Big Bird's Playhouse

A big thank you to Big Birds. Both of my children have attended here since they were 2 and 3 years old. They are now 10 and 11. My 11 year old is beyond miffed that she no longer can attend after school and summer camp since she is in Junior high now. My 10 yr old, looks forward to going to Big Birds everyday after school to ""hang with his friends and teachers there"" and comes home with his homework done.The staff is consistent, direct and honest with the parents. Being a single parent, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping my children become the wonderful kids they are today. You have been a major force in their lives. more

All these reviews are a scam, please DO NOT be fooled by foolish tricks to ""bump"" any REAL reviews by REAL people. The owners of this business are real characters. They are trying to cover up their tracks and negative history that they have. Please people of Staten Island, don't be negligent about your children's safety! These people have harbored this criminal in their own home! Any people search on the Internet will show his address was indeed the same as theirs! And it's funny how every site has the same reviews at the same time! Do you really think people are that stupid? This is fraud! more

My son has been at big bird playhouse since he was 3 months old. He is now 15 months old and this daycare is his second home. He has yet to ever be upset after being left there in the mornings. He loves his teachers! When he sees one of the teachers from his first class (from 3 months to 1 year), his face lights up. They have been very good at teaching him to drink from a bottle when we struggled at home, later teaching him to drink from a sippy cup and to eat by himself. Developmentally, he knows a number of songs and dances they taught him and he loves to have books read to him. They are not only a great day care but a great school Some places just pacify the children at such a young age but here they truly work hard in teaching them. more

All three of my children were sent to daycare and school here. Ms. Julie and Ms. Deborah they had for Pre-K and my wife and I were very happy with their education and the personalized attention. My son has peanut allergies and my daughter has asthma a close eye was placed on both of them at all times. It was reassuring to know that when we left our children we didn't have to worry about their health and safety. \r \r My oldest son received many awards at his kindergarden graduations. The teacher always wrote in his book how well and advanced he was. She even asked us if he attended Big Birds Play house and when we told her yes and asked why she would ask that she said that most of her students who attend Big Birds are well prepared Kindergarden. Every Parent we speak to is happy with their choice in day care and preschool. There is no other place to send you kids. more

Big Birds Playhouse is the perfect place to send you children!!! i have my 3 year old son there now. He has Ms. Michelle in the 3 year old room. I feel very comfortable with the school and Ms. Michelle. She always finds time to talk to me at pickup to tell me how things went during the day. I am a single mother and sometimes i need to pick him up a little later and the school is always acomidating. It is a very family orented place. They are extreamy understanding of lifes situations. my firends are enroling their kids for the first time. My son goes all year long. good place to send your child im happy with this school and daycare. more

My Daughter and niece both attend school here. When my sister and I went for the tour before we enrolled them, we instantly fell in love. It was a feeling of knowing you're doing the right thing. All the rooms were immaculately kept. There were many centers for the children to play and learn it. We had gone to 4 schools prior and we didn't feel like we did here. When we spoke to Linda you could tell off the bat that you were dealing with a mother who put a lot of time into her children and she made it clear that her school would do the same with ours. 3 years later her care and the care and dedication of her staff is shown through my daughter and my nieces progress and growth while attending. Very Good School I highly recommend it!!!!!!!! more

Where Shall I begin? I want to start by saying Thank You!!!!!!!!!! As a parent you think everything YOU do as Mommy and Daddy is what mainly molds our children to be the amazing beings that they become. I am guilty of thinking that at first. But as I watched my kid blossom into theses amazing mini adults stuck inside children's bodies (my daughter 3 and my son now 7) I realized how much of who they have became and are becoming is because of all the great staff at Big Birds Play House. Both my children started as infants (my husband and I both work full time) so we needed a place that was flexible to our crazy and ever changing schedule. \r \r As a parent you cry your eyes out leaving your child for the first time, you wonder if they will be ok. As infants they cant tell you what is wrong and if they are being treated bad. I was a mess. I called 100 times a day the first week. Linda the owner was always there to reassure me. It felt great having compassionate people who understood what I was going though. So at first it wasn't about getting my child acclimated to the change of environment it was about getting me mommy acclimated to the change. Dont forget I was new to the mothering thing. Its scary (still is). But I lost the worry. And over the years my son would come home and just amaze me. I swear he would get smarter by the day. Once kindergarten came and I watched him blow through every assignment (there is an awful lot of homework in kindergarten for all you mommys who's children didn't start yet) at pick up I would talk to other parents and they would complain how it's so much advanced work. I was baffled because my son had no problem with it. As I spoke to other mothers who's children attended Big Birds Playhouse I realized how advanced our children were to the other kids. It felt good, I almost wanted to pat my self on the back and take the credit but the only thing I can take credit for is the school and daycare I chose for him.\r \r When I had my daughter it was not even a though of where I was registering her. I actually called then before I gave birth to tell them to be prepared fore Lavella number 2. I am so happy with the school that words cannot express. My children are amazing and their foundation is very important. I cant stress enough how important it is for them to attend a great day care and preschool. Big Birds Playhouse Molded my children and opened their world of learning. I am so very grateful more

