Nurturing Nest is a magical place. You can feel how much the children are loved and valued. Every…read moreelement of the environment is well thought out. The MONTESSORI mission imbues every decision. My three little guys have benefited immeasurably from their time here both academically and in terms of emotional/social development. They have a respect and kindness toward their peers that is almost part of the air they breathe here. Handshakes and hugs and "using words" are second nature. I'm also grateful for all the parent education activities and excellent teacher communication. Teachers respond to emails within a day with tailored suggestions for individual children. Best of all, Nurturing Nest is more than a daycare - it's a community of families and educators. This is a very small school, so the waitlist is real. Get on early! Absolutely worth the wait!

Nurturing Nest is a wonderful school and community. Our daughter has been there for over a year…read moreand has grown leaps and bounds in her confidence, language and life skills. We are amazed and so incredibly thankful for her wonderful teachers. Their communication is wonderful and you can really tell they care about each child.

In the beginning of the School Year I trusted this place (The Director Michelle) to care for my…read morechild before and after care in my absence. This school does not have its own Bus or van so the kids use HCPSS School bus for the local school kids. The director stands at the stop while the kids exit the bus. My little girl who was 5 years old at the time (now 6) got left on the School bus because she said the other kids told her that my child wasn't on the bus. She didn't get on the bus to check for herself because she said that the bus driver doesn't allow her to get on the bus. I verified that with the bus company and the driver and that was a lie. I was told she never asked to enter the bus to check. Anyways, once the driver realized that my child didn't get off at the last stop, the driver returned her back to the school and in the care of the Principal. The Principal called me to let me know what happened. I was 30mins away at work. I was able to leave work, get my daughter from school and make it to the center and never received a call from the director to confirm or deny if my child was at School. When my child first started, I told her that I would always let her know if my child would be absent to avoid this traumatic situation. Once I got to the Center, I confronted the Director and asked her why my child wasn't taken off of the bus. Her response was. "Oh ___ was at School today?, the kids told me she wasn't on the bus!" I understand mistakes can happen but this is a mistake NO PARENT EVER WANT FOR THEIR CHILD! When I told the director that her response wasn't a good enough response and that I wanted an explanation for what happened. She told me in front of some staff "I mean it was a accident, I don't know what more you want me to say." It was so nonchalant. As I left the building there were other parents waiting on me in the parking lot because they had possibly heard what happened, as the director didn't even have enough courtesy to take me to her office and discuss the situation. As a result, I have since moved her to another before and after care where she was frantic riding the bus because of the situation. Now, she's in a summer camp and the first day I picked her up, they told me that she was very upset and crying on the bus because she was afraid she was going to get left on the bus because she wasn't sitting next to an adult. Although, this camp is amazing and they assured her they'd never let anything like that happen to her, this is a ongoing wound that continues to open for us. As it stands I'll have to put my child in therapy because this has been really traumatizing to her and those of us that love and care for her. Finally, I'll end this with, I NEVER GOT A LETTER, CALL OR EMAIL FROM ADMINISTRATION APOLOGIZING FOR WHAT OCCURRED. Instead they swept it under the rug but now that my child is still traumatized almost one year later, I'm going to contact administration or corporate for answers on why they never contacted me. Maybe Michelle never reported this situation. I'm going to tell all parents reading this to please look at other centers. I've been told other Brookfield locations are good but please stand clear of the one on Cedar Lane, under the Direction of Michelle. She is very heartless and should never be in control of keeping anyone else's child or children safe. This School failed us in a major way. I was going to post the email response I received from her, but I will stand clear of doing so for now.

This is not a "school" in the traditional sense. It is a daycare. The employees are not certified…read moreeducators, they have the 90 hour credit to work in daycare. All locations are not run the same even though there is one owner. We used this daycare for about a year. The employees were kind but there were a lot of inconsistencies. An example is two "teachers" in each classroom and one was very strict while the other was super lenient. The strict teacher did most of the instruction and the lenient teacher would let the kids have fun. That's confusing for small children because when they are disciplined for showing behaviors that were permissible by the lenient teacher, they did not understand why they were in trouble. There was a lot of turnover in all of the "classrooms" and when there was a "new teacher," parents were not immediately notified. This was a safety risk as the kids would not know all of the teachers names in case something happened. Also, you did not know for sure if all of the hired employees were vetted. At one point they would just ask if people were looking for a job. The employees were not dressed professionally. There was no way to know another child's parent from a staff member. Also there were times where the ladies were dressed inappropriately. Tight, short, and/or revealing clothing. It was disgustingly worse when the weather warmed. To be fair, the building was secure in terms of gaining access to the children. Also, one and only one teacher taught Bible verses. They did not enforce Christian principles in all classes because "all families were not Christian". That was strange that they would not teach these principles regardless being as though they called themselves a "Christian School." I mean is it not in their name?! Rhetorical. I want to give this place a one or two star review but I will give it a 3 because not all three locations seem to be run the same. Even though it's in Columbia, do not be fooled.

