Testimonials 2025
“Our son has been going to Smart Cookies for the last year, and it’s been a very positive experience. He went in without a 2nd thought from his very first day and loves going in every day. He’s become more independent and engaged in learning. The staff are excellent – caring, professional, and genuinely invested in the children’s development. I would highly recommend Smart Cookies”
Penny and Jack
“Sending our daughter to Smart Cookies was one of the best decisions we’ve made. The teachers are outstanding and create a wonderful environment where children are empowered to explore at their own pace. Our daughter has blossomed into a confident and enthusiastic learner, with a genuine sense of discovery and kindness for the world around her. She loves telling us about her ‘work’ each day and often surprises us with her understanding of complex topics we didn’t even realize she was learning!
We are so grateful for the incredible foundation Smart Cookies has provided our daughter. It’s more than just a school; it’s a community that celebrates each child’s unique potential and instils in them a lifelong love of learning. We wholeheartedly recommend Smart Cookies to any family looking for an empowering and very special educational experience for their child.”
Jack and Lorraine
“We cannot recommend Smart Cookies highly enough. Our son loved it so much that he even wanted to go on weekends too! The staff are not only highly trained and experienced but have the innate skills and intuition needed to foster a safe space and a calm environment that promotes fun and learning. They give above and beyond consideration to each child’s individual needs and what they need to thrive.”
Joseph and Karima
“Our son, Conor, has been a student for Smart Cookies Montessori School for the past two years. We are delighted to say we found their service very efficient and just excellent. Because, as a deaf mother, our son started to develop temporary issues with his speech and learning how to sound out the words, the team, especially Lisa, who has been 100% hands on working with him, such as one to one sessions within the Montessori hours, keeping us informed with the up to date reports that we then sent to extra outside support and also informing us of new developments.
They really are very communicative with emailing and texting with us which was invaluable as due to my hearing impairment, I cannot use the phone.
They really helped the students developing communication with our son and he made great lifelong friends with them. They were always, and still are, there for us both educationally and emotionally for us. We always felt happy every morning leaving Conor in the Montessori, as we know the environment is a very safe and of course great fun learning experience. Because of their teamwork with ourselves, Conor is now 100% ready for the next chapter going into Junior Infants! We cannot thank them enough for all of their helps throughout the last two years. Conor will truly miss them. We will never forget this and never forget their kindness also.”Best wishes and lots of fun for the next more little ones going into Smart Cookies in the future,
Lots of love,
Lori & Cian.“My son has attended Smart Cookies for two years and has absolutely loved his time there. The teachers are all so kind and caring and have nurtured and thought him so much. He is sad to be moving on and leaving all his pals but we are so grateful for the great foundation he has gotten ahead of starting primary school!”
Anon
“Amaya and Allana have absolutely thrived since joining Smart Cookies! It’s been wonderful to see their confidence grow week after week. The Montessori programme is not only fun and engaging, but it’s also incredibly supportive. Lisa and the team create such a warm and encouraging environment where every child feels valued. I’m so grateful for the positive impact Smart Cookies has had on my girls!”
Carolina Roe
“Lisa has been an incredible caregiver for my child at Smart Cookies Montessori . From the very first day, Lisa and her team provided warmth, patience, and dedication which put my mind at ease. My child has thrived under their care, learning so much while always feeling safe, loved, and encouraged. I’m so grateful for the nurturing environment Lisa provides and would highly recommend them to any parent looking for exceptional care. Thank you for everything!”Wendy Zhang
“Our son started at Smart Cookies when he was just over two and a half. Looking back he was such a tiny little guy heading in the door. He has absolutely thrived with Lisa and her fantastic team over the past two and a half years. We will be sending a confident, bright and happy child to primary school in September. He’s learned so much and built positive and loving relationships with his peers and teachers which I know will stand to him for years beyond Montessori”Richard and Clio
“Mark has spent two years at Smart Cookies. It has been amazing to watch him grow and mature under the caring supervision of Lisa, Darina and Eve. Like his sister Hannah before him we owe our gratitude to the solid educational grounding they both received in Smart Cookies. Thank you.”
