The Learning Tree Preschool

My daughter is 4 years old and started at the Learning Tree when she was 9 months. Regrettably and not due to any issues with the Learning Tree, I took her out for a couple months to try another local daycare - HUGE mistake. It wasn't long before I came running back and those couple months put into perspective the many ways that the Learning Tree goes above and beyond to care for the children there. The major reason and sadly the one thing that is not visible during a tour, is the labor and love the Director (Ms. Shelly) pours into that place day in and day out. Ultimately, there is nothing greater I could hope for as a parent than the comfort that comes from knowing every single day when I drop my daughter off she is safe, happy, taken care of by a wonderful director and teachers and learning new things that amaze me daily.

I only give this place a star because I wanted to share how terrible it was for my family and I. Although my families unfortunate experience with this preschool happened mid to late 2012, I wanted to share with anyone looking for a loving and safe environment to entrust their children to. As of the date of my experience, this was not the location. On one occasion I had the fortune to drop my oldest daughter, at that time 3 yrs old, to this daycare. My daughter became very upset I had to leave. I went to comfrot her and as I was, the teacher (a late 20's to early 30's Latina) decided I needed to leave immediately. She told me in an overtly angry tone, that I had to leave and not say good bye. I proceeded to comfort my daughter and guide her through a breathing exercise while reassuring her that "Daddy will come back". I ignored the woman and only left until my daughter's tears subsided and she stood bravely waving good bye to me for the day. The entire interaction lasted no more then 15 - 20 minutes. I felt it was unnecessary and cruel of her to verbally insist a parent not comfort their child. When all it took were but a few moments of Love and redirection to calm my daughter. I didn't feel this was appropriate behavior for someone entrusted with another persons loved one, especially a child that is just in the midst of development. I, to this day, hate that memory and wish I had instantly dis-enrolled her. My wife had similar experiences with Sonia and the other lady I mentioned. We briefly shared our experiences with one another and by the weeks end our family no longer delt with that establishment. This was our experience and I know it may not, and possibly is not, the experience for all families with this establishment. But once I recalled it, while rifling through some old papers, I felt compelled to share. As me and my wife were woefully ignorant of the local area and stationed in two different states. We had little to go on and were desperate to find child care. I hope our experience can assist future parents in making informed decisions on child care. I pray that in the past 6 years, this establishment has grown and become a better place. Or perhaps my families experience was just an aberration. Regardless, I wish all the parents and their families the best of luck and God bless.

Both my sons have attended this preschool from age 1 and up. One is currently 6 and in first grade the other is almost 2 and is still attending. The staff has always been friendly and professional with me and my family. My boys have learned a lot in this school from social skills to basic numbers, the days of the week and things of that nature. In my experience many places that take younger children act as a "Daycare" while I feel the Learning Tree is geared more towards keeping kids engaged through learning and preparing them for grade school.

This place is an absolute terror!!! The owner Sonia Rodriquez, is horrible! She treats her employees, parents, and children like the scum of the earth. I’ve overheard her SCREAMING at her employees on multiple occasions. The teachers are always amazing and treat the children like their own. But Sonia does not deserve this business! She’s better off handing it over to the assistant director!

I had to wait in the hall with my child yesterday, while the Director who claims to be taking over the center SCREAMED at a mother, while the mother was holding her crying daughter. I hope she is pulling her daughter out after the way she was treated. The center is clean, teachers are nice, but I would caution everyone to consider if this is how they want the person running their center to act and what you want your kids exposed to, even if it is not directed at you. I would never bring it up with them or ask anything I can get by without cause I have seen what happens to parents who care enough about their kids to speak up. BIG MISTAKE. The sweet exterior is a lie, don't be fooled. (I even had to change my name on my account so I wouldn't be destroyed over posting what happened)