*UPDATE: I had to remove part of my review to add this update. Mrs. Vigh's version of events posted below is a far cry from the rude & accusatory e-mail she sent me, so take it with a grain of salt. I removed her name from this review, at her request, and now she is accusing me once more of re-posting it for what, fake internet points? I felt I needed to clarify as she states I "never showed up for my tour" (false, why would I take a tour when she told me my son couldn't be enrolled?) and she complains that I cannot leave a review of her school as I never utilized their services. GEE, I WONDER WHY? Once again, because she wouldn't allow it! Unbelievable that she took the time to post these lies.* I had the misfortune of dealing with this daycare when I was trying to find care for my son. He was to attend a full-French daycare at 18 months (as that is the minimum age they accept children, like many daycares) so I needed a daycare for approximately 6 months as an interim solution. I called and scheduled a tour, and was told they had spaces available for the month I needed, which was a relief because every other daycare I contacted was booked solid with waiting lists months long. In an e-mail to the Principal, I stated that my son would only be attending for 6 months maximum and received a response that was downright rude and condescending. Here was her response, after being told initially there was ample room for my son. “Families choose Hatch House Montessori School for the care and education of their children because of the exceptional programmes we offer. They trust us and are ready to commit to stay with us long term. I am sorry but we do not take enrollments as an interim solution, given the fact that you have already chosen another facility to enroll your child in. Perhaps a daycare will be a better option for you than a Montessori School.”
After receiving this e-mail, I contacted the Principal to discuss my options & to ask her why there was suddenly no room for my son at their centre. I explained to her that my older son went through the same process; he attended Blaisdale Montessori (now closed) for 6 months until he was of age, then transferred to his current daycare, where his little brother will eventually attend. She had the audacity to suggest to me that ‘placing your child in multiple daycares is stressful and confusing for them’, as though I have a choice in the matter and enjoy carting my children off to different daycares simply for fun. I reminded her that many daycares do not enroll children under the age of 18 months, sometimes 15 months, and that this was out of my control. She said that they wanted to keep the space open for “potential clients who will stay long-term.” I explained that they were the only centre that had availability, and that she was leaving me desperate for care on the off chance that someone better would come along. She told me she would “reconsider her position if I reconsidered mine”, and only if I agreed to leave my son in their care full-time, for longer than 6 months. I told her that this was not possible, as we are a French speaking family and my son will be attending a full-French daycare. She said she would “check the availability again” and get back to me to let me know. Spoiler alert: SHE NEVER DID.
Never in my life have I seen such blatant disregard for a family’s childcare needs. Hatch House places more importance on the potential earning income of a child’s enrollment over the needs of the family utilizing their services. I could have simply enrolled my son without telling them my plans to withdraw him in 6 months, but I foolishly believed honesty was the best policy when it comes to sharing information with those who are tasked with caring for your children. Sending me an e-mail suggesting my child isn’t good enough for a Montessori daycare? Are you kidding me? Thank you for showing me your true colours before I could register my son in your school. I cannot imagine what a nightmare it must be to have to deal with you on a monthly basis.