I've sent both my kids through the 2's, 3's and 4's at Friends, and my son is "graduating" this…read moreyear. I'll be sad to not return next year. Our experience at Friends couldn't have been more wonderful. All of the teachers are kind, warm and nurturing. It's like handing your kids over to family. The 2's program is the perfect introduction to school for toddlers, the 3's is a great continuation of all the social and life skills being taught, and the 4's curriculum emphasizes preparing for kindergarten in an organic and age-appropriate way. In addition, because the school is so small, there's a real sense of community among the parents. We've made lifelong friends at Friends - the school really lives up to its name!

My kids were at a different preschool before Friends so I have something with which to compare it…read more This place is amazing. Kids go to kindergarten extremely prepared as well as cultured. The director of the preschool, Sue, is one of the kindest, gentlest, most education-savvy people I've ever met. She is very down to earth and reads academic articles about preschool education on a regular basis. The families who are a part of this school are wonderful. If you need extended day options, this school is not for you!

There was an obese roach that attacked my child when she was in seventh grade at ICS. We told the…read moreschool and they did nothing about it. My child is still traumatized to this DAY. She now has to go to therapy, and has had multiple episodes since the incident. Would not recommend!

horrible school my son was there 3 years ago and was treated…read morehorribly by principal, staff and teachers. we pulled our son out in the middle of the school year. He has been on the A honor roll and excelling in every way since we transitioned from that disgusting horrible ENVIRONMENT! I feel they were Racist!

I am 24 years old now. I routinely think about Robin and this pre-school. I can't believe I…read moreremember anything. I think what resonated, is that they prepare kids to learn and adapt, so we can become the adult we were meant to be. It's easy to keep a child busy and entertained. Working with kids and treating them with respect, showing them how to learn on their own, is what pre-school should be for everybody. I had a very difficult time with my parents - I struggled for independence for literally no reason. Robin never talked down to me, and helped me cope with the very difficult task of being a toddler. The friends I made, especially Sophia(I love you) are lifelong and foundational. I had to say something - looking at my life, Sarah Lawrence was a key developmental period. I hope my children have the same opportunity as I did. This is where your kid can love learning. THANK YOU ROBIN!!! There will be nothing but blessings in your life. From a very very grateful student.

Sarah Lawrence College's Early Childhood Center is a progressive, lab school community for…read morepreschool-aged children. It's child-centered and play-based. My child started the 2s program this fall (2014) and I couldn't be happier with our experience. Everyone-from the Director to the teachers to the receptionist-is not only incredibly loving and warm but also child development nerds. These people know children. Deeply. The people at the ECC are true professionals. They have graduate degrees in early childhood education, many have been teaching for decades, and they all love a good geek-out on anything kid related. Anytime I bring up a topic I'm interested whomever I am speaking with pulls out books, recommends films, and sends me articles about the topic. They are not inly knowledgeable about how children learn and develop but they are passionate about it. I've learned so much about how children learn and process their world and can truly say that I am a better parent for being part of this community. For example I never knew how important narrative play was. Ever since we started the ECC I now try to narrate and get my child to narrate what he is doing when he is playing. His verbal, storytelling, and memory skills have developed so much. On the subject of play- this school takes play very, very seriously. Much child development research indicates that play is of tantamount importance-it is how children learn and develop the skills and foundation for later life success. The book Children's Play: The Roots of Reading by Edward Zigler is a great place to to start your overview of the research. For more on the topic of play being the work of children check out a TEDx talk by an ECC graduate student https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7y6ZgQCnvw If you are looking for a place that does flashcard drills and gives 3 year olds homework, look elsewhere. This is not an "academic" preschool. This is a preschool where children are given the space and opportunity to be children and learn in developmentally appropriate ways, which research shows prepares them so well for later academic study. It is also a place where your child will develop their love and passion for learning. My child is so excited about school-it's the best part of our week. It's truly breathtaking to see his curiosity nurtured and to know that his first experience with school is joyous and fun-he hasn't gotten the joy and curiosity beaten out of him in the name of Common Core and standardized testing. The community is very diverse-economically, socially, ethnically, and racially and my child is exposed to what the real world looks like. Families come from as south as the Upper West Side and as north as Brewster. ECC families represent the full economic and social spectrum of the US, an achievement that is sadly too rare in the highly stratified society of New York. Families are very involved-it truly feels like a community. The Parents Association is active and sponsors several activities throughout the year for both children and adults that are always well attended and enjoyed. I think it's a great alternative and even superior option in some ways to Bank Street or Barnard's Toddler Center for upper Manhattan and Bronx families because it has more space and outdoor play areas. Children go outside to play in the expansive play areas every class day even in cold weather. The 2s program does require a parent/primary caregiver -can't be a secondary caregiver- to attend with the child the whole year. This only works if one or more parents have flexible jobs or stay at home. I structured my work schedule to be able to accompany my child but not everyone has that privilege. Starting in the 3s program children are dropped off but in accordance with the school philosophy each child separates at their own pace. Lastly, the ECC is a lab school-one of the oldest of it's kind. It serves as a laboratory environment for undergraduate and graduate students. There are always one or several students in addition to teachers and teacher assistants in the classroom. Their main objective is to study and learn from the children but having so many adults in the classroom provides for amazing one-on-one attention. Students (undergrads/grads) are always supervised and mentored by the teacher in the classroom.

