AppleTree Standale/Allendale

We love AppleTree in Standale. Our toddler thrives there and speaks positively of the teachers and his school friends. The teachers are patient with the kids and constantly update the app making you feel at ease. The director has always been accommodating if we had concerns over anything. Highly recommend to new families considering a daycare in the Walker/Standale area.

Appletree standale has many phenomenal teachers and ensured my husband and I felt comfortable leaving our child in their very capable and competent hands. Their teachers and staff are very compassionate and caring, and treated our child very well. When we lost our son unexpectedly last year (not at all related to the daycare or the care they provide), they went above and beyond multiple times to show their support and how much they cared for him. I can’t recommend them enough and won’t look anywhere else for any future daycare needs we have.

We signed our 3 month old up for the infant room at Appletree. This room is understaffed as the staff members can only handle one child at a time, there was zero multitasking going on. If it was not time for a child to get a bottle, go to bed or be changed, they were left on the floor unattended for extended periods. My baby is very easy going and takes a pacifier at times if needed. I watched the cameras to see my screaming, red faced baby cry for well over 30 minutes without any interaction from any adults in the room. Most immobile infants in the room laid in one spot and cried while I watched the cameras. Workers were stepping over screaming infants and ignoring, not talking to/changing activities/interacting/offering pacifiers. I fully understand the infants cannot be coddled at all times, and that was not expected but what I watched on the cameras was gettting to the point of neglect. Families are paying for their infants to be cared for and a positive interactive experience When I showed up early afternoon to pull my child from the facility. The workers explained that they had “a lot going on” and 12 infants was too much for the 3 adults in the class. It broke my heart to watch multiple infants lay screaming on the floor. The director handled the situation very poorly. I extended my complaint to the corporate level, I hope changes were made or extra help was brought in. Just because 1 to 4 is the legal limit, does not mean that is a fair, safe environment. Very disappointed with our experience, Appletree made its offerings sound so nice! Since our experience I have spoken with 3 other families with similar disappointing care experiences in other Grand Rapids Appletree local infant rooms. Would sadly not recommend the infant room to any expecting parents.

AppleTree Learning Center is a wonderful place for my infant to attend. She is well cared for and loved by the staff. My daughter was very attached to me when she started going to Appletree at 5 months and the director helped us easily transition her in to full time care with no problem. The teachers were very comforting, not only to my daughter but also to me! They went above and beyond helping us all through the transition from being at home to being in daycare full time. The teachers are understanding of different children's needs and quickly picked up on techniques that would make my daughter feel at home away from home. I am amazed at their individualized lesson plans to help my daughter develop important milestones, including positive social interaction with other children. The staff is very easy to communicate with, open to talking at any time and providing quick responses. We decided together when to increase her bottle feedings, when to start her on solid foods, and I know we are in a great partnership providing a caring environment for my daughter. We love the online applegrams and video cameras to have up to date information at any time of the day. The online portal also posts pictures of special events that my daughter participated in. Most importantly, my daughter comes home happy and playful, and I know she is receiving excellent care while I am away at work. While I am not able to be home full time with her, AppleTree is the next best place! We highly recommend this daycare program!

Both of my sons go to AppleTree and we have been so pleased with all the staff that work there. I am amazed with how much my 3 year old knows already. He knows the alphabet, can count to 20 and is starting to write his name. They were VERY patient through the whole potty training process, and kept reassuring me that it would happen, and it finally did. My other son started there at 12 weeks and grown into a busy little toddler. The girls gave him all the cuddles and love he needed as a baby.