My children have been attending Great Lakes Montessori in Vaughan for a total of 7 years ( My son…read morefor 3 and my daughter for 4 years). My daughter will be graduating in June and it makes me sad to leave this wonderful community. Teachers My kids have had Miss Illuminata for a total of four years, and she is amazing. She is the most senior teacher for the graduating students, and the children love her. She is both academically strong in teaching, (phonics, to support early reading, cursive, writing, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing) and is compassionate and sees the whole child so each student feels valued. All of my children's teachers have been outstanding. As a secondary educator myself, I have always been happy with Great Lakes Montessori. ECEs in the classroom , Ms Franca and Ms Alinda are excellent. French Mme Rita is a retired French elementary teacher who is super qualified in her post supporting French Language. Music Ms Lee is an excellent pianist and music teacher. She plays at each graduation and event. The kids love her! Meals Fresh food prepared by the school cook always includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Excellent value. Administration Ms Shazia and Ms Tina have always been professional, receptive, accommodating, and excellent in communicating and accommodating requests to support the well-being of our children. Special Events September grandparents day event, Bagel day with coffee. Pancake day with coffee, December Holiday concert, May Mothers Day brunch, June Fathers Day brunch, June Graduation ceremony. Parents receive gifts for special holidays. In fact I just finished a Mother's Day Brunch of melons, clementines, cheese, coffee and croissants with this special gift!

Bad experience! My son (1.5 years) was at this daycare part-time for almost 1.5 months…read more From the day two, we noticed neither my son nor his teacher (Sahar) was looking forward to seeing each other in the mornings. There were many mornings I had to stay and wait at the doorstep simply because Sahar was pretending she was busy with something, turning her back to the door as soon as she could see me and my baby boy coming down the hallway. And mind you that, these are the mornings I had to rush to go to work while dropping off my baby on my way to the office! On one occasion when I dropped off my child when I walked out of the room I heard my son screaming. I immediately looked back and noticed Sahar had hit my son's head to the shelf over his high chair and had proceeded to forcibly push my son into his high chair with anger. I went back to the room and helped her putting my baby in his high chair properly. That day I thought maybe she didn't have a good day so I let it go. I also tried to put my baby in his high chair every morning since after. On another occasion , my wife witnessed Sahar not being nice to our son when my wife went to the daycare to pick him up. Sahar did not notice my wife was watching her from behind the glass door! Bottom line is Sahar's attitude towards our loved one and us never changed. I never understood what Sahar's real problem was, but the truth is she was continuously upset to see us dropping off our baby at the daycare and she couldn't hide it. My son was at this daycare for 1.5 months and we never saw Sahar's smile. We expressed our concerns about Sahar to the supervisor(Shazia) but she said my son soon to be transferred to the toddler's room, therefore, she took no actions. From the second week, we started receiving calls from the daycare supervisor expressing concerns over the fact that my son doesn't eat by himself and doesn't walk. She got us really worried so we immediately took our son to see his doctor and his doctor thoroughly examined him and expressed absolutely no concerns over my son's motor skills. We offered to bring a doctor note to the daycare but the supervisor said she was only concerned and that there was no need for the doctor's note. The truth is that daycare supervisor was just preparing the ground for her next move. Keep reading! Towards the end of the first month, the supervisor contacted my wife and said she has found legislation that prevents her from keeping my son in the infants room, and some other legislation indicating that my son can't be accepted in the toddlers room either. We were shocked to hear this as it was never communicated to us. Basically, she asked us to stop bringing our child to her daycare! When we asked for her to refer us to the legislation or show us the existence of such information in the daycare's parents' handbook, she rudely refused to do so! Just to recap, we are in the process of filing a legal complaint with the ministry of education against the daycare and taking appropriate legal actions against Sahar. To us, Sahar could be anyone, but a child caregiver and we definitely don't recommend having your baby to stay with her nor with a daycare with such an unethical management style and lack of control over staff behavior. Another great example of a high price does not necessarily mean "high quality"! Update (May 16 2018): Yesterday and as soon as I posted my review on their Facebook page, I received the following message on Facebook messenger and Great Lakes Montessori page quickly went offline. See the following pictures for more information. ibb.co/dNV9Dy ibb.co/j9xBRJ ibb.co/gre2Yy Update (June 3, 2018) : GLM Facebook page has come back online, but rating has been disabled , my comment has been deleted and I've been blocked to leave any further comments. Due to characters limit in the Google reviews, I'll blog my response to GLM's unsubstantiated comments below.

