We enrolled our 4-year old son here when we moved here because he loved his previous Montessori preschool. This school is NOT what many would consider a true Montessori school though. They do TONS of worksheets with no interest in teaching kids about the environmental impact of their actions (the list of things parents are supposed to bring to school is obscene).From Day 1, Rose Marie (the director) had a chip on her shoulder. Any time we would ask questions about school policies, protocols, etc.,she seemed offended--as if she couldnt understand how we DARED question her. All we wanted was information so our son could adjust to a new school as easily as possible; she was spoiling for a fight. Still, we smiled, took deep breaths, & tried to let it go, because our son was enjoying his new friends and genuinely likes to learn.While he was adjusting, some days when he would cry at drop off. Hed done this at his previous school, and his teacher there would engage him, distract him, & honor his emotions. Did Rose Marie do this? No. Instead, she would stand there, blocking the door, and GRAB OUR SON BY THE ARM to try to pull him into the classroom.The first time my easy-going husband was so shocked that he could not believe it was happening. He couldnt believe it when Rose Marie took our son into the school & closed the door in his face. At his old school, our son would usually calm down after being in the classroom for a few minutes, so my husband didnt do anything because he didnt want to make it worse for our son.But the next time, I was there. Holding back my anger, I had to ask her twice to unhand him before she let go. I calmed him down, went into the school with him to help him hang up his coat, and he went to class. She didnt do this (to OUR son) again.THEN THE PANDEMIC HAPPENED.There were plenty of other problematic interactions with Rose Marie, but her (complete lack of) response to the pandemic was beyond the pale. We received 1 text saying the school would be closed for 2 weeks. When the quarantine period was announced to last through the end of the school year, the entire group of parents didnt receive a single word about what was going on.There was no class email, announcing that yes, unfortunately, school was closed for the rest of the year. There was not even a follow-up text, unless we, the parents, texted her ourselves. And yes, all the parents were in communication, trying to figure out what was going on. (Its a small school.)Its preschool, right, so you can imagine that teaching online might be hard, and certainly isnt ideal for kids between 3-6. Its true. Its hard. But what were other preschools doing during this time? Some teachers were making videos of themselves reading books or telling stories for their students to watch. Some teachers were sending out resources to the parents. Some teachers were doing zoom classes or Facebook live.What did Rose Marie do? How did she reach out to these students she claims to care so much about? She didnt. UNTIL I told her that I would set up a zoom call for all the students if she would *just plan something* to do with them during that time. We handled all the technology and I spent an HOUR teaching her & the 2 other teachers to use zoom. I wanted my son and his classmates to feel some connection, so I made it happen. After that, we never heard from her again UNTIL she wanted us to re-enroll and PAY for the upcoming year.Maybe shes uncomfortable with technology. She clearly hadnt used zoom before, and didnt even get it right the day of the class call. That can be forgiven. What is inexcusable is her complete and utter lack of communication. Many of us paid for the year in advance, & common decency aside, as one parent stated, she had a fiduciary responsibility to communicate with us about her plans. She did not.I know it can be hard to learn new technology & adapt to something as unprecedented as this pandemic. I get that. But what kind of example is a teacher setting when she refuses to even TRY to learn and adapt?

My daughter attended preschool at Childrens House and I will also send my son here in another year. They did an absolutely incredible job teaching her to read and igniting her excitement to learn. She enjoyed reading all the books they could provide her and was also very excited about math. The teachers and assistants are wonderful, and provide an ideal learning environment. Truly, my only complaint is that they dont have a program for the elementary years!

I knew I wanted to send my daughter to this preschool before she was even conceived. I had visited years before and was very impressed by how well-behaved the children were, and how attentive and organized the staff was. I have seen big results near the end of my daughters first year. This is definitely a *school,* not a daycare. In addition to typical preschool curriculum, the staff carefully helps instill good habits like politeness, cleaning up, and self-confidence. In response to a previous post, it does celebrate diversity but no school can accommodate special needs children without a specially trained staff and environment. It does cost more than most preschools, but in my opinion, you get you pay for and I want the best for my little girl!

We decided to send our preschooler here after looking at several different preschools in the area (both Montessori and non-Montessori). The non-Montessori preschools are so focused on playing (lots of Fisher Price and other similar toys) that my wife and I didnt see any difference between them and a regular daycare. If youre going to pay the extra price for a school your kids might as well learn. The curriculum here is very structured and our 4 year old has been learning about the planets and even fractions. More importantly he is excited to go to school everyday. We are very pleased and will be sending him back to CHOT next year along with his younger brother.

My nephew is currently enrolled as a Kindergartener at Childrens House of Old Town. My nephew has a learning disability and before you decide to enroll your child the parents have to attend an orientation (No children can attend). This orientation is for the parents to learn more about this school, ask questions, and decide if this school is all around a good fit for their child. The Director/Owner of this Montessori school was told everything about my nephew. Including his disability and was shown the paper work from the medical professional who diagnosed him with his learning disability. We were told that he would love the school and that his learning disability wouldnt be a problem and that we should enroll him. My nephew also has social anxiety, which the director of the school was told this. Nothing was kept secret or left out. She said there wouldnt be anymore than 10 students in the Kindergarten class. There ended up being 28 students total in the class. Another thing that the director has done is she has given up on my nephew. On the second day of school she told us that my nephew wasnt ready for 1st grade. ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. I dont believe this is hands on learning as they claim because my nephew comes home with a thick folder of papers. It seems like a regular school. A Montessori school is hands on learning. I understand not everything can be hands on and there will be times that pencil and paper work is involved but he comes home with this thick folder of papers every single day. Most of the handwriting is not my nephews. Its the teachers. We had to schedule a meeting before the school year is up to find out how my nephew has been progressing. The director/owhere said the same thing she told us on the second day of this school year. That she felt he was not ready and that they did not have the resources he needs. I am very disappointed in this school, not just because of the $8,000 tuition that comes along with it but because they were so quick to give up on my nephew. Especially when we were told by the director/owner that they could accommodate my nephews learning disability. As I said nothing was kepthe secret. They were not kept in the dark about his learning disability and knew everything they needed to know to ensure my nephew could learn and succeed in the classroom. They did the complete opposite of what they had verbally told us and what their website says. They let a 6 year old little boy down and gave up on him. Shame on these money hungry women.

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