Just an excellent learning environment. Our daughter just LOVES to go to school each day and has…read morereally thrived at Hilltop. Staff and teachers are truly dedicated to the children and really strive to keep the parents informed about their child's learning and progress. We plan to send all of our children there in the future and highly recommend it!

I can't imagine there's a better preschool in the Clarksville/Columbia area. Obviously every…read moreparent has their own list of "wants" and "needs" when shopping preschools - their own list of the features that are most important to them. Most importantly for my wife and I was to find a school where our 2-1/2 year-old would be happy, learn social skills, and would learn the fundamental skills needed to function in a classroom setting (preparation for kindergarten). It was also critical that we find a place where we would never feel guilty or apprehensive about dropping our kids off at school. We found all this and more at Hilltop. The most important things to note about Hilltop are... Small School - There are two classrooms and each one has a max of roughly 15 children. Small classes means lots of one-on-one interaction with the teachers, which any educator will tell you is extremely beneficial (especially for young children). Learning Activities - It is a school after all - so it's pretty important that they follow a really well-conceived philosophy and educational curriculum. Every day we receive notes from the teacher about what our child learned that day, sample assignments he worked on, etc. Low Staff Turnover - At other schools and daycares we've witnessed a constant churn of teacher turnover. The teachers at Hilltop have been there for years and are part of the fabric of the school. Family Atmosphere - So many families have their 2nd or 3rd children enrolled, so we've gotten to know each other and have formed great friendships. When I drop my son at Hilltop it feels like I'm leaving him with close friends/family. Credentials - Hilltop is accredited by the MD Board of Education and each teacher and staff member has all their MD creds (I'm not that familiar with all the credentials, so you'd have to check with them for more info on this). Secluded Location - While the school is right off Rt 108 in Clarksville (near the River Hill shopping center) it's also tucked away behind a Methodist church. Its location is nice for security reasons - and there's also something nice about being on a church campus. What more can I say? We are a Hilltop family and absolutely recommend this preschool to anyone trying to make the difficult decision of where to send your child for preschool.

We were here with my oldest from 2019-2022 when the shut down happened. The director and assistant…read moredirector moved on in their careers at the same time and a lot of teachers left with them which caused issues. We left the center with my oldest from 2022-2024 and my youngest, 2 yo was with her older sister at another center. Last summer/fall a lot of issues started with my youngest at the other Center and it was having a negative effect on her in multiple ways. We pulled her out and decided to return to Kindercare Elkridge and are so glad we did. Since the shutdown, management changed again and improved. Ms Christina was one of my oldests infant teachers so we already knew she cared about the kids and really knew her stuff. Ms Amanda is the new director and we love how she'd rather build the center back up slowly, even if it means keeping a few classrooms closed until she can find quality teachers, rather than rush to fill rooms with warm bodies. They're really trying to restore kindercare to its previous glory. And the 2s teachers Ms Heather and Ms Chelsea are fantastic. The issues my 2 yo was having at the other center have improved significantly and these teachers have really partnered with us to help her. But it's also clear they see and care about her as an individual. We couldn't ask for better teachers who understand this tough age and love and care about the kids like their own. She receives quality instruction in a nurturing environment and has even been branching out and trying new foods thanks to their provided lunches! For a little more money than we were paying at our previous center (where only snacks were provided and most were just processed carbs), now she gets breakfast, lunch and snack provided, with a lot of variety and they actually cook stuff on site. We're so glad we returned. It felt like coming back home.

My oldest son went to this school for around 5 years until the pandemic started and he was old…read moreenough that didn't need daycare anymore, and my younger son has been here for the last 3 years. We have had great experiences in all those years..... until the last two months. The director and the assistant director resigned to move on in the careers with in a few weeks or each other and subsequently and seemingly with out support from KinderCare corporate Teacher after teacher has been leaving the center and this evening when my wife arrived to pick my son up she was met by people from the state of Maryland telling her that the centers license has been revoked and they are being shut down. As of tomorrow we are with out daycare for the foreseeable future.

A Wonderful 7-Year Journey!…read more We've been part of this preschool community for the past 7 years, with all three of our children attending--and we couldn't be more grateful for the experience. From the very beginning, the staff has been nurturing, patient, and truly invested in each child's growth and development. Each of our children had different personalities and learning styles, and the teachers met them where they were, helping them thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed, blending play-based learning with just the right amount of structure to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. The communication with families has always been clear and consistent, and the sense of community is something we'll truly miss. It's rare to find a place that feels like an extension of your family, but this preschool has been just that for us. Thank you for giving our children such a strong and joyful start to their educational journey!

