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April 2024 by Somer Dahlin
Absolutely loved every year my son spent at Smarty Pants. This is a family owned and operated business. When I say they care, they truly do. Leaving my son with them was easy. He ran into their arms immediately. When he left for elementary school he was well advanced and has continued to be throughout his education. I can't say enough about this family and the business they pour their hearts into. I will be forever grateful!
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October 2023 by Stephanie O.
Thank you to Smarty Pants Preschool for taking care of both of my babies! One from 13 weeks to VPK, and most recently my daughter at 4 months. There's not many people I trust and I'm so thankful for Jillian Hernandez, her family, Lauren Nicole, Makaela Redmond, and all of the SP teachers! Thank you from Chloe, our littlest smarty pants! In regards to the negative review, it is common place for many daycares to follow even school calendars. The practice of having the school close so that the staff can celebrate holidays with their own family is well known in advance and practical for keeping happy teachers for decades. Smarty Pants stayed open for me and my family during COVID lockdown so that we could work. Tuition is paid for closed holidays so that staff can be paid. I completely disagree with the one star review listed here. You pay for the quality of care you receive.
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November 2022 by Liz L.
Steer clear! We enrolled our two-year-old here 10 months ago, and we have had numerous issues with Jillian (one of the owners). Anytime we have brought up a question or a concern, her immediate response was to threaten to "release us" from our contract; basically, if you don't like the way she does something, she has no interest in discussing it and would be happy to leave your child without daycare (obviously, any place good has a waiting list). Which is exactly what happened to our family a couple of weeks ago. The facility electively closed the entire week of Thanksgiving and still charged tuition, and I questioned the fairness of that closure and payment: see the attached photos. Smarty Pants cashed our post-dated check a week early, "released us from our contract" the next day, and will not return our NUMEROUS attempts to reach them about why they won't return $275 they took from us. There is rapid turnover with the teachers, as well. Jillian acts like they run a non-profit and is constantly asking for "donations" (we spent $150 on our child's back-to-school supplies). Everything about this place is a money-grab, and there is no true relationship with families.
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November 2020 by Erin Ellis
Loved this place until about 6 months ago...we decided to find another daycare and after letting them know we would be leaving in a week I got a phone call at 630pm stating my son could not return there. Bad business and sad for my 3 year old that has established a lot of friendship over the past year and half, couldn't even say good bye to his friends. DO NOT RECOMMEND this place for childcare!!!
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November 2020 by Leslie Baggett
My daughter started attending Smarty Pants when she was 3 months old, we wouldn’t go anywhere else! The staff team is amazing and create a safe, fun, and creative learning environment. I can rest easy while I’m at work knowing my girl is in the best of hands.
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May 2020 by Phia Holt
Great curriculum and very loving careful staff.
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November 2018 by Snafu_Z
By now most people know that one of the employees was arrested for child abuse. The owners act suprised, but what kind of employees to you expect when you force them to work overtime without paying them for it? Not the most professional people to be sure. What they do is find young mothers who need to work but have young children. So they offer discounted rates but make them come in early and stay late. Working while not clocked in.They also have parents bring in snacks and drinks for parties, but don't actually have a party. They save the food to use as snacks in order to cut costs.
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November 2018 by Kristi Roehr
Absolutely love Smarty pants. I feel like my girls have a second family. Always making sure that my little ones are taken care of and that I always am informed at all times. I have to say that I 100% trust them with my girls. My girls have been going there since they were 3 months and I couldn’t imagine taking them anywhere else. My 3 year old adores all the teacher and my 7 month old thinks Jillian is her 2nd Mom. Warms my heart to know that these amazing people are in their life. Thank you SPPS for being the amazing family that you are!!!!!
