Schools near Upper Montclair, NJ

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star Review for Bright Star Academy

Bright Star Academy has been a wonderful experience for our family! My son learned so much during his time there — not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. The teachers are caring, patient, and truly dedicated to the children. I was so impressed with the program that I’ve now enrolled my youngest daughter too!

The staff communicates well with parents, keeps us informed, and always makes safety a top priority. It’s such a comforting feeling to know my kids are in a nurturing and secure environment. I’m beyond grateful for everything Bright Star has done for my children. I highly recommend them to any parent looking for a quality preschool!”

“We had such a wonderful experience at Little Achievers ! From the very first day, the teachers made my boys feel welcome . The staff go above and beyond to communicate with parents. We’re so grateful for everything they’ve done for my boys .”

“Play N Learn was where both my children went to when they were younger… they are now 7 and 9 and ask to go back every chance they get. They love it! We love it! The teachers are great, they really care about the children. They update you daily on their activities which gives you a piece of mind while working. Their hours are working parent friendly which is great for the working parents. Kids come home with projects and always have awesome stories to share. Honestly, you feel like part of the family at Play N Learn. We love all the staff! We appreciate everything they did from potty training to the extra snuggles. If there is a place you can trust your children with its here. Stop searching, you found a forever family.”

“The management team at Kindercare is absolutely the best! Ms Danielle, Ms Bianca, Ms Kimmy and Ms Barbara strive in providing a safe and happy environment for our children.”

“We recently moved to the area and were overwhelmed by the school search. After touring numerous schools, Playhouse felt like a warm hug, putting our worries at ease that this would be the perfect school for our son. As the year has gone by, we have been blown away by the progress he has made, both emotionally and mentally, and how happy he is when he comes home each day. The whole staff is loving, supportive and super communicative, as well as the community of parents who are incredibly involved and reliable. We couldn’t ask for more in a school and would 1000% recommend.”

“A Second Home for Our kids
Mickey Academy has been an absolute blessing for our family! From the moment we walked in, we felt the warmth, professionalism, and genuine care from the entire team. Ms. Jackie, Ms. Isamar, Ms. Olga, and Ms. Gaby go above and beyond every single day to create a loving, safe, and fun environment for the kids.

Our kids has grown so much—socially, emotionally, and academically—since starting here. Each day is filled with engaging activities, learning moments, and lots of smiles. What we appreciate most is how much attention and love the staff gives to every child, treating them like their own.

Communication is fantastic, and we always feel included in our kids day through updates and photos. As parents, there’s no better feeling than leaving your kids in hands you truly trust.

Thank you, Mickey Academy, for being such a wonderful part of our kids early years. We are so lucky to have you!

With love,
Ivan & Ivette”

“It’s truly hard to let go of Preschool Learn Time, as it has been such a wonderful experience for my son, who has been part of the school since he was almost 3 yrs old. I am so grateful to Ms. Pavana and the wonderful teachers that welcomed him from day one and cared for him with so much love and attention. This place has meant so much to my family.
Thank you for all the love, care, and dedication you and your team have given my son over the years. We will truly miss it.”

“As a dad, nothing matters more to me than knowing my child is safe, happy, and loved—and the teachers from TLE in ER from Toddler B group, Ms. Mellany and Ms. Melinda have completely earned my trust. From day one, they’ve gone above and beyond to create a warm, nurturing environment that feels like a second home.
They don’t just watch the kids—they engage with them, teach them, comfort them, and cheer them on through every little milestone. I’ve watched my toddler grow so much socially and emotionally, and it’s 100% thanks to the amazing care and energy these teachers bring every day.
It’s clear they love what they do, and as a parent, there’s nothing more reassuring than that. Thank you for everything you do—you’ve made a huge difference in our lives.”

“Switching our son from his previous school to LBA was truly the best decision we could have made. The teachers are so dedicated to their work, and the curriculum is both engaging and fun — our son comes home every day excited to tell us about what he learned and how much he enjoyed his day.

The live feed also gave us such peace of mind, especially during those first few transitional months. His very first teacher at LBA was Ms. Orianna, and there aren’t enough words to express how thankful we are for the love and care she showed our little guy. He talked about her constantly, and it was clear that he felt safe, valued, and truly cared for.

Ms. Orianna went above and beyond for her class — always bringing creative experiments, crafts, and activities to life. She showed up each day with such positivity and energy, and her passion for teaching was felt by everyone. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to his early childhood education.
And now he’s moved up to the big kid class this school year, with Ms. Kim as his teacher. From the moment we first met her, she’s been nothing short of amazing. In fact, she was the one who gave me a tour of LBA when we were first considering the switch, and the lasting impression she made was one of the key reasons we ultimately decided to join. We feel so fortunate to have her as our son’s teacher this year and know without a doubt that he’s in great hands!”

