Montessori Early Learning Center

My daughter attends this school in Teaneck. She began in September '12 at 1 year, 5 months and she liked it at the beginning. Since February '13 we have been feeling less and less secure about her being there. There seems to always be someone new there, and I never get any reports from the care people that are with her during the day, because I do early drop-off and late pick-up, and those are different people. So whenever I ask a question at the end of the day, they simply "don't know." When I kept her home from school, no one called to ask where she was. The "Montessori" approach doesn't seem to be followed, how can you really with 1 and 2 year olds? Lately my daughter seems more and more unhappy being dropped off, and more and more relieved when I pick her up.
--Submitted by a parent

I am extremely disappointed with the Director who runs the Bergen County - Englewood, Teaneck and Bergenfield area. Picking a school for your child is stressful in itself and when you cannot receive a return call after leaving not 1, 2, 3 but 6 messages - she truly tarnishes the Montessori name. I am not sure why, but all of my calls have been left unanswered without reasoning. Not even a courtesy call back explaining that she "may be busy" but acknowledges the call. I chose the Montessori way as it is truly the best of the best - but I have no explanation for her actions. I should have known better when she appeared 20 minutes late to my meeting to tour the school. It is unfortunate that although the school may be great in the area that one must deal with such irresponsibility coming from its leader.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school! My first child went to this school when she was two. I was picky and overprotective, and I have nothing but great things to say about the director and the staff. Now my son attends pre-k and is more than ready to enter kindergarten in the Fall. He went from a shy to a confident, independent child which is fostered in the Montessori method. The teachers are nurturing and warm. I highly recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with this school. My husband and I go in and out every day and are so impressed with the people working there and the care and learning. My child lights up when dropped off and we can go to work with a peace of mind. No one has ever said anything about collecting tuition because we believe in paying on time. They seem to make the students and staff a priority and the people in charge always greet everyone with an upbeat smile and are there anytime we have questions. Sometimes as parents we start the day out with a lot of things on our minds and maybe not in a good mood. I can truly say I get uplifted from going into the school and being greeted by happy people who have left their own troubles behind and are now putting all of their attention into the children. My child loves it and we are very pleased.
--Submitted by a parent

I truly don't recommend this school at all. At one time and point, I was thinking of taking my child out of this school, but then there was a head teacher that I really felt comfortable with, so comfortable that my child would literally come home and would talk about her and talk about what she learned that day. I felt like she was part of my family. I was very happy with the progress she was making with her vocabulary and her keen site for spotting words. Then it just went down hill when I found out that they let her go. I didn't feel like they put an effort in hiring qualified people. Plus, I've always felt like the owner had a very fake and unrealistic personality about her and only cared about collecting tuition money and not enough about caring for the kids. Overall, I just wanted a facility that felt warm, comfortable, friendly, so I did, I took my child out and I am happy again.
--Submitted by a parent

I had the worst experience with this school. It is not a Montessori school to begin with, but also children are not even treated with respect. I strongly advise against this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school for almost 3 years. As she advanced through the classes I found that the owner of the school was more focused on collecting tuition vs. the children. I do not recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent