Willow Glen Academy

My son started attending in October 2015 and we have loved every minute of his time here! He has blossomed here. He is learning more languages, art, and math. He loves his teachers and his friends there. I highly recommend this preschool.

Very disappointed in the overall quality of the program and the male owner. I had a tour planned with the female owner and was surprised to have the tour from the male owner, Randy.
During the tour I had to ask questions that ANY owner should be talking about openly during ANY tour. Philosophy, curriculum, daily routine, introducing your own staff, I could go on and on.
It turned into a tour of shameless self promotion for the work he had done on the place and what his future plans are.
After the tour, I checked his records with CCLD (Community Care Licensing Division) and he had at that time 20 complaints that were substantiated! In other words, there are problems at that place.
If you do happen to plan a tour call ahead of time to make sure Randy has his shoes on before coming. I had to wait for him to put them on before starting the tour.

Today I attended a Christmas party at the daycare with my 2 year old daughter Symphony, I was very surprised and impressed, there was lots of food, for the parents, and the kids sung a few Christmas songs together, the daycare asked the parents to participate in a gift exchange for the kids, and the daycare also purchased a gift for each kid, so each kid got two gifts, my daughter got a pretty expensive doll, from the daycare I was very grateful and impressed when a Santa came out that they of coursed hired for the kids, to take pictures with and receive there gift, it was a overall cool party and I got some awesome pictures and video of my daughter.

My daughter went to Willow Glen Academy before Kinder. She was well taken care of, respected and learned much during her 2 years going there. I cannot give enough praise to how grand she was treated at WGA.

I choose this place based on there reviews and that they accepted 4C’s. needless to say it was the worst mistake I have EVER MADE!!! I honestly don’t even know where to start… I have a son who is a little hyper active, yet is as sweet at can be. he just needs a little more patience than other children. When we started going there I put both ma daughter and my son in this day care, my daughter is older and was about to start first grade. First off I started them both in summer time, them knowing that my daughter was about to start first grade. and not bothering to tell me that THEY DON’T WATCH KIDS THAT ARE PAST KINDERGARDEN!!! Of course I was not informed and literally less than a week before first grade started. They called to inform me that they wont be watching my daughter any more. I have NO time to even start looking for another day care for her. So I went and talked to the «director» (WHO IS A JOKE!!! NOT TO MENTION THE MOST UNFORFESSIONAL MAN I HAVE EVER INCOUNTERED, and VERY creepy, (see previous post). He tried to give me a «loop hole» as to how I could keep my daughter in the day care which was. PULKING HER OUT OF SCHOOL and letting them teach her. that was the «loop hold to his license» (his words exactly). I was blown away and just had to remove my daughter form the daycare all together.
I left my son there. and I have close communication with a teacher names Mrs. Shannon, now I really likes her at first, I knew my son needed a little more patience than most, so I was constantly checking in with her. and to my surprise I got wonderful reviews from her weekly, sometimes daily. I started noticed small busies on my sons arms. when I ask him about this. he said a child name Israel started pinching him sometime back. (which I confirmed with my daughter) When I ask them about it. they said they «hadn’t noticed» I was floored. he had bruises EVERYWHERE! and here I thought my son finally found a place that he likes and understands him and pays attention. One day to I got a call at work saying I needed to come pick up my son due to him behaving badly. I went there and before I could even get a work out the director practically started yelling at me that my son was, destructive and was hurting other kids, and if he was left a lone «he would do more damage» not to mention that he was yelling this at me form across the room, in front of EVERYONE! Then proceeded to LIE about my son saying he bites himself when he does not get his way… I called him a liar immediately, he told me ask my older daughter. Who confirmed that this man is a LIAR!!! I have been his mother for FOUR years. I would know if my son ever bit himself! Confidentiality does NOT exist here. He was talking about my son as if he was a monster in from of other and even worse MY SON!!! I couldn’t believe the lack of respect this man was having for me, my son, or our feelings in general. He then told me that he was not allowed to come back at all. I was blown away, I told him that I spoke with Mrs. Shannon constantly, and she said nothing but good things. he obviously could careless. I was so upset by the lack of professionalism, respect and confidentiality that I tried to ask for my sons file, demanding documentation of all the «issues» my son was having and then asked to speak with Mrs. Shannon about her lying to me about my sons behavior. Whom to no surprise refused to speak with me. SHOCKER! I am literally taking this into my own hands due to the lack of respect and professionalism… He should not of talked to me or about my son the way he did. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!! They do NOT care about your kids what so ever. as clearly demonstrated. You children are unsafe. apparently unwatched, and the DIRECTOR does not get any worse! STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!

