Here's the info I wish I had when choosing a preschool…read more
While I was dazzled at our tour with some lesson plans that incorporate learning about different cultures, the plans were overshadowed by antiquated teaching and classroom management methods--at best--and shocking lack of developmentally approapropriate strategies, at worst.
As an educator, I can tell you with certainty that to call this preschool "montessori" is beyond misleading. The teachers are not montessori teachers. There is some opportunity for choice upon arrival, but that's about it. Not a dealbreaker for me, personally, but something to note. My 3, almost 4 year old, spent a lot of time doing worksheets on his own.
We moved to a different preschool after a month and the differences were stark. Little Stars offered no intentional support for student social development. The kids didn't even introduce themselves by name in the first weeks, let alone receive guidane on how to initiate play with others. After 3 weeks at Little Stars, our son knew the name of only ONE student--and it's because that student got in trouble a lot (more on that in a minute). After his very first day at a new school, he was excited to talk about the FIVE students he played with, by name, and relay the ways the teachers taught the kids about community and friendship.
At Little Stars, our son continued to come home without much to say. He knew we were excited about starting school. He didn't want to disappoint us. His teachers always commented that she wished the other kids were more like our kid...but whatever messages he was getting, were not positive ones...
After a few weeks, he started to talk about the "bad kids"--despite the fact that we've distinguished bad kids from bad choices since the day he was born. I asked why he thought they were bad and he said it is because the teachers write their name on the board and then put lots of frowny faces next to them. (Is this 1975?!?!) I called Little Stars to ask for more context so I could navigate the nightly conversations.
I certainly didn't feel better when they assured me they were only publicly shaming 3 of the preschoolers in the class. Apparently, this was a communication plan with families to manage behaviors...Any professional who works with this age group should understand that these methods are proven to be ineffective and even do more harm than good.
His teacher was generally sour most days and there is a handful of other disappointments that will only make this longer.
In summary, Little Stars is absolutely NOT a place we could keep our child since the goal was a warm environment to develop curiosity, community and love of learning.
We've been delighted by two other preschools for my son and daughter where every day is full of learning, but also joy, community, curiosity, physicaly play, nurturing educators, social-emotional development, and nature.
You've got to wonder how a place with a decade in business has so few reviews. Wish I had given more weight to that.
