Children are sick Wayyyyy toooo much in this facility…read more The children don't learn much and are NOT prepared for the transition to kindergarten No improvement in children Avoid Ms Alicia she's a mean teacher who many mothers complain about . This school is biased and must be shut down !

Esthetics: KinderCare was very nice esthetically; our location resembled a cute little schoolhouse…read morewith clean grounds, clean interior (you don't smell any odor of poop or bleach... like some places I've toured), and definitely bright and airy. Everything I was looking for of the ideal poster image daycare. Both classrooms (1s and 2s); large & spacious, with sections for play, reading , lunch/craft table, and diaper changes/toileting; every child had there own cubby area w/ coat hook and bin (that have their facial picture and their names - cute touch!). Price Tag: Ideal = costly. The school tuition is expensive, however there are two perks; tuition includes blankets and all meals. You supply the typical stuff -- diapers and wipes (ointment, etc). There are additional classes called Learning Adventures (offered for an additional fee $50 per child), I signed my kids up for Music, which in my opinion was a waste of money. My children never hymned or sung the songs they learned at home. At the school they attend now, they do. The teachers there all seemed very nice and pleasant. Class size moderate 2:10 (varies each day). Staff: Stacey DeMarco, the school's director is very nice, however, you will not be dealing with her most of the time. It will be either Kristin, whom is the Asst Director and/or Megan, renamed the Program Specialist -- those two were not always the most personable or easy to talk to. In my opinion, that can make or break a school, and it definitely played a part with me removing my kids. Credentials: The school was in the final stages of becoming NAEYC accredited, which by now they are. However, the overall education factor wasn't there for me. I was looking for more of a preschool setting, with curriculum and pre-K preparation. It appeared to be more Playtime oriented, 1 and 2 year olds play, yes, but not all day, that didn't sit well with me. Other Stuff: There is definitely a nice diversified mix of kids. However, some of those kids displayed signs of biting, and also very sickly. My children were getting sick very frequently at this school; the policy they adhere to is the State's policy, so only if the child(ren) are feverish, has diarrhea, and/or vomiting -- will the children's parents be called to pick up a child. My daughter was sick and no one ever called me to tell me she was or appeared to be ill (i.e. watery eyes, runny nose, looked pail -- a teacher, and one who is a mother, should definitely be able to pick up on those signs). When a parent calls and everything is always fine or great, that raises an eyebrow for me, especially when its week one and two, and this is their first time going to school.

We love this gem of a school hidden away on beautiful Cottage Place in Ridgewood!! Both my children…read morewent here and thrived under Ms. Chizuru's gentle, yet structured guidance. Day after day Ms. Chizuru works with little minds and bodies on numbers and reading and motor skills and art. Take a Tour! See for yourself how calm and peaceful you feel as you step into Ms. Chizuru's Little Crane school. This is what your kids will experience EVERYDAY of their young lives!!

littlecrane is a tiny gem of a school , my two young grand children go there ,they are both eager…read moreto go each day and show a big improvement with their ability to play /work on their own and with others. Ms Chizuru and staff are wonderful caring and nurturing. What a wonderful start for young minds.

Outstanding nursery and pre-k school. We have had 2 children come up through these halls and they…read moreare the best in the area. Our kids have received top notch care and leave positioned to excel as they make their transition to the elementary school. The owner Mr Jim runs a very professional organization, is fair but firm and we are thankful to to have this wonderful establishment we have continued to count on.

My daughter attended Lollipop for almost a year (due to COVID, her time was cut short). However the…read morestaff is phenomenal, the facility is clean, and there were many opportunities for parental involvement. With such a great establishment, I think they would greatly benefit from diversity outreach- both staff & students.

Appletree is truly a part of our village as we raise our daughter. The directors and teachers know…read moreher so well and make her feel welcomed and loved. They go out of their way to make sure she is safe, fed, clean, and happy. The director always calls me ASAP when I email, call, or text them with concerns or questions. They post pictures and activity updates throughout the day on their app. They provide time for play as well as themed lessons, social emotional learning, STEM, and art projects. They celebrate holidays and birthdays, creating a space that my daughter looks forward to going to each day. If you decide to join the Appletree family, your child will be in good hands!

Choosing Appletree was one of the best decisions our family has made. Our 3 y/o started at…read moreAppletree in January after never having been in daycare before. He adjusted so well due to the amazing staff of teachers. The staff is so accommodating; they have answered all of our questions right away and send frequent updates throughout the day about your child. It is awesome to watch all of the activities and lessons the kids engage on throughout the day. With the pandemic, the school has been extremely cautious and following all of the state guidelines and hygiene protocols. My husband and I feel completely comfortable sending our son knowing the school is as prepared as they are. Since starting at Appletree, our son has become more social with other children, has displayed more patience, and his vocabulary has increased. I would give the testers and the school a 10/10!

We cannot express enough the gratitude and admiration we have for Green Meadow. By focusing on and…read morecelebrating the best parts of childhood, the Green Meadow curriculum, campus, and faculty and staff cultivate creativity, curiosity, and joy within their students. Our child has benefited year after year from the hands-on experiences and the contemplative studies the school provides to each and every student. As parents in the 21st century, it's so reassuring to know that Green Meadow remembers what it's like to be a child. Their holistic approach to educating through the years with developmentally appropriate and exceptional curricula allows children to see the world for its natural beauty and native brilliance. Because students are fully engaged in the learning process, from performances to immersive explorations (have you even seen their notebooks!?!) they develop an autonomy, agency, and confidence to take on the future in the face of all its uncertainties. You will reconnect with the best of your youth through your own child's experience at Green Meadow. It's truly a beautiful education.

