Preschool of America257

READ THIS BEFORE ENROLLING!!! GET YOUR KIDS OUT NOW!!!!!

Owners charged with stealing $2.5 million in federal free-lunch money was released on bail Friday - and was promptly re-arrested for attacking photographers.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/09/16/2011-09-16_preschool_owner_charged_with_25m_raid_of_freelunch_program_attacks_media_after_m.html#ixzz1YbylqE2N

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/17/nyregion/couple-accused-of-stealing-food-money-from-red-apple-preschools.html

I am very fortunate to be a stay at home mom and often visit a playground that is also utilized by POA and the River School. As I mom, I feel that it is important to share with other parents what I have personally seen on the playground. POA teachers do watch the children, but can also be seen chit chatting with each other and checking messages on their phones while the children play. While this may be acceptable for a mother watching her own child, I question those actions while watching multiple children and working your job. I personally feel that le the children are for the most part looked after, there is a lack of teacher student engagement. The teachers are not actively involved with the kids and they are pretty much left to run around and do as the please. I watched one teacher discipline a child who had pushed another child, she was quite stern with him and sat with him while he had a time out - overall, I think that situation was handled well. What alarmed me a bit more, was the way these teachers "speak", they would actually yell, at the children to line up, stay in line etc. The way they spoke to the children lacked respect and was very bossy. In short, if I had to find a preschool for my son to attend, this one would be very very low on my list. I truely felt bad for the children, having to endure teachers that spoke to them in this way.

All this school cares about is : YOUR $$$ !! 1) Program and age issues First of all, management does not respect the age program you can find on their website and other official documentation. The reason : $$$ of course. Everytime there is spot open they sell it to the first kid in the waiting list regardless of the existing roster and movements to come in the coming weeks. The impact for your kid: he/she can be stuck in his/her class longer than originally scheduled. Your 14 months toddler can spend his/her day in an infant room (with a 4 months baby); no problem at POA. In addition, they have this great after school program called "Night Owls" where, after hours, all the kids are gathered in classroom with one or 2 teachers (again regardless the ages of the kids). It's simply insane for the price parents pay (close to $2,000 per month). I am not sure is even safe and compliant with regulation. 2) Ethic issues a) Gym No ethic neither. During the winter 2009, they closed the gym in order for the DOH to make sure that this gym can become a classroom later on - they would like to extend the school and guess who is fueling this growth : YOU !!!-. During several weeks, kids could not go out (was freezing outside) and could not go the gym neither to run. They got stuck in their classrooms (many of them have no natural light). b) Teachers Then the teachers protested that they were underpaid, tried to form an union and most of them got fired. The atmosphere at school is horrible !! 3) Nobody to complain about the situation The 'Director' is a puppet; has no authority; Joanna, Jill and Mego at the headquarters rule everything with an iron hand. Bottom line: Find another pre-school; it might be a little bit more expensive but it's money well spent. According to their website, this school was founded in 2004 and has more than 14 schools !! You are fueling this growth at the expense of your kids.

This new director is horrible!!!!! She fired about 10 teachers who were excellent! My child loved his teacher and now she is gone. He keeps asking me when she will come back. This new director has got to go or the school will really fall apart!

The only reason I sent my child to POA was because I heard they had excellent teachers, which I felt to be very true. My child loved his teachers and would talk about them constantly. I was never happy with the director but kept my child in the school due to the teachers. Recently about 10 teachers were fired! - I am very upset about this and feel that the school is falling apart. My son was very upset to find out that his teacher would no longer be coming back to the school. I have tried speaking to the director several times, but I keep getting different excuses of why my son's teacher was fired. I know many other parents feel the same way. I have a feeling that this school is falling apart!

I am not happy with everything that has been happening with POA West End. They recently let go of 10 teachers, including one of my sons teacher who was excellent. They still do not have a replacement for her and the head teacher will be leaving on vacation starting next week. When I asked who will be watching the kids, I received an answer of "we're not sure yet" I do not feel comfortable with the management and their strategies. It has come to my attention the teachers were trying to unionize and this is why the layoffs have been occurring. Isn't that illegal??? If I'm not mistaken, if there are negotiations between union and staff, changes cannot be made until the vote has occurred. There are many other parent's I have spoken to who feel the same way I do and they are thinking about taking their kids out of the program. We all LOVE the teachers, but the management of POA is horrible. I hear this is also happening at the other locations that were talking to the teachers union. Upper management informed the staff not to tell the parents what was going on, so they have been hiding the truth from us and that is unacceptable. Our children and their safety are in their hands.

The POA West End has exceptional teachers. They are very caring and attentive, and our 1-year old son looks happy when we pick him up. I like their menu and don't worry for nutritious meals; and my husband and I can see how much our baby learns there.

I would add though that Riverschool across the street has more windows and I see them walking with children in the park even if it's cold outside, which is a huge point for me, maybe for others, too.