My daughter is graduating from Sunrise Montessori this August after nearly three years and I can…read morehonestly say choosing this school was one of the best parenting decisions I've ever made. When I was pregnant, I was on waitlists with several childcare options much closer to home. On a whim, I booked a tour at Sunrise Montessori, even though it was significantly farther away. After meeting Principal Grace Koo and touring the school, I knew immediately that a strong educational foundation during my daughter's most formative years was worth every extra minute in the car. From the very beginning, Sunrise felt different. The classrooms are spotless and filled with natural light, with large interior windows that allow you to see into each classroom. I also loved the large indoor gymnasium, which gives the children plenty of room to play and stay active during rainy days, winter weather or extreme heat. The children wear uniforms after the infant program, which makes mornings so much easier. I've been fortunate to have incredible teachers throughout every stage of my daughter's journey. Ms. Evelyn provided such a loving start in the infant room and Ms. Karima continued that same care in the toddler room. But I especially want to recognize my daughter's Casa head teacher - Ms. Sue. I truly don't have enough words to describe what an extraordinary teacher she is. My daughter entered Ms. Sue's Casa classroom early at only two and a half years old. As a first-time parent, I was nervous she might not be ready, but Ms. Sue immediately put my mind at ease. Ms. Sue is one of those rare educators who was simply meant to teach. Every morning when I arrive around 7:30 a.m., she is already in the classroom preparing materials, cleaning, organizing activities and getting everything ready before the children arrive. I'm pretty sure her official start time isn't until later in the morning, yet there she is at 7:30. Her dedication is obvious every single day. She is also incredibly responsive through the school communication app. Whether I'm asking how my daughter ate, how she napped or even requesting a photo because I miss her, Ms. Sue always responds with kindness and patience. That reassurance means more than she probably realizes. It's the little things that make such a difference. Because she knows we have a long drive home each day, she reminds my daughter to use the washroom before leaving and makes sure her water bottle is partially filled for the ride home. If I'm running late one morning, Ms. Sue is the first to message me to make sure everything is okay and ask where her "special girl" is. Those thoughtful gestures speak volumes about how genuinely she cares. The growth I've seen in my daughter over the past year and a half has been remarkable. As she prepares to enter kindergarten, she can spell her first, middle and last name, complete simple addition, count to 100 and has developed wonderful manners, confidence, independence and a genuine love of learning. She has completed beautiful workbooks filled with writing and numbers and has made me the most beautiful cards that I will treasure forever. I have no doubt she's more than ready for kindergarten thanks to the incredible foundation she's received from Ms. Sue. One unique aspect of Sunrise is the integration of Mandarin instruction and Lunar New Year celebrations. My daughter can name all the body parts in Mandarin and has learned to appreciate another language and culture in such a natural, inclusive way. The activity fee is also put to excellent use. Throughout the year, the children enjoy wonderful experiences including visiting magicians, lion dance performances, fun fairs and age-appropriate field trips. As my daughter got older, I was able to join class trips to places like the aquarium, a farm and an indoor playground. Watching Ms. Sue manage these outings only reinforced my confidence in how much she prioritizes every child's safety, happiness and well-being. I would also like to recognize Ms. Sumaya and Ms. Marcia, who work alongside Ms. Sue in Casa 3 every day. They are kind, patient, warm and clearly adored by the children. Together, the three of them create an environment where every child feels safe, respected and genuinely loved. I am sincerely grateful for the care, kindness and dedication they have shown my daughter. They will be missed. Knowing my daughter was loved, safe, encouraged and genuinely cared for allowed me to focus on work each day without worrying. That peace of mind is something I'll never be able to fully repay. As this chapter at Sunrise ending fast approaches, I find myself filled with sadness and gratitude simultaneously. I honestly don't know how I'm going to say goodbye. In true Ms. Sue fashion, she reminds me that my daughter is ready for kindergarten - and that I'll be okay too. Ms. Sue is so much more than a teacher. Sunrise Montessori is incredibly fortunate to have an educator like her.

If you are looking for an authentic Montessori experience, Sunrise Montessori is it. The…read moreclassrooms are well put, and filled with high-quality materials that actually engage the kids rather than just toys. Our family had previously enrolled 3 of our children in this school. And from experience I enjoyed the care my children received from the school. As well as the professionalism of the management staff when being dealt with. What really sets this school apart, though, is the quality and stability of the staff. In an industry where there is often a lot of change, the turnover rate here is remarkable. Many of the caretakers have been with the school for years, which has provided our child with incredible consistency and a true sense of security. We were in Casa 3 and the communication with us throughout has always been consistent, and we always felt like our child is in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. We couldn't be happier with our choice! The reason for one star off is some of the attitude of the parents in the school. There have been many accidents in the parking lot and near the driveway of the school due to obnoxious parents.... Parents need to be more aware of the signs in the parking lot. Getting in the school is sometimes a challenge...

