First School Inc., Early Care And Education

This is a great facility for growing minds. Two of my children participated in their program. The program was great in teaching my kids the foundation they needed to succeed in school. The staff where amazing, caring, and patient working with them. They always received nutritionally balanced meal and snacks. My kids loved everything about the program, especially the getting to go field trips. I love that everything was presented to them so they could learn at their own pace.

My daughter has been attending First School since she was 4 months old, and it has been great for her learning and development.

As a parent of children with disabilities, I am so blessed to of had them participate in First Schools curriculum, This helped them immensely.

Our daughter has been going to First School for a couple years now, and I cannot say enough about the program and facility there. We feel fortunate to have such a great option and so close to home. The teachers, curriculum, and facility are fantastic. Our daughter loves going to school, and impresses us with her gained knowledge every day! We are comfortable with the environment they have created for the children, and they achieve a healthy balance of educational and play time. The children always seem well cared for and happy. Keep up the great program - you are priming our little-ones for school & what a great first step!

Will never send my kids their again! They look down on kids with disabilities and refuse to assist them or anything! They didn't even have my kids one day and they called me complaining about my son that had mental delays and they told me that he wasn't a good fit their I needed to find another day care!

I have been in childcare for 10+ years. I thought I had experienced it all until I took my kids here. As previous reviews have stated they are unwilling to work with kids who have any sort of issues. I was called the first day after putting my kids in there about my son having a rough transition. Mind you he just turned three & is not completely used to pre-k in general yet. I could tell from day one my kid was going to be targeted. On day four I was called in on my lunch break to have a meeting about my child. They had taken notes from the second he got into the room. The director sat there with a snarky look on her face the entire time and literally said “if the kids miss their other school then maybe you should take them back there. It might not be the most convenient for you but it’s what’s best for the kids.” I live in Mahomet, work in Mahomet and do my best as a single parent household. I was literally in shock. They use Montessori as an excuse for there actions. When I toured I asked about Montessori and I was told they were only kind of like that. I don’t know what they are. What I do know is that I am now left without childcare in the small town of Mahomet that doesn’t have many options and no back up plan. They need to advertise their strict behavioral environment and make it known they are not willing to work with kids. I would have never wasted my time there. I will add that they refused to give me access to the building the same day they reluctantly gave me back their part of my CCRS papers to turn in. You don’t have to be a Genius to put that one together.

For people in Mahomet, there are not many options. Many are happy to have the good public schools around. But as far as daycares go, this is one of the very few choices available. The administration of First school knows this. If your child is run-of the mill, goody good, always obedient, robot-like kid, you don't have to look further. This is the place for you. But if she is a little different, has some uniqueness that sets her apart from other kids (positive or negative), you wont be able to send her here for long, because they will eventually send her home, much to your shock. They will also ask you to get your child "evaluated" and try labeling her with condition specific terms like, seems lost, disinterested, no empathy etc. (indicating ADHD, autism or other conditions). I have three friends whose smart and energetic children have been dismissed from here. It is not Montessori based at all. Stay away.

We found out according to the administrators here that a “simple child’s dinner prayer” that uses the words “god” “amen” and more doesn’t really constitute prayer.
We were then berated for “not going to church” (because it’s apparently this school’s business?!) as well as being told that in her “20+ years of experience”, children who’s parents DEPRIVE them of a “power higher than themselves” turn out to be ill mannered and generally awful adults (direct quote).

Once we took our child out of this place, his behavior drastically improved. Stay away.