Parent Testimonials
We couldn’t be happier with our choice of school for our son! As first time parents and our son’s first experience with school, we were being very choosy about what preschool we sent him too. Yes, we wanted a school that offered a good education, but equally important to us was a school that offered a supportive, caring and safe environment. CGS has it all and then some!
Our son is learning in leaps and bounds and is loving every moment of it!~ The White Family
My husband and I wished to find a school for our son that would provide a more intimate and nurturing environment than the local public school. We visited several private schools in the area and were fortunate that one of them was CGS. Immediately we entered the school we got a sense that this would be the right place for our son. The warmth, caring and joy that emanated from the staff was palpable. As Kelly showed us round the school, we saw engaged and happy students, and teachers who were attentive and enthusiastic. We had no doubts whatsoever, and decided that day to enrol our son in CGS.
Our son started JK this past September and the experience for him and for us has been totally positive. We are thrilled with the academic programmes and extremely pleased that our son is exposed to varied subjects and effective methodologies. Even more important to us, is that on a daily basis, he is exposed to adults who model kindness, patience, tolerance and respect.
~ The Aitken Family
This is our first year at CGS and it has been fantastic. Zoe is registered in the Early Start programme and can’t wait to get to class first thing every morning. As parents of only one child, it was difficult deciding on the best school for our 3 year old daughter. CGS made that decision very easy and we’re so happy that Zoe is able to attend a school with such focus on social, academic and creative excellence. At such a young age, she’s already learning a new language (French), taking music and physical education classes, and building the fundamental skills she will require to achieve greatness in the years to come. The small classes and wonderful teachers allow our daughter to connect one-on-one, and host an environment that promotes kindness and respect for all in the classroom.
~ A. Petrou
Understanding the importance of a child’s first six crucial years of mental development, my wife Shanas and I carefully researched schools with advanced curriculums for our son Rayn, who started at CGS when he was four years old. Now completing his second year at CGS and going on to 1st grade in September, we can say with absolute certainty that CGS was a perfect choice for Rayn.
Just as plants in a garden require plenty of sunshine, clean air and water, the children at CGS are exposed to the light of superior knowledge, an air of confidence, and a refreshing drink of healthy understanding from all CGS staff members. We have observed that this nurturing interactive environment fosters healthy, academically advanced children, motivated to succeed. Moreover, the children at CGS reflect the cultural diversity of Toronto and the education system at CGS accommodates and supports this united diversity. Originally from Guyana, we feel that this is an important aspect of CGS philosophy since we are all witnessing the progressive emergence of a global economy, with English as the most likely common language of global communication.
The children at CGS are all treated as extended family members and encouraged to perform to the best of their abilities. Yet they are taught to understand that mistakes are as important as successes to learning, just as learning to fall is as important when learning to cycle or skate. Every week our son Rayn has surprised us with something interesting, creative and inspiring that he has learned – a play, performance, recital, project, artwork or fact. He has already acquired public speaking skills and the confidence to perform in front of a crowded room. No doubt all this would not be possible without the leadership and guidance of Marie Bates, the founder and principal, who exhibits an extraordinary level of wisdom, care, compassion, and understanding for the needs of parents and children alike.
We believe that the combined experience and knowledge of the team at CGS is well above the reasonable expectations of any parent. We highly recommend CGS to the parents of any prospective student from any culture or tradition, knowing that underlying all of nature’s diversity is common ground.
~ R. Mohamed
I wanted to let you know how delighted we are that we found CGS! When we decided to relocate from London, England to Toronto one of our main concerns was finding a school for our eldest daughter – who was then 5. When we toured CGS we knew at once that this was the right school for us. The CGS teachers and support staff display such a kind, caring and nurturing attitude that our daughter made the transition to school in Canada with ease. Small class sizes and dedicated, exceptional teachers mean that the academic programme at CGS is very strong. In addition there are plenty of extra curricular activities which our daughter enjoyed, and which also helped develop skills such as leadership, social responsibility and creativity.
When our son was old enough to start a pre-kindergarten programme he joined the CGS Early Start class. He also made a wonderful transition from home to school life, as a result of the kind and caring teachers. We were impressed by the touch math programme that the children were introduced to. Additionally the children benefited from music, French and gym classes.
Our children have had outstanding experiences at CGS. We are thrilled that their formative years have been spent in such a nurturing environment, where they have been encouraged to be the very best that they can be.
~J. Mahendran
Five Years at CGS
Both of my daughters attended Children’s Garden School and it has been the most amazing experience for our entire family. Our eldest daughter started at CGS 5 years ago in JK as an extremely shy and reserved child. CGS’ small, family-like atmosphere made it the perfect school for her to adjust to going to school and actually enjoy it!
