Kinderhouse Montessori Schools, Inc.

Posted: March 6, 2023

This preschool should be called THEFTHOUSE PRESCHOOL. We paid for both my daughter and son $300 (registration fee) + $1200 (last months tuition) for this concurrent year of 2023/24. We found out shortly after that my husband will be relocated to another country and we will not be staying in Calgary, therefore my children will not be attending this preschool. This is after two loyal years in this preschool for both of my kids and they would not return the $1500 to us. They said it was their policy and do not do refunds. $1500!!! If they took the registration fee I would have understood, but the fact that they also took the last month and wouldn’t return the money was complete THEFT. The director, Aimedee, is the most unpleasant person to talk to and deal with. She is rude, condescending, and so unempathetic. I have dealt with KIDS U and several other daycares and preschools, who have bent their rules for circumstances not under the parent’s control, yet Aimedee would not even entertain it and refused to let us speak to the owners. As a local business owner as well, I would never be okay taking $1500 for a service I DID NOT PROVIDE - policy or not! The teachers in this place are angels, but I could tell that Aimedee does not treat them well either. The worst part is, the government has discounted tuition for preschools and she wouldn’t even give us the difference. Do you sleep well at night Aimedee and owners knowing you take people’s hard working money for a service you have not provided? Disgusting!

Posted: March 6, 2023

Posted: March 6, 2023

Posted: March 6, 2023

Posted: March 6, 2023

Posted: March 6, 2023

Posted: March 6, 2023

Posted: March 6, 2023

Posted: December 28, 2014

Because of family moves, this is the third Montessori preschool we've enrolled our children in and the fourth preschool we've tried as a family. So, speaking from the ability to compare to several other places, this is a good school. The atmosphere is in every way geared toward promoting independence and learning. The staff is well-trained and truly interested in the well-being of the kids. The teachers are very good about giving feedback. The first week my children were enrolled, I received emails throughout their day with pictures, letting me know how they were adjusting. My two-year old still brings home notes every day letting me know what snacks she ate and how her potty-training is progressing. The school also sends frequent newsletters letting you know about the curriculum and special guests. And, teachers are very responsive to emailed questions or concerns. I would definitely recommend the school to friends. It's a good school. Your kids will come out with a sense of confidence and a strong foundation in early math and reading. They will receive individualized attention and care from great teachers.

Posted: September 23, 2014

Unlike other schools where each parent has a code to access the school to see their children this is the school where you have to ring a bell wait outside and then brought in ( i don't know if i can say it is a coincidence but each time I drop to visit an administrator or someone from front desk will be rushing into the class to check on my kid!) Unlike other schools , if you call to check on your kid on his/her FIRST week you either get a voice mail to LEAVE a message and expect a call back in 1 hr or you receive a short very obvious "annoyed by your call" answer that your child is doing OK We got a call on the weekend from the principle asking us not to ruin the school order and if you leave 30 min earlier than the pick up time just wait outside DON't come in and mess up their order they don't like so many parents dropping in that is too many visits I am not sure why it will bring chaos to the school if the school is perfect and there is nothing to hide

Posted: September 22, 2014

There was never enough communication with the parents and they don't give your child enough socializing time, which is the main thing they crave at this age

Posted: May 15, 2014

My son went there. They are very strict about everything. Felt very artificial the first day I went there. I feel they are way too overrated. for 2 yr, they had 24 kids and 2 teachers. 12:1 student/teacher ratio. that too one teacher is just a helper. Felt like they are interested in making money and in not helping kids. My son didnt get used to the school for 3 months. They are very artificial(show off as though they care) when you enter the school. They didn't try to improve or be friendly with the kid. Also, they are way too overpriced for what they offer. Also they follow public school schedule which is stupid for 2 to 5 yr kids. when I tried to take my kid off of the school, it was a pain. The way their tuition structure is setup, it is so compilcated. when you join, you pay for the last month of the school year first. sme crazy scheme to get you to not withdraw. I lost lot of money because of their stupid policy. Potential parents should think twice. also they are not good at handling sensitive kids.

