Cathedral Nursery School

This will be my daughter's third year at Cathedral. I could not have made a better choice for her nursery school years. The administration has always been very accommodating. The grounds are picture perfect. The best part of the school are the teachers. My daughter has been fortunate enough to have been exposed to Mrs. Basile and Mrs. Callahan, who are an exceptional team. They have taught her so much. More importantly though, they have helped her become a more confident little girl. Mrs. Maus and Mrs. Bowe are an excellent team as well. They were my daughter's first teachers and I admire their patience. You can tell they care.\r \r For anyone who has had a bad experience at the school, unfortunately there is bound to be a bad apple in every barrel - I have encountered them too. If you see something you don't like, say something - - as many times as you need to. You are your child's advocate and there is no reason nursery school shouldn't be the best place ever\r more

I was pregnant with my first of two children when I moved to Garden City almost 6 years ago. The couple whose home we purchased told me about the school, that the first of her two children went there and loved it and that I should look into it, I will love it. At that point I thought ""I have quite a few years to be worrying about such things as school, heck I haven't even given birth yet!"". Needless to say 2 years later and pregnant with my second child, I contacted the Cathedral Nursery School for some information about signing my 2 year old up for school! The office staff was (and still are) very nice. I went in for a personal tour of the school and have never looked back.\r My older son ""graduated"" from Cathedral last year and my youngest is in his second year here. When my youngest started in the Early Steps class last year he was 2 1/2 and spoke very little. Within weeks he was chatting up a storm !\r You have to remember that this is a nursery and pre-school! You want your child to learn, but you also want them to have fun and socialize and just be little kids...and this is the perfect place for that! \r more

I couldn't agree more with the first review from pizdaskola! I was so disappointed with almost everything. And all my friends had similar experiences. I really couldn't believe how cold my son's teacher was this past year. My child must of had the same teacher as the first reviewer. She kept the parents in the dark about everything and we certainly did not feel welcomed when we would drop off the kids. I couldn't believe that this woman was allowed to teach Pre-K. She lacks the warmth and nurturing that an early childhood educator should have. I will never return to this school and neither will many of my other girlfriends. more

My two daughters attended Cathedral Nursery School and each had an absolutely wonderful first experience to learning. I visited the school and was given a complete tour of the facility. I was greeted warmly by all staff, welcomed into each room and had a chance to view what they did on a day to day basis. It was a pleasure to walk down the hallways that are warmly decorated with class projects. The playground was the best compared to others I had seen. My oldest daughter had separation anxiety, but the staff handled her calmly with love and kindness. It did not take long for her to settle in and be excited to go, even on days she did not have class. She made many friends and I did too! The prices were reasonable and right in line with the other nursery schools in town. When it was time for my younger daughter to attend, I had some financial difficulties. The office staff was so kind and patient with me. They even answered my questions and helped me during their lunch breaks and after school hours. During the four years that I was a parent there I always felt confident that my girls were in warm loving hands. The teachers always made time for me when I had questions. I saved many of the projects even framing some as ""masterpieces"" to grace my walls at home and treasure for years to come. I loved being welcomed in at Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, St. Patricks Day, their birthdays & especially graduation day! We as parents were free to take pictures for as long as we liked. We were able to enjoy the ""circle time"" my daughters were a part of each and every day with their teachers. They had fun while they were learning about colors, letters, numbers, artists, books & authors. Pajama day was a thrill for both my girls. My daughters participated in a wonderful music program. Towards the end of each year my girls sang and danced in a spring show. I could barely take pictures with the tears of joy in my eyes. The girls have been back to visit many times and were given big hugs by all their teachers. They both say it was the best time they had in school. I know they were safe, nurtured & loved by the wonderful warm hearted staff! Many thanks to all that work at Cathedral Nursery School!! Pros: teachers, office staff, atmosphere more

I don't know where to begin with this debacle of a school! I guess I will just list ALL the things that make this school completely undesirable for the parent who wants the best for their child: \r 1. Limited WARMTH and COMPASSION. \r Every parent wants their child to be in a warm, loving and nurturing nursery school. I must admit that the Mommy and Me experience was excellent but the attitude towards parents and students changed on the Pre-K level. You do NOT get that warm, nurturing feeling. I would go as far as to say it's quite cold and detached for the most part, eventhough there are a couple of educators there who are wonderful. But at a nursery school level, they should ALL be warm and loving.\r 2. Parents not welcomed! \r If you're a parent of a Pre-K student you better drop your kid off and leave before they chase you out. They can't stand lingering parents, which to a certain degree I can understand. They do need to work and get on with their day. But the manner in the way they make parents feel unwanted is unexpected and unacceptable. The parents are the people who are PAYING their salary. Yet it's like they completely ignore that part and tend to be condescending towards parents and treat them like kids. Some teachers will block their doorway using the body language that parents do not belong and the secretary will chaperone parents in the hallway when it's completely unneeded. ALSO, forget about parental involvement! You go to a few events during the year and that's it! And if you wanted to take a look in your child's classroom to see what they've done, forget about that. My child's teacher clearly does not want parents in her room. Like I said, PARENTS NOT WELCOMED! \r 3. Limited communication.\r I was extremely surprised that the teachers didn't provide their phone numbers or at the very least email addresses. It was the first indication that they wanted limited contact with parents. They love your money but they hate you! \r 4. Rude teachers.\r There is one teacher in particular who will be abrupt with kids and come off as rude and mean not only to the students but to the parents as well. While the school sees her as being tough but fair, we just see her as being MEAN. Children who are 4 or 5 respond better to a warm and loving teacher who shows them respect and teaches them the right way without demeaning them. It saddens me more than anything that a teacher like this woman is allowed to teach at this level. \r 6. Parents left in the dark. \r We are given a monthly newsletter of what our children do in the classroom but that's about it. Most parents of Pre-K students want to know what their children do on a weekly or daily basis, what they are learning, their progress socially and academically, etc.... \r 7. Archaic teaching methods. \r It is apparent to me that this school certainly hasn't changed their teaching style since they opened. I know this from personal experience. My child was told to sit down and do something she/he did not enjoy and the teacher just walked away without trying to engage my child in the activity. If that's what teaching is about then anyone can do it! \r 8. Cathedral is there for the teachers, not the parents or students. It's basically they're way or the highway. They seem quite close minded and don't feel the need to change for anyone. You want a school that works with you, not against you. I now know quite a few people who left the school for this reason.\r \r I certainly wish I knew all this before I enrolled my child. I truly believe that early childhood education should be a wonderful experience for the child and parent. This is their first introduction to school and it shouldn't be stressful for anyone! My child and I did not have a great experience here. I feel that they do the bare minimum to make the school a pleasant environment. You want a school that loves you and your child.....you won't feel that here.\r Pros: Pretty grounds Cons: Everything else! more