La Petite Academy of Bakersfield

My daughter attended this school for less than a year until she began kindergarten. The school claims to have a curriculum focused on STEM education, but sorely lacks in that regard. I understand that they are preschool children but I saw nothing in what they were teaching that would differentiate them from schools offering your typical activities (drawing, dancing, singing, playing).They also force the children to lay in their beds for the 3-hour or so scheduled nap time. So, if your child is not a napper this will be like 3 hours of torture for them. Can't understand why they can't have a group set aside for children that don't nap.The pros: peanut-free campus, although on Easter we found candy being offered that was not peanut allergy safe. They have a good security system and you have access to the webcam to watch your money being squandered away -- as stated above the curriculum is just your average run of the mill preschool activities promoted as STEM, and a three hour nap where your child just tosses and turns.My daughter did not like it there and was scared of starting kindergarten after that experience. But, once she began her new school (public), she fell in love with her teacher and I saw more progress in the first week than the whole 9 months she was at la petite.All-in-all: waste of money.

My daughter started attending this school when she was 10 months old, I was very nervous because I really wanted to stay home with my child, but that was not a possibility. My child is 5 now and will start Kindergarten next month and I wish they had a private Kindergarten because I would keep her there. The teachers and Administrators are wonderful and it is clear they really enjoy children. My child has learned so much intellectually and socially that I am very confident about her moving to the next level, there aren't enough words or money to thank someone for caring and teaching your child 8 hours a day with a smile as if it were their own. I will miss this place and so will my daughter, I highly recommend this school, because it is more than a daycare, it's a family!

My children have been here for just over 2 years. Between the two of them they have gone through all levels the school has to offer (newborns, 1-year-old room, 2's, Pre-school, and Pre-k). Our experience has been wonderful. The staff is caring, always greets me and my child positively, and attempts to solve behavior in an appropriate way. They have a good balance of preparing children for Kindergarten but not stressing them out. My son's handwriting has taken off, he knows more sight words, and understands more science concepts than he has when he started. He's improved in waiting, sharing, and turn taking. I highly recommend this place!

My daughter started here as she entered kindergarten this 2017-2018 and I am more than satisfied with the program and staff. The projects and learning methods have impressed me most but without a doubt the personalization of care and interest in her growth by her caregiver surpasses my expectation. I am evermore grateful for your dedication and hard work in caring for my treasured little person! God bless you all with your own goals and dreams.

Only my sons first days but I felt welcome and so comfortable leaving him there! Its always stressful for me the first day. I can tell he will be very happy! The staff is nice and the atmosphere is great and very clean

Love this school! My boys (now 13 and 10) went here many years ago. Now my 2 year old attends and they have been amazing! It was a difficult transition from a home daycare he attended since 8 weeks old and they have been incredibly patient and understanding! The curriculum is awesome and the app with all the updates of his day are exceptional! So glad to be part of this wonderful school!

The Toddler room is amazing! The teachers are always making sure each child's needs are met. I haven't ever worried about safety of My child. This team ROCKS!!! Such a warming place to send your child and know they are in good hands!

I had my daughter there for two weeks, and that was the worst two weeks of my life. On day one, I arrived to pick her up, and she was crying like she was scared and afraid. when I asked the caregiver the reason, the reply was "I don't know. They asked my husband "how you discipline her?". Totaly not recommended.

Corporate cr@! You know when you deal with your phone company, and you get the constant run around, and no one has any authroity to do anything, and the excuse is "that's the policy"? Well, THAT is what you are in for at La Petite. It's a corporate company run from out of state. Avoid this place if you hate dealing with the nonsense of never getting a straight answer.The school is similar in price and care to other schools. The staff of this school tries to be pleasant, some are even nice. They do their best, but they are in a system they don't control.My child get great home education, so he's a bit ahead of his class, and he's BORED out of his mind. They have no leeway to treat him as an individual because they follow the corporate policies. He could write his letters at 2 1/2, and today at 4 1/2 he worked on the the letter H. Basically, your kid will get better actual instrution from YouTube.One day the school was closed. I showed up with my kid, and walked around the building. No one !!! I called every number and finally reached some customer service guy in some other state. He was kind, but the school hadn't reported any closing, so he couldn't do anything but leave a nubmer at the same voicemail I had also called. Turns out they were closed for cleaning, and left a message on only one of the three different ways they can communicate. Ok, but mayb a sign on the door could have helped? If you could reach anyone local, maybe they could help?Their billing systems are a mess, two different systems, one online, one in an app. The charges and timing of payments were never explained, and sure enough we got hit with repeated late charges that we had no clue we'd be charged. Why? Well the "corporate" policy is that if you don't pay by Wed for a Friday class that hasnt' happened yet, then the "system" will flag you and charge you. No one locally can reverse this, and like I said it was never explained. SO this unfair and undisclosed system cost us. Not a problem now that we understand the unfair policiy and can comply, BUT this is the kind of thing you are looking forward to at this school.If you want a cookie cutter corporate organization and all it's headaches, then the people working here do their best . . . . Just hope you never have an issue.

Love La Petite! The staff is always friendly, and show they truly care about my children!