I came to this daycare/​preschool having left an unpleasant experience with another daycare, and I was really glad I made the change. My son is 3 years old and he has been here for about 4 months now. His verbal and math skills have improved immensely. He can identify every letter in the alphabet and can even read a few words. They have a large play area and even have couple of chickens. While they do have the TV on early in the morning, the children have a ton of other material to play with. My son will often choose to play with blocks or puzzles even though there is a show on. I am really not worried that it is too much TV because he is clearly learning. The teachers and staff have always been wonderful and helpful with me.

Like many in the Willow Glen area, I had driven by this «Yellow School» and used it as a visual landmark to see where Minnesota Ave. was from Meridian Ave. Walking through the facility and examining both inside and outside was an entirely different experience. Yes, it’s a school for munchkins, and yet the place looks incredibly fun — the outdoors have a rich variety of things and short structures to climb, ride, and run around. The indoors have many toys and play sets — and even fish and parakeets and budgie birds. I walked the area and saw no risk of children getting out, and the teachers are like sentinels around them. The place feels safe, and the kids know it.
The staff are warm, friendly, highly competent and aware of a wide spectrum of emotional needs of children. My little one has been through some very hard things in the journey of life, and the owner and staff of Willow Glen Academy felt like a team I hadn’t had before and was the support system I needed as a parent. Mr. Randy, the owner, and Ms. Shannon, the director, each have a great deal of emotional literacy, and they helped me assess my child’s emotional well being during the day and gave me insights into how my little one was processing the challenges the faced as one so small.
The school nurtured my child’s creativity and Pre-​K education. Soon the little one began to teach me words in Spanish I didn’t know, wrote out alphabet, counted very nicely into the double digits, and developed enough hand-​eye coordination to color within the lines of printed coloring art. In addition, there are occasional crafts where the kids learn how to make a flower or a bumblebee. I’m bursting with pride: my kid is smart!
Watching these teachers in action was eye-​opening. With so many kids running around, each with their own personality, objective and capacity of mischief, it’s amazing to see how much command of authority the teachers had, reinforcing morals, good conduct and friendship. At the shopping mall food court, I’ve seen kids act belligerently, talking back to their parents. The children at Willow Glen Academy understand boundaries and proper conduct.
A fellow reviewer mentioned ACYCP certification, and that might give some people some assurances, but a quick check of their website of what this means shows that this simply involves meeting minimum educational requirements, colleague references, and a pledge to abide by agreements of conduct. For me personally, I needed more reassurance than this for me as a parent looking for the safest environment for my child. In my consideration of Willow Glen Academy, I was drawn to the fact that the owner and entire staff have passed FBI Live Scan (which involves fingerprinting and criminal background check — the FBI operates the largest biometrics database of criminals in the world). Passing the FBI is more important than being a member of an organization of fellows.
I deeply appreciate the individual attention, quality of education and the environment of safety my child has been given. It’s been about a year now. My kid LOVES this school. Even when we drive by on evenings or on a Sunday and I joke, «How about we go to the Yellow School?» my little one cheers, «Yay!». I don’t recall ever having such a reaction to school when I was that age, but it must say something about the Academy, Mr. Randy, Ms. Shannon, Ms. Theresa, Ms. Shio et al have worked hard to make work well for children.
5 Stars is well deserved!

I have seen and worked in several preschools and only went to visit this preschool based on it’s reviews and location. I have NO idea how this preschool has five-​star reviews. It was the sketchiest place ever. The materials were outdated and they advertise on their website that they start their day with TV. The two female caregivers seemed nice, but the director was creepy and gave me a higher price quote than on the brochure. I didn’t trust the place from the moment I walked in the door. Please shop around for similarly priced programs if you are tempted to enroll here.