Amazing school. The curriculum is so good and the staff is caring and attentive. Both of my son's…read morehave grown so much from being here. Thank you woodlot!

From the owner: Woodlot Christian Preschool is dedicated to helping children develop a healthy relationship with…read moretheir friends, family, and God. We provide a comprehensive curriculum that helps children develop social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills in preparation for kindergarten. As an independent, interdenominational Christian school, it welcomes all races and creeds. Judeo-Christian values are taught encouraging children to be respectful of others and self-confident. Philosophy We believe children gain an eagerness to learn where there is an atmosphere of love and joy. Curriculum Using a multi-sensory approach to teaching, we prepare children for kindergarten by providing a wide variety of fun, enriching activities to develop skills in the areas of literacy, math, science, the arts, and physical health. Books including Bible stories, storytelling, drama, and poetry are used to develop phonetic awareness, phonics, and word knowledge. We help children develop a sense of responsibility in caring for our school community and physical environment. In addition to enjoying a well-equipped outdoor play area, an enclosed side yard is used for field sports: soccer, tee ball, and water slide/jumping castle fun. Music/Movement Our exciting Music/Movement classes include singing, dancing, rhythm instruments, and creative drama.

Highly Recommend!! My children, now 19 and 17 went there when they were toddlers all the way up to…read moreage 12, when they were too old to attend anymore. It was such a great experience for them both that they still talk about it to this day. They love Ms. Krystal and Ms. Michelle and are forever engulfed with the nurturing, care, and love they were giving as young children. Early Einstein Learning Center offers everything you want and more for your children. It is a safe, loving, place, that prepares your child to enter school. Not only are they socially ready but academically ready to head to kindergarten. As previously stated my children stayed there until age 12 when they aged out of the program. They went there during their elementary school years after school and then went there for the summer program. Their experiences were filled with fun activities, learning, and love. My daughter, now 19 still often recalls fond memories of her days at Early Einstein and will always be forever touched by her experiences there. That all being said, if you are looking for the best of the best of daycares, look no further with the Early Einstein Learning Center.

I have been with EELC for over 5 years now. I LOVE them! Ms. Krystal is always so responsive and I…read moreactually known Ms. Jackie longer since my older one was 18 months old from a previous daycare. I trust them with my life (both my children). I don't have family local so they are my family. This isn't a place that they just keep your child(ren) alive. They teach them by utilizing multiple methods of teaching and the kids learn SO much! Now that my older one is in school, they help her after school with homework which is such a relief for this working mama. Look no further. This daycare is it.

