When Peppermint Tree announced the opportunity of full day Kindergarten, I was so happy! Our district does not offer full day kindergarten. After the exceptional learning environment of Peppermint Tree for preschool and pre-kindergarten, the option of half day kindergarten was not appealing as I did not think it would meet his developmental and academic needs. In addition, I thought my son would benefit from a smaller class structure with more individual attention and structured curriculum.

In fact, he has! Since September, my son has blossomed! He is reading sight words independently, beginning addition math facts and the best news: he loves learning! He wants to read! He wants to do homework! He loves, loves, loves absorbing more information. I am also very, very pleased with his social and emotional development. He is surrounded by warmth, support and compassion, and because of that - he has himself attained the very same skills.

I made a great decision keeping him at Peppermint Tree. The Toms River School District has great resources and is a great district, but the additional year of a smaller, less competitive academic setting has proven to be a stellar choice on our behalf. I am very happy to have him enrolled in the Kindergarten program at the Peppermint Tree.

Keeping our son in Peppermint Tree for Full Day Kindergarten was an easy decision, even though there was an opportunity to choose the half day option at the local public school. During his time in Kindergarten, he has developed into a student, looking forward to learning and truly enjoying the exposure to new and challenging subjects. Being in one location for the full day provides him the opportunity to learn more than is permitted without the full day of focus on learning.

During the first month of Kindergarten he mastered counting to 100 and now can count by 10s and add and subtract. Most recently he has begun counting money and can determine how much money he needs to buy a new toy!

Reading and writing are also a key component of what he is learning and his ability to recognize many sight words is enabling him to now sound out additional, more complex words, putting him on his way to reading full sentences, in Kindergarten!

Exposure to art, music and other areas of study are incorporated into the day by Mrs. Sullivan, his teacher, and there is always something new that he has learned.

The Full Day Kindergarten program at Peppermint Tree has exceeded my expectations of our son’s first dabble into true schooling. The ability to provide for our son a full day experience to set the stage for 1st Grade and beyond has truly been one of the best decisions our family could have made.

Thank you Mrs. Sullivan and Thank you Peppermint Tree for all that you do for the children.

I love that there is daily feedback about how things went that day and there is only one pre-k class, which just reminds me of the "good-ole days". I was also impressed with how the director, Miss Val, stays current with early childhood education and brings exciting things to the school to enrich the kids' experiences. My son is well cared for by experienced teachers, and all of these things add up to a secure and loving preschool experience! My son loves pre-k and I know he'll miss Peppermint Tree when it's time to move on to public school.

We are so impressed by what he has learned at your school during the past year and 1/2. Each day we become more amazed at the skill sets he is acquiring from attending your school.

In addition, Luke would really like to attend 7 days a week……He absolutely loves going to Peppermint Tree. We thank you and your staff for providing him with a wonderful base for his future education and social interactions with other children.

My children absolutely love going to school there. Whatever age the children are, each class is very helpful and geared for the children with many learning opportunities. All of their classes are dedicated and my children have learned so much from each class. I love all of the wonderful activities and social events they put together for the families and the children. They provide so many fun filled, attention grabbing activities for the children each month. They have shown nothing but a loving and caring environment for the kids. It meant everything to me that I could go back to work knowing my children were safe, happy, learning, and having fun. I wish you guys many years of success, for I know that the few years I have been there it is a wonderful experience. Thanks again for doing such a great job!

The entire staff is so warm and friendly and very personable. My children LOVE going and I love bringing them there, knowing that they will be well cared for. They have learned so much from their experiences here.

My kids come home tired, dirty, and happy, all three things that should happen coming home from camp! The school program is just as great!

Each child is made to feel so special and there is such a warm family atmosphere at PT that can't be matched. Val is passionate about education and laying the foundation for the future of our children. This philosophy shows in everything she does. We are thrilled to be a part of the Peppermint Tree experience!

My son was diagnosed with a form of Autism at 2 years old around the same time I needed to go back to work. I placed him in 3 Pre-Schools before I found Peppermint Tree. The other pre- schools were horrible experiences for both myself and my son. When I found PT I explained to the Director my dilemma and issues with my son and she listened with compassion and care. She made me feel comfortable and assured me that Niki would be well cared for.

Niki is now approaching his 6th birthday and still attends Peppermint Tree for before and after care and for their wonderful summer program ( they have 2 pools). The staff is nurturing, friendly, attentive and takes care of Niki (as well as the other children as if they were their own). He is his happiest when he is there and has learned so much from the wonderful teacher's he has had. When I leave him in the morning there is no doubt in my mind that he is being well cared for.  The facility itself is clean and has a huge playground for the kids to play and enjoy each other.

The Peppermint Tree staff go above and beyond their job responsibilities. They have also helped out my family and others through donations from staff and parents when in desperate need. I would recommend this facility to any family in the Toms River area looking for not just a child care facility but for an extended family!!!!!!!

The Owner and her family of teachers and assistants go above and beyond what is required to include not only parents, but, grandparents, friends, etc. in school and community activities. The entire staff takes a personal interest in my children and especially my autistic child's growth and development, catering specific areas of his program to fit his needs. A five-star rating doesn't really do the Peppermint Tree justice.

My son loved the Pre-K program and will be attending camp for the second summer in a row. I highly recommend this preschool and I know you won’t be disappointed!