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.
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 ARMSTRONGBA 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.
I wish Lisa and staff all the best. Nicholas K.
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,
