The Nurtury Montessori School

Although the school does provide a nurturing environment, there is room for improvement.
To name a few problem areas:
1. Frequent staff turnover. It seems that teachers are fired or quit every few weeks, leaving management scrambling to find replacements. When you are entrusting your kids to the care of others, you’d expect a bit more consistency and care put into staffing. The school should prioritize recruiting more qualified teachers that are likely to be employed for the long haul instead of short stints.
2. Poor communication. Parents were informed only after the fact in pretty much every instance of a staffing change. It’s not a great feeling when you show up to school and have to drop off your kids with someone who is basically a complete stranger to you. On the subject of strangers, it also seems that the school, which is in a home setting, is also being used as a residence for boarders. Parents routinely see people who are neither staff nor parents coming in and out of the premises, and management has not communicated any explanation.
3. Disorganization. Management seems to struggle with keeping track of paperwork and tuition payments. On one occasion, a group of parents who had already paid tuition were sent an email by management claiming that their payments were still outstanding. What kind of business doesn’t keep track of cash coming in?! Management also needs to do a better job of maintaining lists of teachers and staff, which would be easier if there weren’t so much turnover.
4. Nickling and diming. Please be aware that tuition is not all-​inclusive. Management has pressured parents into funding teacher holiday bonuses as well as purchases of classroom supplies. You’d think that a school that charges almost $ 30,000 tuition per year per child would be capable of funding items like this itself. Parents are also required to pay for an additional meal program which runs almost an additional $ 3,000. The school is closed for about 4 weeks out of the year, and there is an additional charge for any child care required during these closures. After all is said and done, you’re looking at paying almost as much as you would for a full-​time nanny.
All this being said, there may not be a better alternative in lower Westchester. The school’s saving grace is that management is extremely committed to the Montessori philosophy. The school could realize it’s full potential if management were to just focus some effort on fixing these issues.