I worked as a teacher in Little Tots Manor for just over 12 months. I was lucky enough to…read moreexperience working at both locations. In my time there I did experience the negative management that previous reviews have mentioned but in July 2023, new management took over and brought the most incredible positive change to the business. I felt and saw a change in the atmosphere, in the other staff and the children too. I felt more comfortable talking to management, more supported in my programming and teaching and just generally I was much happier at work. I recently just moved country hence why I no longer work in Little Tots but was so sad to have to leave.

I have been employed at Little Tots' Manor for approximately 3 years. Little Tots' Manor provides a…read morewelcoming environment with an academically enriched curriculum for children 6 weeks to 5 years! Our programs and approach are tailored to ensure each child receives the highest quality educational opportunities at this crucial stage in their growth. There are 3 parent-teacher interviews September - June to discuss your child's individual development. During COVID-19 the parent-teacher interviews are being conducted virtually over the Zoom app. Our qualified and dedicated staff focus on every aspect of who they are - preparing them not only for school but for life. All our teachers have cleared vulnerable sector checks, first aid, and CPR as well as the required schooling or experience to be an early childhood educator or early childhood assistant. We strive to create a home away from home for children to explore 'learning through play' and develop to their best potential. Little Tots' Manor has minimal closures and no screen time for children. Each class is equipped with a computer and tablet to communicate with parents and/or caregivers through the HiMama app. The preschool classes have Smart Boards installed for children to have hands-on interaction with technology that is educational. Little Tots' Manor has an in house chef who preps and cooks all meals on-site and a Joint Health and Safety Committee. The Founder, Director, Supervisor, Assitant Supervisor, and Assistant to Director are available to support the staff or answer any question the parents may have. Little Tots' Manor has a board of directors and each class has a family class representative. The family class representatives are veteran families of Little Tots' Manor. The management committee conducts annual staff reviews, staff qualifies for benefits after 3 months, and all staff participates in a professional development day hosted by Little Tots' Manor. I am honored to be apart of the Little Tots' Manor team!

After having my kids enrolled here for over 4 years, I seriously cannot say enough good things…read moreabout this school and the teachers. My daughter started attending when she was 2 (now 6) and my son began as a toddler at 18 months (now 4.5). The curriculum is expansive, including typical montessori activities/practical life skills (like washing dishes, tying shoelaces, folding clothing, polishing, potty training) but also very advanced academically. Through their guidance my daughter is reading at a grade 4 level and doing math at a grade 3 level as she enters grade 1. My son who is predisposed musically, can sing various beautiful songs in different languages, and has learned to write letters and read phonetically (entering JK). Most importantly, they absolutely Love going to school every day - they have been happy and felt safe there. We have had a few different teachers over the years as we progressed through stages, as well as a few constant (Ms. Eva - we love you!) and they have all been knowledgable, capable and exceptionally kind. They and the staff were always accessible and flexible when needed. And anytime I have gone to the school I witness kids who are happy, having fun and thoroughly engaged in their learning. The facilities themselves are located in the downtown core in an office-type building that initially seemed unusual for a school or daycare - but inside it is truly the sweetest little setup and the classrooms are clean, organized, well appointed and clearly taken care of. The outside area is small, but well utilized, and they also have an indoor playground which is useful for the winter months and bad weather. They've done a really great job with space in the downtown core, and you can really feel the sense of love and commitment to the kids there. Additionally - they include lunches served by ReakFoodForRealKids daily as well as snacks which offers incredible, healthy and diverse food. My kids, who can at times be picky at home, literally rave about the food - and they love that there are always healthy snacks available. Through BBMS we have additionally met a wonderful community of downtown families whose kids regularly meet and play outside of school hours. Our kids have fostered lasting and meaningful connections which continue to be a light in both our kid's and our lives. Every other parent I have ever talked to who actually attended Bluebutterfly also raves about their experience - and many have enrolled siblings after their first. Blue Butterfuly have truly been a rock for us through such integral phases of our children's lives, and in addition, during the pandemic - our family will forever be grateful to the staff and teachers here.

Our son has been attending BBMS for over a year now and we've seen him flourish there …read more.. Initially I was a little hesitant about the lack of 'real' outdoor playground feel but that has not mattered at all ..... There is a large play area that my son loves and most importantly we love the flexibility and friendly atmosphere which is important for parents juggling a job and school runs .. BBMS gets a thumbs up from us :)

I recently visited the Queensway daycare. I've only seen the basement area and noticed that it was…read morenot being vacuumed and the floor being cleaned. it was filthy first thing Monday morning and throughout the week. I can't imagine how the kids main area and the kitchen looks like. Very very disappointed on the cleanliness of this daycare. Hopefully with this concern that they will start to clean....daily at the least.

