Heights Preschool

My son and daughter have been attending heights preschool since they were each under 6 months old. My kids have never cried to be dropped off at school, and every teacher knows them by name even if they aren’t in their class. I think those things speaks volumes in itself, as you want your kids to be loved and cared for when they spend so much time with a group of people! They use an app to send updates, photos, and sign in/out, and I love getting updates throughout the day. The staff and teachers are also very responsive when you have questions via messages. They do close for all HISD holidays which can be hard if you work full time, since other daycares/facilities only close for major holidays. For any heights families, this isn’t a question! I live a little farther so the commute is difficult but I haven’t found a new place that made me comfortable enough to switch yet. We love heights and all of the staff there!

Cozy, neighborhood daycare center with a very loving and attentive staff. Parking can get tricky during pick-up and drop-off times, but spaces open up quickly. That's probably the most negative thing I can think of. We love it there!

The teachers are really kind and attentive.

It is with great hesitation I write this review, for Heights Preschool gave my little girl an opportunity to be a part of a classroom full of her young peers, for almost a year and a half. On July 15th, the school abruptly sent me a text stating that they are dropping my 2-year old daughter out of their school. No discussion, no warning, no chance for me to remedy the situation. They didn’t go into detail as to why they were kicking her out, but I bet it was because of her long tantrums. I really think she was so exhausted from this school not offering a long enough nap time of only 1.5 hours, even when she was only 1 years old. Other schools offer at least 2 hours of nap time, in which it can take kids some time to fall asleep. At Heights Preschool, they don't try to make the kids comfortable, not allowing any blankets or sleeping bags. Other schools allow these basic things so that these little children can get their most basic need met. They also had a problem with her eating food pouches, suggesting I try and give her sweet potatoes instead… blows my mind.

From day one, it has been very difficult to talk to the directors of this school. When I bring up any level of concern, Carla would typically get defensive and shut down what I had to say. I’ve never felt free to express my concerns about my daughter, without her becoming defensive, and ultimately not listening to my concerns. If the directors are unable to listen to me, a coherent and respectful adult, one can only imagine what they’re not listening to on a child who is too young to express her needs. I wonder if they only let her stay for as long as they did because there would be many a times where I picked her up early so she can nap a little more than they could allow based on the school’s set schedule.

After Heights Preschool let my daughter go, I worked with her for a week, and never did she have a tantrum that lasted more than 5 minutes. They stated she needs one-on-one attention that they are unable to provide, but that is not true. I’ve taken her to multiple indoor play areas and she is fine playing by herself for 2-3 hours.

I compared the number of school closures Heights Preschool has compared to other schools in the area. Heights Preschool had 15 more days of school closures than others. That’s 3 weeks! I originally signed with this school because they give the flexibility to have a part-time schedule so I could help phase-in my daughter when she was 1 years old. However, once I did the math on the full-time schedule, Heights Preschool was actually just as expensive as other schools that have a lot more amenities and activities for the children.

I compared HP’s to Montessori programs, where the schooling is child-led. Montessori schools have peace corners instead of time outs; I'm not sure what HP would do when a child has a tantrum because they are unclear in their communication, stating that they love on all the children. Other schools are just better equipped to teach emotional regulation, which I think is the most essential skill for a 2 year old to learn. If a child cannot emotionally regulate, and isn't getting enough nap time, it is difficult for them to learn or do anything else.

I know my daughter felt unwanted at Heights Preschool. Ever since she started at a Montessori school, where they have repeated over and over how much they love her, she has had absolutely no problems. And she's now flourishing at another school closer to home, which says to me, there are better schools out there able to cater to the needs of the child.