Lightbridge Academy of Rutherford

I worked here for roughly month and a half. I have about 10 years of experience working with preschool aged children 6 weeks to 6 years old. I was told in my interview I would be a lead teacher because of all my experience. The interview went well, I was told how much I would be getting paid (which is better then private preschools from my past) plus health benefits. I had to do a 6 hour course online about the Core values, and other standard courses a teacher needs to take. I thought this was a great deal so I started the next week and the way the classroom was ran, I have to follow the infant lead teacher and the lead teacher of the mobile infants even though the children in my care were mobile infants. The whole set up was confusing and I received no help even though I specifically asked for a meeting so I can know who I need to take advice from/​learn from to teach my children. They have said that «we’re a team» yet no one will think twice about putting someone else under the bus for the dumbest reasons. There is most definitely favoritism and for the fact I was fairly new, anything I said did not matter. I was placed into a different classroom and the lead teacher only had 3 years experience teaching. I asked her a question about the classroom, voiced my concern and she said «if I wanted your opinion I’ll ask for it». The question/​concern I voiced was about taking a child away from circle time to change the diapers even though diaper changing time was beforehand. Very rude and unprofessional! Even though you don’t need to take my advice you do not speak to me or anyone in that manner and if I spoke that way I would be wrong, which also happened with another teacher. Nice right? One Classroom had a teacher who couldn’t speak proper English (ghetto/​slang). How do you expect to teach children to speak properly if you can’t?! Another thing that infuriated was that there were teachers in every other classroom I worked in or subbed who spoke Spanish fluently which is fine but when you speak to one another in the classroom in Spanish regardless if it’s about work or the weekend is rude and unprofessional if there are other teachers who do not speak it. Another thing I have noticed in my 6 weeks of working here, there is ALWAYS a new person who is hired. I counted 5 people who started after me. The turn over is horrific and that is why the children are misbehaved and why people stress out and quit. Children need stability and constancy and at this rate this school has a horrible record for that. No child should have to deal with a new teacher or assistant teacher every day. I wish I was lying or making things up about this place. I will not recommend anyone to work here or sign their child up. Yes they teach sign language which I think is a great idea especially for infants and toddlers who cannot voice anything but stability and constancy is far more important for their growth.

First off the place is bright and clean and in an area with lots of parking. The classrooms are decorated nicely and they have an outdoor and indoor play area for the kids. They have cameras in all the classes and the teachers send pictures and videos throughout the day.
It’s my daughters first time in day care and the teacher and aid really took the time to help her get over her anxiety. They are really good with updates throughout the day and take the time to stay with her when she’s having a rough morning.
Now the bad. First 2 times I went to pick up my daughter I asked someone in the office if they could let me, in the screening process was «what’s your daughters name» which I got wrong (don’t judge me) and then corrected myself. They said ok and buzzed me in. When I asked if I should be put into the system I was told not to worry. After the second time a new woman in the office actually got out of her seat and put me in the system. Some schools make you show 2 photos IDs first time you pick up your child.
I was very happy to get an email from the director this morning about my review. She took my concerns seriously and promised to address them quickly. I am glad that the director monitors the reviews on Unilocal and contacted me quickly.
Again I do appreciate the teachers and staff at Lightbridge Academy. I appreciate the time and attention the faculty have given my daughter during her transition into a school setting.

Just wanted to update my review, since my daughter has turned 5 and recently graduated Pre-​school from Lightbridge. Our child had a incredible experience and education throughout the years at this school. To us, we never viewed Lightbridge Academy as a daycare… it was always much more than that. The staff treated my daughter as if she was their own. When my daughter had surgery, her teacher showed up unexpected at the hospital to make sure she was OK. The class also sent a video sending love and get well wishes, and the director made sure she was feeling better too. These small acts of kindness will always be remembered, and an example of how great of a school this is. As a working Mom, I never felt worried about her care because I had absolute trust with those looking after her. I’m incredibly sad to leave the school, since she was there since infancy, but I know she will be more than prepared for Kindergarten; and Lightbridge is a huge part of that! We will never forget the love, care, and friendship given to us by each and every staff member. If your a parent looking for childcare, I would highly recommend visiting Lightbridge!

This is probably one of the best daycare we’ve seen. The teachers are amazing and office staff are excellent. They respond to any concerns right away and do their very best to put you at ease. My daughter is in the infant room and i can’t tell you how much we love her teacher Ms. Crystal. We’re all going to cry when she moves on to the next class. All the teachers in that class are friendly, courteous, and amazing. they’re open to feedback and really love the kids.
Kudos guys:)

I wasn’t very happy with my experience at Lightbridge Academy for my infant/​toddler.
I’m not sure how the older classes are, since I took my children out after 6 months. The cameras seem like a great feature, however they are fixed on one spot, so you’re only able to see them playing on the floor and eating. (barely)
There are so many children in the infant/​toddler room that they don’t have the time to spend with them to nurture them — your child won’t get the attention they require. I’ve seen children crying in the cribs for such a long time. They can’t even be heard crying because of all the noise. I’ve seen children whose legs may have slipped through the crib and have been stuck. The caregivers take a long time to attend to children in the cribs when they wake up. They should monitor the cribs, walk around, check on them.
They have a monthly curriculum, which is why I signed them up. They barely followed it. They will send pictures of the children working on their fine motor skills, but as I watched on the camera… it was a photo-​op. They placed the children in the chair, gave them a plastic bottle to play with, stepped back, took a picture and took them out of the chair — then on to the next child. They never really got the time to work on their fine motor skills.
I didn’t feel like my infant/​toddler received the nurturing care they need at that age.
It’s not a bad place, it’s just that at such a young age, I feel infants require more nurturing.
There’s a lot of turn around in the infant/​toddler room. Always different people watching your child. And Management never gets back to you when you call them. Never!