The most honest review I can offer of this school is that I felt tremendous, genuine relief when I knew my children would no longer be attending. When I realized that was how I truly felt, I knew I had to share our experience so that other parents can learn from what we dealt with.
As a SAHM for the past three years, I wanted to find a school where my twins and toddler would continue to receive quality care and attention while benefiting from socialization and preschool routines. I had perused the Montessori at Bowser website and reviews for months before it was time to choose a school. When my husband and I toured the school, we noted the relaxed environment. The teacher who led the tour told us how the students receive music lessons once a week and how potty training is encouraged in the classroom where the twins would be if we chose the school. The number of students seemed lower than average, which was another positive. We enrolled our children in mid-July with no issue, although the whole process was notably informal and unsettling. No one contacted us to confirm our enrollment date, nor did the director even communicate with us or introduce herself formally. I noticed she would spend time in my youngest child's classroom in the afternoon and appreciated how she would interact positively with my daughter. The first week went smoothly. But then midway through the second week, my youngest daughter got strep throat, and the twins both got a virus and an ear infection. I thought that was quite fast for them to start getting first-time-in-daycare sick, but at the same time, I wasn't too worried. It seemed like a normal part of the process. Well, that second week, I also noticed that there was no soap in the dispenser in the twins' classroom bathroom. That seemed rather strange to me, but we got the girls their own soap so they would have it to use. Problem solved, right? Wrong. So very wrong. We visited the pediatrician and urgent care so often, the staff began to ask where the girls went to school. At least ten visits and trips to the pharmacy for medicine later (all within a span of two months), I can honestly say that I am thankful for this experience with daycare. I know what not to accept from a daycare or school. In addition to these excessive illnesses, most of which can be prevented by proper and consistent hand-washing, communication between parents and director/caregiver barely existed. Most concerning was when my youngest daughter came home last week with a large red mark on her bottom. Not only was I not notified of the mark, but neither the teachers nor the director could explain to me what happened to cause the mark. For you who are looking into a quality daycare/school for your little one(s), please listen to your instincts and look elsewhere.
BTW, Montessori at Bowser is not accredited or certified by the American Montessori Society. Be aware that schools/centers can use the term "Montessori" since it is not patented.
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