Chesterbrook Academy Preschool

We joined CBA preschool two years ago and our experience has grown better and better as the time has gone by. There was definitely some bumps in the road in the last year or so with the abrupt dismissal of the principal and a large turnover of staff, but those that have remained and have recently come on board have been fantastic. They have really impressed me with their dedication and involvement in my child’s development, happiness, and well-being. My daughter is currently in their pre-K–A class and we have had such a great year so far. She’s learning a lot, gaining more independence, and we can see how much she likes being there. Sometimes not wanting to leave because she’s having too much fun. At the request of many, they finally updated and improved the outdoor playground last summer. Loving not having to pick mulch out of my child’s clothes and hair anymore Haha. They offer lots of special events and programs for your child to engage in. Music, Martial arts, soccer, art, gym class, sensory play, teacher for a day, field trips to the elementary school, Valentine’s Day Music Concert, and so much more. Shout out to some of my favorite teachers and staff that have become friends: Miss Tina, Miss Colleen, Miss Ally, Miss Sao, And Miss Jamie. Thank you all for loving and taking such great care of my girl! :) We will miss our CBA Preschool next year, as we will be moving up to the CBA Elementary School in September. Thank you all for a great experience :)

I will start off saying that some of the teachers are AMAZING and really care about the children in their classes. The leadership is accommodating with schedule changes and friendly. The facility is large and well maintained. However, we had concerns regarding the state mandated ratios that were not being met. Whenever we addressed these ratios, we were told the head of school would call us and he did not. We ended up pulling our child due to even more concerning events that were hidden/covered up by leadership. I would strongly reconsider sending your child to Chesterbrook.

My son has been going to CBA for over a year and it has been such a great experience! We were using a nanny previously and were a little nervous to start preschool, but Toni Shepherd in admissions was so amazing. She answered all our questions (which we had a lot) and was so accommodating when scheduling the tour. On our first day, Toni also went out of her way to make sure she was there when we arrived for a seamless transition. Since then Toni and all the staff have been amazing and my son looks forward to preschool each day. He is treated so well, has a lot of fun and has learned a ton since starting. We love all his teachers and appreciate the low turnover rate. We strongly recommend CBA on Ward Ave for anyone looking for a great preschool!

Our family moved from Chicago and a daycare that we absolutely loved. There are so many options in the area but after speaking to the director and seeing the curriculum we knew this was going to be a great fit for our family. 7 months later we love it more and more. The teachers are amazing and genuinely care for all of the kids in the school. The facilities are so clean and we always can count on pictures and updates!

Navigating the complexities of childcare is challenging, and our time at Chesterbrook Academy was a testament to that struggle. Initially, our son's incorrect classroom placement was more than just an oversight; it was frustrating. But we expected things to get better. Then came the abrupt dismissal of the principal. The lack of transparency from the administration was not only puzzling but deeply concerning. And when the hand, foot, and mouth disease broke out? Their handling, or rather mishandling, was inexcusable. As parents, we needed clarity and reassurance, neither of which were forthcoming. The summer months weren’t any better. The playground's sudden closure for renovations and the unexpected staff turnovers only added to our growing list of grievances. While I understand no institution is perfect, the lack of communication and apparent disarray at Chesterbrook was disappointing, to say the least. If you're considering this academy, I urge you to proceed with caution, ask the hard questions, and ensure you're comfortable with the responses you get. Wishing you clarity and confidence in your decision-making.