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July 2023 by Nicole Nolan
I was hesitant to enroll my 1 and 3 year old here after seeing the older/negative google reviews. Now that my children have been attending Summit for over a month I want to leave a positive review on how pleased I am with the care my children receive. First and foremost, the teachers are extremely attentive, caring, and patient with the kids. They took their time really getting to know my children’s personalities, and every single teacher in the school knows my children’s names. I really cannot say enough on how nurturing and caring the teachers are. I’m provided with thorough daily updates including pictures and videos on how their day is going, and an overview of how the day went when I pick them up (including funny stories). There are a lot of other benefits besides knowing that my kids are safe and happy in their teachers care… since enrolling a month ago the insectarium came to visit the school, there was a field trip to the aquarium, and they offer a music class and “gym” class with reflex sports on a weekly basis. I’m so glad that I found Summit!! Truly a wonderful, loving, and safe environment for children and their families.
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December 2022 by Corinde Wiers
Our 3yo son has an amazing time at Summit! He loves the program, his teachers and his new friends. Thanks Summit!
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December 2021 by Ashlee Grech
We had two children at Summit and would recommend to others! We loved all the outside time the children received!
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December 2021 by Sarah Zimmerman
My daughter attended Summit Children's Program full time from 18 months until she entered kindergarten. She was extremely well prepared for school, both socially and academically, from her time at Summit. She enjoyed their nature-based curriculum and developed a great curiosity for the natural world. She has continued in their after school program, and it has been so helpful for our family for an SCP teacher to pick her up everyday from the CW Henry school and walk back to Summit. Ms. Catherine was her teacher when she was 2, and is now a teacher in the after school program - it's so nice to have her caring presence as part of our family's daily experience.My son also started there as a three-year-old, and has transitioned easily from his former daycare. Teachers have been kind and the director, Ms. Lorrie, has been responsive. I appreciate so much that they have continued to provide quality childcare (and an afternoon program for school-aged children) throughout the pandemic with proper safety protocols in place. My son comes home happy everyday, with some new tidbit or song he learned, and is excited to run into his friends around the neighborhood. I'm impressed by how much he is learning and am sure he'll enter kindergarten just as ready as his sister did. We have long counted on Summit as a part of our neighborhood community and will continue to do so for years to come.
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December 2021 by Katie Connor
5 stars for how much my kiddos have learned and loved Summit the past 3+ years. The program strives toward continuous quality improvement, especially under the current, wonderful director, including obtaining their Keystone 4 Star rating. Grateful to be part of this community!
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December 2021 by Christi Clark
SCP has had its ups and downs but we have been there for five years and couldn’t speak more highly of the amazing staff and current director. The staff provide a safe, loving environment where our kids get to play and learn. We’re so grateful to be part of SCP!
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December 2020 by Sarah W.
Our kids have been at Summit for the past two years, and we are very happy there! Things I love:-The teachers are lovely (and the kids adore them)-Cozy classrooms-Access to two different outside spaces (front and backyards) that are fully fenced in -- backyard has a playground, front is a yard with toys and nature-Access to an auditorium (called the gym) upstairs for indoor play (with lots of toys) and also performances or Halloween, etc.-GREAT hours -- as a working parent, this is everything! They also provide coverage when the public schools are closed for in-services.-100% comfortable and welcoming of our two-mom family-Inclusive -- I've been invited multiple times to talk about different Jewish holidays-Use of the Brightwheel app for parent/child communication -- very efficient!Things they're working on:-better communication with families (at a broad level)-longer teacher retention-improving teacher payThings that aren't great but won't change:-accessibility -- lots of stairs, no elevatorsIf you're a prospective family, feel free to message me if you have questions!
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December 2019 by Emily Pugliese
We have been at Summit for almost 2 years. We couldn’t be happier with the care our boys have gotten there. The new Director is making it an even better place to be. We love it and so do our boys!
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December 2019 by Joselle Palacios
This review is based on our experience with a director who is no longer there. I’ve heard things may have improved since her departure. She was incompetent and didn’t take accountability for her mistakes so we pulled our child out for their final year of daycare because of her. I won’t go into the specifics since she’s gone so here are the strong points:*beautiful and large outdoor spaces in the front and back for children to play in. We really miss this in our new daycare*big gym for kids to play in on bad weather days* cozy feel, not overcrowded* nonprofit with a board that can allow you to help shape the organizationThe Cons:* nonprofit so there was lots of financial upheaval while we were there. Not sure if this has improved with new director* the board was all parents and it was very demanding* some teachers are great and have been there for years. Others were not so great and seemed bored. A lot of turnover with the former director so perhaps this has improvedHonestly, check this place out before discounting it. Had the director left sooner, we would have stayed. Summit has a lot of good qualities going for it and I hope they succeed. Check them out!
