Canterbury Preparatory School

After having our son enrolled in Canterbury for 2 years now we are so glad we made this school our choice. Since he was an infant I have felt comfortable dropping him off with the teachers. The teachers and director care about each child, know each parents name and make a point to tell you about your child's day when you pick them up. Safe sleeping was one of the most important topics on my list when we were looking for schools and Canterbury is a strong believer in this practice. I would never take my child anywhere else, in fact we are moving which will add 30 minutes on to our commute but we are more than happy to make the drive so our son can continue to learn in grow in the educational loving environment we have become so accustomed to. more

After doing tons of research on schools for my kids I found out about Canterbury. I actually called the state of Kansas and they sent me upon my request the last state review. It was amazing. The only issues that were on there were that the doors from the playground were dirty and the stepstools in the bathroom had dirt on them. I not that I have 3 kids there I am so pleased with our decision to take our kids there. My oldest just turned two and can count to 10 in Spanish and knows all her colors in Spanish. The teaching is exemplary. Almost all the teachers at her school have been there since we started 2 years ago. They are dedicated to their student and their jobs. None of my children have ever cried when we drop them off and to me this is a testamony to how much they look forward to going. The teachers provide great communication and we talk every morning and every night about the day. I have the happiest children and I feel like Canterbury is a part of that! I feel saf more

We have attended Canterbury for almost 2 years now and we have 3 children there. I cannot give enough praise to this academy. Before our oldest turned 2 she could count to 10 in Spanish, say all her colors in Spanish and spell her name. That is just the tip of what they teach here. They are a real teaching academy!!! Also, almost all the teachers at the academy have been there since we started 2 years so that should be a real testimony to how well all the teachers love it as well. I would recommed a thousand times over. Best education especially for little ones. more

This school system is the best in Kansas City. Two of my children have attended two of their schools with amazing results. I can certainly vouch for the fact that they are sometimes tough to get into though. I had good results with the Prep school in OP and the Briarcliff school. I did have to wait for an opening to become available for my infant a few years ago, even though I was already in the school with my preschooler. I guess this is what happens when a school is so good, though. It is worth it! They really stress the structure and the academics for preschoolers. My neighbor is a BV kindergarten teacher and she told me that the teachers find out ahead of time who the Canterbury kids are because they all want them in their class. I believe her. My first grader is way ahead in public school now, and her little sister seems to be learning even more in preschool. Really a school that is worth waiting for. Maybe they need to expand...\r \r ---Happy Mom more

This organization has very bad communication and will change their policies as they go, without notifying you and without giving you a chance to change your decision to stay with them. We signed up in December for August time frame at the OP prep school. We called a week later and asked to move our reservation to Olathe because we were moving. They confirmed we had a spot in Olathe and that they moved the reservation. As it turns out, they did not understand or miscommunicated internally and put us on a wait list in Olathe that doesn't have a spot available until February of NEXT year and we weren't notified until they called us in August asking us where our kid was and why they weren't in Overland Park. They have now decided to hold our deposit ransom and refuse to refund us because ""there is a spot available"" even though we clearly stated back in December that the Overland Park location wasn't going to work for us. This ""policy"" was never in the contract we signed and we weren't told that they were putting us on a wait list and/or that we wouldn't get back our deposit if that spot in Olathe wasn't available when OP did have a spot. We had to go out of our way to find a new provider now LAST MINUTE and on top of that, they won't refund us the deposit. Unbelievable. And this is coming from their DIRECTOR!! If it's that bad at the top, I can't imagine how bad it would have been if we took our kid here. more

Went for a visit at this school after crossing off nearly every other preschool in the JoCo area. I have very high standards and cost is not a factor. \r At first, I was somewhat impressed but as our visit continued I saw many parents coming in to pick up their kids and absolutely zero communication between parents and teachers. We saw 8-10 children and their parent(s) leave. The kids didn't seem happy or sad to leave.\r We visited several classrooms, not a lot of teacher direction or even teacher 'looking toward the children'. Three of the classes had teachers that were checking their cell phones. The kids were all playing on their own and spread out throughout the class. One kid fell out of his chair and hit his head, the director laughed. The kid cried and looked toward her, she said, "Don't worry about him, he's a staff kid and knows how to work the system." \r We got to the class that our son would be in, he refused to enter it because it smelled so bad.\r Then, I took my son to use t more

This daycare/prepschool is really a mess and glad we have tried only for a month. As stated in my title this one doesn't deserve not even a single *, its such a mess.\r \r The teachers throws the food to the kids...just like throwing food to dogs. For god damn sake there are plates on the table and can't they bend their as** and server food? If the food falls on the table then they simply put that on the plate. When questioned about this they say bulls&*&t stories and nothing to the point.\r \r Their standard or teaching is really subpar when compared to other centers nearby and I have see it with my kids during that one month, they lost what they have learned. \r \r As with previous recommendation I'll never ever recommend this to my friends.\r \r I believe the problem is with the center director (young Spanish girl), who is young and kind of dumb...but thinks she is smarter than every one. more

