Chesterbrook Academy Preschool of Raleigh

The teachers in this school have far surpassed any expectations I could have ever had. We continue to be amazed at all they do and seeing how our son grows each day. Every day we pick him up he tells us about the wonderful day he has had. Every class transition is so difficult for him because he bonds so closely with each teacher, which shows how much they love on him. The curriculum is incredible and the extra activities are fun to participate in. The teacher retention here is truly wonderful to see and becomes something you can count on.

We made the really tough decision to leave this school after 3½ years. Our daughter grew up here, and the teachers are truly the best part. They love the kids, work incredibly hard, and do so much with so little. They were absolutely the hardest thing to leave behind. Unfortunately, the management side has gone downhill. The school is owned by a private equity group, and it shows. Tuition goes up every year, but the amazing teachers aren’t seeing that reflected in their pay, and are ultimately leaving for better opportunities. Classrooms were repeatedly stretched past state ratios, and the teachers were left trying to hold everything together without enough support. We also had ongoing concerns about safety and outdated systems that corporate didn’t seem willing to fix. After a lot of thought, we decided we couldn’t keep our kids in an environment where the focus seemed to be on profits over people. We’ll always be grateful for the teachers who cared so much for our child. They deserve better support and leadership than what corporate is giving them.

We absolutely loved Chesterbrook - the care and intentionality of the teachers and staff shines through in all interactions. Marlo leads a great team and even a year later after we left the school (due to a house move relocating us), the teachers have recognized my son by name when we see them around Raleigh. I was particularly impressed with the academic prowess of Ms. Jenny, who had my son writing his name at hardly 3 years old! Aymee, Jessica, Covia, Cecilia, Kesha, Kenyah, Alka and more - SO many wonderful teachers. The waiting list is long but worth it - and you will be so happy to watch your little one grow here.

Ms. Kelly and Ms. Nicole have been fantastic teachers to both of our daughters at Chesterbrook! They provide a high-quality curriculum and do an excellent job teaching it. Our oldest was well-prepared for kindergarten after their class, and we’re confident our youngest will be just as ready for elementary school. Their years of experience working together show in their teamwork, and they communicate wonderfully with parents to keep us informed. We’re so grateful for their dedication and highly recommend them!

Five-Star Review!! We cannot say enough positive things about Chesterbrook Academy on Millbrook! Both of our children have attended, and the experience has been absolutely incredible. Our 2-year-old started in the infant room, and our 5-year-old began when she was three after transferring from another local daycare during the pandemic. From the beginning, Chesterbrook has felt like a second home for our kids. Our experience with the Pre-K 2 class has been outstanding. Ms. Kelly and Ms. Nicole are truly exceptional teachers. They’ve done an amazing job teaching sight words, helping the kids sound out letters to form words, and counting to over 100! The activities are always engaging and creative, making learning fun while setting a solid foundation for kindergarten. They actively encourage parent involvement and feedback, which makes us feel so included in our daughter’s learning journey. We firmly believe that Ms. Kelly and Ms. Nicole have set our daughter up for success as she transitions into kindergarten. We are so thankful for their dedication and care! Our 2-year-old is thriving in the Beginners Class with Ms. Kenyah, Ms. Kesha, and Ms. Alca. These teachers are patient, kind, and truly invested in the kids’ growth. Our little one is starting to count, recite her ABCs, and even dress herself independently! She’s on her way to being fully potty trained thanks to their positive encouragement and consistent support. What means the most to us is how excited our daughter is to go to school every day — she literally runs to her teachers when she sees them! It’s clear that she feels loved and safe in their care. We’ve loved every stage and every teacher along the way. From the infant room with Ms. Shirley, to the toddler class with Ms. Jessica and Ms. Amyee, to time spent with Ms. Taryn (who has had both of our children in her class) — the consistency of excellent care and teaching has been remarkable. The staff at Chesterbrook genuinely treat our children like their own, and that level of love and care means everything to us. Ms. Marlo, the school director, is incredibly kind and thoughtful. She does an amazing job keeping parents informed and planning events that are well-organized and fun for both kids and families. Her leadership and communication help create the warm and welcoming environment that makes Chesterbrook so special. A special shoutout to Ms. Stella the kitchen staff — the meals are healthy and thoughtfully prepared. It smells amazing every morning when you walk into the building, and we love knowing our kids are getting balanced, nutritious meals. We are undoubtedly forgetting some names, but truly everyone at Chesterbrook Academy deserves recognition. The teachers, staff, and leadership have created a loving and supportive environment where our kids have not only learned but also thrived. We feel incredibly grateful to have found Chesterbrook — it’s more than a school, it’s a family.