Parent Review - Please Read Carefully Spanish versión in…read moreimages. Update: This review has been updated to include additional factual details for clarity and completeness. I am sharing this experience so other parents can make informed decisions before enrolling their child. I wish I had seen a review like this beforehand. My intent is transparency, especially for families who rely on childcare subsidies and may have limited options. My daughter attended this school briefly. During that time, we experienced ongoing issues with communication and transparency. The most concerning situation involved my daughter being injured on more than one occasion--twice by the same child within a matter of weeks. When I asked why my child was hurt more than once in such a short period of time, the Director became defensive rather than responsive. On both occasions, I was not notified immediately. After the first incident, a vague incident report was placed in my daughter's backpack for me to discover after arriving home. The report was written on Mt. Tahoma letterhead, which was confusing and concerning, as my child does not attend that school. During the second incident, I arrived for pickup while my daughter was still crying and visibly distressed after being struck on the side of the head by the same child. The teacher who brought her to the gate did not know what had happened, and the Director also appeared unaware. My daughter was initially handed to me as if nothing had occurred. Only after it became clear that I was upset and would not leave while my child was crying, red in the face, and hurt did a staff member offer an ice pack. When the Director arrived, she was unable to explain what had happened. When my daughter identified who hit her, the Director stated, "No, it wasn't him," without clarifying who was responsible. Although my daughter clearly stated she was hit, the school insisted she had been "pushed onto bark." Bark would not cause a bruise on her ear or the contusion later diagnosed by urgent care. The conversation with the Director and owner was brief and uninformative. Neither acknowledged who hurt my child or clearly explained what occurred. Instead, the incident was repeatedly described as "normal child behavior," and it was implied that my daughter's actions caused her injury. Some children at the school are as old as six; my daughter is only four. No apology was offered, and no prevention plan was discussed unless I specifically asked. An incident report was not offered. I requested one and was told it would be provided, but it never arrived. After following up, I eventually received a report that lacked key details, including staff names and a clear explanation of how the injury occurred. Most concerning, the report focused heavily on my daughter's behavior in a way that implied she was responsible for being hurt, while also stating that a teacher witnessed the incident and did not intervene to prevent injury. In a follow-up email--after I continued requesting a corrected incident report and additional details--the Director suggested that I consider withdrawing my daughter and placing her in a private in-home daycare, stating that my concerns reflected "very specific needs," rather than addressing how the school would ensure my child's safety. Beyond the physical injuries, my daughter showed signs of emotional distress while attending this program, including difficulty playing with peers and fear associated with school staff. Since leaving the school, these reactions have continued. I have not been able to return to work since November, as attempts to transition her into other childcare settings have been unsuccessful due to her extreme distress and refusal to enter facilities. The emotional impact on our family has been substantial. What troubled me most was not just the incidents themselves, but a pattern of delayed communication, limited transparency around supervision, and dismissal of legitimate safety concerns. I have since withdrawn my daughter and am sharing this to encourage other parents to ask detailed questions about supervision, injury reporting, communication practices, and how children are supported emotionally. This review reflects my personal experience as a parent.

My oldest son has been enrolled here for nearly two years, and the growth we've seen academically,…read moresocially, and emotionally, has been extraordinary. He came in shy and hesitant, and he has blossomed into a confident, curious child who loves learning and communicating with others. He now problem-solves on his own, initiates conversations, and brings home life skills he proudly teaches his younger brother. Because of the trust we've built, I recently enrolled my youngest son as well. One of the most meaningful parts of our experience has been the genuine care the staff has shown our family. When my father passed away unexpectedly about a year and a half ago, the teachers and administrators surrounded us with warmth and compassion. They checked in daily, supported my son through his big emotions, and made sure he felt safe and loved during an incredibly difficult time. That type of care comes from people who truly value the children they work with. Communication has always been clear, consistent, and responsive. The staff is proactive in sharing updates, answering questions, and making sure parents feel informed and included. Over nearly two years, any small hiccups that naturally happen in childcare have been handled with transparency, thoughtfulness, and professionalism. My son has developed strong, trusting relationships with his teachers, both under the previous ownership and the current leadership. He talks about them with so much affection, and it's evident that they genuinely know and appreciate him as an individual. They celebrate who he is, encourage his interests, and guide him with patience and respect. The sense of belonging and stability he feels at school has been a major factor in his growth. Every family and child is unique, but I can confidently share that this school has been a nurturing, communicative, and supportive environment for both of my children. We are grateful every day for the foundation it has provided, and I am thankful for the teachers who care for my boys as if they were their own.