“We are so happy with the care our son Angad receives in the Khaki Kangaroo classroom. Ms. Ximena and Ms. Daniela are amazing—caring, patient, and attentive. Angad comes home happy and excited about what he learns each day, and we can see how much he’s growing under their guidance. We’re so grateful for the love and support they give him every single day!”

“After researching and visiting many daycares in Wayne , I found Primrose to be the standout option. From the moment I scheduled a tour, I had the pleasure of meeting April, who was absolutely delightful and professional in every aspect of her role. The experience from start to finish was impressive. Unfortunately, my toddler fell ill and couldn’t continue attending. However, the response to this situation truly set Primrose apart. The owner personally reached out to express her care and took every step to address our concerns, which was deeply appreciated. Nicole, too, was very sweet and handled our situation with utmost professionalism. This level of care and attention has made me seriously reconsider Primrose for my little one in the future. Their compassionate and professional approach has left a lasting impression”

“We enrolled our daughter at Kiddie Academy this year, and so far the experience has been wonderful! The teachers are warm, caring, and truly attentive to each child’s needs. They have a nice curriculum where she’s learning through play, music, and creative activities. The biggest plus for us is the live surveillance and on-site meal prep which gives us peace of mind. The facility is clean, secure, and well-equipped. Her teachers Ms. Paula and Yarelin are just amazing. My daughter lights up as soon as she sees them. Ms. Paula remembers ever child's personal items which shows such great attention to detail.
Special mention of course is the site director Ms Ronnie. She is such a positive person. Always smiling and welcoming. She is willing to help and put our mind to ease whenever our daughter needs some extra love or attention some days. Overall, its been a wonderful experience!”

“My 2 children have attended since they were very small, and I truly couldn’t be happier with our experience. The staff has always treated my kids with nothing but care, kindness, and respect—they really treat them like family. I’ve watched my children grow, learn, and feel safe here, and that means everything to me as a parent. I would absolutely recommend Academy House to any family looking for a loving and supportive environment for their children.”

“I put my kids there my daughter was happy and popular Everytime she come home she be like mom everybody knows me and my son was so happy Everytime they come back I love Danna daycare”

“We’ve had an excellent experience at The Goddard School of Elmwood Park and can confidently recommend it to any parent. In just one year, we’ve seen tremendous growth in our daughter—academically, socially, and emotionally.

The school is always clean, well-organized, and clearly run with care. A big plus is that they warm up the children’s lunches making it one less thing parents have to worry about. Most importantly, the kids are truly engaged throughout the day—there’s always something purposeful happening, and my daughter is genuinely excited to go to school every day.

What stands out most is how the teachers interact with the children. They are both assertive and loving—setting clear expectations while making each child feel seen, respected, and cared for.

Ms. Lisa and Ms. Destiny’s classroom deserves special recognition. Ms. Lisa brings years of experience and a thoughtful, intentional approach to teaching. Ms. Destiny adds a warm, energetic, and fun dynamic that makes learning exciting. From gingerbread hunts to planting seeds and outdoor walks to observe signs of spring, they create meaningful, hands-on experiences. Together, they are a true dynamic duo.

We are incredibly grateful to be part of this school community and highly recommend it to any family looking for a nurturing, engaging environment.”

“we absolutely love miss kathleen!! she is fun, entertaining, and so welcoming. not to mention the sweetest person ever. my son has felt at home at gymboree pine brook since he started and looks forward to her classes every week ?”

“We love this daycare so much! My 3 year old is always so happy to RUN through the doors everyday. My 7 month old just started here last month! The teachers and staff are absolutely amazing, compassionate, and caring people - that truly care about every individual child. The relatively large indoor gym is key for those rainy days or any afternoon when the kids just need to play and run around with their friends. They bring optional extracurricular activities into the center such as super soccer stars, karate, and dance (for an extra cost), which is awesome to have available! I also enjoy the daily updates and pictures on what my kids are up to! We couldn’t be happier sending our kids to this school!”

“If you are looking for PEACE OF MIND in a preschool/ daycare for your child/children, look no further than RMS Bloomfield. As two full-time working, parents, my husband and I are thrilled and extremely satisfied with the care our children are receiving here for the past soon to be 3 years. They provide an ultra safe, clean, fun and engaging environment and we truly feel that our children are being loved in our place during the day! Not to mention, compared to others-it is reasonably priced. We so appreciate the teachers and staff and feel very grateful to have them as part of our family’s community (and lives). I’ll tell anyone who’ll listen- we love Rainbow Montessori.”

“Little Tykes Preschool is a great school with excellent teachers who create a great learning atmosphere for my son. He's learned so much since he's started attending.”

“We are grateful we found MCDC. Our son has grown so much academically and socially. Teachers and staff are welcoming and friendly. Shout out to Mrs Perez, Mrs Chavez, Ms Newbia, Ms Eman, and Mrs Bautista. Thank you.”

