Claire's Montessori

Claire's Montessori International Academy wasn't what it's website or the director Claire proclaimed. When touring the school at a scheduled time it appears to be a true montessori school. All the kids are working on jobs and there is a low teacher to child ratio with the younger groups that are in a separate building. This by the way is not were the director spends her day but just makes a morning visit. She proclaims she over there several times a day but the actual "teachers" say only in the mornings. I view the smaller kids side twice with Claire and was so happy to see how well it appeared to be running. After my little guy started, the first day in fact, things were not what they seamed. The teachers were different, he was put in a different class then what was previously stated by Claire herself. A tv appeared and everyone said oh its only for 15 mins a day and it's something new we are trying. Even with these very big changes I gave it a chance. I really liked Claire and felt I could trust what she was telling me. After three really bad days I realized this isn't the school for my family, as it is more daycare less school and I felt really uncomfortable with small things outside of those big things I had observed. I should mention that during my several just over two weeks worth of conversations with Claire, she had agreed to a trial bases. My little guy has never been to school or daycare before. She was very open to this idea and even allowed for him to attend for four hours for the first month, with this being his trial period.

So after we made our decision and I called Claire and tried not to have complaints but let her know it just wasn't going to work right now and the reasons why. She wouldn't let me get a word in edge wise and I wasn't even sure she understood what I was saying. I sent a very pleasant email saying it didn't work out for us and to not take it personally as it isn't. I also ask for a return of the remainder of money. I new we would pay for the enrollment fee and the four days of that pervious week. She refused to issue any kind of refund and insisted I tell her the real reasons why I was making such a quick decision. I reiterated our phone conversation and reminded her of our several conversations about this trail period. She replied that she had a conversation with my husband, my husband only went to the school once with me and never said a single word to Claire but just observed the class room. So she instead of keeping her word, went back on ever single thing that sold me on this school.
1. who my son's teachers were going to be
2. no tv as this is a true montessori school not a daycare (she even went as far as correcting my words four times during our first walk through)
3. our trail period without penalties

So a three star rated daycare because it's a daycare not a true montessori school like was depicted. Drops to a one star because there is no honesty in this place at all.

Ps She also gave me two phone numbers, saying I could call anytime to check up on my little one. Not once did they answer the phone. I was eventually able to reach Claire herself and she said she took a photo of my son and would show me sometime after she got it developed. Next day the teacher told me Claire had her take a photo of him and Claire was not there but helping a field trip get off. Just not a place I would send my child