My son switched schools and came to this Montessori. Mrs. saggi is very professional, clean and…read moreorganized. Very kind hearted, pure and very caring of kids. She involves herself by getting to know each child's needs. Highly recommend her for any of your children's needs and care. Her facility is very clean. My son learning and interest have increased ever since attending this school. He looks forward to school each week. I love how she includes monthly newsletters & she keeps families informed on upcoming holidays and school closures.

From the owner: Sunrise Montessori has 18+ years of experience and our small class size give students the…read morepersonalized attention they need. No screen time for children on a daily or weekly basis. Sunrise Montessori is a Home-based Montessori school and now enrolling children 3 years and up for full-time and Part-time. website : sunrisemontessoricare.com Call or Text 253-258-5995

Had my daughter here 1 day. Chaos at drop off, and when I went to pick her up this was the…read moreexperience: 1) I looked through the toddler room window to see if I could see her playing. There was a baby sitting on a table by herself, lights off, with no one in the room. 2) Went to the front. Employee answered with no mask on. 3) Told employee about the baby. She casually said "oh ya, they do that all the time". 4) Brought me my baby and said "BTW two other babies had their mouths on her bottle and sippy cup so you might want to sanitize them because she has a peanut allergy right?" My daughter has a lot of dietary issues and she didn't even know her allergies when I provided the list and communicated her needs multiple times. Even dismissing the allergies, another child had their mouth on a bottle with my breastmilk in it. Who knows how much they drank... The staff couldn't explain how it happened, especially when she was supposed to be fed separately due to her allergies. They had no details because they didn't work the morning. Terrible communication. 5) End of the day toddler sheet showed 3 hours between changings (policy is supposed to be 2) and didn't log her nap. Not a huge deal but still. Against my gut I brought her the next day hoping maybe it was an off day and that I would feel better. After 3 hours I was so anxious I went and picked her up. At pick up I asked how she did and they said "She didn't cry as much as yesterday." Wth?! My baby is SO social. She loves kids and never cries around them. Huge red flag. I politely emailed and told the director I would be withdrawing my daughter and asked for a refund since she was there for less than 2 days. She sent a nasty email back. We went back and forth a few emails, and once I told her I was going to report her to the DOH, she freaked out and sent the most unprofessional email where she actually admitted to not wearing masks, verified the child on the table, and blamed my one year old for the bottle because her "preference" is to throw them. She's one.... When I went to pick up the rest of her things later two staff members didn't have masks on (still had 2 kids in the room). Worst of all, the next night a dark purple/green bruise from a bite mark set in. My 1 year old was bitten ON HER CHEST and no one notified me. They probably didn't even know it happened because of the lack of supervision. Maybe this is why she was crying the whole first day...I attached a pic. Makes me sick to my stomach to think about how this happened, especially on this area. Whatever you do, do not enroll your child here. The teachers seem nice enough but this place is a disaster. She was mad that I looked through the window without permission. I've never heard of a facility that didn't have an open-door policy for checking on your baby, and we can't go inside because of Covid. I'm glad I did because that's how I saw the baby on the desk. No wonder they don't want anyone looking with all the chaos they have going on. I don't care about the money. I wouldn't have taken my child back there even if I had paid a year up front. It's been a week, my daughter is happy at a new center, and I STILL have major mom guilt for ever bringing her there. Seriously...run!

