The Valley School

My son, now 2 ½, has been in the Valley School since he was 3 months old. While our needs have changed from basic infant care to a more structured «school-​like» experience as he grows into a vibrant toddler, the Valley School has exceeded our expectations every step along the way. The facilities are top notch and I love the intimate atmosphere that sets Valley apart from many other «assembly line-​like» daycares in the area. Just as I’ve enjoyed and relished in every milestone my son has hit, I feel as if the caretakers at the school have done the same. I’m shocked walking down the hallways with my son that every staff and faculty member knows his name — which I can tell her gets a kick out of as well! The front office staff are warm and friendly and encourage office drop-​ins with any questions or concerns. Now under the care of the new Director, the school has really begun to hit its stride. It’s always a little unnerving to leave your child with anyone that isn’t you, but I feel 100% confident that I am putting my son in the right hands every day. Not to mention, the teachers fill the hallways/​classrooms with photos and artwork done by the children so I always full looped into what my son has been up to. I firmly believe that his experiences at the Valley School have helped to form him into the out-​going, confident, and intelligent toddler that he is today. Many times he has come home with a new vocabulary word, singing a new song, or counting higher than I thought possible due to the caring education of his teachers. It takes a village to raise a child and I am so happy that the Valley School is part of my village!

This is a wonderful school. I have had my child in the valley school since she was 4 months old. I have always felt that she was in the best care. The teachers are loving and creative. As she has gotten older and moved from the infant room into the toddler room and now the preschool, the activities and classroom makeup has changed as appropriate. Her teachers have been consistent throughout and administration is wonderful as well– any concerns were immediately addressed. I have always received daily communication from her teachers. Can’t say enough great things about the valley school!

I’ve been so so impressed with this school. Very organized and new administration is amazing. They finally got it right! The staff couldn’t be better, very well trained and are amazing to my daughter who is difficult to get to any school (and been to quite a few) but they know exactly how to redirect so her tantrums stay short and she loves this school more then the other 3 she’s been at. The art and learning program couldn’t be better. Learn about bees, lifecycle of butterflies (then let them go), cooking, art, gym, etc. Real nurturing and learning school

I had to pull my children out of this school after two years. I was initially excited about The Valley School and it’s Reggio-​based methods of teaching. I loved the look of the school and the clean minimalist atmosphere. But I am sad to say the administration there is a mess. There is constant major turnover at the school — three different directors in one year and teachers and their assistants leaving regularly. There is no communication amongst the staff or parents, and my children ended up in classrooms with no familiar faces in charge. I felt the school was run primarily like a business, but lacked the heart and soul that a truly successful childcare center needs.

I really loved the idea of Reggio inspired learning and kept my daughter in the school for two years. However, I am so disappointed with my experience at this school. There was a complete lack of communication before the new director began, but it actually felt even worse after the new director started. Constant turnover of staff and not being notified of changes is one of my biggest complaints. Eight families decided to pull their children out of the school due to all the constant change. I think there are still many kinks that need to be ironed out here. My son who is ready to start preschool will not be sent here.

We do not recommend this school. After 4 years this school seems to struggle with the basic needs of a successful school (why would you have kids training toilet and baby changing table in the food prep area?). We are one of the many parents that chose to withdraw our child from the valley school in park ridge over the summer of 2015. The lack of consistency in staffing, multiple directors in one year, and the lack of staffing (quantity) was the straw that did it. Many days went by where my child didn’t know who their teacher was or the names of any of the assistants. In our opinion, the owner of the school, who has minimal background in childcare will promise you anything (like enrichment programs that were coming) to keep the check coming, but is clearly focused on state awards & grant money.
Also, they do not have 9 classrooms, they have 6 classrooms and 1 «gym».