I love this school. my son does as well. he hates when it comes time to have to go. he is so smart and i dont say that because he is my son. other kids his age are not talking the way he does, they dont observe and know things the way he does and it is all thanks to big birds. he spends most of his time there. i couldnt be happier more

Back in 2006, Big Bird's Playhouse was recommended to me by a friend who's daughter attended the daycare. My girls at the time were 1 and 4 years old. Since then I have recommended this daycare/pre-k/afterschool program/camp to several friends and they have recommended their friends as well. (By the way, we are all educators)\r \r The teachers and rest of the staff are friendly, caring and are always making sure the children are cared for and happy. \r \r Now that my children are older, they only attend the summer camp. They are excited to return each year and start talking about camp around January! \r \r I really can't thank everyone there enough for helping my children grow academically and socially! They truly gave them an incredible foundation for their future success! more

How can I put into words how grateful I've been for the past 5 years. My son 5 now has been going there since he's 19 months. Through the years he's had wonderful people surrounding him with a fun and positive learning experience! He has learned so much and will carry that to Kindergarten! \r \r My baby started last year at 4 months old. As difficult as it is was to leave him, I never had to worry and I knew he was in great hands of women who loved the children like their own. They were amazingly loving and nurturing teachers! I know he's going to have another great year!\r \r My children had the most wonderful experience at Big Bird which provided them with a secure and positive social learning environment. \r more

My two daughters age 5 and age 3 both attend Big Bird. They have been there since they were 15 months old. I have to say the teachers at Big Bird truly care for the children. My two children love going there and every morning look forward to seeing their teachers and friends. My older daughter attended Pre-K with Miss Julie and now I feel she is prepared for kindergarten this year. Miss Julie has given my daughter the foundation to succeed in kindergarten this year. My both children had excellent teachers Miss Dora and Miss Michelle teach them how to socialize with other children. My younger daughter now has Miss Louise and Miss Virginia this year. Both of my kids attended summer camp and they do many fun activities with the children and teach the children how to socialize with other children. I will continue to send my younger daughter here because I feel she will learn alot and be well prepared for kindergarten in two more years. I definitely recommend this school because there are teachers here who truly care for each and every child.\r \r more

My 2 1/2 year old son has been attending the daycare program since he was 7 months old, and my 10 1/2 year old daughter has been attending the summer camp and after school program since she was 8, so I've been with the school for three years.\r \r My experience has been very positive! My son started out in the infant room with Ms. Roe - who goes above and beyond for the babies in her care. She is very warm and gives all of the babies a lot of attention, care and love. At the end of each day I would get an itemized list of when he had a bottle and how many ounces he consumed, what he ate, when he was changed, etc. Prior to enrolling my son I struggled with the thought of sending an infant to daycare, however Ms. Roe and her constant communication made me feel very comfortable! \r \r After his first birthday, my son was moved to the toddler room with Ms. Laurie and Ms. Michelle. They were excellent! They had constant reinforcement of the building blocks of learning - they would go over the colors, shapes, and ABCs daily - and my son would always come home singing nursery songs. They were very festive and would have celebrations for holidays, birthdays, etc. In the few instances where he would fall ill under their care, I would find him in one of their arms as if he was their own child!\r \r Now my son is in the 2 year old room with Ms. Margret - and again, I couldn't be happier with the experience. The program is very well-structured - every morning they have circle time where one student gets to hold the flag and they all sing "God Bless America" (yes, my son can now sing "God Bless America" on his own without missing a beat) and they go over the alphabet, colors, shapes, etc. They also do daily projects which come home every day (many of which are inspired by professional paintings) and colorfully adorn my family room walls. During the summer they have outdoor play time - and one of the key factors in my decision to enroll my kids in Big Bird's was how well organized the indoor AND outdoor play areas are - each group has their own fenced play areas with age appropriate toys and rides. My son has learned so much in these past few years, and I'm very excited to continue to see his growth at Big Bird's.\r \r My daughter loves the summer camp and looks forward to attending every year. The school bus leaves at 9am and doesn't return to the camp until 4pm - they have well-planned trips (i.e. Museum of Natural History, Aquarium, Turtle Back Zoo, Medieval Times, etc.) as well as weekly outings to the bowling alley, movies, park, etc. After hours they come back to the premises where they have their own designated areas to partake in arts and crafts projects and other games. There is never a dull moment! The same goes for the after school program.\r \r Another important factor for me has been DIVERSITY. Our family is multi-racial and multi-ethnic, and the high level of diversity at Big Bird's has been a breath of fresh air for me as a mother. You will find all colors of the rainbow, followers of all faiths, and differing family dynamics here.\r \r To address some of the complaints - when I read that someone said that it was filthy, I couldn't believe it. Every evening there is a cleaning crew that comes in and disinfects the entire campus (I usually bump into them as I pick up my kids!).\r \r The campus is under intense surveillance, and it's even rumored that the Director has access to the security cameras from her house when she isn't on site. I've never needed to reach her and not been able to, and she is omni-present whenever I drop my kids off in the morning. \r \r Big Bird's has become a second home for my kid's and it's staff a second family to us. As a working mother, it's been a blessing. more