Kelly Lake Montessori is decent enough if all really need is a daycare. The staff or "teachers",…read moreare so outnumbered by children, it doesn't seem like any kid gets much individual attention unless they're crying or getting into trouble for something. When I dropped my son off and picked them up, he barely got so much of a "hi" and "bye" from the staff. If your child is doing the Montessori program, don't expect to be clued in on what they're learning or what subjects they're working on. Toward the start of the school year, I had asked if they do weekly or monthly newsletters to keep parents in the loop, and what followed after was 1 or 2, and then it stopped again. None of the staff seems happy to be there, and we never really felt welcome. Maybe I'm comparing too harshly to his last preschool where the teachers were warm, the program was clear, and they went above and beyond for everything, but I've just disappointed by this place. I'm giving it a 3 star because it's not a bad daycare, my son had some fun days there and made some friends, but I want to let other parents know my thoughts before making their decision.

My daughter has been attending school here and is thriving. I have constantly been impressed by the…read morework she brings home, the wide range of topics they cover each week on top of her improving vocabulary. The teachers are kind, but also discipline when necessary and keep the class in order. I was looking for an environment with structure and somewhere to begin a solid foundation for learning. I highly recommend this school.

I absolutely LOVE this Montessori school! When I was little I attended a Montessori and wanted my…read morekids to have that same experience. This school offers children love and kindness along with structure and practical teachings that will give them strength in real life. The school is not far from Maple Valley and Covington but is technically located on the Black Diamond/Kent border not far from Ristrettos! Not sure why there are not posts yet as it is maybe a best kept secret- teachers Carolyn and Nicole are amazing!!!

Great daycare & preschool for your little ones. My son has been there over a year & loves it. Great…read moreclassroom & play space as well as field trips & other fun, creative activities keep the kids entertained while they're learning. Dara & her staff is amazing! All around A+ to Journeys!

My son and daughter have been going to this place for a couple years now. In the past we've had…read moreissues taking our kids to different daycares due to the teachers not caring for the kids enough or willing to work with us--or even have a set schedule. We just adore what Dara is doing at Journeys. My kids come home with paintings, crafts, stories, handwritten worksheets. The teachers are always so nice and helpful. Every month there's a new schedule with new programs. The teachers are always so helpful in keeping us up to date on where the kids are and their learning skills. The classroom is small so the ratio is small--which we love. If you're considering sending your kids to a preschool I'd suggest Journeys, we love all the Montessori tools and always look forward to all the holiday activities. Parents are always allowed to join in on the fun for the day, lots of fieldtrips and lots of pictures!

My daughter attended Evergreen Christian Montessori for 3 years. The teachers are committed to…read morefostering independent learners and the development of children who care about each other. The facilities are focused on the Montessori method of learning. The classrooms are well maintained. The children are involved in gardening. And, the playgrounds give them lots of freedom to play and explore. I am so thankful for evergreen montessori and for the faculty. My daughter will be prepared for kindergarten and has made special memories with her class.

My daughter has been attending ECM for 2 years now and she has progressed so much compared to when…read moreshe fist started. ECM uses traditional Montessori methods where everything is hands-on and the students are given the freedom to choose which work that interest them with the teachers' guidance. They note down what the students work on each day and keep track on their progress throughout the year. My daughter is now reading at between 2nd and 3rd grade level while doing double digit additions/subtractions, and have started learning multiplication at 5 years old. Her maturity level has also blossomed since they have multiple ages in a classroom, I have observed her helping the younger students. I highly recommend Evergreen Christian Montessori if you are looking for a high quality montessori preschool for your child!

I sent my daughter to Bonney Lake Montessori from 2.5 years old till she went into kindergarten…read more We had such a great experience and our son is currently attending. I have noticed with both kids that once they started going to this preschool their speech improved drastically as well as their social skills and they really liked doing things on their own and being independent. It's not a daycare atmosphere. The things they are taught everyday are so useful for when they transition into a classroom setting once they go into elementary school. I highly recommend BLM!

