Rolling Hills United Methodist Preschool

Amazing school. Terrific teaching staff. Organized, clean, well-​planned day. My kid comes home with completed work every day! This was the best decision I have made for my daughter’s education plan.

After an extensive search, we were hopeful for a great experience. Frankly, we were sold by the administrators and felt fortunate to make the cut-​off (before the waitlist). Unfortunately, our LO had a horrendous experience at this school. She was placed in a classroom with a mother-​daughter team of teachers. From day one, my LO complained about her teachers, saying that they were «not nice». We expected our LO might complain about the other kids, or the activities, or about school in general, but we did not expect our LO to ever complain about the teachers. So, we assumed our LO was just «adjusting» and needed time. On the morning of Day 5 (first day of Week 3), our LO cried all morning that she did not want to go to school because of the teachers. Still, we reassured our LO that everything would be okay and took her anyway. That is when I personally witnessed how the teachers interacted with the other children and our LO. Instead of being comforting, the teacher said to our LO, «You’re scaring the other children with your crying,» (making our LO feel even worse). Then, the teacher said «time to go outside» and just ignored our LO entirely. As a mother, I could NOT leave our LO with that teacher. I took our LO to the administrators — they were much more caring and warm — and was assured that they would take our LO to class once our LO had calmed down. Our LO did not eat her lunch at all that day and broke out in a rash. That was the last day she ever attended this pre-​school, because the very next day, I devoted the entire day looking for another school for our LO. Really, I could not believe that a teacher would be so unkind to a three-​year-​old at a time when she was the most vulnerable — IN FRONT OF THE PARENT OF THE CRYING CHILD! There were other things, too. For instance, the teachers did not even know that our LO had injured herself (leaving a scar under her left eye) at school — and even insinuated that she must have been injured at home and came to school that way (NOT TRUE!). Also, our LO had cried at school on one of the days, which I learned about from our LO and confirmed with other parents; the teachers did not even bother to report to us about it. The school will have you fill out lots of paperwork at admission, including specific information about your LO and their school (in)experience, personality, etc. — but the teachers do not even read them! Our LO’s teacher (s) did not even know that it was our LO’s first time at a school — even though that was written multiple times in the paperwork required by the school. Also, our LO told me that one of her teachers told her «You’re playing with the wrong toy — now, get!» Why even have «wrong toys» in a preschool classroom, and why speak to any child that way? Finally, at the final pick-​up on our LO’s last day, the more experienced teacher said that «the stress started when [our LO] was packed too big of a lunch.» This was very infuriating because: (1) if the teacher noticed ANY STRESS at ANY TIME, when was she ever going to bother to tell us?!; (2) a lunch of 4 – 5 grapes, 3 – 4 carrot slivers, and half a sandwich is hardly «too big» — especially when she can double that at home; and (3) we never require our LO to finish her plate at home — our LO is taught to eat until full and that’s it, so if there was any stress about the amount of food, it came from the teachers. The school impresses you with a calendar full of activities (and you surely pay for it, as it is not cheap), and your child will come home with a backpack full of stuff that they supposedly learned that day. However, our experience was that the teachers are not very warm, and staying «on schedule» may be the most important thing to the teachers because there are a lot of classrooms having to share outdoor space (on a tight schedule). Also, during the tour, they will show you various yards but your child will only play in one yard /​area only. Our LO was never taken to the larger yard with the better equipment /​tricycles. Finally, our LO started (seamlessly) at another school, which we love. Seeing our LO after just ONE DAY at this new school confirmed that our decision to take our LO out of this school was the best decision we made. Just after ONE DAY at the new school, our LO said that she «love[s] her new school» and that the «teachers are so nice.» The change was unbelievable. We feel fortunate that our LO could communicate the specific problems with this school and that we listened to her. All of the information in this review (and then some) has been provided to this school.

Best pre-​school in the South Bay, wonderful teachers and staff!

We love the teachers and staff at RHUMPS. We looked at other schools and found that they were either too academic or just a glorified day care. Our children are taught a variety of skills– writing, cutting, alphabet, etc, but in a fun, warm, caring way. They also do not require that your child is potty trained! This was a huge factor last year when our then 3 year-​old started. And this year our 2 year-​old started and his teachers are potty training him. They have all sorts of fun activities including music class. The other parents are great, too!

Great preschool. Good teachers and staff.

I am a first time parent of a beautiful little boy who just turned two in November. I had a hard time finding a preschool that I really liked. I wanted a good learning and caring environment that was charming and affordable. I have fallen in love with Rolling Hills Methodist Preschool. They are WONDERFUL. I really cannot say enough good things about the school, teachers, and administrators. The kids are exposed to some great activities including snow day. The school has fresh snow made and the kids and parents can sleigh down a hill or just play in the snow. It was so much fun. They also have Mother’s tea and a Dad’s day. They are extremely caring and my son loves his new friends and his teachers. I would have appreciated a post like this when I was looking for a preschool so I wanted to share my experience with other moms who may be looking for a preschool. They also help with potty training.