Bronxville Montessori (BMS) is a hidden gem. Our family moved nearby last year, and we were a bit…read moreconcerned about being able to find a high quality preschool. My husband works in education, and we're both very focused on the impact of an educational environment on the development of young children. After seeing several daycares and preschools in the area, we visited BMS and knew it was the program for us. Our daughter, almost 3, just made the cutoff to get into the mixed age classroom. BMS has almost a magical quality about it - The head of the school, Deborah, runs an excellent operation. From having kind, passionate, well trained teachers, to fostering a secure, collaborative, learning environment for the children, we could not be happier with our experience at BMS. While I could go on about the different best practices I've seen there, I think the most important proof is in the pudding... Since starting at BMS, our daughter has grown wonderfully. She's become more thoughtful, conscientious, and engaged. She's excited to go to school in the morning, and models the behaviors they foster there, outside of school (curiosity about the world, empathy, cleaning up after herself, and more). To us, Bronxville Montessori maintains the perfect balance of lots of play (creative and physical), some traditional classroom instruction, and character focused activities/norms. Of course there's work on the parents' part to help foster a similar environment at home, but we feel BMS has helped lay an excellent foundation for our daughter. We recommend the school to all our local friends (one just enrolled their toddler in the 2s program). We have also been very happy with their ability to reopen for the 2020/2021 school year, and with all the precautions they're taking to ensure a safe environment amidst COVID-19. The 3-5 age class students wear masks inside and outside, are screened every morning, practice frequent hand-washing, follow social distancing measures inside the classroom, and more. The pandemic has been extra challenging for all our children, and since returning to BMS after the pandemic school lockdown, our now almost-4-year-old has has been progressing back to her more normal state - happier, less anxious, fewer meltdowns, etc.

Me and my wife enrolled our son in this montessori school about 2 years ago.The first year was…read morekinda ok,i would say it was great but the teachers they employe are not really worth the amount of many you pay for tuition.At 15,000 a year plus all the donations they constantly ask for they should really have better teachers.With a ratio of 6 to 1 they should be aware and on top of what each kid needs.That didn't happen the first year as our teacher had to be pulled from the class room for speaking to parents as thou they were friends of hers and not adults with children there.Very Bad communication skills with parents.The second year got even worse.Again you expect certain level of professionalism for what you pay for a 3-6 year old to go to this school but not the case.This time the teacher we got was very snarky and also answered disrespectfully to my wife on several occasions.Again not professional at all.During the second year they had a child in the class that liked to go after kids.Push punch bite whatever the case.Now i know kids play but this is continuous and for what you pay and the 6 to 1 ratio What are you paying for?This child ended up picking up scissors to cut my child's hair and paperwork and no one did nothing.They said "It was a misunderstanding"What's to misunderstand the kid and parents should have been dealt with but a school that is private,if you have a few kids maybe that will attend in future they will close an eye which they did.Unfortunately because of one uncontrollable child i had to pull my child from the school.Its not the first time it's happened at this school.I will be contacting the licensing board in the next couple of weeks or when they are available to discuss this kind of teaching and behavior.I would not recommend you send your child here as you might have to pay a lot to worry and be ignored if something comes up.For the money there are better options out there than this especially for s child

Sprouts has been there for our family for 4 years with two children. We appreciated the loving…read morecaregivers and responsive communication. It is nice in the beginning being able to check in over the web cam. My kids were always so excited to see their friends from school walking around the neighborhood. They also developed great foundational skills, learning their alphabet, letter sound relationships, counting and some Spanish and sign language. They loved the weekly visits from the music/ASL teacher. The teachers also helped greatly with potty training once we started at home. It was also great knowing that lunch and snacks were taken care of and that our kids were trying new foods.

We have loved our time with the Little Sprouts and Little Seedlings family! My daughter started…read morewith the daycares at about 9 months old, and just graduated to begin 3K this fall. She has been loved and cared for by the dedicated staff, and she has learned a tremendous amount from the staff and teachers. We are so lucky to have found the Little Sprouts and Little Seedlings team!

My grandsons have aged out of Creative Playtime and due to the program here were more than ready…read morefor kindergarten. My 2 grandsons attended from age 2 to 4 and learned a lot, laughed a lot and made wonderful memories. All grade level teachers are caring and nurturing. The extended day programs and summer camp were a bonus. I will miss dropping off my grandson in September.

