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November 2022 by Karlene Foster
We are so grateful for the wonderful staff and teachers at St. Matthews Nursery School. Our daughter looked forward to going to school every single day and she absolutely loves her teachers!!! St. Matthews has been an amazing experience for our daughter and for us too!
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September 2021 by Jenny J.
I am not sure if this being the first review says everything you need to know about this place or just the universe wanting to make sure everyone sees this.As a first time mom, it is significantly nerve-wracking separating from your child. When I came across St. Matthews, I felt a bit more at ease. The people there seemed caring, attentive, and genuinely loved their job. This made separating from my child a bit easier. Once they advised no child is ever left alone, it put my heart at ease. One day my child innocently shared with me that another student had violated their personal space. The incident seemed harmless considering their age, however as a parent it isn't one I want my child to experience. We all know that bullying exists and we have all had unpleasant experiences at school. My child didn't seem too affected by the situation, but it needed to be addressed before it became something more serious. I contacted the school and shared with them what my child had shared. Right off the bat, they were on the defensive. It took me by surprise because I was not accusing them; I understand kids will be kids. I wanted to know if this incident had been witnessed and I wasn't told or was my child left alone and this occured. The director had no answer and advised she would get back to me. Once she got back to me her initial response was my child did not have class with these students to which I answered how then were they recognized by name by my child? Immediately I realized the director was attempting to discredit my childs incident. She then informed me that she had reported the incident to the state children's services. At first I did not understand why. From what I see and hear, you report a neglectful parent or a harmful and negligent caretaker, not a parent inquiring about an incident at your school by another student. I waited to be contacted by DCF, however they never reached out. At the time of the incident (the school and I) were planning my child's enrollment for the summer session. After the incident, all communication stopped and when my child did not return the school never contacted me to find out why. I was confused why nobody reached out to me and my concerns were never resolved. I never received an answer to what happened or an apology why this incident went unnoticed. After a few months I reached out to the director to inquire why all communication had stopped and why the incident never reached a resolution. I was met again with a sheer lack of respect and concern. I was told diplomatically that they were protecting their school and preparing in case of litigation; followed by they do not control if and when child protective services contact a parent. Well, excuse me. I thought it was your responsibility to provide me with a resolution, whether it was "we don't think this incident happened" "we investigated and didn't see the incident on our cameras" or "we apologize for the incident and will advise his teacher to be more attentive" and lets not forgot "enrollment is starting, will your child still attend with us?". NOTHING was said. What began as a parent putting a school on notice of an incident turned into an entire conspiracy. This cannot be their first incident of monitoring children, and if you cannot handle something this simple, I do not trust you to handle the more extensive situations. Parents, please be careful where you send your children. This place isn't one of those places you can be at ease that they go to. Not because the education is poor, but because the accountability and communication is subpar.
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November 2016 by Rupesh Shah
My son started at St. Matthew's at at of 2 years and 3 months. He was still being potty trained and let me tell you the teachers were so nice about helping him get potty Trained and didn't complain about cleaning up. He has had vomiting and Poop Accidents and the teachers were very nice about cleaning up and telling us in a nice way.Facility: The school itself is very big and clean. The school has over 10 round tables with tons of chairs (Kids size). They have a huge stage for any sort of performances, speeches or guest speakers. Along with a huge Gymnasium where kids can freely play and learn. Each kids gets his/her own Cubby to place jackets, backpacks or lunches.Teachers: Great with kids. The new director is great too because she sends her own kids to this school and she herself went to this same nursery school years ago. Teachers greet each parent and child up on coming in to drop off or pick up.Curriculum: They do wide variety of art, circle time, singing, obstacle course, story time through books or by acting it out. My son use to hate doing art but after going to this school, he loves it. Each week the teachers focus on specific letter, color and number. I have walked in the class while kids were sitting on their chairs. And Ms. Grace was leading the classroom. The whole school was singing song along with Ms. Grace. It was beautiful to see teachers able to get all the kids sit in their seats and actually sing.Kids have performed songs during Christmas time. The school has taken field trips. During summer months or on nicer days, Teachers take kids to the near by Playground which is only 5 minutes away. On the days, it's kind of cold, teachers still take the kids out for a nice walk.Safety: Parents are given individual pin to Log in and Out their child up on dropping off and picking up. Police station is right across the street from school along with Mayor's office. The fire station is also 2 minutes away. Parents or visitors must buzz in before they can enter the church into the school.The Mayor has visited the school on occasional basis and the City of Secaucus has given kids gifts which my son absolutely loved.The School provides snacks and drinks. Lunches are to be provided by the parents. Snacks include cheerios, crackers etc.Yes, the school improve few things such as renovate the bathroom. Or provide weekly child report to the parents or even monthly to show his or her progress.
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November 2016 by Bruh
Melissa genna