Posted: May 6, 2014

Have two kids and both of them attend this school. I am very happy with the progress they have made academically and more importantly as individuals. This is a great Montessori school. It is not just in the name. The school & staff live by the Montessori principles every day. Very active parent community

Posted: March 18, 2014

This is a great and authentic AMI Montessori school. My girl started in the toddler program when she was 20 months old. She came home happily everyday. She was potty trained by 2 and got moved up to the primary class soon after she turned 2.5. She learns to be an independent little person. Now that she's in the primary class with other kids that are ranges from 3-6 years old. Love her head guide and Spanish teachers who are so caring and really vested in all the kids. Love the management team who give much support not only to the kids, but also parents. There's just too much good things about this school.

Posted: January 30, 2014

Not pleased with the result of sending my son to kinder house Montessori. I expect far more in terms of academics from a school that costs as much per year as this one. And no I don't expect them to teach quantum physics just the basics any parent would expect. Pass on this school.

Posted: November 7, 2012

It's a good school but if you are a working mom maybe this is not a right choice for you since they have so many closing dates, e.g the whole week of the thanksgiving, 2 weeks between christmas and new year, and they charge you if you want to send your kids to school during some holidays time , so you get charged 2 times !. Staff are not very strict so I suggest if your kids is under 3 , maybe you should reconsider this place. Overall I like this place but there are some negative points that they have to start working on

Posted: January 8, 2012

My daughter is currently attending the toddler program at Kinderhouse Montessori on Flanders Rd. Here's why I like it: 1. My daughter is well cared for and is learning every day. I go to work each day secure in the knowledge that my daughter is happy at school, and is looked after and taught by responsible, caring staff. 2. I view the principal and teachers as a resource to help us raise our daughter. For example: when we want to start something new, such as potty training, or when we want to help my daughter stop nonconstructive behaviors, we discuss approaches and move forward on the same page. 3. The school genuinely has the best interests of the child at heart and the policies are created with the child's best interests in mind. 4. The school holds parent seminars to share Montessori practices, for parent education, and to help parents better connect with the teachers and vice-versa 5. It is a multi-cultural environment and the school celebrates this aspect of the student community

Posted: January 3, 2012

Top notch school! With a background in education, I felt the Montessori method was truly the best for developing my children both educationally and socially. After much research, I found that Kinderhouse was a "true" Montessori school amongst many who claim to be but are not. We've been with the school for 4 years and this school has far exceeded all of my expectations.

Posted: December 15, 2011

I have been sending my 2 children to KHM for 5 yrs. No school like it! My oldest is doing fantastic in Elementary now. Not only is she well adjusted above target academically, but she is caring, kind and independent. Our kids are also on target with eating real wholesome food. This was initiated and reinforced at KHM. The kids all eat real food here. Eating calmly and with manners. The facilities are clean, natural and inviting. Staff is friendly and very loving towards kids. Overall, my kids have done fantastic at this school. I am confident any potential parent reading this could feel comfortable sending their kids here. It really helps to have the place where you send your kids during the day reinforce the values you have in your home and that they are safe and well taken care of.

Posted: December 12, 2011

My wife and I have been sending our children to Kinderhouse Montessori for several years and are very pleased with the progress our children have made there. The Montessori methods have proven to be as wonderful as I have read about for our children and I could not be happier with this school.

Posted: December 12, 2011

We have been sending our two children (5 1/2 and 3 1/2 years old) to Kinderhouse Montessori for over two years. We are very impressed with the teachers who maintain a wonderfully calm and productive environment for the children in the classroom. The school is superb in supporting both the academic and the social development of our children.

Posted: December 11, 2011

We started sending our daughter to Kinderhouse Montessori earlier this year. She has only been in the program a few months and already we can see a huge difference. She is only 2 but already she can put her own shoes on and pick out her clothes for the day. She helps set the table at dinner and can prepare small meals for herself! Her language skills have improved tremendously - she speaks Spanish and English - and her vocabulary has quadrupled since she started. As far as education, this school is the best there is! The teachers work with my child on her concentration skills and her attention and she is a marvel to behold. At home, she can sit on her own and do puzzles for hours. When we first started here, I did not know about the Montessori methods but this school adheres to them as they were meant to be. They allow children freedom of explorations of their environment and teach them how to live in our society. They help with potty training and their communication is superb - a note goes home every day, stating what snack was, what activities were done and a personal note from the teacher. I have never heard of any other school that does that! No better school in SD!

