Morse-Evans Health Svc

Pros

• The staff go above and beyond for children, creating a loving, supportive environment.
• The Mandel JCC Preschool is described as nurturing, safe, fun, caring, and warm.
• Families report their children are excited to go to school and view it as a second home.
• The before- and after-care programs are lifesavers for families.
• The curriculum includes Jewish traditions and weekly Shabbat celebrations, fostering a strong community.
• The programs offer diverse activities for all ages, including outdoor time, swimming, splash pad, music, and gym, plus summer camp with shows and themed days.
• Administration and teachers are described as responsive, friendly, and deeply involved in classrooms.
• Daily photo updates help families stay connected with their children's activities.
• The facility is clean and safety-conscious.

Cons

• The main contact number is rarely answered, and callbacks are difficult to obtain, making inquiries and enrollment nerve-wracking.
• A parent states their child was bullied and treated poorly, and they were charged $800 due to a 60-day cancellation policy, feeling the child was not safe.
• The pricing includes extra charges for early drop-off before 9 am or late pick-up after 3 pm, on top of a high base price, which felt unfair and opaque.
• The administration is described as an issue, with significant mishaps and difficulty obtaining reliable childcare.
• The virtual schooling program is described as unorganized and misleading, with staff not assisting children and focused on money.
• The director is accused of dismissing concerns and cutting people off, rather than addressing issues.
• Policies during the pandemic are said to be apathetic toward families, with higher charges and money being held, resulting in partial credits for some.
• Parking and pool access are noted as inconvenient, adding to a negative experience.

Review

The Mandel JCC Preschool in Boynton Beach and its surrounding JCC programs emerge in a mosaic of experiences. For many families, the place feels like a second home - a warm, loving, and deeply supportive community where children are cared for as if they were part of the family. Across multiple accounts, kids arrive excited to learn, play, swim, and explore, and parents repeatedly describe the staff as professional, patient, and genuinely devoted. The environment is often described as nurturing, safe, and fun, with teachers who form meaningful connections with children and families. The sense that the school is more than just a classroom - an ongoing community where events, holiday traditions, and daily routines are woven into daily life - shows up repeatedly in praise for the way the school incorporates Jewish traditions, Shabbat celebrations, and family-friendly programs.

A large part of that positive picture comes from the people at the center of daily life. Parents consistently mention lead and assistant teachers who are kind, communicative, and attentive to each child's development. They appreciate the transparency of daily activities, including frequent photo updates that let families feel connected to moments from the school day. The administrative crew - named often in the reviews as Jodie, Lisa, and Stacy - receives strong praise for being quick to answer questions, easy to work with, and deeply involved in classroom life. Families notice when the administration is present during activities and when staff regularly communicate about what's happening with each child. The sense of a collaborative, supportive team is a recurring bright spot, contributing to the overall sense of trust many families place in the JCC environment.

Parents also highlight a robust set of programs that extend beyond the regular preschool day. The before-care and after-care options are repeatedly described as lifesavers for working families, offering flexibility to manage work schedules while keeping children engaged in age-appropriate activities. The program lineup includes swimming, splash pads, music, gym, and a variety of activities across age groups, with many families noting how their children look forward to these experiences. The school's approach to learning through play, along with a strong emphasis on safety and structure, helps children develop socially, emotionally, and physically. The broader JCC ecosystem is also attractive: family events, inclusion programs like Tikvah, and summer camp experiences with shows, water slides, and dress-up days create a sense of continuity from school year to summer.

Yet the collective story is not without its stresses and criticisms. A number of reviews recount serious concerns about safety and the administrative side of things. One family recounted a troubling incident of bullying, followed by the sense that their child was not safe, and the experience was complicated further by a cancellation policy that carried an $800 charge after they chose to remove their child. That combination of safety concerns and a difficult fee structure casts a shadow over the otherwise warmly described environment. Other reviewers flag pricing as a core issue: a base price that already feels high, and then additional charges for early drop-off before 9 am or late pick-up after 3 pm. The notion of "hidden costs" and a lack of fixed, transparent pricing contributes to a perception that some families face unexpected and burdensome expenses.

