Brightside Academy

So, we sent our daughter here for almost 4 years and for the first 3 things went well. the leadership in the front office (Jen, director) was great. the caregivers in the infant through toddler rooms ware also great. Donna, Chrissy, Mary, Justin and Char (plus others, of course) were amazing. I never worried about how she was being cared for and she was thriving and loved being in school. We also loved the diversity of the classroom and felt that was a unique and valuable part of her early education. Once she was moved upstairs to the Pre-K rooms and there was a change in leadership things really went downhill. Her behavior started turning negative and wound up. I found out later that the kids pretty much ran around and were just yelled at by the teacher - or at least that is what she told me, without malice. Considering how immediate her behavior turned around at the Pre-K program we switched her to, i don't doubt that was exactly what was happening. Another big issue was the idea of the lead caregiver in the pre-k room referring to herself as an educator since her grammar and spelling were borderline illiterate. How any adult can misspell words that you expect 4 and 5 years old to learn is really troubling. This was something other parents noticed as well and sort of laughed about it. One told me that basic math assignments sent home were also incorrect. I was kind of horrified by it. After a few other questionable issues regarding communication of behavior etc we decided to pull her out and it was the best decision we made - i only wish that we had not put her through that year in her "classroom". She is now thriving and doing amazing at Beth Shalom in a loving and structured environment. One thing that stood out to me about poor leadership was when the new director telling parents that they should appreciate that he was going to be working in one of the rooms when they were completely understaffed and about to turn kids away for being over quota. Other than that i rarely ever saw him whereas Jen was often floating, getting to know the kids, talking to parents. very welcoming and open.

This place is cheap (relatively speaking...) and very accommodating to part-time schedules which is why I gave it two stars. However, I would personally not send my child back here and we ended up finding another center after two weeks. I never felt like the teachers were engaged and my child would always be in a bouncy chair when I went to pick her up. The last day that we were there, I showed up early without telling them and found my 3 month old in a bouncy chair with a fleece blanket up over her face - VERY unsafe and she could have suffocated, especially as the teacher in the room was not paying attention to the babies at all. I also witnessed teachers working with headphones in. Overall, this isn't a place I would send my child unless I had no other choice.

My daughter Alonah went to Brightside at 4months old,she remained there until she started Head start. While there I became very familiar with the staff an fell absolutely in love with them. My child loved an trusted them, she formed so many good an trusting relationships there, I Literally cried when it was time for my child to start Head start but in my heart, i was confident that she would be ok... To this day we are still in touch with some of the staff there...

I had so many issues with this place, I can't even type them out because it would be a short novel. My kids (2 and 4 at the time) absolutely hated it there and I'm sorry that I put them through it. I could tell on their faces when I dropped them off and picked them up, that they were not treated well and it was a poor environment for them to be in. I 100% agree with the others that reviewed this center. If I could give them a half of a star, I would. The one star I gave is generous. It makes me sick to my stomach thinking of my children back in that place. Please do not send your children here.