Teddy Bears Montessori: My expectations were not met!

I am writing this review to share my experience with Teddy Bears Montessori, where I enrolled my son in the hope of fostering his reading and writing skills. It is essential for me to provide an honest account of my observations during my son's five-month stay at the school.

Initially, I was impressed with the promises made by the principal to support my son's literacy development. She advised against engaging in literacy-related activities at home, asserting that it was solely the school's responsibility to address this aspect. According to her, doing so might create resentment in my son towards school. I followed her advice, believing that she had my son's best interests at heart.

However, as the months passed, I began to grow concerned when I quizzed my son on basic phonics and alphabet recognition, only to find him struggling with these fundamental skills. It became evident that the principal's approach, which discouraged parental involvement, had concealed a lack of proper literacy instruction. The school seemingly prioritized showcasing numerous extracurricular activities and inundating parents with photographs of these events, creating an illusion of engagement while neglecting literacy lessons.

Upon further investigation, I learned that the principal herself was the sole teacher at the school, with the other staff members merely functioning as caretakers. She spent limited hours at the school, often leaving to run errands, leaving the children with minimal academic guidance. Consequently, most of the children spent their time playing or sleeping, and my son was not assigned any substantial homework, apart from coloring activities.

It pains me to admit that Teddy Bears Montessori proved to be more of a daycare center than a proper preschool with a focus on child literacy. I caution parents seeking a conducive learning environment for their children to be wary of this aspect.

I urge parents to actively monitor their child's progress and learning experience at any educational institution they choose. My mistake was blindly trusting the principal's assurances without verifying my son's educational development personally. It is essential for parents to engage with their children's education, regardless of the school's claims.

When I attempted to discuss my concerns with the principal and seek accountability for the five months of purported education, I was met with avoidance and defensiveness. Her response was to expel my son, dismissing my concerns without attempting to address them.

I regret that my expectations for Teddy Bears Montessori were not met, and I strongly advise parents who prioritize child literacy to consider other educational options. My intention in sharing this review is not to defame the school but to encourage parents to be vigilant and proactive in ensuring their child's academic growth and well-being.