Both of my boys have attended big birds playhouse. My friends and family would always comment how smart my boys are, and I couldn't take any credit...it was all big birds, and the wonderful teachers. My oldest son was student of the month his second month of kindergarden, and I owe big birds UPK program and teacher ms. Deborah for that. I have never had any complaints in the past, and my youngest is still a student there. I have in the past visited other schools, and none have compared. All of the teachers, including ms. Linda, ms. Louise, ms Virginia, and ms Theresa, have been nothing but wonderful and helpful to my family and I. more

All 3 of my kids went to this school. They have upk and they give them food. My kids got so smart. Real good school more

My son and daughter love the school they cried when I would go pick them up when they were enrolled in half day classes. They have great projects and learn a lot I love when they come home with new songs and stories to tell us. We enrolled them in full day this year more

I owe my life to Linda and the school. when I went through my divorce I shut down. I had not support from my ex husband at first I couldn't even pay my cellphone bill no less school. Linda didn't charge me for Nicole to stay in the school and would always buy us things she knew we were in need of yet I was to ashamed to say I needed. The divorce was not only horrible on me but on Nicole as well. Linda and the staff gave Nicole extra attention to make sure she stayed on the right track to reach the learning goals necessary for kindergarden the following year. You can say all you want how bad the school is but all the parents who have had their children in this school knows how beneficial it was for their children, especially when their child is one of the smartest kindergardeners because of the foundation Big Birds Playhouse laid for them. I am heart broken that this has happened at Big Bird Play house because it is truly a great school and atmosphere. Don't worry Linda all your parents know how great of a school you have. We will keep blogging till everyone knows how great your school is. Its a shame people have nothing better to do then write bad reviews. Team Big Bird! more

Dear lord I hope the allegations are not true. However it is sad how one man can ruin someones reputation as a school. I feel so bad for all the employes and the owner of Big Bird Playhouse for having to deal with this, my son and daughter will still be attending school come tuesday. I am fully confident that my children will have a great and safe school year. Big Bird Playhouse parents will let our voices be heard! what the news and media is portraying this school as is a disgrace! This to shall pass! I hope its not true but if it is Mr.E is not the school and there is nothing that could have been done different. As a parent this is terrifying but I don't feel like my children are in danger! more

I think half the comments on here are fake!!!!!! There is no way anyone can write a bad review about Big birds. My wife is the most anal, neurotic mother ever! I didn't have to go on a tour or interview people because if my wife gave the ok i knew it was great. After daycare and then pre-school and being a parent involved with my child and the school, i was very impressed with my wife's decision. We have our friends kids in the school too. My son loves Miss. Louise, every time we are in a store he wants to buy things for her. I back Big Birds more

My sister and I went to linda when we were small. we both can remember how great daycare was when our parents were working. I now had my first child (zack) who is enrolled with linda. I would not trust anyone else with him. my parents live in florida and my boyfriends parents in north carolina and I remember feeling at home with linda and I want my son to feel the same. Linda was so happy to see me and meet my son I felt like I was back reunited with family. This School & Daycare is the best on the island!!!!!! more

The atmosphere is clean and child friendly. when I was searching for a school for my son i went on 5 different tours. i was able to talk to one of the teachers about their daily routines in the class. they showed my everything. i felt so confident in my choice. Now that my child is starting kindergarden i am a nervous wreck because i know he will not receive the nurturing attention he received at big birds. he was in camp this summer and will continue going to camp until he is to old. more