Alex Murphy
TESTIMONIALS 2024
Our 3 children have completed the Montessori program at smart cookies over the last 6 years. Lisa and her team were wonderful, supporting the little ones and helping them to prepare for primary school. It was a rare morning that that our kids were reluctant to go in and they always came home full of joy. Lisa has always been able to offer us practical advice and her years of experience caring for children are very apparent. We would not hesitate to recommend smart cookies and will miss Lisa and her team.
John and Jessica Legge
Thank you for the fantastic start you have given Donagh on his educational journey. You are a phenomenal educator and mentor to all of the children in your care. We can see the love and attention you give each child and Donagh has thrived in Smart Cookies as a result. You have given him a lifelong gift of positive association with school and learning.
You also mind all of us parents with great care and we feel very lucky to have you in our lives. Is it too soon to sign Fionn up??
Brian Barry and Deirdre Robertson
Thank you so much for taking such good care of Lughaidh over these past two years. You’ve gone above and beyond to give him extra care and attention and cannot thank you enough. Your school is a very special place and we are all going to miss you. We have special memories to cherish.
Camille, Brian and Lughaidh Lynch
Thank you so much for all you have done for Sadhbh. We are so proud of her and you have played a big role in bringing her to where she is today. I know that she will always treasure her time in Smart Cookies.
From Niamh and Connor Duffy
We will always be so grateful that you agreed to take Liadan on at such short notice and when you were happy with the numbers you had. It has really been such a positive happy experience for Liadan and for us all. Thank you for all that you did to make it that way and or all of your kindness and care for Liadan.
We will miss you all a lot.
Thank you
Lasairfhiona and Ray Ryan
TESTIMONIALS JUNE 2021
Our Daughter Hannah attended Smart Cookies for two and a half years. It was always a pleasure interacting with Lisa and the team.
In her time at Smart Cookies we have watched our daughter mature with both a sensitive and inquisitive personality. She always looked forward to attending and came home with exciting stories of new activities and new friends. It is also important to acknowledge that Lisa would always tell it as it is and work with both Hannah and us on her development.
Next September Hannah will start junior school and we believe she has already well on her way from what she has learned and experienced in her time in Smart Cookies
We are proud of our Daughter and Lisa and the team’s efforts contributed hugely to this.
We will miss you but will always be grateful for your hard work and kindness.
Alex and Katia
Our experience with Smart Cookies has been absolutely excellent. Our son Arthur has been attending the school since 2019 and he has blossomed. Lisa Mardell and her team are focused, organised and have created the most caring and safe environment. The teachers are so attentive and really take the time to get to know the children and the parents. Arthur has made some wonderful friends and come so far I have no hesitation in recommending this lovely school.
Jennifer O’Dwyer and Dan O’Neill
As our son Sam comes to the end of his time at Smart Cookies we are tremendously grateful for the wonderful start he has had. Lisa and her team provided a lovely nurturing, gentle environment with children at the centre and their wellbeing, friendships and happiness promoted. He enjoyed the many activities he participated in from painting, baking, singing and exercise classes to playing in the outdoor area with giant Lego and the sandpit! We are sad he is leaving but delighted with the preparation that has been done to assist the transition to “Big School”! We would wholeheartedly recommend Smart Cookies to anyone who is looking for a fantastic start to their child’s education!
Susie and Joe Dowdall
Our daughter Beatrice started in Smart Cookies Montessori earlier this year and we could not be happier with Lisa and the team. We went from having tears saying goodbye to a very happy little girl who runs in each morning delighted to start the day. I too found it hard having my first-born starts this next chapter but Lisa and the girls were so understanding and caring towards Bea it made the transition so much easier. The children are all given individual attention and with so many activities and creativity encouraged each day I receive a tired but happy and enthusiastic child at the end of each day. The focus on kindness and sharing with each other, in addition to nurturing each child’s individual personality are just some of the areas I truly value about this Montessori. I could not recommend it enough!
Grace Quinn
Over the course of the last six years, Lisa and her team have been an amazing support to our two little girls and us. She has all the empathy, fortitude, and energy one in her position requires giving such a high level of individual attention to each and every child. Lisa has cultivated such a buoyant and nurturing environment, we couldn’t have asked for a better start to our girls’ schooling experience.