I would recommend to look elsewhere. I took my son to this school when he was 2 1/2. My son speech…read moreimproved tremendously as he was here. I can say that I loved the rotation of toys and subjects they would learn. Few things I realized teachers don't pay attention to kids clothes so many times I found my son with other kids clothes. I found some of his clothes missing as well that got returns later. I found my son with bumps on his body from him wearing other clothes that weren't his. When I asked the director if other kids were infected she said it must have happened at home. ( not the case because I was not ill.) When I took my son to the doctor and told the director that my son will be missing school she sent an email stating " you should probably do that on a non- school day" .. I would steer clear from this place. The director is a piece of work. Later on, she started "documenting " my three year olds behavior for what she calls being "destructive " a child who climbs on counters is distractive ? How does one write up a three year old ? Mind you when my son was being "destructive " I was in the classroom. His teacher never mentioned anything about my son's behavior. The next day while I'm at work I'm receiving a paragraph long email about my child's "behavior" . I asked why didn't the teacher talk to me as the parent and let me address the situation. KC stated that "the teacher felt it was necessary to start documenting a 3 year old" .. my son didn't hit any student , teacher or anyone at that school. Fast forward, my son has no behavioral issues never had any behavioral issues. KC the director was looking for ways to get my son out of school. It definitely worked. When I told her we were leaving found another school she was very rude. If this was the last day care left in Bonney lake I'd rather keep my child at home than let them be in her care. Horrible Director. Plenty of other wonderful options around. Just not here don't waste your money .

I would think twice about sending your child here. They put up a great façade and make it look…read morelike it is a wonderful place to send your child, but in reality it is not. Their communication is terrible. Takes them days/weeks to respond by email. My child could never come home and tell me what he learned. He would literally cry in the morning because he was scared of the head teacher/owner Ms. De Alwis. I ended up pulling him out early and not finishing the year. I did not tell them, just never sent him back. They NEVER called me to see if he was ok, or to try and find out why he he was no longer coming to school. As a school and a teacher, you have the obligation to check on your students and their well being. It is called a welfare check. But nothing from them... They also do not do conferences. When you ask to to set up a conference they act like they are doing you a favor...and when you do get a conference, they could not tell me anything specific about how my child was doing - just that he was doing great...when in reality he was not. When he started there he could write his name really well, but as the year went on, he digressed. They did not correct him or try to help him get back to where he was. It was a very sad and frustrating year. Thankfully, we found a different school that has been just wonderful! Further, we have a friend that also sent their child to Misty Mountain as well. After a year, they decided to take him out as well, and find a different school for him - for many of the same reasons listed above. Overall, very disappointing, sad, and frustrating experience.

This is all I could ask for in a preschool. The owner, Karen, is absolutely amazing with the…read morechildren and truly cares about each one of them. The Montessori method is used here, and it's wonderful to see how much the children learn. My son knows more countries than I knew at the end of elementary school, has studied the foods and cultures around the world, learns the science of trees, plants, animals, and more, and is so ahead in math and reading (close to 2nd grade level) that kindergarten is going to be pretty boring for him next year. They also learn about famous artists and music composers and work on practical life skills. At this school, your child learns at their pace with lots of fabulous learning tools, and there is no limit to what they can do. They work independently, with the teacher, and in small groups. The classroom is multi-age, allowing for the youngest kids to learn from the oldest, and the oldest to learn kindness and compassion while helping the younger children. Karen understands the importance of play and creativity for young children, while at the same time never underestimating how much they can learn and how eager they are to acquire knowledge.

This is a wonderful Montesorri program. Both of my kids attend. My youngest started at 18 months…read more The program has been great for their motor and language skills. They incorporate learning through activities that are fun for the kids. The teachers are so kind, they really dive in and care for the kids and families. They go above and beyond with a teaching the kids dancing and singing and helping them develop independence. My kids typically don't want to leave their friends at the end of the day.

Don't trust them! They like to punish children and yell at them. They act nice but they are mean to…read morekids. My child still tells me stories of what it was like being in their care and how awful it was. Little kids can't explain the bad experience bc they are so young but my child is older and is able to put words to his bad experiences with them.

My kid start last year, and he is learning a lot, it's a great place to go, small, no too many…read morekids, he loves to go school, since first day he feel safe, confident and he is improving and learning everyday I love compass Montessori! The staff really care about kids and are very committed to the kids, super warm and supportive!

Our son joined Compass in the fall and we've been very impressed with the professionalism and focus…read moreon educational achievement. As a lefty, he has always struggled with holding a pencil but within a few weeks we had already seen progress. He now enjoys drawing which is wonderful! The teachers show genuine care for the kids and foster an intellectual curious environment. We plan to put our second child in the program prior to Kindergarden as well.