In response to Pricilla F. Thanks for the positive things you have to say about the school despite what you feel was a safety concern. We reached out to you privately after this review and back in April when the mark appeared, but we feel that a public response is appropriate since you are challenging the integrity of the school's staff in a public forum. We in no way want to diminish your own feelings surrounding the unknown cause of a mark on your child. We know a mother doesn't ever want to think of her child being harmed. We certainly don't want any child to hurt either. A child's well-being is of the utmost importance to the staff and we feel due diligence by the school was taken. Although you declined having a sit-down with the teachers or being seen by a physician, we would still be willing to meet with you any time. We are always looking for ways to better the school so thanks for your feedback. read more

The mission statement is really good for this school. This is an actual open door school. All teachers are approachable and courteous. However, I give this place two stars because my toddler (2 y/o) came home with a hand print on the inside of his tight. I decided to take him out of the school because nobody could explain to me what happened, not even the person responsible for changing his diapers. The fact that there was no explanation to this incident made me doubt the integrity of his teacher. It is unfortunate because I liked the school, but I rather focus on my child's safety. read more

Open Door Preschool - Inexplainable mark after a day in school. - Elementary Schools Near Me - Augusta, Georgia

This is by far the best school I have found and that my child has attended. She has only Attended private schools and this is the 3rd school! Truly truly an amazing school! When I was looking for a preschool, I was looking for a place that would feel like home! Safe, fun, comforting and a place where I felt like I had great communication with the teachers/staff! This place hit the mark spot on! The teachers were wonderful, the director and secretary were helpful and kind! I felt like my needs and my child's needs were heard and met! My child flourished there- she grew and learned and I knew she was safe and cared for and learning by leaps and bounds daily! I wish Open Door would go all the way up to middle school! You will not find the same level of caring and education and amazing staff anywhere else in Augusta! Thank you ODP for treating us like family and treating us so well! I will continue to recommend this school forever! read more

After a horrible experience at a catholic preschool in Martinez, we came to open door feeling really hesitant. We were thrilled with their kindness and openness, their willingness to work with my son on potty training, and their policy of inclusiveness. My son is happy, full of smiles and tired at the end of his days, and eager to get to school each morning. We love ODP! read more

I'm hoping this review will save some child and family the anguish that it has caused my child and my family. My child did not have a great experience with Open Door Preschool. On the third day of school, a child pushed her. I spoke with the director personally and she informed me that since neither her or her staff seen the incident occur, she could not do anything as far as disciplinary action. We decided that this was a one time incident and that we would keep an eye on it but not let it deter her from going to the school. But, the past 6 months my daughter has been bullied. Several students in her class has pushed her, jumped line and said things to her that have been out of line. My child has had psychological effects because of this. She would often feel sick at school suddenly and have a headache which lead to her needing to leave school early. After I picked her up from school, she would feel much better. She also has had lots of anxiety and has been afraid to go to school because of this. Even her teacher has brought up how much anxiety she would have coming into class and it's no coincidence that she has anxiety about going to school because she's afraid of getting bullied. On one occasion, my daughter told her teacher of the children bullying her and her teacher replied, "If you tattletale again your Apple point will be moved from green to the red". On another occasion, it was actually moved from green to red because she told the teacher that a child had jumped her in line at the water fountain. Green means good behavior, being good friends to classmates, etc. Red means misbehaving, not listening to instructions and being disrespectful to others. So, in essence, my child was being taught to silence her valid concerns and that if she spoke out against her mistreatment, she would be punished. I have had to call her teacher several times to try to have issues resolved when my daughter complained about a child pushing her. Each time I spoke with Derindia or the director, Jennifer, the answer to my concerns were the same. They told me that they would look into it and that since it was not seen they couldn't reprimand the offending child. Meanwhile, the insults and bullying continued because no child was reprimanded or held accountable for their actions. Another thing that the director and teacher would do is question the validity of my child's claims with questions such as, "Are you sure that she wasn't mistaken the child pushing her for accidentally bumping into her?" Perhaps she is sensitive, etc..." I would steer clear from this school. Even though the classes are small to allow for better time with the students, my husband and I still had to hire an outside tutor after hours because she was not learning and the teacher did not offer any solutions or techniques to help. I'd already made plans to pull her out and have today be her last day (because of the ongoing bullying with no action taken), but an incident happened last week that prompt me to not let her return. On Friday, after school, my child told me that one of her classmates told her that the reason she is friends with the other classmate is because she has the same white skin as her and that white skin is better than brown skin. When I emailed the director, she responded as if she did not believe my child and that this was false. Furthermore, after speaking with the director on the phone about this issue, the director spoke with the other child that said this and the other child denies she said this. So because of this, she decided to take the word of the other child and not pursue actions. Once again, glossing over the issue and no action being taken. Open Door Preschool claims to be diversified however, the incident above shows me differently. As well as me having to purchase dolls of several ethnicities for the school because there were none in the classroom. I'm highly disappointed in this school. They did not do right by my child, instead dismissed her claims and silenced her voice. As a concerned parent, more effort in resolving the issue and making my child feel safe at school should have been a priority. I will not recommended this school to anyone because they give the approval to bully kids without consequences. read more