Posted: December 11, 2011

This is a great school. The teachers are caring and skilled at Montessori way of teaching. Would definitely recommend this school to a friend.

Posted: December 11, 2011

Our daughter's teacher in a top rated public school enquired where she had her preschool training. It was Kinderhouse. It was not a traditional day care facility with flexible timings, but was an institution for whole child development including behavioral and academic skills. Mrs. Yogi Patel made several articulate presentations with insights into child psychology, and each time, we went back home with nuggets of wisdom that made us mull over the development of our child. The enrollment packet was upfront regarding the school policies. The school believes that children can get the most out of Montessori education if they follow a daily schedule of activities and are allowed enough time to absorb the curriculum. Hence, the scheduled drop-off and pick-up times, as flexible timings would have caused distraction. Different program options and associated fees were also spelt out. There was an option of enrolling for the summer program right at the beginning of the school year at a discounted rate. We used our discretion here if, during a given year, we were not aware in advance of our summer plans. We never had any unexpected situations as far as fees or schedules were concerned.

Posted: December 7, 2011

Have had an excellent experience with Kinderhouse Montessori over the past few years. Our daughter is thriving and learning and we feel that the staff works with us to optimize her learning experience. Highly recommend!

Posted: November 8, 2011

My kid was at the Racho Bernardo facility. Everything was so nice at the beginning. The teachers smiled to me and asked my child's situation. To my surprise, After I paid $700 for monthly half day care, there were more and more fees came to me every week. Don't fool me!!

Posted: November 1, 2011

It seems a robbing money business but not a school. The teachers there only care about their benefits but not my child. Waste time!!!

Posted: September 5, 2011

Both our children attend the Kinderhouse Montessori preschool in Rancho Bernardo. Not only is it a wonderful facility staffed with qualified and loving teachers (all with AMI diplomas in hand), but it also does everything possible to develop every child. The entire operation, from drop off and pick up times, to enrichment programs, to bilingual classrooms, is designed to empower children in their learning process. It's completely amazing and truly the way to give your children the very best start to their education.

Posted: August 17, 2011

My two children (5 year old daughter starting her 3rd year there and 7 year old son starting his 4th or 5th year there), their dad, and I all LOVE this school. While our kids are getting a great education, KHM is not just about learning school subjects. It is that and so much more. It is about the entire person mind, body and spirit. Yogi Patel, the director, is extremely committed. She knows each of the children, their strengths, challenges, and personalities. She is dedicated to helping each child develop life skills (from reading, math, etc. to social and environmental awareness), confidence, and a desire to reach their full potential. The teachers and other staff are equally committed and caring. The school also greatly promotes family and parent involvement and a strong sense of community. The rules / guidelines (such as dress code, tardiness, parent education) seemed a bit overwhelming at first, but very quickly we understood the reasons behind each of these, saw the positive influence they had on our children, and embraced them. I cannot say enough good things about this school, Yogi, and her staff.

Posted: October 25, 2010

My 4 year old son and my 3 year old daughter are both attending. We love this this school. I like the principle, staff and the teachers, they really care about our children and their overall wellbeing, education and future. A++

Posted: October 9, 2010

Great school all the teachers really know your kid!!! They focus on the specific needs of your child while adhering to the montessori spirit.

Posted: May 20, 2010

This is a wonderful school and definitely a jewel amongst all others in early education. This school truly has what a child needs to set them up for a lifetime worth of knowledge. A great balance of nurturing, education, practical life lessons and what many families lack - structure. The rules may seem strict at first, but if you look at them closely, they are for the sole benefit of your child. If your purpose is finding the best early educational experience for your child, then Kinderhouse Montessori is the school that will provide that. If you do not have as high a standard of educational setting, but one that best suits your personal and professional needs, then most likely a public school setting will be your best bet.

