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January 2024 by Breanna Calabrese
I really appreciate all of the teachers and all of their hard work and dedication. My daughter has made so much improvement from day 1 and I am extremely impressed. I also really appreciate Marisa and Crystal, the directors, for making this process seamless. They keep us up to date and answer any and all questions. They continue to make me feel very happy with my decision to put my daughter in Light Bridge Academy.
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January 2024 by Eunie Park
We recently moved to NJ and toured a few daycares prior to settling down to LBA-Westwood. We were impressed by the thorough tour of the facility, how bright and new the facilities were, and how engaged the kids were to their teachers. Now that it's been about 3 months - we know full well that our son, now 16 months, is in amazing hands under the care of his wonderful teachers. He is thriving and I love to see the pictures/videos that the teachers send us. The camera app is definitely a great source of comfort to see firsthand how much he enjoys his day. Thank you Crystal and Marisa and the teachers in the Mobile Infant room! :)
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January 2024 by Rebecca Della Salla
As I first time mom, I was very leery about leaving my 3 month old child with strangers. My husband and I toured many daycare facilities and either we didn't like the facility itself (lacked that feeling of cleanliness) or the staff didn't appear to be vested in the children. We had heard many horror stories. A friend of mine recommended speaking with Crystal Connolly because she was a Director of Lightbridge in Westwood, NJ and could give us first hand knowledge on how the school is run. While we don't live in Bergen County, we did take a tour of her school. It's beautiful, well maintained, and the staff is extremely friendly. You could tell here the teachers love their kids. We immediately scheduled a tour at a Lightbridge in Whippany, NJ which was closer to our office, and were met with the same experience. Because of Crystal's recommendation - we enrolled. My daughter loved the 5+ year experience she had at that school (Ms. Sandra & team) and now as a 1st grader still speaks fondly of her Pre-K teacher and asks to visit often.
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November 2023 by Tina Boccellari
I started at Lightbridge Academy when it was Rainbow Academy! I’ve been here for 10 years and still going strong. I love working with children, watching them grow and achieve their goals. The Office is just wonderful as well! Ms. Crystal has been there for me every step of the way! Crystal is a great mentor.. I can’t picture LBA without her! & Ms. Marisa! I have personally worked with her in a class before became Assistant Director and it was such a memorable year. She was a wonderful teacher. They are truly are the best!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
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November 2023 by Gabrielle Calabresi
We just started this school year at lightbridge Westwood. My daughter is in goldfish and is so happy and excited to go to school each day after getting over the transition period. During the transition period Crystal, Marisa and Miss Cynthia went above and beyond to make sure that not only my daughter was comfortable but also me! I was home with my daughter for 2 years and it was very hard to think of me sending my daughter somewhere. The care I have received as a mom returning to work from the director, Crystal and Marisa the Assistant Director, and of course the amazing teachers have made that process so much easier for me and my daughter. The responsiveness and care I receive is unmatched, I highly recommend Lightbridge Academy of Westwood to anyone in the area.
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October 2023 by Erin Podsada
We’ve been at Lightbridge since 2018 and have had both of my boys enrolled here. Every teacher (regardless of whether my boys were in their class or not) knew their names and always say hello! The school also does such fun event days and activities, we all love it. Crystal and her team have always gone above and beyond to see that our needs are met and we are forever grateful!
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August 2023 by Erin Meyerson
As I transitioned back to work, it was so hard to think about someone else watching our baby. However, the teachers in the non-mobile infant room made it so easy to adjust. They would send us pictures of our son as he played with toys, read, and had fun with the other kids. The activities they do with the kids, even the babies, are thoughtful and appropriate. I could see such growth in him during his time there. They were diligent about updated the app with naps, meals, etc. which made it easier to keep his schedule when we picked him up. We also loved the app to check on him and see him playing. Being able to see first hand how happy and entertained he was made a world of difference for us. Also, the facility is so clean and all of the employees are friendly. I would highly recommend.
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April 2023 by anna zelenskaya
We are so happy with Lightbridge Westwood! My son is 1,5 year old and I was really worried regarding adjustment. I shouldn't have thanks to Melanie Antenucci and girls. I can't explain how much we appreciate the way they doing their job! Melanie is incredible and amazing, she won't give any chance to adjust too long! So much attention girls provide to all the children. We really want to say THANK YOU for taking care of our little happiness.
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March 2023 by Sherida D.
