Precious Years

Pros

• Oakland County's GSRP program is commended for listening and providing the needed resources.
• The family expresses gratitude for the referral to Bussey for additional services.
• The child's growth due to Bussey's in-house services, curriculum, attention to detail, and staff's patience has been heartwarming.
• Parental engagement resources and events have a huge positive impact on the child's well-being.
• The transition has helped the family prepare for the child's academic journey.
• The family praises the care, accommodations, and ongoing support at Bussey.
• They credit Southfield Public School District, Oakland County, and the GSRP program with contributing to the child's academic success.
• Bussey is described as the best place to educate youngsters, with a birth-3 center, national accreditation, and a highly regarded director.

Cons

• The enrollment process was described as unbelievable, and the district was said to need reevaluation.
• The staff were described as very unprofessional, inconsiderate, inconsistent, and nonchalant.
• A two-week wait for a callback was noted, with staff repeating the same questions as if not fully involved.
• The enrollment process was criticized for poor communication, with claims they "can't even do the bare minimum" to answer the phone.
• The 2017-2018 school year was described as a disappointment and dreadful.
• A grandparent stated children are sent outside in freezing cold, and sanitizer is not used, raising illness concerns.
• An application was submitted two months earlier with no response, indicating unresponsiveness from the staff.

Review

The experiences shared about Bussey and the GSRP program through Southfield Public Schools and Oakland County paint a rich, multi-faceted picture of early learning that many families hold dear. For one family, the journey began with a warm referral from GSRP, following a transition from a Montessori setting. They credit GSRP and Bussey with listening carefully and supplying the resources their child needed most. The impact, they say, has been both measurable and heartwarming: noticeable growth in their child, supported by in-house services, a thoughtful curriculum, meticulous attention to detail, patience, and resilience from the team. The in-house offerings - speech therapy, occupational therapy, and social work - paired with a curriculum designed to engage, have been pivotal. The family highlights not only the direct interventions but also the many resources and parental-engagement events that make a meaningful difference in daily life and in the child's well-being. This support structure has eased transitions and helped the whole family feel prepared for the academic road ahead, especially for first-time parents who deeply value care, accommodations, and unwavering support from the moment their child arrives.

What stands out in their account is the breadth and depth of services that accompany traditional classroom learning. The providers' in-house services, paired with a curriculum that emphasizes detail and responsiveness, have allowed the child to build skills in a structured, nurturing setting. The family emphasizes that the school's approach goes beyond academics to include hands-on resources and events designed to keep families engaged. This parental involvement is described as a powerful force impacting the child's well-being and the family's sense of readiness for future transitions in schooling. The tone of gratitude is clear: the program is seen as a cornerstone for both the child's development and the family's confidence as they navigate the school years together.

Amid the praise, there are also calls to recognize the broader system that makes this possible. The family offers heartfelt thanks to Southfield Public School District, Oakland County, and the GSRP program for contributing to their child's academic success. They even lean on a touch of whimsy to express optimism about the journey ahead, quoting Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the places you'll go!" as a reminder that this partnership is opening doors to numerous opportunities. The sentiment captures a sense that the district and its partners aren't just delivering early education; they're equipping families to dream bigger and plan more confidently for what comes next.

Alongside the glowing reflections, some reviewers describe frustrations with communication and enrollment logistics. A recurring theme is the need for smoother office communication and a more efficient enrollment process. One reviewer uses strong language to convey frustration with delayed callbacks and repetitive questions, suggesting that the district could reevaluate procedures to better serve families seeking to enroll. The underlying concern is not the quality of instruction but the experience of navigating administrative steps, which can color a family's early impressions of the school and influence their overall sense of readiness to engage.

