Reviews:

Author: Christie Casteel Rating: 5/5 Date: 6/6/2024, 5:17:53 PM Review: My children attended from infant though 5th grade. I have always felt informed, included and comfortable with what my children were learning and how they were being cared for. My children perform at higher levels due to the wonderful start and education they had with StarChild Academy - Winter Garden. The faculty and leaders are all so caring.

Reviews:

Author: Shan Michael Rating: 1/5 Date: 4/3/2025, 3:24:40 PM Review: What was supposed to be one of the best days of our lives turned into such a traumatic experience. We signed our son up for the PreK 3 program to allow him time to slowly acclimate to being around children his age before he started VPK later in the year. We were given a curriculum that we were told he would be following from 6:30am-6:30pm. On our first day of school, my wife & I dropped our son off with his PreK teacher. Of course he was a bit nervous and sad to see us leave but shortly after we received a message from his teacher stating that he was sad at first but began to participate in lessons throughout the day. We kept checking in on him throughout the day making sure that he was ok to continue the full day. Everything until this point seemed fine. Around 3:30pm we received a message from his teacher that she would be leaving for the day but that our son would be joining the PreK class next door to finish the day and that we could pick him up from there. The schools app alerted us that he was transferred to another class. About 10 mins later we received a similar notification but thought it had to do with the transfer process. At 6:00pm, my wife & I returned to the school very excited to see our son and hear all about what he had learned that day only to find him not in any PreK class at all, but in a completely different building mixed in a room with children of all ages from elementary school running and screaming while our son was sitting off to the side terrified. When he saw our faces walking in, he immediately sprinted towards us with tears in his eyes as he hugged onto us for dear life. This was the worst feeling we have ever had while raising our child. After leaving, we began talking with our son to try and figure out what went wrong and to make sure he was not harmed in any way. He told us that he didn’t want to talk about it today and that he didn’t want to go to school anymore. This was heartbreaking as it was our first attempt and his very first day at school. The next day, I stopped by the school to ask what happened to my son, why was he with older children, and was this a normal thing. The leader of the school told us that this wasn’t normal due to a teacher calling in sick that was supposed to be there until 6pm with my son. This didn’t make much sense due to the fact that he was supposedly transferred to the other teachers class at 3:30. So how long was he really in this room with older kids for? The school leader then explained that everyday the curriculum ends around 5:30 and after that, the children are all grouped into an after school room awaiting pickup. Why weren’t we notified that the teacher and children his age were all gone? We could have picked him up anytime in the day if this was the case. We then asked if the school tells parents that teachers leave early and that classes are grouped together and was flat out told “No, we do not let the parents know this. It is due to budgeting and saving payroll.” We were so shocked to hear that and immediately disenrolled our son from the school. It is extremely sad that our son was just a number at this school and that no one really cared or looked out for his safety or well being. We only post this in hopes of letting other parents know that the curriculum given is not what the school follows and at any time they can move your child somewhere else without your knowledge. We just hope that our son is able to move forward from this and gain trust in us and other schools in the future. ----- Author: C. Walls Rating: 5/5 Date: 5/7/2024, 4:42:45 PM Review: We love the curriculum. Our child is excelling academically and we are so grateful! We like the admin team being consistent, kind and steady. We also love the communication! We would recommend this school to anyone!!! ----- Author: Saleema Ali Rating: 2/5 Date: 3/6/2024, 8:20:42 PM Review: This facility seems to work for a lot of families but wasn't a good fit for us. Upon first touring and seeing the space, we were really excited to have our son start attending here. He was turning 4 soon and we really wanted to get him into a more structured learning environment that was also educational. The curriculum seemed robust and focused on learning letters, words, and writing, while his previous daycare seemed to have the kids just playing a lot. And the first couple of weeks we had no complaints. His teacher wasn't very friendly, she had a very serious/stern energy, and she never greeted me whenever I brought him in(which I thought was REALLY odd) but she always greeted my son so I dismissed that. His afternoon teacher on the other hand was a little friendlier and more communicative. After about 2 weeks, my son started being really clingy during dropoff and resistant to go in the class. We've never had any issues with dropoffs in the 2 years he's been in daycare, he's always been excited to go. The teacher NEVER got up from where she was seated, and would just call him a couple of times and then go back to whatever she was doing. When I spoke to him, he said he didn't like his teacher but wouldn't elaborate on why. We just chocked it up to adjusting to the new environment. But as the weeks went on, he kept saying he didn't like his teacher. A couple more weeks later, I started noticing his afternoon teacher would be short and loud with the children, sometimes yelling at them. She mostly seemed annoyed or maybe overwhelmed, so I assumed it was an occasional thing, after hours of dealing with a room full of 3 year olds. Things took a turn when I went to pick up my son one afternoon and she had the kids sitting in the dark, yelling at any of them if they moved or made