**Be Advised- Do NOT Send Your Children Here***
I'm sorry we stayed as long as we did-
The owner/Director, Ms. Swarna, might have been fantastic years ago, but in the year we attended, there were multiple incidents that raised concern, including that of friends and family.
Swarna doesn't have a nurturing demeanor toward the children. In addition, we have observed her behavior to be frightening to children and not supportive of their developmental or emotional needs.
In addition, we were concerned by the numerous staff changes over the year (5-6 new staff members in a year) and Swarna's lack of accountability to any type of management oversight
She focuses on academics and it is true the children learn a lot, but at what costs- they are afraid to step a foe out of line. she is overly strict and inappropriately aggressive toward the children.
*On more than one occasion, our daughter came home stating "Swarna hit"
* Swarna referred to our daughter as a bully. When our daughter said this to me, I assumed she was mistaken although that isn't language we use at home. I asked Swarna about it; she responded that my daughter did have a hard time listening on said day and was exhibiting bully behavior. Her lack of accountability confirmed that Swarna did call her a bully. She was only 2 years old at the time; no teacher or adult figure should directly call a child bully. Teaching about sharing, conflict resolution, etc., is more appropriate than name calling.
* We hosted our daughters 3rd birthday party at the school. We were at the school from approximately 11:45-1pm. This was also a new student's first day attending LHP. (It was that student's first day EVER in a preschool environment). We witnessed Swarna using excessive force with the child: taking him from room to room with her, tugging and snatching him by the wrists and upper arm (under the armpit). Additionally, I saw her pull him into the bathroom and I heard her YELL at him about misbehaving. (As far as we could see/hear, his behavior was typical first day fear regarding a new place)
The May 22nd, 2019 incident expedited our search for a new preschool. Then July 3rd brought everything to a boiling point
* On July 3rd I was running late to pickup our child. We have a family friend who lives walking distance from LHP. I called that friend to pick up so that Swarna wouldn't be kept too late; I was still 8-10 min away. Around 6:10pm I called Swarna BACK (I had already spoken to her & informed her I was running late, but on my way). I called Swarna back to give my friend's first & last name b/c she wasn't on the pickup list. Swarna stated she didn't have time for my call and hung up. Shocked, I arrived at LHP prepared to discuss Swarna hanging up on a parent while their child is still in her care. She stated she had a flight to catch and didn't have time to talk about it & that we could discuss it on Monday. At that point, I advised her we would not be returning given previous experiences. She proceeded to take all of my child's belongings out of the cubby and PUSH them on me. When I refused to take the items out of her hands as she attempted to physically PUSH me out, she threw My daughter's belongings out of the front door onto the ground outside.
Finding trustworthy childcare can be so hard, and this isn't anywhere I'd ever recommend. Children this young deserve a nurturing soft touch, that is not something Swarna is provides. read more