A Little World Montessori Academy

Unlike most on Unilocal, I tend to only write reviews when I have had an exceptionally positive experience.
A Little World Montessori has been a God send for our family. I moved my son over in January 2015 after a less than satisfactory experience with Pillow Preschool. My son was three at the time, and he is very energetic, very curious and also very stubborn, but sharp as a tack. Unfortunately, this meant he spent a lot of his time bickering with other children and sitting in time out.
He would come back with some pretty crazy bruises, and he also caused some cuts and bruises on other kids. I was worried that I was paying a fortune for him to not learn anything and to be labeled a trouble-​maker at the tender age of three.
When I visited A Little World for the first time, I was amazed to find each of the (30+) children sitting quietly, reading, coloring or playing with toys. This was completely different from the chaotic scene at our last preschool! I also found out that the kids do exercises, help tend a little garden, take care of some pets and animals and even have music and Spanish lessons!
I was hooked, and I signed up right away. Best. Decision. Ever! My son is now four. Whereas he spent much of his time on punishment at the last school, he is now considered a model student. I cannot believe how much he is learning. It seems like every week is reciting something new that he learned, like the planets in the solar system, reciting the days of the week in Spanish, counting by fives, doing little math problems, and even reading a little bit! It continues to surprise me because this is all stuff I haven’t taught him.
I am so pleased because as a parent, we worry so much about setting our kids on the right path so that they can fall behind in school and take advantage of higher education. Now, I’m sure that he is on the right path!

A Little World Montessori Academy was a saving grace after our experience at Little Munchkins– Miss Samudra received us with open arms and a kind heart. She definitely cares about the little ones under her care and the school is well organized and clean. The teachers are kind and work very well with the children and I enjoyed the balance they provided during the day. The Montessori model is wonderful and I can’t say enough about how well my child has developed socially and academically as a result. We also loved the field trip to the ballet and the parties that are seasonal and a wonderful addition to the regular preschool day. You will love having your child at this school.

This is my very first Unilocal review. I usually refrain from writing negative reviews, but because this happens to impact children, I felt the need to comment.
I sent my child to this facility with the best intention. As parents, we are aware that it takes a team to raise a child and school can not create miracle child prodigies. We initially chose this school for the ratios, the home-​like setting and for the main teacher (who quit shortly after enrollment) and the director. Don’t get me wrong, our child did gain valuable experience during her stay.
However, we noticed that there has been a decline in structure and care during the past months. Teachers are often overwhelmed with the ratios and lack of common safety needs and control. As for the director, there is a fake sense of kindness during registration time and initial parent-​teacher meetings. Conversations regarding updates with my child has been harsh, rude and selective to what was perceived and communicated. During conversations, I was told «take my child out then!», «it’s ok, there are lots of new students anyway!» «I don’t hire ghetto teachers, they all have degrees». Degrees do not create better employees. Higher learning does not create common sense. We have witnessed the school transform from a Montessori school to a chaotic profitable business with stoic employees.
Just be warned. Many times my concerns have been misconstrued and dismissed. In the past, I have witnessed the director snapped at teachers and parents about miscommunications. Other parents have expressed the same concerns. There’s so much more to say about this place but will stop from here. otherwise this review will be twisted and down played as a «crazy parent review». My husband and I are disappointed. We wanted our child to exit smoothly but this was not the case.
(Gave it the 1 star for the negotiable tuition/​fees, cleanliness and location)
*** quite concerning how there are no reviews now posted. It took me over a year before i decided to read other reviews to avoid altering my experience, but as I write this, there are now no reviews.?? odd and alarming.

I searched for months to find a preschool for my 20-​month old daughter. I only needed two days a week and found it hard to find a school that could provide that type of flexibility. I stumbled across A Little World Montessori after viewing about five schools at various locations in the Bay Area. The schools I liked would not accept my daughter because she was too young and those that would I just didn’t get a good feel for. I spoke with the Director at A Little World prior to visiting. She said my daughter could come as often as she liked and they would adjust pricing accordingly. The school is open from about 7:30 AM, I believe, until 5:30 or 6 PM, but I was happy to find they had a lot of flexibility in terms of when I dropped her off and picked her up. I was excited for my daughter to attend school and to find that the school mixed academics with a play-​based structure. When I arrived I found a very clean and well-​organized school with children sitting on mats and at tables working on various projects. I was pleased to also find the school had a bunny, chicken and a turtle, which the children cared for. They also had music class, yoga and a very relaxed form of karate on certain days. On the first day of school I was very nervous, being that it was my daughter’s first experience being cared for by non-​family members. After spending about an hour, I left for one hour. I called the school only to find that my daughter was playing and happy and had not cried at all. When I returned I found her in the back clubhouse with a group of about five children thoroughly involved and smiling. I felt really good that I made the right decision and would definitely recommend the school to other parents.