Little Munchkins Academy
PO Box 5810
HerculesCA94547
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Member Reviews
Boot camp or daycare?:
I cannot comment on the care Sarah Kazmi claims to give children who attend Little Munchkins Academy. I can only comment on my experience in dealing with Sarah Kazmi herself.
We enrolled our daughter in her academy and paid her a holding fee and the first month’s tuition. She was supposed to start on May 31, 2011, but unfortunately, I was laid off from my job the week before. Having paid her in advance, you would think that a former Business of the Year would show a bit of compassion at the situation and would offer a refund of some sort since no services were provided.
Well, if you have met Sarah and have gotten the half inch handbook, you will read that - Both the holding fee and first month’s tuition is non-refundable. If your child does not start on the date stated, both the holding fee and first month's tuition will be forfeited. You will also read that you must sign an advance payment agreement for last four weeks of care; that you understand that tuition and other fees are neither prorated nor refunded at any time, including if your child does not stay enrolled the length of time paid for.
Okay, I get that. I could understand not getting a refund had my husband and I simply changed our minds about having our daughter attend Little Munchkins. However, I was laid off from my job!?
She appears to be more interested in the money she gets from clients, then providing a nurturing environment for their children. She imposes ridiculous fees ranging from: $20 for being late for every 15 minutes for early drop off or late pick up, to a late tuition fee of $25 if tuition is not received by 9:00 am on the Thursday it is due and even potty training fees. She also doesn’t accept personal checks, which means you either need to go to a bank and pay to get a cashier’s check, go to a post office and pay for a money order, or pay her in cash. Then there’s the one aspect that really made me wonder about her business practice...she doesn’t give receipts. Really? What kind of business doesn’t give receipts for services provided? My husband and I contribute to dependent care programs through our employers, which will reimburse you a portion of the fees when you file a claim and submit a receipt.
I have read a few positive reviews, more negative ones about her academy, but in my experience in dealing with her directly, I would not recommend enrolling your child there. She decides the timings for drop off and pick up of your child that are more convenient for her than for you. I would have had to be late for my job after dropping my child off since she does not open until 7:30 am; my husband would have been picking her up at 1:00 pm, yet she wanted him to leave her there until 4:00 pm.
Seriously think about whether or not her academy is a good fit for your child and hope that nothing unexpected happens in your life. I have the handbook if you’d like a copy of it so you know what you’re getting yourself into - I can email you a PDF version. Be knowledgeable before signing anything and paying her any money!
We enrolled our daughter in her academy and paid her a holding fee and the first month’s tuition. She was supposed to start on May 31, 2011, but unfortunately, I was laid off from my job the week before. Having paid her in advance, you would think that a former Business of the Year would show a bit of compassion at the situation and would offer a refund of some sort since no services were provided.
Well, if you have met Sarah and have gotten the half inch handbook, you will read that - Both the holding fee and first month’s tuition is non-refundable. If your child does not start on the date stated, both the holding fee and first month's tuition will be forfeited. You will also read that you must sign an advance payment agreement for last four weeks of care; that you understand that tuition and other fees are neither prorated nor refunded at any time, including if your child does not stay enrolled the length of time paid for.
Okay, I get that. I could understand not getting a refund had my husband and I simply changed our minds about having our daughter attend Little Munchkins. However, I was laid off from my job!?
She appears to be more interested in the money she gets from clients, then providing a nurturing environment for their children. She imposes ridiculous fees ranging from: $20 for being late for every 15 minutes for early drop off or late pick up, to a late tuition fee of $25 if tuition is not received by 9:00 am on the Thursday it is due and even potty training fees. She also doesn’t accept personal checks, which means you either need to go to a bank and pay to get a cashier’s check, go to a post office and pay for a money order, or pay her in cash. Then there’s the one aspect that really made me wonder about her business practice...she doesn’t give receipts. Really? What kind of business doesn’t give receipts for services provided? My husband and I contribute to dependent care programs through our employers, which will reimburse you a portion of the fees when you file a claim and submit a receipt.
I have read a few positive reviews, more negative ones about her academy, but in my experience in dealing with her directly, I would not recommend enrolling your child there. She decides the timings for drop off and pick up of your child that are more convenient for her than for you. I would have had to be late for my job after dropping my child off since she does not open until 7:30 am; my husband would have been picking her up at 1:00 pm, yet she wanted him to leave her there until 4:00 pm.
Seriously think about whether or not her academy is a good fit for your child and hope that nothing unexpected happens in your life. I have the handbook if you’d like a copy of it so you know what you’re getting yourself into - I can email you a PDF version. Be knowledgeable before signing anything and paying her any money!
beware of Sarah's double standards:
Sarah boasts of her rules and makes sure the parents follow her rules by force and by fines.
She widely accepts she is not good with Dads and encourages moms for communication, drop off and pickups.
Dont be surprised if she refuses to accept your small request because she will then have to make exception for the rest of kids.
She is good at making rules on the fly and sneeking them into rule book with a story. She told us some weird stories that were hard to believe.
She convinently decides what will be timings for your sons drop off and pickup (at the time of interview). Dont be alarmed if you find her timings to be odd because she makes them so for her to be able to say no to certain (not preferred) parents when she finds another easy-going kid to replace with. fyi: for preferred parents it is convinient timing (9 or more hrs). I was surprised too.
She widely accepts she is not good with Dads and encourages moms for communication, drop off and pickups.
Dont be surprised if she refuses to accept your small request because she will then have to make exception for the rest of kids.
She is good at making rules on the fly and sneeking them into rule book with a story. She told us some weird stories that were hard to believe.
She convinently decides what will be timings for your sons drop off and pickup (at the time of interview). Dont be alarmed if you find her timings to be odd because she makes them so for her to be able to say no to certain (not preferred) parents when she finds another easy-going kid to replace with. fyi: for preferred parents it is convinient timing (9 or more hrs). I was surprised too.
Information from the business
Established in 1992, Little Munchkins Academy is a Nationally Accredited Early Learning Child Development program. LMA's comprehensive Kindergarten Readiness program consists of Reading, Sign Language, Spanish, Yoga and more. The children thrive in a low teacher/child ratio environment.
The Academy uses a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum which focuses on the intellectual, social,...
The Academy uses a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum which focuses on the intellectual, social,...
