Spartan Child Development Center

This place does not follow any RIE or respectful approach towards childcare. I did not see any of these practices in this place. Outside time: Children spent some time outside but not as much as I would have liked to. However, in the winter with very cold temperatures, my child was forced to go outside when he was sick with ear infections and was taking antibiotics, and clearly, he did not want to be outside in the cold. Naps: Children were required to nap and if they did not (like my child that dropped naps at 2) they were left alone in their cot with books that they couldn’t read and were told to shush and be quite. Setting/security: The setting for school is very nice. However, I don't consider it very safe (ask them where children hide and judge yourself.) Staff Rotation and understaffed: The staff was rotating a lot and sometimes I saw people caring for my child that I had never seen before, or I didn’t know. In fact, for the preschool classroom they need all children “potty trained” because they do not have enough staff to take care of that (their words, not mine.) Potty: My son started to be “potty trained” (as they call it) while he was there. He was not fully “potty trained” by the time he left. During the whole academic year, if he passed a stool, he returned home with a dirty butt although his pull up had been changed. I witnessed how repulsed the carer was when dealing with this matter and I took charge myself when I was there because of that. Displaying a negative attitude towards this matter does not particularly help the “potty training” process. Lack of diversity awareness: There is a very high number of children that come from families from cultures other than the mainstream white American and languages other than English. However, the staff and teachers are mostly English monolingual, and they have a lack of diversity skills (they are monolingual and they can’t understand well people with accents other than American English.) The classrooms are quite monolingual as well, since there are not books in languages other than English which children could be felt represented by or included. After being there for an academic year, I disenrolled my child and put him back in the wait list or they would charge me for the time my child would not attend during summer (common practice). Since I did not have a good experience the first year, I wanted to meet the teacher to see if it would be better, so I asked them to meet the teachers and they set an appointment (when I dropped by at the end of the day one school day, they were not available.) I had 3 workdays to make a decision, they canceled the appointment with the teachers the same day I had the appointment and told me that I had to make a decision without meeting the teachers. It was at that time when they let us know that if he was not fully “potty trained” he wouldn’t be able to go to that school. My child is now in a way better daycare and he is thriving. He does not even cry at drop off.

The teachers and assistant director of this facility are wonderful. The programs and services they offer are some of the best in the area. However, the executive director is awful. Unprofessional in working with staff and creating a hostile work environment. Can often be heard speaking negatively about staff, board members and previous employees by anyone in the back office. She does not have the best interest of staff or children in mind and has a terrible attitude towards the company and her position. I would not recommend this as a place to work unless you are in a position that doesn't work closely with the director. As far as a school program for your children the teachers make it worthwhile.

I have loved sending my infant here. He is well cared for, well fed, and looked after very carefully. I even get a phone call when he has the tiniest of head bumps (he is learning to walk, so that isn't surprising). They are communicative, and the curriculum is stellar, even for the babies! It seems the negative reviews are by disgruntled employees, and while I don't work there, I can say that I have been delightfully surprised with the quality of care here so I wanted that to be reflected in the reviews!

I cannot say enough positive things about this place. They are well organized, great communicators, and offer exceptional care for our children. Importantly, they are transparent with their rules and procedures, welcoming input and discussion from parents.

This is the premier preschool. The teachers are family, they love your children - but then they also teach your children setting them up for the transition to school. The wait list is long but worth it. Get on it early