Paideia Academy

Love Paideia. My son attends this school and we couldn’t be happier with the staff. Julie the owner such a lovely lady and all the staff are very nice.

I was in Seattle for the summer for an internship and my husband was in a different state for the first 6 weeks, so I had to find a daycare that could accommodate my 6 months son for just 6 weeks and immediately.
Paideia Academy in fact was my only option, and I am so happy that I took my baby there. My review is for their Infant 2 class, which was awesome. The women working there (Zi, Luz, Pat, Yasmin, Hamidah) are extremely kind, patient and caring and although my baby was just 6 weeks there they made a very string bond with him.
Everyday when I was picking him up from the daycare, they used to provide me with good information about how he was doing the whole day (feeding, diapers, emotions, activities).
I’m a first-​time mom and that was the first time I was leaving my baby (I’d never left him with anyone before, no family/​friends around), so I was very concerned about him and I used to call the daycare several times during the day specially during the first two weeks to see how he was doing, and every time they responded very patiently and gave me a whole up-​to-​minute report.
Before that daycare, he used to cry and nag all day long. He never slept on his own. He has reflux and they had to follow some instructions to avoid irritating his reflux, and they really did a great job. After 3 weeks in the daycare, he started sleeping on his own, for longer periods (he never slept for 4 hours at a time before) and he stopped crying and nagging. In fact he changed to be the «always smiling baby» and that was a miracle for us.
I really liked that daycare and their staff and I wish them all the best.

This place is amazing. My child started coming here at 3 months old and I can honestly say it has been a wonderful experience for both my son and myself. I never walk away from him in the mornings concerned or worried because I know he is in great hands and under excellent care. They take the little ones out for walks on good days, have a music teacher come in twice a week for each age group, and the teachers are truly magnificent.
I have no idea why earlier reviews are so negative. I have nothing but positive things to say about this place. Stop in for a tour and see for yourself. The kids are happy and I am always impressed by the patience and love that each care provider has here. They all know my son’s name and take the time to say hello when they see us in the hallway.

I’ve been a nanny and babysitter for several children who attend Paideia, and I have to agree with the reviewers who question the quality of the childcare provided there. I have never been impressed with either the facilities or the general demeanor of the teachers, who often look apathetic and/​or run down. I post a one star rating because I would never feel comfortable leaving my own child in Paideia; I feel childcare is one of those things that you just can’t mess around with or settle for. Either it’s good care or it’s not, and I don’t feel Paideia is good childcare.
Edit: I just read the filtered reviews. I agree with Mary S. who says that there seems to be only one or two actual (certified) Montessori teachers there at a time. So I feel that calling this place a «Montessori» is deceptive. It’s more like regular, substandard daycare with Montessori-​ish elements.

We had a child at Paideia for over three years and had a positive experience. The setting is great, just off Harbor Steps by SAM – with a big, open space that has large windows all along Post Alley (which is great for light and stimulation, but also for peace of mind, with the school not having any «hidden» areas). You should see it for yourself – and you can, anytime, just by walking by.
We were always pleased with the quality and conscientiousness of the teachers, and FWIW, we weren’t absentee parents (we were in the neighborhood often and would frequently see the teachers and children, in and out of the building). Our child was happy and safe here, made friends, really liked his teachers, and learned a lot. After we started at Paideia, we even came several times with one of our moms who was a career kindergarten teacher and elementary school counselor in Tacoma, and she was always impressed with the facilities and the instruction.
Based on online reviews, there’s some kind of long-​brewing conflict between one or more ex-​workers and the management, but that wasn’t reflected in our experience – and as parents, we can attest that some of those reviews are hyperbole to the point of hilarity, clearly written to prey on parental fears. Padeia was great for our family, and it’s been great for family friends to whom we’ve recommended it. Definitely worth checking out for yourself.

Rather than write a long review here, I recommend you check out Paideia’s reviews on Citysearch. Although some of the reviews are dated, having friends that currently work there, I can say with complete confidence that many of the criticisms of the school remain valid. Summary: Exploited and basically untrained workers, abusive director, shortcuts on hygiene and food prep, roaches, generally unfriendly atmosphere when parents aren’t around. Again, Citysearch has more comprehensive reviews from both parents and teachers.

The location is great in downtown. Parking for drop off and pick up is nice since the building has an area that you can temp park. Teachers are all nice, but the only thing I don’t like are the sick day policies.

A Montessori School
For Children ages 2 months — 6 years
Hours 7 am — 6pm
Director: Julie Demetre
The facility is located across the street from the Seattle Art Museum.
The school is like a fish bowl, all the rooms were almost all glass. From the Director’s office you could pretty much see all the classes.
The staff is very diverse and Montessori accredited. The sinks were at child height, however the bathroom toilets were adult size. The playground is actually located offsite, but the facility’s playground is in it’s own area in downtown Seattle. Unique.
If you’re looking for quality teachers and don’t mind a little clutter, this place isn’t too bad.