Beginnings Nursery

As an educator at this school, I want to offer my perspective to help parents in their decision-making process. Every parent wants the best for their child, and I believe asking the right questions is key.

From my professional standpoint, a strong educational institution is built on clear structures that support both students and staff. During my time here, my personal experience was that some of these structures seemed to be missing.

For example, I was not provided with a formal employment contract, was not presented with a defined salary structure beyond an hourly rate, and did not receive documented behavioral guidelines for staff or students. I also did not participate in a formal professional review process. In my opinion, the absence of these elements could pose a challenge to maintaining consistent educational quality and teacher morale.

Parents may want to be aware that the school has recently been acquired by another entity. In any school, a change in ownership can bring about a change in philosophy. A concern I hold is whether the school’s wonderful, nurturing environment, which I believe parents are paying a premium for, will be maintained under a more corporate structure. When business goals are introduced, it’s worth asking how the core educational mission will be protected.

While dedicated teachers undoubtedly worked hard, I personally did not see a school-wide emphasis on a formal character development program.

The school has long been associated with many wonderful families. To ensure the educational experience matches the school's reputation and tuition, I would encourage parents to ask detailed questions during their tour, such as:

"Could you walk me through your formal, written curriculum for my child's age group?"
"What are the school's formal policies regarding student conduct and character development?"
"How are your teachers supported? Do they have formal contracts, professional development, and regular performance reviews?"
"Following the recent acquisition, how will the school's leadership ensure that the child-centered educational mission remains the top priority?"

I hope my perspective is helpful as you seek the best possible environment for your child's growth and learning.