There are also voices that reflect a deep, enduring connection to Bussey, even as they recount past or mixed experiences. A number of memories speak to the school's longevity and impact: people recalling attending Bussey in years past, praising teachers and the overall environment that remains associated with positive memories. Some specifically note influential staff - such as a teacher named Mrs. Douglas who made a meaningful difference - and acknowledge the school's evolution, including the birth-to-three center and its nationally recognized accreditation. The sense of continuity - being part of a district-wide ecosystem that is seen by some as the best - permeates these reflections, alongside notices of waiting lists that remind families to plan ahead for enrollment.

In another thread of feedback, there's pride in Bussey's hands-on, participatory approach. The school is described as "very hands on" and strongly oriented toward parent involvement, with an emphasis on child-generated activity and a culture that feels energized by family participation. The positive depiction of a collaborative community that invites parents to contribute further complements the program's strengths, painting Bussey as a place where families feel welcomed as active partners in their children's education and development.

Yet not all comments align with that tone. Some reviews return to concerns about administrative responsiveness and consistency. A few reviewers recount slow or inconsistent responses to applications and communications, including a complaint about submitting an application months earlier without a clear update. Others reflect on past years that did not meet expectations or hopes, describing disappointment related to office and teaching staff during particular school years, and even nostalgic comparisons to the school's earlier days at a different location. One reviewer recalls a winter safety concern, noting that a grandchild's experience involved outdoor time in freezing weather and questions about sanitization practices, which dimmed the otherwise positive impression for that family.

Despite the mix of praise and concern, a common thread remains: Bussey's role as a foundational early-learning environment within the Head Start and GSRP framework, anchored by a curriculum - often highlighted as HighScope - that emphasizes active learning, problem solving, and preparing children to become engaged, productive citizens in their communities. Several voices celebrate the staff as caring and skilled, and describe the program as a source of happiness, curiosity, and lifelong learning. The overarching message is that Bussey and its associated programs can be a powerful catalyst for growth when supported by robust services, accessible communication, and sustained partnership with families and the district. Taken together, these perspectives sketch a community that deeply cares about early education, values both its strengths and its opportunities for improvement, and remains committed to laying a strong foundation for children's academic journeys.

Located in Southfield, Michigan, this neighborhood offers convenient access to essential services such as pharmacies, cafes, restaurants, physicians, parks, theaters, hospitals, and places of worship. With multiple pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS within a short distance, residents can easily access their medications. Numerous cafes like Starbucks provide opportunities for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Restaurants such as McDonald's and Brown Iron Brewhouse Royal Oak offer a variety of dining options. Quality medical care is also available with nearby physicians and hospitals like Providence Medical Center. For recreational activities, residents can visit parks like Starr Jaycee Park and Shain Park or catch a movie at theaters like Emagine Royal Oak. Places of worship like St Hugo of the Hills Church cater to spiritual needs. Overall, this area provides a range of amenities that make it an attractive option for seniors looking for a vibrant community with convenient access to essential services.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks Reserve (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.8 miles)
• Alex's of Berkley (2.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.4 miles)
• Brown Iron Brewhouse Royal Oak (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• Wendy's (3.3 miles)
• Mt. Chalet II (3.4 miles)

Physicians

• Be Well Medical Center (2.4 miles)
• Beverly Hills Orthopedists (3.2 miles)
• Royal Oak Pediatrics PC (3.4 miles)
• Providence Medical Center (5.3 miles)
• Troy Orthopedics Associates (5.7 miles)
• Troy Medical Center (5.8 miles)
• Millenium Diagnostic Center (6.9 miles)

Parks

• Starr Jaycee Park (4 miles)
• Shain Park (4.2 miles)
• Harding Park (4.9 miles)
• Clawson Park (5.3 miles)
• Scout Park (6.7 miles)
• Palmer Park (7 miles)
• Flanders Park (7.9 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Royal Oak (4.1 miles)
• MJR Troy Grand Digital Cinema 16 (5.8 miles)
• Riviera Cinema (6.5 miles)
• AMC Star John R 15 (6.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Botsford Hospital (5.9 miles)
• Park Geriatric Village (8.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Hugo of the Hills Church (7.5 miles)
• Big Beaver United Methodist Church (8.5 miles)