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A Child’s Journey School

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4.60 (10 reviews)
A Child’s Journey School
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Contact Information OUR ADDRESS
11711 124th Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98034

Phone Number
Call (425) 820-5788
Visit our website
http://achildsjourneyschool.com/home

Description

Our philosophy is based in our belief that children are competent individuals who can construct their own meaning of their experiences. The teacher’s role is not to provide all the correct answers. Rather, the teacher provides the occasion for discovery and learning.

Our approach is hands-on and multisensory. We recognize that children have a natural curiosity and a predisposition to enjoy the unexpected. Children engage in active exploration and investigation to make sense of their world. We strive to fuel children’s investigative impulses and encourage discovery, promote questioning and challenging of ideas, and formulate connections of experience.

We respect children’s multiple ways of demonstrating their intelligence. Children are encouraged to develop their individual strengths and each child’s unique contribution to their community is appreciated. Strengths are celebrated and valued while opportunities are created to provide exposure to, and enhancement of, other talents and skills. Children will be given the opportunity to express themselves through music, painting, drama, song, movement, and play.

A Child’s Journey School’s program draws from several models of child development including the Reggio Emilia model to create an inclusive, child-led, emergent program steeped in the belief that children are strong, capable, creative thinkers who can explore their ideas in myriad ways. Components which will be incorporated into our program include:

Classrooms that are beautiful, inspirational spaces

Children, family, teachers, parents and community as interactive and collaborative

An awareness and appreciation of the natural world in which the environment is viewed as co-teacher

Opportunities for artistic expression in a variety of media

Documentation of children’s activities and exploration through a portfolio system

Location

Kirkland, Washington
11711 124th Ave NE

Rating

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Quality
4.60
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Users' reviews

1.00

This was my experience and I hope that no one else will have the same as I did.

Posted by on 03/30/2017

I worked at A Child's Journey School for 6 months. But what I have to say is in a parent perspective because my daughter attended there as well. My daughter attended in the Robins room while we were there. She enjoyed her teachers. She continuously still asks for Ms. Leslie, and I am so grateful for her building a relationship with my daughter. It really made drop off time SO much easier than when we first started. And the fact she still talks about her and asks for her really shows me the relationship they had together. I gave thought into the Montessori type of learning and thought it was going to be an interesting new way of learning for her. After a while I started to notice that the only thing I was bringing home was papers with poked holes in them and her tracing circles. And while I know that it's nice that she's learning to draw a circle, I always wondered why she wasn't doing the art all of the other children were doing. They were always the older children. Then come to find out that my child was being restricted in her learning because her teacher felt she "wasn't ready" for some of the works they provided. How is my child going to learn anything if she isn't being challenged and not being allowed to try certain things? It really hurt me because my child wasn't able to do a lot of the things the older ones got to do because she "wasn't ready for it" which I don't feel is right. In the evenings my child's classroom would combine with the classroom that was right next to mine. So with an open wall, she would see me and get upset. No one likes to see their child crying for you and no one is trying to help the situation. I would look over the wall to see what the teachers were doing, maybe they were busy and didn't notice. But EVERY time I would look, all of the teachers would be sitting by the shelves all laughing and socializing with each other. So I would then take things into my own hands. I ended up taking her into my own classroom so that she didn't have to sit there crying for me and so my child wasn't being neglected. I made sure that I would be in ratio before I would do so, but again, who wants to sit there and listen to their child crying for them? It completely tore me apart. Probably a month before we left, her teacher told me that I shouldn't be taking her into my class anymore because it was making it harder on her. Which is completely understandable, but again, I don't want to listen to my child crying. She is pretty easy to distract if someone just tries. So we had a conversation and it was finally resolved. But that was after 5 months of it. My question is, how do you not notice this child doing this everyday? I had also heard from different teachers that her main teacher told them to just let her cry and she would "get over it." For me to do that, as her mother, yes I do let her cry. But a stranger? Someone she hardly knows? To not comfort her and show her someone cares? I would peek in her classroom and she would be crying, her teachers face would be completely red and angry. But she was not even 3 when she started. They need to feel safe and loved. I went to the director one day with a concern. A concern I feel is a big deal because it was in front of my child. I was extremely uncomfortable because their assistant director and a teacher were having a relationship in front of the children. Touching inappropriately, nuzzling into each other's necks and even getting close enough for a kiss. Leaving the children with the high school teacher to go into the back by the chicken coup to do whatever it is they were doing. I never cared about the relationship, but the fact that it was happening in front of my child at school was completely unacceptable. When I brought this to Linda's attention she said to me, "I can't deal with that right now, I have a lot of other things that I have to deal with." Am I overprotective of my child? Yes, I absolutely am. I trusted these people to take care of my child while I was working. Not to be canoodling each other and not paying any attention to the children. And it isn't just my child, it's all of the other children as well. I decided to put in my two weeks since it didn't seem like a concern to anyone besides myself. At the end of the day, I went into her office to sign a paper. Somehow I had turned into the bad person, she told me that she hoped I realized all of the people I was hurting by doing this, and that I "should be really careful." At this point I went and packed all of my child's belongings and left ACJS. Because clearly what I had a concern about, still wasn't a concern, but more of another annoyance for her, and I don't want to be in that kind of environment. I did give a star, solely for the fact that there are some good people there that pay attention and you can tell they love what they do and love the children. This was my experience and I hope that no one else will have the same as I did.