St. Al's has been an absolutely amazing experience for my children and our family. We are are dual…read moreworking household and it was difficult to find a full time program that would be able to accommodate both my 4 year old and my 2 year old. My husband and I often come home from drop off or pick up and share stories of how much admiration we have for the teachers and staff at the school. They are kind, communicative, playful, accommodating, and truly care for all the students in the school. This is our second year at the school. My daughter attended last year for Pre-K and was very prepared for kindergarten. My son started in the 2s program and now in the 3s. We will continue on with pre-k and will back again when my youngest is old enough to attend. We cannot recommend this school more!

Celebree Columbia North is hands down the worst childcare center I've ever dealt with, and parents…read moreneed to hear the truth. I gave Celebree Columbia North a glowing review 5 months ago on google . That was before I realized the polished "tour" and promises were nothing but smoke and mirrors. Once you're in, you see the truth: this place is neglectful, unsafe, and run into the ground by poor ownership and new management. On multiple occasions, I picked up my child dirty, hungry, and thirsty. Bottles I packed came back completely full, leaving him dehydrated. His cheeks were flushed, lips dry, and he was clearly uncomfortable. If he didn't want to eat right away, the teacher just gave up and sent him home hungry. On top of that, he was put in the wrong diaper several times, which led to painful rashes (see pictures below). I've picked him up smelling like urine, proving he was left unchanged for far too long. Even though they claim they change the kids every 2 hours. The environment itself is no better. I saw bugs on the floors multiple times. The front door, supposed to be secure with a lock pad, was often broken, meaning anyone could walk in. Safety is supposedly their priority, but clearly it's not. The child reports were often unclear or incomplete, and when I asked teachers for details about his day, they couldn't even tell me what he ate, drank, or did. That's not communicationthat's incompetence. Teachers are constantly on their phones or sticking kids in front of iPads instead of teaching. I've caught teachers sleeping while children napped. The most disturbing was seeing a teacher yank a child up and verbally assault them. I refused to let my son into that classroom until that teacher was removed, but ownership took their sweet time to act. That is beyond unacceptable! And staffing? A disaster. Teachers walk out in the middle of the day all the time, leaving classrooms out of ratio and unsafe. I had to beg a teacher not to quit mid-shift so the children wouldn't be abandoned. You can see the exhaustion and burnout written on the staff's faces due to new management. It's sad and unfair for the kids who rely on routine and stability, and the owners simply ignore it. When I raised concerns, they brushed me off. Parents' voices mean nothing here! Celebree Columbia North charges top-dollar tuition $570 a week but delivers neglect, chaos, and unsafe conditions. Dirty classrooms(kids are always sick with COVID RSV or God knows what else), hungry and thirsty children(cause they have a give up method schedule) , bugs on the ground(be careful they might come home in your child's belongings), broken security doors, lazy staff or burnt out staff , and useless management / ownership that won't listen to concerns. I pulled my child out as FAST as I could, and I will never recommend this place to anyone! The only bright spots in this broken system were Ms. Zuri, Ms. Anna, Ms. Maya, and Ms. Patricia--teachers who genuinely cared for the children and gave their all in an environment stacked against them. And Ms. Lisa, in her management role, showed more effort and compassion than anyone else in leadership. Unfortunately, even their dedication couldn't make up for the chaos, indifference, and neglect created by ownership and poor management.

They have clean center, follow curriculum, funday and my kids love going to school and the staff is…read moreamazing. Director of very knowledgeable and professional.

We are so grateful for the wonderful experience our child had at Global Children Montessori school…read more As our child graduates, we can truly say this school has been an amazing foundation for both learning and personal growth. The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and patient. They create a warm and supportive environment where every child can learn at their own pace while still being encouraged to grow and succeed. Our child is well prepared for kindergarten -- not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. We highly recommend Global Children Montessori to any family looking for a nurturing, engaging, and high-quality early childhood education experience.

Both of my children went through Global Montessori and our entire family had the most positive…read moreexperience there. My kids were incredibly well-prepared for elementary school and had smooth transitions. We only wish we could have kept them at GCMS through elementary! The Director and teachers are incredibly kind, conscientious, loving, and true to the Montessori methods. They host parent nights to help you learn how to implement the method at home as well as observations, parent conferences, and a very special birthday celebration. I would highly recommend them to any family looking for a preschool or Kindergarten program.

We have been attending Grace since my daughter was 2 (2023) and now we have our son there as well…read more We have watched the center grow under the supervision of Lindsey the director. My kids love their teachers. They have a great balance of academics and playtime. A big plus is the outdoor play is mostly shaded and very big! We've toured various centers around Hoco and some are very new but the play areas are tiny! The teachers are all very loving and there has been minimal turnover since my kids started.

daughter has been going to the daycare since she was 1 and she'll be 4 soon. no complaints. I've…read moreloved all of her teachers since the beginning.