a sound. I got my son out of the room as quickly as possible and notified the front desk, and they said it would be addressed. Over the next 2 weeks, I witnessed this teacher again and again getting in children's' faces, yelling at them, one time yelling at a poor girl who was crying to stop crying (when has that ever worked?). I also found out that this same teacher was denying my son outside/playground time on numerous occasions because he didn't want to practice his writing. After speaking to the teacher, she stated he wasn't throwing tantrums or doing anything behaviorally bad, he just didn't want to practice. After this and everything else we experienced, we decided to remove our son from this facility. He was only there about 2 months, and because they were in violation of the standards outlined in the Starchild parent handbook, we were able to withdraw immediately with no notice. This daycare facility ended up feeling very impersonal and like my child was just a cog in a machine. Yes the potential to learn a lot and get ahead is there, but we didn't feel the exposure to indifferent or aggressive instructors was worth it. My son was actually excited to leave and start at a new daycare. My other big complaint is that they waste an insane amount of paper. Every day my son took home 5-10 pages of activities that they supposedly worked on that day, but all would be mostly empty. In the 2 months he was there, we easily took home the equivalent of 2 reams of paper. ----- Author: Ron Hubp Rating: 5/5 Date: 10/31/2023, 12:03:25 AM Review: Our Daughter is 6 and in her 3rd year here. This has been one of our best parenting decisions for our daughter. The Foundation this school builds in teaching how to study/learn and enjoy school at the same time is unchallenged. The curriculum is challenging and our daughter is thriving in that environment. ----- Author: Ginny Rating: 5/5 Date: 1/29/2023, 11:40:09 PM Review: Great school with excellent curriculum! We are very impressed with our daughter's educational level at this time. The staff is welcoming and the teachers have been great. The rooms are clean and organized. Staff keep parents informed. ----- Author: Virginia Jacob Rating: 5/5 Date: 1/26/2023, 10:10:03 PM Review: I highly recommend StarChild Academy to any parent looking for a top-notch elementary education for their child. The teachers are highly qualified and dedicated to providing a well-rounded education that includes not only traditional academic subjects, but also Spanish, violin, technology, and physical education. StarChild does an excellent job involving parents in all aspects of school-wide initiatives. I also appreciate that the small class size allows my child the individualized attention that helps him achieve his academic goals. In addition, I know that my child is nurtured and happy while he is learning. The curriculum is challenging, but the staff is always available to provide extra help if needed. My child has thrived at StarChild Academy and we couldn't be happier with the education he has received. ----- Author: michelle estes Rating: 5/5 Date: 1/26/2023, 4:31:30 PM Review: My oldest daughter attends the private school program. The curriculum is rigorous but she learns and excels. She’s well cared for and the after school program os great. She has many extracurricular options that are available through other companies that are done at the school which is super easy to accommodate in our schedule. We have attended 3 starchild campuses have have been impressed with all. ----- Author: Sade Fisher Rating: 5/5 Date: 1/11/2023, 8:29:48 PM Review: We tried a couple daycares/schools in our area, but weren’t truly satisfied until we enrolled our daughter at StarChild Academy (she was 2 at time of enrollment and is now 4). My daughter absolutely LOVES this school and staff. She says “school sweet school!” when we arrive every morning with similar enthusiasm as “home sweet home”. You will not find a more compassionate and caring group of teachers and staff. My daughter loves all her previous and current teachers (Ms Emily rocks!). Staff did a great job of pairing students to teachers who would best align with the kids’ various personalities and behaviors. The Director, Ms Meghan is very easy to talk to and is as professional as she is personable. She’s always open to feedback. She and the teachers/staff genuinely love each and every child and knows them all by name. It’s not the newest/most updated facility in the world (ownership is making changes), BUT it’s safe (has camera access), secure, clean and the playground is great for the kids. And their lunches are nutritious and delicious. Most importantly, the curriculum is outstanding. My child has learned/is learning everything from advanced math concepts and time to Spanish and Chinese. My daughter, like many students, has a late birthday, but the school ensures they won’t miss a beat and will be more than prepared for Kindergarten. I recommend StarChild Academy without reservation!” ----- Author: Elizabeth Torres Rating: 5/5 Date: 1/11/2023, 7:24:23 PM Review: I am so happy that I chose StarChild Academy for my 3 year old! He has been excelling every single day. The staff is amazing, friendly, and always answers all my questions. My biggest fear was placing my 3 year old in a school at a young age thinking he wasn’t ready… but with the staff, safety, and security they provide I know my child is in great hands. I love the activities and curriculum that is in place. I look forward to seeing my child grow in this school. The time and dedication that is provided by the staff does not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you all do for our children. Its true that it takes a village, and the village i had the blessing to pick has been by far the best! And a big kudos to Ms. Emily, Crystal, and Meghan. They really go above and beyond for the students and staff. ----- Author: Nicole Winslow Rating: 5/5 Date: 1/11/2023, 7:03:20 PM Review: We love the staff and curriculum at StarChild. Our son has been going there since he was a toddler and is now in Elementary school. I always recommend them with others are asking.