Sheena McGinley
Founder of ProofIt.ie
Irish Independent Columnist
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Our two little boys settled into Smart Cookies very quickly and were always happy setting off for school each morning. The classrooms were kept impeccably clean and tidy and Lisa made sure that the Montessori was well equipped with quality toys and puzzles for both learning and playing. All staff were professional, courteous and most importantly we always felt that there was a genuinely caring and supportive environment for the children.
DAVID ARMSTRONG BA MRUP MIPI MRTPI
ARMSTRONG PLANNING
As parents of a fun loving, energetic & inquisitive girl it was really important to us to find a Montessori that could give her lots of encouragement & stimulation and we got so lucky to stumble across Smart Cookies. Lisa is so wonderful with the children & parents. I was quite anxious about leaving Flo for the first time but Lisa really put my mind at ease with her lovely kind nature. Flo was so happy going in every day & really enjoyed the Montessori work. Every child is given the attention they need. Lisa, Steffi & Nicky were always more than happy to chat through what Flo had been up to & they obviously all love their jobs because every morning we were greeted with big warm smiles. I have to say I really miss them all, almost as much as Flo does!
Caroline O’Doherty.
Hi Lisa and the team,
Just want to say a huge thank you for giving our daughter such love
and care over the past two years. You’ve been such great support, and
Sadie absolutely loved coming in to you every morning. Your school was
always so clean and tidy, the activities so well thought out and
planned, great outdoor play area… I loved your monthly reports
outlining the activities,songs and skills learned each month, and
Sadie’s development and progress. You could really feel the
personalised attention and care for each child. I have never met more
professional but at the same time family like group of people who
truly cared about your child and helped you in any way possible. With
my husband spending a lot of time working abroad, you were always
there for me and Sadie on our sad days.We were given books to take
home that helped us deal with the separation anxiety, we were sent
photos of our happy daughter getting on with her day…But the
highlight of it all was you and Steffi calling us on Sadie’s first day
in big school to see how she got on and wish her best of luck! It
really made me and Sadie feel super special. I just can’t recommend
you highly enough! I’d nearly have another baby just so we could be
back to Smart Cookies in few years again 🙂 We miss you and will
forever be grateful for all the hard work you put in and all the love
you give! xxx
Kindest Regards,
Simona O’Neill.
Our son went to Smart Cookies Montessori School for nearly 2 years and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. The location, size and atmosphere was perfect. My son ran from our car to Lisa and Steffi every day, usually outpacing his older siblings. He made some great friends and it was sad to say goodbye to teachers and friends at Smart Cookies. He is now starting primary school with a lot of confidence thanks to his time at Smart Cookies. The option to start earlier in the morning really helped with the school drop off. Lisa was always on hand to give feedback to us, which was greatly appreciated. Steffi is a gem and was adored by the children. It was great to never have to worry about how our son was getting on with his day, he certainly wasn’t.
My son Raphael has spent a very happy year at Smart Cookies in Dalkey and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Lisa creates a warm, calm and happy environment for the children and Raphael has thrived there. He has made wonderful friends and he has had priceless one-on- one attention, encouragement and teaching. He has had an excellent grounding in Phonics, literacy and numeracy skills, as well as developing artistically, socially and academically. Lisa places enormous value on kindness and consideration and the children reflect this in their interactions with each other, Raphael could not have had a better start in life and I am deeply grateful to Lisa.Elizabeth Woods
Our daughter attends Smart Cookies Montessori. It is such a wonderful environment both from a social and academic aspect. Niamh is so happy there and we could not speak highly enough of Lisa. She is so caring and gives the children such attention. She is truly dedicated to all her little pupils.
Fintan & Ann Hynes
A special personal ‘thank you’ to you also, while I have the opportunity J – Cáit is happy out & loves going to Montessori. She is so proud reading her Peter & Jane books and we are so proud of her. You have given her a fantastic start, I just wish Rían had you for Montessori also. Thank you so much for everything. Can’t believe only 1 week to go, time is flying by.
