Anonymous wrote:No. There’s an option to buy hot lunches up to 4 days a week though.

Thank you, that's helpful!

No. There’s an option to buy hot lunches up to 4 days a week though.

Anonymous wrote:16:31 here. There is a no peanut classroom so I know they accommodate this to a certain extent.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but does this school provide lunch and snacks? Can’t find info on their website, and not ready yet to call.

We have had our kids at St. James since 2016 and couldn't be happier. The director is fantastic and all of the teachers have been wonderful. It's a small, fairly tight-knit school and I never heard about the negative experiences referenced here. While there is some turnover with the assistant teachers, most of the lead teachers have been with the school for years - some since it started.

NP. We were at St James until very recently and think it's a great school. I was so sad to leave. I love the director. I also really like the Spanish enrichment which you don't find everywhere. We had nothing but a great experience and were there for several years.

16:31 here. There is a no peanut classroom so I know they accommodate this to a certain extent.

We toured it over the summer because our neighbors have had their kids there for years and they seriously love it. We liked the school and the teachers and their playground is fantastic. Ultimately we went with another place because we have a toddler with nut allergy and we wanted a nut free school; but if not for that, we would have gone with St James.

We’ve been at St James for about a year and it’s been a good experience for us. The lead teachers haven’t changed (and won’t change in Sept) although there has been shuffling of the assistant teachers.
Compared to the daycare we were at previously (and I have only one to compare it too) it is less chaotic and more organized. I think part of it is the layout of the school with a central corridor and large classrooms. There’s enough space to group the kids into several activities. It also seems that they stick to routines. I’ve seen the kids line up to go outside and they know exactly what they need to do and what’s expected of them.

Staff turnover is not as bad as it was a few years ago. The lead teachers are stable now. Some of the more junior staff do turn over, as is normal with this type of work and payscale. Some teachers have left for better jobs, a couple have been terminated for cause. I like that the director is willing to let teachers go who aren't good for the school.

I’m the first responder chiming in again. I’ve not heard of the issue you mentioned and the teachers I know there would not do that. I’d recommend you set up a tour and see if it is a good fit for you. The director is fabulous. You could ask her about what you have heard, rather than an anonymous forum. Her response would give you insight into how issues are addressed, if you are concerned. If I were to get pregnant again, St James would be my first call. My son was happy there every day and the teachers felt like extended family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We love st. James. The staff is the number one reason why I love it. They are loving, nurturing, and kind to the kids. We have been there since the infant room and are now heading to kindergarten in September. I particularly loved both the twos and threes room. The teachers in the twos room have been together for years, and they are a great unit. We felt very lucky that the lead threes teacher was hired the year my son moved to the threes room, and she is amazing. My son learned so much. I recommend it without reservation.

Thank you for that input! I read some pretty disturbing things about recent changes with some less than qualified staff and turnover. I also so a report of a teacher holding a student down with their leg to get them to stay on their nap cot. Any concerns with these recent changes? It looks and sounds great but this has me nervous to make the move.

I'm a parent of children who are at St. James. I have not heard of any of the experiences that you are referencing. A few years ago there was some turnover but in my experience all of the new teachers have been fantastic. My oldest started in the infant room and is now heading to Kindergarten and he is totally prepared. Over the weekend he read some short site word books to me from start to finish, which blew me away because he definitely did not learn that from me! The director is fantastic and totally on the ball. I highly recommend that you set up a tour to check it out.

Anonymous wrote:We love st. James. The staff is the number one reason why I love it. They are loving, nurturing, and kind to the kids. We have been there since the infant room and are now heading to kindergarten in September. I particularly loved both the twos and threes room. The teachers in the twos room have been together for years, and they are a great unit. We felt very lucky that the lead threes teacher was hired the year my son moved to the threes room, and she is amazing. My son learned so much. I recommend it without reservation.

Thank you for that input! I read some pretty disturbing things about recent changes with some less than qualified staff and turnover. I also so a report of a teacher holding a student down with their leg to get them to stay on their nap cot. Any concerns with these recent changes? It looks and sounds great but this has me nervous to make the move.

We love st. James. The staff is the number one reason why I love it. They are loving, nurturing, and kind to the kids. We have been there since the infant room and are now heading to kindergarten in September. I particularly loved both the twos and threes room. The teachers in the twos room have been together for years, and they are a great unit. We felt very lucky that the lead threes teacher was hired the year my son moved to the threes room, and she is amazing. My son learned so much. I recommend it without reservation.

We are considering sending our daughter here this fall and potentially our 2 month old son when I am done with Maternity leave. Any recent experiences? Everything I have seen is from back in 2016 and is VERY negative. Have things improved? Has staff turnover continued? Would love to hear from current or recent families ( infant and 2 or 3 year old program in particular but overall school as well). TIA!