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November 2018 by Mary Morin
My son Joey had been at Smarty Pants Preschool for the last two years and we absolutely love this school! Their curriculum is way above what I expected a 3 year old to understand. Their teachers really go above and beyond in caring for and teaching the children! I love when I ask what his favorite part of his day was and he says “Ms. Faye”! They have a large secure playground that Joey loves to play with his friends! In the morning Joey will ask if it’s a school day, and when I say yes.... he says yaaaay!! It means a lot when your child loves to go to school!!❤️
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November 2018 by Shaunda Melton
There are many things I value about Smarty Pants Preschool: The most important to me is her safety while I have to work. They have an impeccable state of the art security system and protocol (no one gets in or out without a secret code) which makes me feel certain she is safe inside from intruders.We all see and hear things that are unfortunate in preschools but SmartyPants is very transparent. The "PEEK-A-BOO" CAMERA that you can turn on right from your cell phone or computer is like having a window to look through all the time. I have been assured every moment she's there, she's being treated and cared for the way I care for her. She has attention and kindness given to her at all times.As soon as she started the owners called her by name, they knew her special likes and dislikes, and not once did I ever feel they did not adore her from head to toe or we were a bother to them in any way. I had tears in my eyes the other day, not from sadness but I watched child after child laughing and so cheerful that it overwhelmed me with complete happiness to see the joy and love these small precious children had in their hearts to be at Smarty Pants preschool. The small classroom sizes, and the “extras” like REAL homemade meals and snacks included in the tuition make it feel warm and home-like. Most impressive, though, is the curriculum and the dedication of the staff in implementing that curriculum but still giving the children plenty of time for fun and play. It's apparent my granddaughter is learning essential kindergarten-readiness skills because everyday I pick her up she remembers the letters and numbers that were taught that day. Repetition in their art and crafts and play throughout their day has proven to work well for her kindergarten readiness.Her teachers, Ms. Jasmine and Ms.Warren are warm, and affectionate with my granddaughter. She quickly built a trusting relationship with them. The owners Ms. Jill and Mr. Damere are so organized and absolutely love what they do, there's no hiding that. They are always upbeat, happy, and we are so thankful for the hard work and dedication to making a school that values the children's safety and happiness first and foremost. When we walk through the door the first thing we ALWAYS see is a big smile from them. It automatically puts me at ease.They are accessible whenever I have questions and it just amazes me how they are aware of every detail regarding all the children that go to school there. I could literally go on and on about the outstanding job they all do and the warmth in my heart that she is in loving, safe hands at all times when I cannot be there. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars! Thank you so very much for all of you and your commitment to keeping my granddaughter so happy and safe while she's with you!!
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November 2018 by Lauren Ciambrone
I've been a lead teacher at the west location for 6 years. I as well for the other teachers can tell you we strive to treat your child like our own. I can't count the number of times a child cried bc they had to leave school. We use a strong curriculum to encourage educational growth, using each age group as a building block for the next. From teaching our infants to crawl, our ones their colors, twos their letters,teaching our three year olds different countries and our vpk focusing on different states. Although most have heard of the current incident, i can attest that other teachers at our schools are NOT like that. We care for your children 8-10hrs a day. I would like to say we are their bonus parent! Giving them an ear to listen, eyes to watch them achieve a new goal and a hug when their feelings are hurt. That is what a smart pants teacher is and will continue to be.
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November 2018 by Edward Jones
Avoid this school at all cost always sitting in dirty diaper till it blows out on outfit and has a rash and he only went 2 days a week! also picked up my son took him home and saw these terrible marks on his but and leg, when we asked the school what happened we were told that we probably did it and were asked to leave for making "wild acusations", i suspect he spent a bit too much time strapped into a chair. if you drop your kid here good luck its only a matter of time it took 5 months for me to smarten up!
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November 2018 by Kim Brito
As parents we all want to make the best decision on where to send our children for daycare. Smarty Pants was highly recommended and I couldn't be happier with my decision. My son has been enrolled in the VPK program. The staff are always pleasant and professional. My son has grown and learned so much while he has been attending. The director and staff are amazing. They truly care about each and every one of their students as well as their families. My son is excited to go to school everyday and I am comforted that my son is in such a loving, warm, nurturing educational environment.
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November 2018 by Michael Kaletsch
Smarty Pants Preschool in Bradenton is absolutely a great school to choose for your children. Our son goes to the school on State Road 64 and has developed wonderfully. He loves his lead teacher Ms. Nicole and his friends at school and often talks about them. At home, he also regularly surprises us with new skills he has learned. The owner Jillian, is knowledgeable and caring toward all children at her school and is just the sweetest person you can imagine. Despite some negative reviews and recent press releases, we can say as licensed healthcare professionals and former school therapist that the care and education provided at Smarty Pants are of great quality. The daily interactions, routines, and educational content are meaningful and thoughtfully developed. The owner, lead teachers, and supporting staff are taking responsibility for all their kids' needs and treat them like they would treat their own. We also love the honesty and transparent processes that they have in place to handle any situation relating to us parents and our children. We trust them fully in every respect and our newborn baby girl will join our son in this school very soon. We are sure that Smarty Pants will be a wonderful experience for her as well!
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November 2017 by Deina
Owners alert the staff when a parent logs on, no cameras in the hall bathroom for a reason, they make the kids take there shoes off (or did) against the law for fire hazards, diapers not properly changed. If you child does not eat or have issues eating the staff will not advise you of your kid going hungry. Pizza day is a joke poor kids are still hungry and the cut the slice of pizza in half they dont order enogh for them amd refuse to give more when asked. I use to work there & seen such sad things. Bewear please
