Reviews of CEFA Early Learning New Westminster - Downtown (Kindergarten)

Kathryn J

If I could give 0 stars, I would choose 0 stars! I Strongly Do not recommend this place! This location is unprofessional! The adults who are supposed to be taking care of the kids aren’t even around the kids; they are in a corner or far away from looking after them. An incident occurred to my niece when she got hurt/injured and was given no explanation. Which I find furious and unacceptable. Just goes to show they don’t take care about your kids! I hear other locations are better and professional, not this one. So please Becareful where you enroll your kids!

Mariam George Yousif

I usually don't write reviews but I am so happy with CEFA New West that I want to share my experience with prospective parents. My daughter has been enrolled at this location 5 days a week since she turned one. Before enrolling my daughter at this school, I toured and even put down a deposit for another non-CEFA daycare. It was brand new, had a nice neighborhood surrounding it, had cameras all around which parents had access to, and provided 3 meals a day to the children. Just before submitting everything I was able to visit that daycare's baby classroom and I don't know if it was bad timing but all the children were crying, there was a mix of 6 month old to 1.5 year old children which I didn't like and the child care staff looked like a mess. They really looked like they hated their job. My gut instinct just said NO...I took back the deposit and continued my search. I'll admit that when I first toured the CEFA New West building I was skeptical that this was the right choice due to the building being a bit old and the fact that they do not have cameras in the classrooms, however, after visiting the baby classroom and seeing a positive and friendly atmosphere as well as meeting the CEFA baby classroom teachers, something about them felt warm, natural, and just sincere. I also liked that each level only had children of the same age together (1-2) (2-3) (3-4) etc. The first three weeks were a bit hard not only for myself but for my daughter. It was a new environment for her and some drop off's as well as pick up's were occasionally filled with tears but after that short period she became so excited to go to class and on some occasions even wanted to stay in the classroom when I went to pick her up. Even though there are no camera's at CEFA, I truly believe that children will show you how they feel and my daughter was pure happiness every single day. She would always wave "bye" to all her friends and hug her teachers which I know she wouldn't do on her own at such a young age if she didn't feel loved/didn't love her teachers. Even after moving to the next classroom after turning 2, all of her previous teachers always say hi to her when they see her and she still runs up to them for hugs. She is now talking and speaks fondly about her day and how she played with her friends. When I pick her up she always waives to sometimes hugs some of the children that she became best friends with as well as her teachers. I also noticed how all of the other children at CEFA are just so incredibly friendly, always waving to each other and saying "hi" to each other even when they are not in the same classroom. It just shows what a warm and positive atmosphere this CEFA location has fostered in all of the classrooms which all comes down to the teachers themselves...I really think that it is the teacher's that make all the difference in a child's experience, not the materialistic aspects of a daycare or school. Children this young need lots of love and care and are bad at hiding their feelings...if their needs are ignored whether physical or emotional, they will show it! The fact that my daughter absolutely adores her teachers past and present at this CEFA location is enough for me to feel confident that I have made the right decision for my family.

Sasa Djolic

CEFA New West Downtown - well, what to say? This place has gone downhill ever since they opened the new CEFA New West Uptown location. The best teachers are gone. Even the chef has moved to Uptown! Prior to this change, this location was great. Our toddler was happy to go every day. Loved the food, too, always ate everything. With the changes in the last year, everything is worse than before. Even the few of the old teachers who stuck around have commented on the food being worse than before. The principal has changed as well. The new principal seems only interested in numbers and bottom line - no interest at all in kids, parents, or education. We used to be greeted with a smile every day, morning and afternoon, drop off and pick up. Not so now. In talking to other parents whose kids have been here for the same amount of time, everyone is disappointed. Not a single parent in our class has positive things to say about the changes this year. We complained a couple of times to school management but nothing substantial improved. It's been a big disappointment. All I can say is, do not sign your kids into CEFA New West Downtown. The Uptown location is much much better. Or other CEFA locations

Greice Pereira

I really appreciate Cefa New Westminster downtown . I am very grateful for all the professionals who work in this place, because they have always been very considerate and caring with my daughter, besides they have a very efficient education program. I especially thank Jovana Drlacic (principal), Marina Lee (Education Coordinator) and all JK1 teachers. An example to be followed of professionalism and humanity.

David Renovation

I sent my kids here and pull them out. bad experience with the principle, Maria Telan was no good. unprofessional and rude. such an old building, limited tiny parking space. they need to fresh up their centre and make it better according to how much they charge.

Sara

The teachers are kind and friendly to the children. The school provides multiple meals and lots of STEM activities, even for babies. My son loves going to this school.

George Csizmar

Our three teachers in JK1 are great!

Yiran Shen

Such a professional daycare, staff are super friendly and professional, the meals that Chief makes everyday is so fresh delicious, and healthy. My daughter loves the meals over my cooking! When taking kids out for playing, the teachers make sure they are warm enough but not too bulky. When time for lunch and snacks, the teachers wash their hands one by one, never miss a single child. After the daycare close, the teachers still stay for another half of hour to sanitize the room. Highly recommended.

Daniel90

When something in your gut tells you something is wrong because you see kids crying and no one attending to them, pay attention to your intuition. Unfortunately, we looked past the red flags, and listened to the excuses of "they cry only when parents leave", or "when they see an adult because they want their parent". Then we saw that our little one got hurt with multiple cuts that looked like a mouth mark, one day when picking her up. She was drenched in water so I needed to change her, and saw this. Out of 3 teachers no one knew what happened or so they said. Then after filing a complaint they lied about other incidents and continued saying they have no clue. Don't bring your child here if you love them and want the best care - it won't be here.