Reviews:

Author: Alicia Konsker Rating: 5/5 Date: 1/13/2023, 12:46:15 PM Review: StarChild Academy - Winter Garden is perfect for us. The three non-negotiables on our list for our children's schooling are 1. Diversity, 2. Curriculum, and 3. Safety. StarChild Academy - Winter Garden checks these 3 boxes exceptionally well. Our children are learning a grade level above public schools with a diverse group of friends. Class sizes at the elementary school are small which aids in each student receiving the academic instruction and personal care they need. The camera system and sign-in/out system puts a worrying mind at ease and provides the desired level of security. The staff are incredibly kind and attentive which continues to exceed our expectations. When you enroll your child(ren) here you become part of a community of care that I'm not sure exists at other schools. Sure there are opportunities for improvement but overall StarChild Academy - Winter Garden, preschool and elementary school has been amazing for our family. ----- Author: Jerome Charles Rating: 1/5 Date: 6/1/2022, 3:33:53 PM Review: Not typically a person who writes many reviews but I have to mention the experience my family and I had with StarChild. For starters we were highly optimistic as we were looking for a new daycare for our two young boys (3&1 years old). We came and toured the StarChild and were greeted initially by a very friendly front office which at that moment gave us a positive outlook. We expressed to them why we were looking for a new child care center and what was important to us and they expressed continuously that they would be able to deliver. But unfortunately, that was the furthest from the truth. For starters, my oldest child is very resistant to change initially and sometimes requires a little more attention until he feel more comfortable (which my wife and I expressed to the both the director and the head teacher). They indicated this was not a problem. fast forward a week or 2 and the calls started to come in from director and assistant director stating they were having a hard time with him listening or playing with other kids. Again, we informed them at the beginning he will be resistant to it, however, we gave them several pointers to both the teachers and our child during his transition. So we ask have they followed our recommendations. In short, the answer was no. They said that they have a particular curriculum and that the child must fit into that system. Now I am very aware that schools have their own systems , however, the problem is that we gave full disclosure on how our son listens and the best way to have him adapt into a new systems. They assured us they will follow what we recommended (how in 2 weeks that changes is beyond me). Fast forward an additional 1-2 months, no real progress was being made. The part that really bothered us was when we wanted to talk with the head teacher, it was as if she did not want to be bothered and each time we requested a time to sit and talk to help the situation get better, she literally told us that is not her job. Now at this point my youngest was just starting at StarChild, and honestly it was our biggest regret because we saw things going downhill already but we wanted them to be in the same school for drop off and pick ease for me and my wife since we work 30 mins away. Around month 3, my wife gets yet another call from the director on a Monday and my wife is told that that Friday will be my oldest sons last day because they felt that he was not fitting in well with his class and he was causing to much disturbance. This disturbance, is him crying because the teacher would refuse to listen to any recommendations on how to communicate to him and virtually isolating him from the rest of the class because she was fed up. How do I know this?, because when we would watch the cameras, my son would literally be by himself playing while the rest of the class was doing another activity. He was obviously rebelling because the teacher gave zero cares on how to tend to him and instead of the front office correcting this, their resolution is just to get rid of the student because it's easier for them. What made this even more frustrating is that my youngest son had just started at StarChild the month prior to them removing my oldest son with no warnings. Unfortunately the story doesn't end there. As my youngest had to stay at Starchild until we found a new place for both kids, we started to pay very close attention to his cameras in his classroom. We noticed on several occasions that my youngest who at that point was around 9-10months would be left on the floor crying with zero attention from the teachers. When we saw that, we pulled him from the school immediately and reported the school for negligence. I honestly do not know how this establishment can be labeled as a early childhood development school and they hire faculty and staff who legitimately doesn't care about development. Luckily we were able to find a better childcare center for both kids and they love it there. We have had none of these same issues. I will never in my life recommend this StarChild to anyone.