Lil' Rascals Academy

"My daughter attended Lil Rascals from when she was 1 years old to 3. My 5 star review is for her wonderful teacher Ms. Rosario (Ms. Chado) who was her teacher in the 3 year old classroom. She is the absolute best! I am forever grateful for everything she has taught my daughter while being in her class. From Letters/Numbers, to singing songs, learning Spanish, and overall making sure that my daughter and the other kids always had the best day. By Sunday my daughter would tell me how she was ready to go back to class to see Ms. Chado on Monday. She truly takes so much pride in her students and classroom, she always addressed any questions we had, and welcomed each child with such warmth and kindness everyday. I was so grateful knowing that when I dropped my daughter off that she was going to have a great day in her class, come home smiling, and telling us how much fun she had with Ms. Chado."

"I put my child in the summer VPK program for 2023. I was told and given a paper that said the program offers Breakfast, Lunch, and an afternoon snack and that the VPK program began at 9:00 am. He began VPK, and we noticed some differences in how the VPK kids were treated, being that they weren't allowed to go on field trips with the rest of the school and that they didn't participate in all of the summer fun activities because they had a particular curriculum they had to get through before the end of summer. We were ok with the program. His dad had been taking him the first two weeks due to my work schedule, and we were under the impression he had been eating Breakfast, lunch, and snacks, so all was well. Today June 26th, 2023. I bring my child in 10 minutes late, and I check if he will still be able to eat Breakfast. The teacher informs me Breakfast ends at 8:30 am. I asked how does Breakfast end at 8:30 am, and you said the earliest we could bring the VPK students is 9 am and I was told and given a paper saying you guys offer Breakfast, lunch, and snack. I go to speak to the Director Ms. Luciana Salomoni and front desk attendant Ms. Carmichelle, and as I plead my case, I am met with the utmost lack of regard and accountability. To try to get them to see my point of view, I asked both of them what if this was their child who hadn't been getting Breakfast for two weeks. The Director, Ms. Luciana, snarks that she would make sure her child has an early breakfast as nine is too late for Breakfast. I, of course, got angry, and I did yell, and so did they. They said that they would not talk to me while I was yelling, even though they were also yelling. I calm down and try to record their explanation of the events as I am going to file a formal complaint with the BBB and the VPK services. Ms. Carmichelle is giving me so much attitude at this point with her body language rolling her eyes and her neck, raising her voice at me and verbally telling me to get out even though I am speaking calmly and my child is in the class. Ms. Jennifer, the staff who helped sign my child up, came in. I explain the situation, and she states that she always informs VPK parents that their child will not be getting Breakfast since the earliest they can start is 9 am. I told her that may be so, but I was not given this information. She told me that the school offers Breakfast, lunch, and snacks. I was given a paper to fill out for Breakfast, lunch, and snack, and I was given nothing in writing stating Breakfast ends at 8:30 and that VPK students will not be getting Breakfast. At this point, the conversation is at a standstill as she will not admit wrongdoing, and I will not admit she told me the information I did not receive. As a mother, I know wholeheartedly I would remember if someone told me my only child would not get Breakfast. Throughout the remainder of the conversation, Ms. Carmichelle is in the back, rolling her neck and making sounds behaving like a child. I ask Ms. Jennifer to please speak to her as she is being unprofessional. Ms Carmichelle started clapping her hands and told me I couldn't control her body, which is true, but lady, at least be professional enough not to instigate more drama when you can see I am distressed at the fact that my 5-year-old was not eating Breakfast for two weeks. Now, I am doing what I can to switch my child from the program. Ms. Jennifer did apologize at the end of our conversation, which I appreciate; however, the way the Director, Ms. Luciana Salomoni, and Ms. Carmichelle reacted to my son not eating and the attitude I was given by them, I do not feel comfortable leaving my child in their care. They should update their enrollment packet to include that VPK children do not receive Breakfast and to treat every child and every child's parent with understanding, especially without judgment. Lastly, I requested a COPY of my enrollment packet as evidence and I was told No. If they were innocent, I don't see the problem with granting a copy of the documents that I signed."

"Little Rascals Cooper City is a great school! My son has been in this school since 18 months and now he is 3 years old. The staff and teachers there are very friendly. They greet the kids and the parents and it seems everyone knows my son’s name. The teachers are very friendly and well trained. They have tones of indoor activities and outdoor play time. We always got the cute art pieces made from my son at school. We will recommend this school to anyone who wants your little one to be in a loving environment and also learns a lot."

"Excellent and loving environment! The moment you walk into the building from the director of the school, managers, stuff at the front desk to the teachers - everyone makes you feel like you are a family. They are very communicative and helpful! My daughter has been attending this school for 3 yrs. She loves her school and all her teachers! She always has something exciting to tell me about the activities she did throughout the day when I pick her up. I am very grateful i picked this school for my daughter and i highly recommend this school!"