I'm 100% with kansasmom, the other positive reviews I strongly doubt. I'm expecting there is going to be one +ve review after my review.\r \r Pls do think before you put your little one here. They say they have policies but they don't show anything on paper. They have carpets in most of the class room and when the kid vomits (throws up) on the carpet they don't clean and as a result they are stinky. The room may not smell, but if you get down to the floor you can sense it. \r \r Their standard of education is also not on par with other schools (we did a mistake of putting our kids without knowing this), teaching standards are not great. More over the director is a one heck of a wast lady....absolute waste package.\r \r I will never ever recommend this xyz#@#$ school to anyone and will take every step to tell my circle of friends and extended friends and relatives on not to put their loved one in this school. more

Amazing school! Everyone is friendly, helpful, and happy. Even the parents coming in and out really love their school. I toured and enrolled on the same day after looking at about six other schools. No one knows as much about infant safety, and I am already impressed with what my preschooler has learned. A must see! more

I went on a tour of this place and it was dirty, overpriced, had really small classrooms and worst of all there was Meyer's Liquor on a table near the front door!! They need to get out a vacuum and lower their prices! Their name doesn't fit what you find inside. more

DON'T LISTEN TO KANSASMOM!\r \r I don't know what daycare she went to, but we have are absolutely blown away by the quality of care and cleanliness at Canterbury. It took us about three other daycares to find this gem. Unlike most daycare provides, Canterbury does not have a high rate of turnover and the daycare providers in the room are actually highly qualified. You get what you pay for and Canterbury is several notches above the rest, which is why our son has flourished in the program. Walk into any of their rooms and you'll discover how they teacher "quasi" Montesorri--and the kids aren't running around like crazy; they'red taught good manners in the way they play and learn. And the administration is equally top-notch. They let us split days between two different locations without charging extra and we've been equally impressed by the OP and the North branches. Finding a quality daycare can take time and hardwork. I wish we had found Canterbury from the beginning. Please do not liste more

Please, please, please don't send your child here! Very high turnover with staff. Bathrooms are dirty, hall area had a constant leak, carpet was always wet and moldy. Parking is inadeqate. Had a couple nice "teachers", nice, but qualifications were more in line with a daycare provider. Administration is rude and untruthful. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the glowing reviews here were posted by school staff! The CPS described is certainly not what we experienced! Owner/Administrator wears short skirts with thigh high leather boots....seriously! Not appropriate at all. Much better options locally. more

This school really understands how to teach. They are the only school I have seen that actually tests the kids and they even adjusted the program for my son. I love what this has done for my 4 year old, who has been there for two years now. We just started his little sister in the infant room, where they have the coolest technology. I know what my baby is doing every minute of the day. there is nothing else like them around. more

Brilliant, brilliant program! Best educational experience around. The building is nice, the playgrounds are cool, but the teachers and the curriuculum put this school at the top of the heap. Check them out before you look anywhere else! more

As East Coast transplants we were searching for a ""real preschool"", one with actual teachers and actual learning. We looked everywhere and even tried out another school for about a month. Thank God we ened up at Canterbury after a new (local) friend told us about their experience. We expect our twins to go to college and compete at a high level academically and we know that this process starts early. So does this school. They are organized, well-established, and effective. OK, it doesn't hurt that they were started by New Englanders, too! Worth every penny! more

My neighbor told me about Canterbury, and I am so glad. Our baby has ben there for almost 6 months now. They take infant care so seriously. I have learned so much from this school, already! They have tons of SIDS prevention rules, and offer training and CPR for parents, grandparents and babysitters. They make dropping off my baby a calm and happy event every day. I can watch her sleep online, and I can check on what she is doing all day long. They have great medical staff, and I know my baby is safe. Amazing school! more

Best academic program in KC. Smart teachers make smart kids. If you want to save a buck go to a daycare. This is a school!\r (I have had three children there for the last 5 years) more

I love this school. We did so much research before choosing a program for adopted daughter. (We waited so long for her, we weren't going to make a mistake!) We have been at Canterbury for about 6 months now, and we are so impressed. They really are top notch for everything. Security, teaching (new parents!), great teachers for the kiddos, clean and bright facility, and their web access for parents is awesome when we need a "baby fix". Save yourself some time, and just take your baby to Canterbury. more

My daughter goes to Canterbury and I have already seen growth in her.She is only 5 months old but is already impressing our neighbors whose children are a couple months older than her. Canterbury has helped her get on a schedule and routine down. more

Although the curriculum is outstanding they can't keep quality teachers. Their turn over rate is extremely high and ever since opening new schools and becoming a chain......things have only gotten worse. They are no different than a La Petite or any other day care in town- just more expensive.\r \r more