Yadkin Path Montessori School

My granddaughter attends this school. She is 2 1/2 years old. Because of this school; she gladly cleans up behind herself; can crack eggs by herself; helps cook her meals, including using a spatula and frying food; is interested in everything outside (loves to wait for and watch wild turkeys); has learned to be control her emotions; wears a headset while using her own little working vacuum; picks our her own clothes and actually does a great job of matching things, then dresses herself; and in general is a huge help to her Mama. She is a happy outgoing child. Every time I visit, she surprises me with the things she can do that I never realized a toddler could do. Imagine what she will do as an adult!

I live in Concord and work in Salisbury so our options were plentiful for childcare.  We decided on Yadkin Path at it's core because of the healthy food options, classroom setting, time spent outdoors and wonderful staff.  Our daughter has learned so much not only from her teachers but the students and environment around her.  She continues to progress and thrive in this school and the Montessori method has been exceptional in building her self confidence and desire to explore the environment around her independently.  Unlike every other facility I've been to, this school IS a place of learning not just a place to conveniently drop your kid off and be watched..ie. daycare.  The teachers spend time with the kids, not time updating apps so parents can have a minute by minute.  That focus on the kids is evident and the results have been truly astounding.

Our son has been enrolled in the preschool room at Yadkin Path for the last 8 months. He has really thrived in every way and loves his teacher and going to school. His vocabulary and overall patience have both flourished. We also love the atmosphere and that he spends a lot of time outdoors. It is such a beautiful facility built with care and love. We feel so lucky to have our child be able to have this opportunity.

My son has been attending since the first day the school opened in the temporary location until the brand new facility was finished.  We have had a wonderful experience with everyone who has worked with him.  It has been great watching him learn the Montessori methods as he has progressed through all stages of his development and the curriculum that has been available in the different age group classes that he has been in. He started young but is an old hand now and it is fun to watch him help the younger or newer children learn the "work".

Our daughter has been enrolled for 7 weeks and has had nothing but issues.

They have trouble hiring and keeping staff, and charged us the full day child care (6:30-5:30) but she was only allowed to be there 8-2 due to insufficient staffing her first 5 weeks of enrollment. When we were finally able to take advantage of early mornings, they were unprepared and made us feel like she was not welcome that early. She has had 8 teachers in her time being enrolled,  4 of which I've only seen a day or two after being hired. Did they quit? Get fired?

There were times her diaper had not been changed in the entire 5 hour day she was there, she came home wearing other children's diapers. Times I was told she was given two bottles, but none had been used.  If she did drink, What did she drink? Or did she go hungry all day? She also blew out of her diaper every single day while there, which she does not do at home. Was it not being changed in a timely manner?

After multiple requests to the teachers and director, daily sheets documenting what/when she ate/pottied/slept were always incomplete, even when the director herself was in the classroom.

The two main teachers in her classroom - Carrie and Kaity were amazing, but unfortunately were overwhelmed in the infant environment without much support.

Now that we are parting ways and have given and paid for our two week notice per the family handbook we are being overcharged and invoiced an additional amount - totaling a difference of $1,093.50.
(Not to mention, we paid extra for the first month and a half!)

I think Montessori is wonderful and there are not many options in the area. The Toddler and preschool environments may operate differently than the infant we experienced, but the school overall needs to develop internal processes, and execute them efficiently.

Schedule	Time	2 Days	3 Days	4 Days	5 Days
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Full Day	-
Extended Schedule	-