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December 2019 by E K
On the morning of June 4, 2019, the T1, T2, P4 classes were outside in the front playing, accompanied by 6 or 7 teachers.During that time, our two year old son, somehow wandered outside of the gate pass all staff and outside of the program's premises. Both the Director and Program Director were notified of this occurring yet did not reach out to make me or his Father aware. A staff member whose name will remain anonymous informed us of the incident. And what makes this even worse is that there was another staff member at the gate when he wandered off and she claimed that she didnt see him. Once she noticed, instead of her running after him, she yells across the yard to his teacher that he is outside of the gate. I'm furious. Instead of her grabbing him because she was closest, she yelled for someone else to run and get him. My son could have run into the middle of the street or gotten kidnapped!I cannot trust that he we will be cared for properly, and if anything happens to him that I will be notified.Due to negligence of the Summit Children's Program, we formally withdrew our son today.I addressed the Director and Program Director today in person and they both looked at me like deer in headlights as they didnt know that I was aware. Please do not send your children here, the center is in bad shape and by the look of the reviews over the years, my situation isnt abnormal. Avoid at all costs.Lastly, his teacher who has been there for yrs just left due to the new leadership in the center. No one is happy as they feel that they arent being treated fairly and respected. I will leave you with this, if the teachers arent happy, do you think the children will be?
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December 2018 by Pilar Castillo
SCP is a wonderful daycare/preschool committed to children and providing a warm, safe and nurturing environment. I am impressed with their communication and the excellent care that my daughter (and my son!) receive there. The staff is fantastic, the program is thoughtful and the outdoor spaces are incredible. This sweet center is conveniently located by the coop, local elementary school and easy to get to. Check out their nature and play focus and take a tour, the director and the staff are wonderful.
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December 2017 by siena scriven
PARENTS.... Do me a favor and DO NOT send your children here. A couple weeks ago, I pulled in front of the center at 545 pm as I did every day. I get out the ca...r and who do I see outside alone? My 3 year old son. I looked around thinking that someone was outside with him, but no. So I walk into the building and there was no one in sight. I get down stairs in the basement where he escaped from and the teacher whose name is Tamika, with no sense of urgency said to me.. "You really need to talk to him because he would not listen to me, and I couldn't chase after him because I have this little guy with me". The toddler that she had on her hip was asleep and even better, he's her biological child. If you were to see the center, you would know that there is no possible way my son could have gotten outside if he was being supervised. There is a total of 3 doors and 2 flights of steps that he had to go through. Now how can a three year old manage to get that far if someone was watching him? Better yet.. How can you sit in front of a parents face with no remorse or concern that their child was outside unattended? I marched into the director Korans' office, explained to her what happened and in comes Tamika. Koran asked her what happened and her response was "well it probably would not have happened if I wasn't here by myself every night" in a nonchalant manner. Wow right? I was speechless. The next morning I demanded a meeting with the director and she apologized (as she should have). She assured me that the situation would not be handled lightly. As we were talking, Tamika walked in rolling her eyes. No greeting, no apology, nothing!. Well it doesn't stop there, every day after that situation, I would pick my son up and the staff member (Tamika) did not acknowledge me or my son. She would go out of her way to say good morning and goodnight to every other child, but mine. Ridiculous right? I spoke with the director yet again and still nothing changed. I finally had enough and pulled him out. How can an adult treat a child so unfair? Better yet.. How could she be mad at me for being concerned about my sons safety, when she was the one that did not do her job! Honestly, I was baffled that she was still employed there let alone giving me attitude. I tried to get DHS involved and the investigation closed quickly because he wasn't harmed. Really? All I can think about is, what if I wasn't the one that walked into the yard? What if he had went into the street? As a parent, leaving your child in someone else's hands everyday because you have to work for a living is hard enough, but for something like this to happen was heartbreaking. No other parent or child should have to go through what we went through. They put on a very nice facade to lure you in. Do not fall for it! On top of this, they spend 90 percent of the time outside in dirt, rain and snow. There is no learning at all! If you are thinking about choosing this facility, please reconsider. I beg of you. I just wish there was something more I could do to make sure they are reprimanded in some way. See More
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December 2016 by Avery Thornburg
Unfortunately their mission statements about diversity are a farce. The president of the board has recently announced they are unwelcoming of individuals that identify as LGBTQA and I feel like that may consciously or subconsciously affect how many things are handled and taught in this program, as well as how children and their guardians are treated. For those reasons I refuse to enroll here. I thought it would be diverse and was disappointed to learn this.
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December 2016 by Chris McD
Summit Children's Program reflects the Mt. Airy community that it has been part of for decades: it is a diverse and inclusive place where kids and parents of all backgrounds are welcomed. Parents are involved with the program volunteering to organize fun-day fundraisers and sharing their skills on the board that directs the program and in the classrooms with the children. I sent two kids here and was especially happy with the caring, dedicated teachers who are the consistent core to the program and the multiple outdoor play areas and activities the children enjoyed all year round.
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December 2016 by Chloe Harris
At my first Summit Children's Program meeting, the president of the board of directors told the entire room full of parents, staff, and other board members that she believes homosexuality is a sin. I was blown away, but figured that would be the end of that. No such luck. That individual remains on the board and is supported by other board members. I also want to add that the teachers are wonderful and are not the problem.