This is a very nice Preschool, every department is upto the mark. Keep up the good work. kudosread more

My kid had been here 3 years for daycare. We are so lucky that a friend had her kid here so when we…read morestarted daycare at 1.5 years old, my kid had a friend. This was still during the pandemic so we were quite lucky to get a spot. We still felt sad when our toddler will cry for us when we left, but with time, she grew to love the place! She has always been excited to see her friends here. We have kept in touch with some and still have playdates. Debra is the director there and has always been since we started here, we trust her 110% to hire the best and trustworthy teachers for our kid and do activities to keep their learning enriched. Debra is friendly and open to chat and answer any questions or concerns. Debra will also do nice things for the community like collect things when we gave some books to a family who lost their home in a fire. We have had some great teachers, shout out to Miss Ayesha!

I found this to be a wonderful environment for my children when they were preschool ages. My older…read moreson, now 6, is a natural leader within the classroom setting which was recognized and encouraged by Purple Tree staff when he was a toddler. My younger son, now 4 and off to jk, has also been prepared for the journey by Purple Tree staff, despite difficulties in speech and behavioural issues they had to face. A big thanks to Debra, Natasha, Divya and Michelle. I know my kids have a love for the classroom setting thanks to you guys :) It is also very clean, I loved the menus every week, and daily updates on the porch. I did have previous criticisms of the centre but Purple Tree is always striving to do better and improvement has been seen over the years I have sent my children there and I know they are always trying to be the best for our kids.

It took me a while to find a daycare that both myself and my daughter felt comfortable with. I was…read morerunning out of options so despite reading the one bad review I gave it a shot. I literally signed her up on the spot. She didn't want to leave and after coming with her on the first day for an hour, she pushed out the door, on her first full day and said, 'go Mama'. I've never seen her more comfortable before in an unfamiliar environment. I genuinely feel they have taken the best care of my daughter in the 1.5 years she attended. I feel like she got 1 on 1 time with teachers on a regular basis, she often came home with braids in her hair or her hair redone after a nap. She learned so much and grew leaps and bounds thanks to her caring teachers. Kate looked forward to pre-school everyday and it was emotional for both us when she graduated. My son will be going to Maple Seed Montessori as well in the coming year. Thanks for being a wonderful place for my child to learn and grow and a place I feel at ease taking them to, knowing they are well cared for.

We enrolled our daughter at this daycare. She was 3 years old. It turned out they put all 2, 3, 4…read moreyears old in the same class. The program is not focused on teaching. Our daughter didn't have lunch and didn't pee at all for the first two days. The teacher told us this, but the office lady (one of the owners) said, "they all didn't eat in the first two days. " Finally we decided not to go with this one after the first two days. The office lady said they won't refund the one-month prepay (Just for two days!!!). She even thought of keeping our deposit. Worst experience at all. Be careful. This lady mentioned this day care as "business". She kept repeating "We cannot do business that way".

Our YMS journey began several years ago since toddler class and now as my daughter graduates, I can…read moretruly appreciate all the amazing things YMS delivered upon. The teachers were not only supportive and communicative, but they would always be available for discussions or a bit of extra help outside of class hours. The classroom sizes were perfectly tailored to foster growth and discovery but also ensure personalized attention when necessary. The learning modules were innovative, original, and forward-thinking, creating such a positive learning experience. The YMS staff have always ensured my daughter was welcomed with open arms and hearts, a true testament to their caring nature, and I always felt they considered us as part of their own families. The teachers and their attention to detail were instrumental factors in expanding my daughter's willingness to learn, growth and maturity. They have built a strong foundation, nurtured confidence, engaged social skills, in a way that truly demonstrates how much they care. Although our time at YMS has come to a close, I may have shed a tear during the graduation ceremony, not only for how proud I felt, but also knowing it was time to say goodbye to an amazing family, and I will ensure to recommend to parents that truly want the best for their children to make sure to put YMS at the top of the list.

Gosh, where do I begin with talking about how amazing this school has been for me and my family…read more From the very start of enrolling our daughter Nadia and her whole staff have been wonderful, understanding kind and compassionate. Our daughter has gained such a fantastic foundation to grow on going into grade 1. We are so thankful for her teachers in the things they have taught her and just the overall way they handle parents and students. It really felt like a big family and we are so sad to be moving on, but intent to visit as often as we can!