It is quite difficult finding childcare in Rockland County, NY. My review is for my experience today. I drive 25mins twice a day to take/pickup my son from Lightbridge Academy-Westwood. His teacher Aneta is a dream. She's incredibly compassionate, patient, empathetic, loving and above all genuine. There is no one else like her and my son loves her truly. She's the only one who calls me if my son has an accident or isn't feeling well. She keeps me in the know always. I thoroughly appreciate the care and her positivity toward my son and everyone around her. Her people skills are incredible. The past 2 weeks I've been receiving emails requesting feedback on the staff. Today there is a need to write this review ...I'm sad I have to write it. This week has been difficult trying to find childcare for my daughter for spring break. Bright Horizons has been notifying me there is no placement in my area. Imagine my surprise when I saw Lightbridge Academy- Westwood pop up as placement. I was thrilled since my son goes there it would be perfect to have my daughter there for 4 days for 4hrs a day. I spoke to the assistant director this morning and told her I was surprised they were listed as a center. I told her I submitted a request for my daughter for the following week..and asked if she could confirm my daughter can be at the same center as my son. She said she'd look into it. I said do you mind letting me know sooner rather than later since it's Friday and I need to lock in childcare for my daughter..her response "I'll look into it" ..I was thinking to myself ..wouldn't she say "of course" and try her best to assist especially since my son already is enrolled at this academy for several months...As I turned to leave, I said to her again do you mind letting me know by 3pm ET today. and her response "I'll look into it... I already knew my daughter was not going to be taken at this center for the 4days with Marisa's lack of enthusiasm and her apparent annoyance at my request. I'm truly disappointed in Marisa. As a working mother like herself..I wish in that moment she put herself in my shoes but instead I didn't leave the building yet..and her and her colleague at the greeters window were talking about me behind my back. Who I am is a mother who needed help for 4 days- for 4 hrs per day ...and instead of trying to accommodate a parent who already has one of her child enrolled at their center...Marisa called me and told me sorry we don't have placement. (There was NO surprise there) ...I told her I was already notified by Bright Horizons. I told her I'm disappointed and it's unfortunate..she apologized she couldn't do anything ...I have worked with Bright Horizons for over 7years ..accommodations could be met especially for a parent who has a child already enrolled in the center. That's who they accommodate first (siblings). Marisa said it's nothing personal. I hope she understands my review is not personal. I wish they had more Aneta's in the world ..and above all I wish there were more Aneta's at Lightbridge Academy-Westwood. The world would certainly be a happier, friendlier, kinder place.
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March 2023 by Stephanie B.
Brody has been in the Goldfish classroom for about a month now. He loves going to school and spending the day with his friends, Miss Elisa and Miss Cynthia. The two of them have been so welcoming and made Brody's transition into Daycare seamless. We had no idea what to expect dropping Brody off at Lightbridge, but everyone welcomed him with open arms and he has a blast every day. He talks about Miss Elisa at home and the compassion that both teachers have for their students is quite evident. We're so glad we found such a great fit!
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March 2023 by Jackie W.
Lightbridge Academy in Westwood is great! The app, photos, messages, etc keep you updated each day! The cameras so you can peak in are also fun and helpful. We currently have our 2.5 year old in goldfish (has been attending since she was 3 months old) and our 4.5 month old in the infant room and the staff in both rooms are incredible. Our 2.5 year old can be a challenge, but each day she is excited to go to school and doesn't want to leave! Not to mention that many teachers know who our kids are and it's so refreshing that they know them (and us) by name! We chose Lightbridge during the pandemic due to it's cleanliness and cleaning protocols, the outdoor space, lunch options and curriculum. So glad we did!
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March 2023 by Emma Trendafilova
Just after my kids 3rd visit, it’s already brought up that my boys can’t speak. Not true! But no care, understanding, nurture or consideration on their home language, background, or culture.My 3 yrs old cried everyday in Crista’s room. I think he was verbally abuse and pressured to talk. It’s heartbreaking to see one surveillance when his food was taken away twice when staff cannot, or will not try to understand him. He sat there while the rest of the kids eat. Crying around the room, and no one consoling him; coldly just asking him from the distance to say something. They let him cry the whole day.Crystal and the rest of the admin of course stuck to their talking points of “no verbal communication from the child = not where child should be.” With no proof, no consideration to parents (my own as a mom) intake, or our pediatrician.Till 7th and last visit, continued to hammer us with the same talking points. No alternative means to help my kids with different class maybe.Just cold and uncaring child place with no diversity.My kids are better off without this place!
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February 2023 by Jacqueline Beger
Westwood Lightbridge academy is beyond 5 stars!! Even upon first contact they were so kind and informative. The facility itself is so clean and well taken care of. You can tell they put a lot of thought and care into their presentation. The teachers and administrators are so wonderful. They took the time to really get to know my child and care for him. If anything ever arises they are very transparent and handle every situation with care. My son was having separation anxiety for awhile and they were so responsive to his needs. I cannot say more wonderful things about this place. I am so happy my son comes here!!
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December 2022 by Nina CMP
The teachers of the infant classroom have been absolutely incredible since day one!You can tell that the lead teachers have a good dynamic and systems in place to keep things running and as organized as possible - all while still making sure each child's needs are met.They've taken the time to get to know our child and seem very attentive. Our baby is happy when we arrive to the classroom and when we pick him up. He is obviously nurtured, loved and so well taken care of here. As a first time parent, this is all I can hope for.My experience with both teachers and the staff are nothing but positive from LBA in Westwood. They really go above and beyond. We are so grateful every day!
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December 2022 by Liz Marangi
Having a child with allergies and an autoimmune disease is stressful enough and finding care was an overwhelming thought. Lightbridge made me feel at ease immediately! My son is absolutely thriving! The staff has been absolutely amazing!