Starchild Academy-Apopka

REPORTED THEM TO DCF AND THEY ARE GOING TO INVESTIGATE THE PRACTICES OCCURING AT THE SCHOOL!\r \r My wife and I decided to send my daughter who is 3 to a school to get her ready for Kindergarden. We toured schools and had decided on another one but then our friend convinced us to try Star. What a mistake. We did not like the feeling we got when we toured Star as it was very cold but we decided to give it a try based on our friend. On the first day of dropping off our daughter screamed (we expected it.) We knew it was going to happen and knew it would take time for her to get used to it. When a couple weeks went by and she started screaming louder we got concerned. As soon as we would get near the school she would start screaming. When we spoke to cindy she basically told us our child is spoiled and will need to get used to it or that we could go elsewhere. Not what I expected from a preschool. We decided to ask our daughter why she was so upset. She said that she was scared to go to school because all the teachers do is scream and yell at the kids. She said it hurt her ears. Ok I get it has to be a hard job but do not scream at the kids. If you are a great preschool like you claim you should know the things to do besides yelling and screaming at kids. \r \r We decided to talk to the teacher and called the school and asked Shelby if we could speak to our daughters teacher. She said that it is not permitted so we asked if we could meet with the teacher and again was told that is not permitted. Really? You will not allow your teachers to meet or talk to us or let us know what is going on? Yet another strike against this school. \r \r Finally we decided to walk in during the early afternoon to try to meet with the teacher and Director to discuss our concerns and find out what is oging on in the school. When we got there we were told we can pick up but not disturb the class. While waiting to speak to the owner we noticed the kids walking down the hall with both hands on their heads which I did not like my daughter is not a prisoner. It is funny as when they tour everything looks great but I now realize the tour looks great and they can sell anything to you, but it is not an accurate picture of what happens in this school!!! Hence why they are not accredited by any company. At this point we were still waiting for a manager and starting really questioning the practices of this school. My wife and I then started to hear the yelling ourselves while we were in the front lobby. At that point we decided to skip talking to anyone as this is not what we wanted in a school. We walked back to get our daughter and was shocked by what we saw in hter classroom. When we go in we heard the teacher screaming at a boy for not laying still on his mat. Really? He is 3 he is not going to be completely still. Then we realized that all of the kids were on a mat and had a top cover pulled over their head and completely tucked under the mat. I mean completely over the entire body and face and then tucked under the mat. How can they breath and how can the teacher see them to be sure they are ok? I asked the teacher why that is done and she said so they will sleep. My wife and I expresse dour concern and told her that is not acceptable for our daughter. The teacher said that is the school rule and we would have to talk to Cindy. We then asked for all of our daughter's belongings and walked up front. We then told the front desk that we were questioning some of things occuring and that we were not ok with what occured and that we would not be back. \r \r Please be aware of what happens at this school throught the day not just on a tour. I have spoken to a woman at DCF and reported what I saw and my concerns. She told me they will open an investigation and go investigate the school. \r more

Terrific! Our daughter has attended Star Child for 3 of her 4 years. She is becoming so well-rounded and we are amazed each week with her progress! Her teachers and assistants are very caring. We cannot say enough great things about Star Child! Thanks to Ms. Cindy, Ms. Shelby, and Mr. Peter for all of your involvement in our childs' future. more

My granddaughter started at StarChild when she was 3 (preschool). She attended for 4 years - through the second grade. There is no way to convey to the public the amount of knowledge, caring and fun that she acquired while she was enrolled. Ms. Cindy and Mr. Peter are fun, envolved and dedicated to their students. My granddaughter is being taught how to tell time in her public school third grade class -she learned this in kindergarden at StarChidl. more

My son started there at 3 years old when he was ready for preschool. The teachers were nice, but the other staff was just not nice, and the owners are cold and heartless. These people should NOT be running a children's daycare. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE IF THEY HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS OR ANY ISSUES. They only want perfect kids who will listen and do what they are told all the time. My child was kicked out because he could not keep up with their curriculum. My child has a slight learning disability and they didn't want to deal with it. more

This school is by far the best I have seen! It is extremely clean! The staff is well trained and very patient! My son has learned so much since he started here just 2 months ago! We have never felt more comfortable sending him to a childcare facility. I know that he is going to benefit for the rest of his life because he had such a great start at StarChild Academy! more