I truly feel that enrolling my 3-month-old son in this daycare at New Rochelle was the right…read moredecision. When I first toured the facility, I had a great impression of the teachers and the environment, and the administrative staff was very responsive, which made me want to apply. However, after seeing some negative reviews on Yelp, I honestly hesitated and wondered if I should reconsider. But I decided to trust my initial instincts, and ever since he started attending, I've been able to see smiles on his face that I had never seen at home. It makes me so happy to see him playing with age-appropriate toys and showing expressions that make it clear the teachers are engaging with him warmly and attentively.

TLDR: The owner accused us without providing evidence of speaking of her school to other parents in…read more"derogatory manner," and then made the unilateral decision to remove our daughter from the school with only 1 business day to find alternative care for our child. In our opinion the owner and directors are not mature enough to run a business which watches children. This review is to re-enforce the other heartbreaking stories already posted here. This program is not one we can recommend to anyone. We were at the location on 130 Flandreau. We are first time parents and joined due to the good marketing/branding and the environment we saw on the tour. However, It seems that the pandemic has transformed this business. They have cut many of the programs they offer supposedly "due to covid" but in our opinion it is clearly it is to cut costs and see windfall profits. The owner Brianna is no longer involved with day to day management/operation of the NY location, although she still seems to enforces policies regarding staff communications or communicates covid rule compliance. We found it odd when we called her or emailed her and she never responded. In our opinion, we experienced some significant supervision issues with the number of staff (2) for the number of children. With a 6:1 ratio of kids/teacher the ratio is on the high end. By comparison other similarly priced daycares offer a 4:1 ratio. Our kid regularly complained about hitting/kicking etc from the other children, sometimes came home with bruises, etc. We understand that kids are kids, but, it was often an effort to get them to tell us what was going on, and more often than not the line from teachers or the director "that never happened." or "they are unaware of what caused this." These were the minor issues. When we attempted to raise the more serious issues with the staff/directory they were dismissive of our concerns. Early on we had to regularly remind them to send photos, or document what our child ate, or if she used the potty. It is as if we had to train the staff in what they told us they would do. This is all frustrating, especially considering the dramatically above average cost. Amazingly, things went south when we attended a birthday party (at someones house) were we met a few of the other parents for the first time. We were surprised at how many other parents were also frustrated with similar issues and it seemed (in our opinion) our concerns were not so out of the blue. We were asked by other parents about our next year plans, and shared we would attend a different Pre-K program next year to get a different experience. Apparently one of the parents shared this with the staff and within the week were asked to leave. We were informed via an email from Brianna the owner at 830PM on a Thursday. It simply said that the next day would be our daughters last. This was the first & only time we would ever have any form of communication with her as customers of her business. This was obviously (in our opinion) shocking and unexpected and when we replied asking to talk it out/get clarification/be offered a reasonable notice period (a week? a month?) We received, what was in our opinion, a long combative response, where were told we had a "nasty attitude" and that "There is nothing further to discuss." We feel this behavior is negligent in someone that you rely on for childcare. (What is if is impossible to arrange proper care for your child on such short notice?) We waited a long time to post this in order to gain some distance and perspective on the issue. We ended up putting our daughter into a nearby school, where it turns out the teachers/staff/director/owners are loving and caring. We know this because by comparison to Nurtury, we have met them all on multiple occasions. The community is free to speak openly on any issues, and does so. We engage with other parents regularly and the tone is far more positive. We haven't looked back (except to warn you wayward parents to stay away)! Addendum: Finally, it is to our surprise that as of the time of writing this review, we can no longer find a reference to this school Nutury Montessori @ 130 Flandreau Ave New Rochelle as a registered daycare on the OFCS website (https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/looking/). We did find however a current enforcement action against there Larchmont location, which appears to have 11 violations in the last year, where of note, all violations were corrected except two, one of which is: 418-1.13(a)(1) Staff and volunteers must be mature, of good character and possess suitable personal qualifications. Not Corrected