Posted: May 18, 2010

The best thing about the school is the neatness.The teachers are trained to be very polite. They are extremely disciplined and kids are bombarded with manners. They are encouraged to independent;which is positive. The school offers nil art/craft activities. The school is not academically challenging at all. They don't seem to encourage smart kids at all, kids tend to get bored. They are not suppose to touch any material unless he is given a presentation. even tho he is capable of doing it.The school is way too expensive as compared to other Montessori schools . The school is not flexible at all. Parents will really appreciate if they get weekly written report from school about their kid's performance. Late fees should not be charged at all. The school should reduce the registration for the old students and should increase the half day time to 4 hrs.

Posted: May 14, 2010

I have two children attending KH and have been very pleased with the holistic approach to their education and development. The teachers that we have experienced have been kind and caring. I feel that my children are well-cared for. Because the school is AMI accredited, the Montessori guidelines are adhered to strictly. I understand that, but do wish that there were more time for creative outlet and more group activities. Tuition is on the high end and the holidays add to the expense. That said, the school did acknowledge feedback and has dropped the rates for holidays next year. While the school hosts parent education nights and a few other events, I wish that it were easier to feel involved on a more regular basis with what is happening in the classroom. I have noticed that since expanding to a second campus, the "personal touch" has decreased.

Posted: May 12, 2010

This used to a be a great school but unfortunately, it seems like the focus and mission have shifted from education to a business model. These are our issues: 1. KHM recently established a new school in the Rancho Bernardo area and there is a big push to boost enrollment. This is sapping the resources of the flagship school - teachers, staff, etc. 2. High teacher turnover - not sure if this is for financial reasons (hiring younger teachers) or teacher / administration conflicts? 3. "Mandatory" parent volunteering - if it's volunteering, then it should be that, not a requirement, not fined! 4. Expensive after care costs - we both work and have our child in the after care program and during administrative school "holidays" it is expensive. Tuition should be pro-rated for these days. 5. Condescending treatment to parents who sometimes run late late - the cone of death!

Posted: May 11, 2010

My did is very happy at KHM and is learning more than I imagined. There is not question in my mind that they foster a great learning environment. Having said that, there are certain issues that I have with the administration at this school. Parents pay more than the average private school tuition and but the school prefers to be follow the public school system in terms of volunteering and holidays. Our kids are sent to a pre-school by working parents. It does not help when the school is 'closed' but 'holiday care' is provided at a ridiculous cost - and this is after a full month's tuition is already charged. Besides losing out time off at work, we have to pay extra to keep the kids home. This is not followed at other schools.

Posted: May 9, 2010

I like the school. Especially my kid is very happy and doing some interesting and intelligent stuff in school. I like the teaching style and teachers are doing great job..!! Only issue is its bit expensive than other Montessori schools. No money is spent by the owner for any of the school functions or for the school kids. The owner finds creative ways to make the parents pay for everything. There is a late fee or volunteer time being charged for late arrivals in the morning and pick up in evenings.

Posted: May 8, 2010

I like the school very much. First of all, all the teachers are very nice and have love to the kids, which is the very important part to a great school. The enviroment of the school is great and we feel safe and secure to put our son in the school. Tthe teachers and the head of the school are always trying to help the students. Both me and my husband love the place once we visit it, so does my son. He will be graduate from the school after 3 years happy and success school experince at kinderhouse. Thanks very much for the teachers. I will be sending my second son to the toddler class soon and I am sure he will be also happy and loving the school.

Posted: May 8, 2010

My child is going to Kinderhouse Montessori for 2 1/2 years now. The good points about the school are that it is clean and some of the teachers are good. However, Kinderhouse Montessori is a creative money-making business by the owner. Parents have to volunteer their time for pick-up in the morning. While the kids in other schools enjoy Halloween, Easter, Christmas parties, there is nothing done at KinderHouse. No money is spent by the owner for any of the school functions or for the school kids. The owner finds creative ways to make the parents pay for everything. There is a late fee or volunteer time being charged for late arrivals in the morning. In all, it is a decent school but be prepared to pay and volunteer for every little thing.

Posted: March 2, 2010

Posted: September 26, 2009