“Finding a school for your young child can be a stressful experience. You're entrusting people you may not know with taking care of your kid during some of their most formative years. Orchard School has been absolutely tremendous.We came to them after a negative experience at a chain daycare for our then-6-month-old. The difference was immediate - rather than crying when dropping her off, she would crawl to her teachers and wouldn't want to come home when we came to pick her up. Her growth since joining the 0-5 y/o class has been astonishing. We've enjoyed watching her become a part of the group - the older kids watch out for and play with the younger ones with a care that reminds us of siblings.The teachers do a great job combining play with educational enrichment activities, and the property has a delightful array of spaces for the kids to enjoy, ranging from a ball pit to a pool to mini-rooms with tiny furniture to a track for biking. The staff is super flexible and understanding; it feels like we have true partners in our child's care and understanding.The most important thing I have to say about Orchard is that its staff sees the kids for who they are. They understand each kid is an individual with their own personality and needs, and they do everything they can to encourage each child to be the best version of themself. Our daughter (now 18 months) is growing into a wonderful little person, and Orchard School has played a huge part.”

“I can say that I was extremely nervous to step into a classroom setting for the very first time. I wondered if I would be a good fit and if I had anything valuable to give growing and impressionable future leaders. When I started Primrose, I was taken in immediately as if I’ve always been there. I appreciate that administration and the teachers were so patient and understanding with me being new to a classroom setting. Before you knew it, I felt like I could take on any classroom or situation with the same grace and encouragement that I received from Primrose. I will always remember everything and I will always appreciate Primrose, so thank you for the experience and thank you for making me feel included.”

“Having experienced other daycares and preschools with our older children, we can confidently say that MLU truly sets itself apart from the moment you walk through their doors. Beyond their impressive, state-of-the-art facility, what genuinely captivated us was their deep commitment to sharing their mission and vision for early childhood education. They thoughtfully took the time to understand and address our specific needs and concerns as parents, fostering a level of confidence in us from day one that has only grown stronger. Our entire experience since has been nothing short of exceptional.

The teachers and staff at MLU are simply phenomenal – consistently warm, incredibly patient, and profoundly dedicated to each child. What truly distinguishes MLU is not just the nurturing and loving environment they provide, but also the unparalleled sense of partnership and connection we've felt as parents. From daily updates and open communication to genuine collaboration in our son's care, we've always felt fully informed and valued.

Our son has flourished remarkably here, achieving significant milestones both academically and socially. It's evident that the teachers consistently go above and beyond, pouring their hearts into supporting each child's individual development with incredible love and personalized attention.

While it's bittersweet to be leaving, we are immensely grateful for the strong foundation, cherished memories, and incredible growth MLU has given our family. This preschool is, without a doubt, truly one of a kind and an absolute treasure for any family seeking the best for their child!”

“Brainiacs child care center has a phenomenal loving and caring staff and director . They cater to the needs of my child without hesitation! I have no concern when leaving my child in their care ! I know he is going to be taken very good care of ! The teachers are always loving and welcoming ! I wouldn’t trade this center in for anything else ! I HIGHLY recommend this center above ANYTHING ELSE !”

“We absolutely love the Goddard School of West Orange! Our oldest has been there since they opened and has learned a great deal. We are fully confident she will be very well prepared for kindergarten in the fall! Our second child has also been there for a year and half and is doing amazing. Not only have both of our children learned a great deal and have developed excellent social skills but they are truly loved by all of the teachers/staff at the school. It feels like a family and we couldn't be happier with our experience at Goddard West Orange!”

“If I could add a sixth star I would. We were one of the early families enrolled and 8 years later we still talk about Miss Brittany, and so many of the staff. My 3 month old wouldn’t take a bottle but, because of their hearts, Ms Brittany would walk her up and down the halls to get her to eat. The teachers went out of their way to make my children feel welcome, loved and part of a family. Academically, my son thrives and excelled in K because of the exposure and practice in the program through crafts and FUN. You will not be disappointed with your choice.”

“My sons attended Springfield Genius Academy. I mainly wanted them to learn Chinese. After a year at this school they started to speak mandarin with my wife. I was so surprised how much mandarin they learned at school. The teachers are patient with my sons and responsible taking care of my sons.

I highly recommend this preschool.”

“Both my kids enrolled here and they went to super talkative from non verbs It is so great to trust Goddard family I know that my kids there are safe and teachers will do their best for them in all aspects”

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Ms. Rosie, Ms. Luisa, Ms. Marijah, and Ms. Chelsy for the immense joy, care, and remarkable learning journey they have provided to my grandson under their guidance. Since he started attending this daycare at the age of two, I am filled with profound gratitude and appreciation for the exceptional care he has received. The teachers at Orange Giraffe and Khaki Kangaroo have been nothing short of remarkable in their dedication and attention to him. I can confidently say that this center maintains an incredibly positive, structured, and nurturing environment.”