Amiguitos

I made a $ 150 DEPOSIT towards enrollment fees and materials. Before my child started, I found out from the state that this center is a child care center, and not a licensed school, I asked for my deposit back. The owner agreed to refund my deposit, in an e-​mail. Then the following day, she e-​mailed me again saying that she is not giving me my money back. In my opinion, they only care about money, not children. They also are misrepresenting this center. TO THIS DATE I WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH A CURRICULUM or anything proves that they are a pre-​school or school. I would prefer sending my child to a real school. For example French American School or German American School. They are schools with curriculums recognized nationally and internationally, whereever you go.
As you can see from the e-​mail below, the center is appointing the OFFICE MANAGER to be a «teacher». As a parent, of course I was concerned.
After further investigation, I asked for my deposit back. That is when I was told that I was going to receive my deposit back. In an e-​mail, the director told me to go over there on that Friday to pick up the refund check, but then later she told me that it wasn’t going to happen. In my opinion, this tells a lot about the director and the operations. Here is the e-​mail sent to me and other parents from the director on 12/​14/​2015:
«Finding a teacher for Grupo Morado has been a challenge. I had told you we were training someone but it did not work out. The person training has a son and it was very difficult for her to work with him in the classroom. She could not find any other child care arrangements so we decided it was not going to work out. But I think you will love our next plan.
Starting on Monday, January 4^th, the Grupo Morado teacher will be XXXX! She started training as Teacher Assistant in Amiguitos Eastside a couple of years ago and she has continued to take classes and training for teachers. She is practicing now while Maestra XXXXX is still around and will be mentored by Maestra XXXXX as long as needed. XXXX will work as a teacher from 8 – 1 and from 2 – 5:30 she will continue to be our Office Manager. Our new Office Assistant from 8 – 2 will be XXXXX. Perhaps you already know her. She has been volunteering every Tuesday and Thursday since September. The only piece missing in this plan is during the afternoon. We need a Teacher Assistant from 1:30 or 2 PM until 5:30 PM. If you know of someone who might be interested, please let me know. «
Their Better Business Bureau rating is low at C+ (on a A to F scale).
P. S. ONLY ASKING FOR MY FAMILY’S HARD EARNED $ 150 BACK, for which we received no services or materials.

My daughter just completed her preschool education at Amiguitos and we have nothing but wonderful things to say. The director is wonderful and she hires loving, caring, intelligent native spanish speakers to teach the children. There was always someone on campus that spoke english for those parents who did not speak much spanish (my husband and i spoke zero) but it is a true immersion experience and we are greatful our daughter has a wonderful foundation in spanish as she moves on to elementary schoool!

I highly recommend Amiguitos for a total Spanish immersion preschool and kindergarten experience. Both of our children have attended Amiguitos. The staff are amazing — warm, loving and genuinely caring of the children and their education. We couldn’t be more pleased at the language and social skills our girls have developed. We are continuing on with the afterschool Amigos program and love watching our children develop in another language and culture.

We have sent three of our four children here and haven’t been disappointed yet. Our youngest just enrolled in September and already he can say his colors and a few shapes in Spanish– did I mention he’s only 2! They teachers are all very loving. I wouldn’t trust my children with anyone else.