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Michael Kitchen Miller
Mar 5, 2017
From my mother in law, our third parent. I couldn't agree more. We looked at a number of daycares initially and while price and location were a large deciding factor, we have stayed because of the excellent programming and staff:
My grandson attends half days at this location which is under the guidance of Heather Thomas. My review is based on both practical expertise as a former teacher and as a grandparent. There are many aspects of a well-run child care center: caring and knowledgeable staff as well as positive educational interaction and intellectual stimulation from the teachers, practical experience in handling the chaos of growing young children, and a responsive management team.
My grandson has the advantage of learning from two terrific teachers, a Montessori-trained teacher named Manisha, and a no-nonsense expansive co-teacher Marjorie. Together, they effortlessly teach two year olds how the world works as well as the practical learning of how to put clothing on and the wonderful world of potty training basics. They are lovingly disciplined and respectful in their approach to each individual's uniqueness while providing firmness in guiding their charges through positive social interaction. Manisha and Marjorie has helped him negotiate the "terrible twos" with minimal distress and maximum social grace. My grandson has learned to share, that words not tantrums get the better results, and that while suspicious of some foods to try a taste of everything. Those are major accomplishments which are a direct result of these two teachers' interaction with him.
Besides being mindful of the children as individuals, these teachers also are mindful of the role parents can play in their child's development. When my grandson first started at Kindercare, I was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Everyday I came into the room to be greeted by a chorus of "Hello, Nana." These moments were special. After my last clear CT scan, my grandson's class gave me a surprise party with a card hand stamped by everyone. That was a wonderful gesture that exemplifies the caring of these teachers. They let me become part of the class and the children still greet me enthusiastically every day.
Management is also a very important piece of a child's success in the classroom. Heather, the manager and Stacy keep the center running smoothly logistically but what they really offer is friendship, a positive outlook on life in general and children specifically, and a hands-on policy that ensures that both know what is going on in each room as well as who each child is. Not a day goes by that I see one or both in the classrooms or walking down the halls. They always talk to my grandson as if he is the most important person in the world. Obviously, my grandson loves that.
I would highly recommend this Kindercare to anyone who wants a positive, educational and fun place for their child to go. It is interactive learning, not static. He can hardly wait to go to school in the morning, weekday or weekend!