have an idea of which gifts would be best suited for their child in particular. A couple times I had some disciplinary issues and they took the time to help guide me through my kids' changing emotions, giving me advice and listening to concerns; I truly consider them like a co-parent! You can tell that the staff at LHMS really love what they do, they genuinely care for the kids, they're not just supervising them or teaching them, they're caring for them in a holistic way. Each day they're offered healthy snacks, guided through the work to make sure they're on track academically, and given the affection and attention each individual kid needs, and believe me, my kids can be a handful, they demand a LOT of attention! I trust them with my most precious little ones, and endorse them whole-heartedly!

My older daughter attended Children's Academy for two years before starting Kindergarten, and still…read moretalks about how much she misses her preschool. She's already learned in preschool many of the concepts she's now seeing in Kindergarten, which speaks to how well the school prepares students. She even learned to read during her last year there, and it's been incredible to see her reading progress with the strong foundation the school gave her. The Children's Academy is one of the few true Montessori schools we found in the area. The classrooms are set up with stations like Practical Life, Math, and Language, and the children have the autonomy to choose their activities throughout the day. At the same time, they learn structure and social skills, like taking turns, sitting on "The Line," and resolving conflicts using the "peace rose." The teachers are what makes the school truly exceptional. Many have been at the school for decades. They are deeply attentive and caring, and I'm constantly amazed by how well they know each child, even down to details like their favorite stuffed animal. All the teachers are Montessori-trained and continue to stay up to date with best practices. There's also a strong sense of community. The school has been around for a long time, and there are parents who were students themselves whose children now attend the school. There is a Parent Association that organizes fundraisers, field trips, and events, which adds to the close-knit feel. Another huge factor for us was the flexibility they offer. There are before and after care options, as well as coverage during school holidays, which are important to us as two working parents. We couldn't find any other Montessori school in the area offering this. We love the school so much that our two younger kids now go there. If you're considering Children's Academy, I highly recommend attending one of their open houses. They host open houses once per month on the weekend - the fact that the teachers take time from their weekend to do these open houses also speaks volumes! We are so grateful to have such a wonderful school near us, and recommend it frequently to families looking for a preschool.

I am incredibly pleased with my son's experience at the Little Room. He thoroughly enjoys…read moreattending, often requesting additional days due to his enthusiasm for school. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to his teacher, Mrs. Lambert, who is truly exceptional. Also, thank you to Mrs. Massi, Mrs. Chubbs, Mrs. Haxton, and Ms. Olive, along with any others I may have missed. You have all made Mikey's first pre-K experience a truly wonderful one. Choosing this program for my son has been one of the best decisions I've ever made!

Somerset Hills Montessori school has been a godsend to my family. We immediately became apart of…read morethe SHMS because that is how they make you feel at this school, like family. My daughter attended school and camp here for 3 years and again they have been a blessing. The level of education that my child has received is truly astounding. Her level of learning is currently at the level of a second grader thanks to Somerset Hills Montessori school. I truly thank them for everything they have done for my family and we will forever remember them.

My daugther has been at SHMS since she was 18 months. The school is unique because they focus on…read moreeducation vs. just playing. Children have freedom with limits. They learn how to be independent and learn at thier own pace. Most of Teachers there has been there for over 20 years. They are flexible and you feel like family. The school Director personally understand each child because the school small and she is very much hands on. Reading the review below was shocking because I've never experience any of what she mentioned..

The staff and teachers are so committed, passionate and highly effective with the children in a way…read morethat my child continues to thrive and build their independence rapidly! Lead teachers are Montessori certified and attend PD annually. I don't worry about them being here, knowing the loving and caring environment at Magnolia. The teachers and staff are always smiling and so present and engaging with the children. They have gone above and beyond time and time again and really know our child. We started in the infant room at 4 months and are now settled into the Toddler Room (18 mos-3 yrs). I can't recommend them highly enough. For the parents, it's an intimate community where you feel part of a school as the PTA and more events for the families to connect are offered. Since it follows Readington Twp's school schedule, know that there is a spring break, holiday break, etc. (~ 4 weeks/year and a day here and there) where the school is closed and you'll need to find alternate care. Sending our child there is still well worth this logistical gymnastics we need to do a few times a year to accommodate the weeks off.

Wonderful school! Staff and teachers are terrific! Lead teachers are montessori certified and…read moreattend PD annually. My children have had a great educational experience here. So pleased of the change from first step, what a difference .. from educational and care stand point. My children run into school and ask if they have school on Saturdays! I don't worry about them being here, knowing the loving and caring environment at Magnolia. Teachers / staff are always smiling and look happy. They go above and beyond and really know your child. We started in the infant room and now grew into the toddler and early childhood rooms. From the ABCs, to reading, math and creative play- we love hearing what they learned about everyday:)

I love The Children's House. This is our family's sixth year at TCH: my older one graduated over…read morethree years ago and my younger one will graduate this year. It's a school Montessori school and the teachers use Montessori methods not just in the academic lessons they teach, but in helping them to develop to be good people, and learn socialization skills. The classes teach not just beginning math and language skills, but also science and geography through learning about animals and maps, as well as lots of other areas of interest. They encourage the kids' curiosity, make corrections (when needed) in a gentle and kind manner. The classrooms are prepared for the children so everything they need is where they can reach it, and the kids know they are empowered to do as much as they are able. When I was looking for a pre-school I knew right away that this was the place where my children would thrive and be happy.

This is my daughter's second year here and my son started this year. The teachers are amazing and…read moremy children love going to school. They learn so much there.

We researched many other venues before choosing this campus. We liked the fit and experience of…read morethe leadership here, relative to others. Also, facilities are nicely laid out and setting fosters day trips to various spots such as post office, etc. I'm a product of the Montessori system, yet this is our son's 1st Montessori experience and we are confident he is paired with strong teachers. Additionally, there is sensitivity to allergies and many classes are allergen free. The parent network is good and many have made good efforts to reach out and build relationships.

We moved to the Summit area quite late in the school year and luckily there was one space left for…read moreour son to join the 3-6 class at the Montessori Children's Academy. We feel so incredibly lucky to have found this amazing school with the dedicated teachers and staff. We knew we wanted a Montessori education for our child and have been continually impressed with the kind, calm and thorough education he's received thus far. We highly recommend this school.