Over the past 5 years, she has blossomed into a confident, intelligent and kind girl. CGS provided her with so many opportunities to learn and grow –not only with her academic skills- but also with extra-curricular activities. Because of CGS, she has developed a love of theatre and had lead roles in the school play for the past 2 years. When I saw her singing and acting on stage, I couldn’t believe she was my quiet little girl that I had dropped off crying in JK. CGS provided her with leadership opportunities where she was able to help younger students as she got older, and in her final Grade 3 year, she confidently campaigned and was elected mayor of the school.
When it came time to applying to the bigger private schools, CGS made sure both my daughters were prepared. CGS provided my girls with a strong academic background. I constantly have friends and relatives who approach me and say they can’t believe what good readers my girls are, or are shocked that they can speak some French at their age, or that they can do tricky math in their heads. CGS also developed their confidence and oral communication skills through their small classes, which gives all the children the opportunity to speak-up and take on leadership roles. CGS prepared them so well that my daughters got into all the private schools they applied to. In fact, one school only had 2 spots and 12 applicants, and even with the odds against us, we got a spot.
I look back on my 5 years at CGS with such warmth and happiness. It is such a wonderful school. The teachers are so kind and at the same time, able to demand the high academic standards that allowed my children to gain the skills and confidence to be successful in life.
~ M. Cavelti
CGS is an incredibly nurturing, inclusive and highly stimulating environment for our daughter, both academically and creatively. The principal, staff and teachers are second to none. Madeleine was 3.5 years old when she entered the Early Start program at CGS, and to date she has been exposed on a weekly basis to a variety of classes such as French, music, dance, yoga, touch math and phonics, as well as participating in assemblies, talent shows and projects with an emphasis on global awareness and social issues. We are thrilled for Madeleine to attend such a progressive school where there is open, professional and transparent dialogue between the teachers, parents and children.”
~ The Cooke Little FamilyI want to thank CGS for giving my son such a wonderful start on his school journey. I am truly amazed at all the wonderful opportunities that he has had at this school. Not only has he benefited from the rigorous academic curriculum, but he has had opportunities to express himself through the incredible music, theatre and art programming that CGS offers. I am also extremely impressed with the school’s dedication to raising global awareness and making a difference in other people’s lives. None of this could happen without such a dedicated, talented and nurturing staff. I am grateful for the commitment, enthusiasm and compassion they have shown throughout our years at CGS. As a result, my son has become a confident and compassionate young man, and I feel he is prepared to take on the challenges that he will face both personally and academically in the years to come as a student and as an adult.
~ J. EngWe are an Australian family who relocated to Toronto after several years of living in Europe. Having no experience of the North American education system, let alone any local knowledge of Toronto schools, finding a place for our then three year old son was a very stressful time. Is it a good school, are the staff and the environment the right fit for our child?
After touring CGS we immediately knew this was the right place. The staff were so welcoming and caring, the students so friendly and confident, that it became a very easy decision for us to sign our son up for the Early Start Preschool Program.
Our son has thrived in the learning environment at CGS, where the students are encouraged to achieve above normal academic standards, while never being pressured beyond their capabilities.
CGS is also a fantastic community, with many opportunities for parents to become involved in the school and social family events. You very quickly feel a part of the “CGS family”. We cannot thank Children’s Garden School enough, staff and families alike, for the wonderful introduction we have had to Canada.
~ R. McNally
I now have my second child in SK at CGS. I can honestly say that the school has one of the best SK programs in Toronto. When my daughter was in SK in 2004-2005, I was simply amazed that every child was reading by end of the year. My son is now immersed in their wonderful phonics program and he is starting the process of learning to read right now. It is truly amazing! I also love the way each child is celebrated for their unique personalities – my son truly feels very special in his SK class.
~ S. Kennedy
Children’s Garden School has been everything we wanted and expected—an excellent education with small classes, individual attention to our kids’ needs, opportunities to try new things in a safe environment, and a community of parents who believe in the school’s mission. We are particularly excited because CGS continues to understand and emphasize a global experience, exposing children to global diversity, cultures and relationships that are very important in today’s world. It is important to us that our children have had the opportunity to learn from, experience with and enjoy children and faculty from all walks of life. Our children have absolutely loved CGS, responded well to positive feedback as well as constructive criticism. As a result they gained the confidence to be involved in all aspects of school life including The Principal’s Club, student government, the school play, sports clubs and leadership.
Our eldest son just started at UCC and we really credit CGS with preparing him incredibly well for the transition.
~ A. Engel