5.00

Very friendly teachers. They create a welcoming atmosphere in the classroom.

Posted by on 02/09/2017

Very friendly teachers. They create a welcoming atmosphere in the classroom. The multi-age classroom was great for my daughter and she learned a lot in a few months

5.00

Additionally, I love that they teach the Montessori method, and they have a personal chef that serves organic, healthy food.

Posted by on 11/22/2016

As far as I'm concerned, ACJS is about as good as daycares come. Almost all the staff I've met are very nice and seem to truly love working with children. The care there is wonderful, and I don't worry about my young toddler after I drop her off because the staff are so good with her (even though she still has separation anxiety and is new to daycare). Additionally, I love that they teach the Montessori method, and they have a personal chef that serves organic, healthy food. They even have an onsite organic garden with chickens--talk about awesome! As far as the facility itself is concerned, it is in a convenient location and not directly on any busy streets. Parking is ample, the playground is large, fully fenced, and is going to be updated soon, and the center itself has an inviting, fun, and artsy feeling to it. The decor and artwork are definitely geared towards the kids. It's a lot less sterile and institutionalized feeling than some large daycares, such as Bright Horizons. Additionally,the classrooms are large enough to comfortably accommodate naps and meals, which means if your child arrives shortly after breakfast is served, they're still able to eat because the kids aren't eating in shifts in a communal cafeteria like some of the smaller daycares (this was a huge plus for us). Finally, the price is reasonable. What more could you want?

5.00

Beautiful and professional place. We are glad to find this place.

Posted by on 10/24/2016

Just signed our baby girl there. Beautiful and professional place. Owner is very friendly and she was helpful. They certainly have a lot of experience and students and big classes with very nice teachers. And their prices are very reasonable. We are glad to find this place.

5.00

We are very happy with our decision to enroll our daughter in the Robins class!

Posted by on 07/04/2016

A child's journey is one of the best preschools/daycare in the area. Our daughter has thrived in their Montessori program. The food provided is organic and healthy. We are very happy with our decision to enroll our daughter in the Robins class! ACJS rocks!

5.00

Thank you so much!

Posted by on 05/18/2016

Our twin boys started going to the school when they turned two and have now attended ACJS for a year and a half. We only spoke swedish to them at home so when they started they knew very little English. After just a few days they were totally fine with us leaving them there. The other day I came to pick them up and Miss Tiffan (one of their teachers) asked me what "älskar dej" means. I said it means love you in swedish. Apparently she had used the words to comfort one of my boys that day. I asked her how she knew what to say and her reply was that she had heard me say it. My heart melted due to the fact that she was able to comfort my boy with words she overheard me say to him and his brother. Our boys have over the years attended 4 of the 8 classrooms at ACJS and everyone of the teachers have been amazing!

5.00

Love this daycare!

Posted by on 03/12/2016

Love this daycare! After having my first baby and getting ready to go back to work we decided a nanny would be best for us. After two months our nanny informed us she was moving and wouldn't be able to keep watching our little girl. We found a child's journey school and I am beyond thrilled with our experience Linda and Shelby are great. So helpful and really love all the children. Miss Tina in the early toddlers room is also beyond amazing!! Couldn't have found a better center. Flexible schedules great prices!!

5.00

My son never wants to leave at the end of the day!

Posted by on 02/27/2016

My son is thriving at A Child's Journey School. I especially appreciate the creative environment, the commitment to playing outside every day rain or shine and the friendliness of all staff and teachers. My son never wants to leave at the end of the day! The owner is very involved and present in the school; and it was a relief to find a school that supports a part-time schedule. We're very thankful to have found A Child's Journey, and we'll be sending our newborn to the infant room as well. Thank you, ACJS!

5.00

I highly recommend this school.

Posted by on 12/07/2015

Both of my kids attend ACJS. Every morning they are excited to go to school, and don't want to come home in the evening. The teachers/staff make every child feel special, and the owner and office staff always make themselves accessible to parents. I highly recommend this school.

5.00

Love the teachers...they're are all so dedicated and loving to the children!

Posted by on 06/09/2015

Love the new owner! Amazing woman! Getting the school so organized and making it a beautiful safe environment for babies and children. Love the teachers...they're are all so dedicated and loving to the children!