The administrative side also provokes mixed feelings. Several reviews praise the front-line staff for their responsiveness and warmth but describe a more contentious dynamic with higher-level administration. In particular, tensions around how concerns are handled, the handling of a specific director - the tone and responsiveness of Allison Lazarus - are cited as a source of frustration for families who felt their concerns were dismissed or inadequately addressed. Complaints about mismanagement or disorganization - especially during transitions such as virtual learning or other changes - contrast with the many stories of staff who are professional and caring. A recurrent theme is the difficulty some families experience in reaching someone on the main line or getting timely callbacks, which amplifies the sense of frustration for those with questions about enrollment, billing, or program changes.

In the midst of these tensions, several families stress the importance of the positive, inclusive, and family-centered aspects of the JCC. They point to an environment where children of different abilities are included and supported, and where the front office is described as kind, caring, and organized. The sense that teachers and staff invest in long-term relationships with children - staying with families across years, supporting both academic and social development - contributes to the feeling that the JCC is more than just a place to attend preschool. The emphasis on safety measures, cleanliness, and a structured routine further reinforces why many families return year after year, often extending their involvement to summer camps, special events, and ongoing aftercare.

Readers with more than one child or with broader family needs often describe a deeply positive, almost unwavering appreciation for the program's strengths. They tout the emotional and developmental benefits their kids receive: excitement about school, enthusiasm for holidays and community activities, and a sense of belonging that makes the school feel like a second home. They celebrate the robust calendar of activities, including swimming, splash pads, cooking activities, and organized outdoor play, and they applaud the staff for maintaining open lines of communication and providing regular feedback about their children's learning and social growth. Even those who have had reservations about certain administrative processes generally acknowledge the quality of care and dedication demonstrated by the teachers and the value of the community the JCC fosters.

Overall, the Melanie JCC Preschool and its Boynton Beach programs present a complex, multi-faceted portrait. For many families, it is a place of warmth, security, and meaningful learning, where children thrive under the care of engaged teachers and a responsive, if sometimes imperfect, administrative system. For others, practical concerns about cost, communication, and policy clarity temper their experience, reminding prospective families to ask detailed questions about pricing, cancellation terms, accessibility, and the steps they should take to reach someone when needed. The enduring thread is clear: this is a community with the capacity to be transformative for children and families, anchored by caring staff, a lively schedule of activities, and a commitment to developing both the social and educational foundations that families value most. If you're considering enrollment, it's wise to weigh the strong, relationship-driven benefits and the vibrant community against the pricing structure and the need for clear, reliable communication and administrative support.

This area of Boynton Beach, Florida, offers a variety of conveniences and amenities that would be ideal for senior living. With multiple restaurants within a short distance, including options like Duffy's Sports Grill and Chris' Taverna, there are plenty of dining choices nearby. Pharmacies such as Winn-Dixie and CVS, as well as several healthcare facilities like Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches and Siperstein Dermatology Group, ensure easy access to medical services. For leisure and recreation, there are cafes like Starbucks and The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co., as well as parks such as Ezel H. Community Park and Ocean Front Park. Additionally, the Boynton Beach Tri-rail Station provides convenient transportation options for exploring the surrounding area. Places of worship like Epiphany Lutheran Church cater to spiritual needs, while nearby theaters like Cinemark offer entertainment options. Overall, this neighborhood offers a blend of practicality and leisure activities that would suit seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment.

Restaurants

• Duffy's Sports Grill (1.4 miles)
• Wendy's (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Chris' Taverna (2.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.8 miles)
• McDonald's (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Winn-Dixie (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)

Physicians

• Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches (1.6 miles)
• Diagnostic Centers of America (1.6 miles)
• Siperstein Dermatology Group (1.7 miles)
• Boynton Beach Skin (2 miles)
• Martha Mercedes Rodriguez (4.1 miles)
• Imaging Center-Boynton Beach (4.1 miles)
• Florida Allergy & Asthma Assoc (4.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (6 miles)
• The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Baptist Health Bethesda Hospital West (3.5 miles)
• Jfk Cath Lab (4.9 miles)
• Jfk Transport (4.9 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• Boynton Beach Tri-rail Station (4.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Epiphany Lutheran Church (4.9 miles)
• Life.Church Wellington (6.8 miles)

Parks

• Ezel H. Community Park (5 miles)
• Caloosa Park (5.6 miles)
• Ocean Front Park (6.4 miles)
• Gulfstream Park (6.7 miles)