I recommend this preschool. I chose this school over others because i like it is sort of a montesorri style, where they combined kids range 2−5years in a room and they learn together, the teachers are friendly, especially Ms. Shannon (she is such a sweetheart!) and the owner, Mr. Randy is very kind, and understanding.
My daughter attends this preschool for 6 months now and I am pleased with her learning growth. My friends and her teacher has been saying my daughter is very smart given she is able to count 1 – 20, knows her ABC’s, trace words neatly without help, recognize colors, and able to communicate with me using three to four words, and she is not even 3 yet!
Another thing I like about this preschool is they potty-​trained your kids! My daughter wore diapers in the beginning and with the help of Ms. Theressa, she was potty-​trained within 2 weeks! So far, after about 5months, I have only encountered twice small accidents, even at night, knock on woods. ;)
Everytime I pick her up, i am relieved to see that she has fun at school, with the teachers and her friends.
Give this place a try!

We Love this school. We see our son developing with his grammar and his imagination. Our son loves going to school and is always excited before we drop him off… Teachers are doing an amazing job. Thank you!!!

I wish I could give this school 100+ stars. My daughter Julianna attended this school for 3 years and loved it the whole time! Her last day was just this past Friday. She was so sad. My daughter left knowing how to read and write her first and last name, she is able to read and write common words, she can speak some spanish, some french and was learning Japanese when she left. The teachers are wonderful they communicate great! She never wanted to miss a day of school. She knows a bunch of fun games and songs. She became very independent going to Willow Glen Academy. Thank you to Mr. Randy, Ms. Teresa and especially Ms. Shannon (my babies best friend).

We have been sending our son to the Willow Glen Academy for 6 months and have ben pleased with their personal and caring approach to helping us raise a well-​rounded boy. He looks forward to going to school everyday and asks on the weekends if he can go to school. The owner and teachers are personable and really helpful. Our family really adores Miss Shannon, Miss Theresa and Mr. Randy. Thanks

Randy Bouthelliier should go for ACYCP certification as any legitimate child care center would because I know that as a professional he would never prey on me, my wife, or son.

When our 3yo son started, he wasn’t very good at conversational English (we’ve only spoken Chinese at home) even though he knew his ABCs. The wonderful teachers (Ms Yadira and Ms Teresa) have been so patient and loving and made sure that language didn’t get in the way of partaking in any of the activties. We really like that everyone is super hands-​on with the kids, which helps make it a great environment for the kids to not only work on their letters/​numbers/​colors/​shapes but also to interact with each other and work on their social skills.

We’ve been so happy with the care and education our 2-​year old daughter gets at Willow Glen Academy. The first time I saw it I was very impressed by all the cool stuff they have for the kids — a huge fish tank, tons of toys, a kid-​sized computer desk and chairs, lots of plush pillows for those mornings when they’re not quite awake yet, a big TV playing cartoons in the morning. I’ve stopped in at various times of the day and the teachers are always leading the group in activities — the kids are almost never left to get into mischief because they’re kept busy. As a group they’re coloring, singing, dancing, playing outside. I have yet to see a child act out there — they’re all engaged in the activity and having fun. They teach the kids to greet one another, and to stick up for themselves. They organize fun extra activities for the kids like trick-​or-​treating in the neighborhood (with parent help), a Thanksgiving meal, a Christmas party and gift exchange. WGA has taught my daughter (an only child) to take turns, to share, and to count in Spanish. The best part though is how much my little girl loves going there. She’s excited every day to go to «school» and most days doesn’t want to leave when I go to pick her up. It’s a huge relief to know your child is well taken care of while you’re working. I’m so glad I found this preschool and the awesome people who work with the kids.

Willow Glen Academy taught my four year old son, how to count in three languages. He did first grade level work. Very happy with the progress my son has made in a year. Willow Glen Academy prepared my son beyond what is required in kindergarten. Thanks everyone!

My daughter, 3.5, loves this place! The school is set up with lots of fun activities for toddlers and preschoolers of all ages. My girl has learned phonics, social skills, and artistry in the 3 months she’s been going here — and she’s only going 2 days per week. Granted, I doubt the teaching quality is top-​notch, but it appears to stimulate and keep the kids sufficiently content.
Their rates are amazingly low for their services. We got in during a special rate of $ 150/​week full-​time, or $ 35/​day part-​time. They provide breakfast and lunch. They work with your needs when it comes to part-​time care.
The staff might not seem as professional as some of the pricier places in the area, but they are down-​to-​earth, warm, and accomodating. I highly recommend this day care if you’re looking for a reasonably priced, clean preschool with an average-​to-​decent level of teaching.