Angolpalanta Montessori Kindergarten - Angolpalanta Montessori Kindergarten

Before we moved from Hungary, our daughter attended to this pre-school. She acquired the base of English language there, and this was a good base for her in the school abroad. She was able to quick-start here in Ireland with this background.

Let me explain a bit my rating. (I had no time to write a full review when I gave the one star, because I was sitting in a car waiting for green light.) First, why I rated now, one and a half year later we finally left the kindergarten? I was just surfing the map, when the kindergarten appeared, and I saw the five star rating (based on 2 reviews) and felt, it is not right to mislead parents so much, more opinion is needed. I did not write earlier, because I was upset and didn't feel correct to write a review without waiting and digesting the feelings a bit, but during this time nothing has changed. And then I forgot to do it, but at least I have experience with an other kindergarten now, so now I can compare the two. Let me start with the positive things. It is not a question, that the education and English level is pretty high, kids learn quickly. I admit this. In addition kids are multicolored, which strengthens acceptance. The environment is inspiring and creative. These were the things we based our decision on, when we chose this kindergarten. Now I try to summarize in some points why we regretted that. 1. We had a contract with the KG, which was illegally modified in the middle of the year one-sidedly without any preliminary consultation. When we protested, a short answer was received which stated the decision made by the director based on the "regular indiscipline of parents (szülők rendszeres fegyelmezetlensége)". We were strongly astonished about such a treatment of their clients. 2. During our common 16 months, at least 5 kids, and 2 teachers left the group, so the fluctation level can be compared to the level of education. 3. Our daugther was never hugged there, and very strict rules had to be followed, which was so stressful for her, that she was in tantrum every day from the KG to home. 4. Their was no parental working community, and it was made materially harder by the leadership to establish one. They didn't really want the parents to share their thoughts with each other. 5. When finally we managed to have a parent-teacher conference, all parents had to personally register in e-mail in advance, and all the questions had to be sent. The meeting was rather an interrogation then a consultation, no power of attorney was accepted, parents had to have a speech about their presence one by one, which were recorded in meeting minutes, but no aswer was provided there, just a few days later in writing. 6. The rule declares you have to arrive to the class no later then 9am. My wife (and two other family) arrived just in time, and was ready to step in the class at 8:59. The time was shown by the clock they installed there. But the teacher - after checking the changing room at 8:57, and noticing the 3 kids - locked them out without a urgent word. 7. There was a window where parents had the chance to have a last sight of their children, and wave to them. One day a foil was installed, to prevent such an interaction. Once it was questioned, we were informed parents spent too much time in front of this window. Later, the new wife of the director's ex-husband wrote a chat message to other parents asking forgivness from us because she waved "too long". Rediculous. 8. It is forbidden to have direct contact between parents and teachers. In our second year a new teacher arrived, who was well known by my wife, and they were friend on facebook. After she joined the group of our daughter, the teacher had to delete the fb contact with my wife. They not just keep people far from each other they even destroy relationships. 9. After we finally left the institute, other parents were so informed, we moved away. We did not. (We neither had any conflict with other parents.) I surely could find some more points, but I think these ones give already a picture one should see before joining. We were both sad and reliefed when we changed. Our daugher loved her friends and teachers also, but these years were much more stressful for all of us than it should have been.