Green Meadow is a wonderful place to educate your children. The teachers are so caring and warm and…read moreinvest in the whole child. It is a place I look forward to coming to each day!

I have twin boys who started attending TopStone since they were 2.5 years old…read more Top Stone really nurtured my children to become independent 5 year olds. They also prepare the kids well academically for kindergarten. I highly recommend Top Stone to anyone who is looking for a preschool!

My daughter attended Topstone Montessori for about two years, and overall we had a very positive…read moreexperience. The teachers are warm, patient, and genuinely care about the children. We always felt that my daughter was well cared for, and communication with the teachers was clear and reassuring whenever we had questions or concerns. Academically, she learned a lot, but what stood out to us was the strong focus on independence and daily life skills. She learned how to follow routines, take responsibility for her work, and be more confident in her day-to-day activities. We noticed these changes not only at school but also at home. The classroom environment felt calm, organized, and supportive, which really helped her enjoy learning and feel comfortable. We're grateful for the foundation she built here and would recommend Topstone Montessori to families looking for a caring environment that supports both academic and personal growth.

We absolutely love Guidepost! Our toddler has been so happy here, and it's amazing to see how much…read morehe's learned and developed in such a short time. The teachers are incredibly caring, attentive, and truly invested in his development. They truly understand toddlers and create a warm, nurturing environment where little ones feel safe, supported, and excited to explore. We've seen our little guy become more independent, confident, and curious every day, which has been so rewarding to watch. The Montessori approach is thoughtfully implemented, encouraging independence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning. We've seen such amazing growth in our toddler. The school is also exceptionally clean and well-maintained, which gives us so much peace of mind. Everything feels organized, safe, and thoughtfully cared for. Communication with families is fantastic. We always feel informed, included, and supported, which makes a huge difference. The sense of community here is strong, and it really feels like an extension of our family. We're incredibly sad to be leaving as we're moving. It was honestly one of the hardest parts of our decision--Guidepost made it so difficult to go. That alone says so much about the impact it's had on our family. We're so grateful to have been part of this community and couldn't recommend it more highly!

We're about to mark one year at Guidepost in Mahwah and our experience has been great over that…read moreyear. Erika, Jessica, the lead guides in the classrooms, the floaters, and everyone we've interacted with have always left a positive impression on us. Our child is growing and learning so much from the guides at Guidepost. We've learned so much along the way about Montessori thanks to the team there, there are endless opportunities to meet other families and connect over events that happen every month, it has truly been a great experience for us. We were in a different school prior to Guidepost and I don't feel like it's even fair to compare the two. The care and thoughtfulness at Guidepost is different than anywhere else, the attention to details and how much our child has gained from Guidepost has been so impactful to watch. I'll also mention for any caregivers who have children with allergies or dietary restrictions - Guidepost is extremely thoughtful with our Vegan child. Whenever there are events, they go out of their way to tell us about them and make sure our child is included with a vegan option, they keep vegan treats when the class is having ice cream or cupcakes, the guides are constantly in contact with us about the snacks and substitutes that we can bring in, it's been a really wonderful experience compared to the last school we were in and we appreciate how thorough they have been with our family and always making sure our child is included.

I'm really surprised by the review about the Seedlings Classroom below. My son just started in the…read moreSeedlings Classroom this year and so far our experience has been wonderful. There was a simple miscommunication when it came to his diapers (super minor) and the teacher rectified it right away and contacted me to clarify/discuss. The teacher and/or school are always reaching out, even for something simple, to keep me and my husband apprised and informed. We appreciate this so much and truly find it to be a reflection of those they hire to nurture and educate the children. We find their COVID protocols very well followed, and we're not nervous sending our son here a few days a week. The staff, teachers and administration always greet us at pick up/drop off and make us feel like our sons going to a special place and loved. In reference to the other comment on curriculum, they're under 2 years. They are just getting acclimated to going to school, let alone the ability to do a true art masterpiece. I think that's a bit unrealistic when it comes to an expectation of artistic ability at that age. Our son has come home with some really great art projects and we're really happy with his progress being he's not even 18 months old. He's learning so much already and we're grateful. Overall, we're very happy with Ridgewood Montessori and will continue to send our son for years to come (as long as everything stays as great as it's been!). In addition, once our daughter is age appropriate we would love to continue the legacy with her attendance as well. Thanks RW for a great experience and for showing our son love, attention, and teaching him every week. We're proud to be part of this school!

My son has been at Ridgewood Montessori School since 2018. He began in 3rd grade and is now in 6th…read moreand I can't say enough positive things about the personalized education he is receiving. From the incredible teacher to student ratio, personal education plan for each child, and all students in the elementary school even learn a real instrument (mine is learning guitar) ... the list goes on and on. I have even been impressed by the amazing handling of the past 2 years of Covid protocol.... All impressive!! I personally feel that these children have had the most "normal" school experience possible during the past two years giving them support and consistency that children need. Teachers are very responsive to emails and always make themselves available both before and after school for any concerns both in person and via zoom. Administration knows all the children by name and engages with them regularly. We came from another private school where our experience was disheartening and are so happy to have found our Ridgewood Montessori School Family!

Our daughter started in PK3 French last September and it has been amazing. Her teachers, the class…read moreparents, the administration team, everyone has been great. Strong recommendation.

Our daughter started at Tessa this fall and absolutely loves it. She is in the PreK2 Spanish…read moreprogram. Her teachers are fantastic educators and caring people. She talks about her friends and teachers constantly. The school has a really great community as well. We feel very fortunate to be able to send her to Tessa!