Anonymous
Smart Cookies Montessori came highly recommended to us and now we know why! Lisa is a fantastic caring teacher who has a wonderful way with children. Our daughter loved going to Montessori and why wouldn’t she…. Lisa made learning fun. From safe outdoor playtime to arts & crafts, from phonics to writing & reading, to the ease of making new friends and much much more. Lisa gave Cáit the best start in schooling life by teaching her the joy of writing and reading, which in turn helped to build her confidence and social skills – she is certainly ready for ‘big’ school. Lisa’s nurturing, safe and warm environment made it easier for us parents to say goodbye each morning, knowing our children were happy. The facility is second to none, I have not seen a better Montessori. The uniform is a great idea and gets a definite thumbs up! Lisa, you have a fabulous Montessori filled with very happy children, you should be very proud of both it and you. A sincere thank you for a fantastic year, we just wish Cáit could stay!
Tony & Tríona Murphy
just want to say thank you for being such a fantistic Teacher and mentor to Sophie.
To say it simply – You put the fun into learning. Sophie is so happy at “Smart cookies” that she would love to be there everyday. The confidence she has gained, and the volume of knowledge she has soaked up, is astounding.
You are so professional and approachable, and the children have such a love and great respect for you. You are a credit to your profession. I couldn’t recommend you highly enough. You have been fantastic. I will shout it from the rooftops how good you are. I don’t think you will ever have a problem filling your school as your reputation precedes you. Wishing you all the best for the future, and again thank you so so much. Best wishes always,
Sheila Mulcahy.
My youngest son is at Smart Cookies Montessori three days a week this year and is really looking forward to five days a week next year. He asks every morning when he wakes “Is it a school day today?” He loves when the answer is “Yes” and runs to get his uniform on. He is our 3rd child to be taught by Lisa. They have all gained so much from their time with Lisa and have been so well prepared for primary school, both academically and in their confidence and belief in themselves. As parents, we are completely confident that our child is in a safe and positive environment. Lisa is so caring and kind and so attentive to the needs of each individual child. We have never worried dropping the boys off with Lisa. We highly recommend Lisa and Smart Cookies Montessori. You could not meet anyone as passionate about her work as Lisa. Thank you Lisa!
Ann-Marie & Hugh Hernan
Lisa is a kind, firm and organised Montessori teacher who thrives in her work. The minute we met Lisa and saw her work environment, we knew Smartcookies was suitable for our child. The children love Lisa and thrive in her company. She is busy and interactive with the children. She is approachable and honest in her feedback. She is a hard worker. Lisa encourages positive and kind interaction between all pupils. It’s a pleasure to observe how helpful and kind the children are with each other and how quickly they learn to share and play fairly. Eoghan loves arts and crafts and Jollyphonics. The only complaint Eoghan had on his first week was that the day was too short! I wish we had Lisa for our second son. She gave our first the best possible start in his education. Thank you Lisa, we appreciate everything you have done for Eoghan. Your future pupils and parents will be blessed to have you.
Emmet and Emma Ryan
Our daughter attends Smart Cookies Montessori. From the very first day she has skipped in the door. Lisa has created a warm, nurturing and fun environment. Our daughter is always delighted to bring home the many cards, decorations etc that she makes (depending on the calendar!). I am delighted that this has been our daughter’s first experience of school and know that she looks forward to continuing on to primary school in September. I hope that we continue to meet teachers of Lisa’s high standard of professionalism, warmth and care. I would strongly recommend Lisa Mardell as a fabulous Montessori teacher.
Pat and Ruth Mulcaire.
Our two sons have had wonderful times here. The best two words to describe it are “homely” and “happy”.
When they come home, they are buzzing with happiness and would often ask “when am I going again”. Lisa is a great worker and 100% committed. The kids play with the best quality toys and the art work they create is amazing.
The kids really warm to her and always do what she says. Lisa has years of experience and it shows.
The kids thrive academically and socially. There is a very relaxed atmosphere in the Montessori. We would highly recommend Lisa as a Montessori Teacher. It was one of the best decisions we made to send our boys to Lisa’s Montessori. Thank you Lisa for a great start to their lives! All the best,
Orla & Sean Ahern.