Learning Ladder Academy, LLC

My son started here 1/7. Shortly after, his teacher had expressed that he was struggling with nap time. I adjusted his sleep schedule at home and provided them with a weighted blanket for nap time and it improved. I know firsthand that collaboration between staff and family is crucial to a child’s success, so I would continuously check in to see how he was doing, and there were no mentions of any further concerns. On 2/5, I get a behavior report stating that they were concerned about his “aggressive behavior,” something that was NEVER mentioned to me prior to this date. My child is not aggressive at home unless provoked by his brother… so how was I to know? On 2/10, I sent them a message explaining what actions I had already taken and what we were doing at home to address the “aggression,” and asked them to please follow up with me at nap time to see how his morning was going. They said he was having a rough morning and when asked what was triggering him or if a specific part of the day was worse than others, they replied that they “don’t have specialized training beyond basic needs.” In what world does it take specialized training to determine what or who is triggering a child? On 2/12, his therapist went into the center for their weekly session. Of the five times she saw my son push, only once was it unprovoked. The other four times he was simply defending himself, but yet he was the only one being penalized. The teachers weren’t even trying to separate the pushers or removing the toys that they were pushing over. And according to her account, they’d yell at the kids for taking toys to a different center or for not sitting down to build with blocks. On 2/13, I got a call from the director stating that I needed to pick my son up because he had pushed another child. I immediately left work, and asked them to have all his belongings together when I got there as he wouldn’t be returning. When I went in and expressed my concerns with the director and assistant director, they were “only talking about today’s incident” and would rather go back and forth with me than simply hear me out. Their only defense was “we can’t provide one on one care,” which truly wasn’t my concern. My concern was the centers lack of communication, the teachers lack of knowledge and experience, the leaderships unprofessionalism, and their inability to follow their own 5 step process for suspension and expulsion that’s outlined in their handbook (the first step is parent-teacher conferences and observations, which NEVER HAPPENED). When I spoke with the owner yesterday, he expressed how difficult it is to find qualified staff (which I understand), but at that point, why have 17 children in one classroom? Because they’re more worried about lining their pockets with money than they are about the quality of childcare they’re providing. And before you say it - yes, state ratio is 1:6 for his age group, but in some classrooms that simply isn’t enough. His teacher admitted that they have multiple children in his classroom that are “on the spectrum,” so you’d think they’d either provide additional support or put more tenured staff in that classroom.

I have been working in this facility with toddlers for 18 years now. It used to be Tutor Time, and has since switched hands and became Learning Ladder Academy. This switch was the best thing imaginable for this business. The owners stepped up and immediately showed that they are in this for the right reasons, making countless positive changes to improve the way things were running. Now years later, not only do they continue strive to make this an enjoyable workplace, but they also see the importance of building relationships and trust with each individual family that comes into the center. Every single morning, I see countless parents stopping by the office for a quick chat before dropping their children off in their classrooms. They have created an environment where all feel welcome. As a teacher and employee, the management team has always been a fantastic help. They are quick to provide guidance when issues arise in my classroom. They are willing to step in, help, observe, or just give us a breather at a moments notice. They do their best to work with staff in cases of emergencies, illnesses, vacations, or if any personal issues arise. My coworkers are super helpful and always willing to exchange ideas, supplies, tips and tricks, stories, and hugs when necessary. Together, the owners and management have worked to turn this set of teachers into a fantastic team. I have had nieces attend this center for the past nine years. While it was always nice to know that they were close by and I could always watch over them, they have enjoyed every day. I could always trust that they were in good hands, and they both continued to thrive as they aged through each classroom. This is a profession that can wear you out in a short amount of time, if you allow it to. The Learning Ladder Academy team works hard to make sure this doesn’t happen. Even after 18 years of working with 2 year olds, I know that I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, and this is thanks to the positive, encouraging, and warm environment that has been created here. I would recommend this center to anyone looking for a place for their child to grow, learn, thrive, and be loved. We truly are a family.

It's difficult for me to condense all the things that makes Learning Ladder Academy so special in a short Google review, but I will try my best! My daughter attended LLA from 4 months - 2 years and I can honestly say I didn't have a single complaint in 2 years. Every single employee in the building is incredibly kind, patient, loving, and gentle with the children. I don't know how this is possible, but every teacher and staff member knew my daughter by name, and seemed to have a personal relationship with her. It really began to feel like another little family over time. The staff provides a nurturing environment but also knows how to scaffold activities to support every child's learning, pushing them to grow along their own timeline. I was always impressed by the activities they would have my daughter doing at such a young age - painting, coloring, crafting, fine motor work, dancing, story time, music, etc. I knew when I dropped my daughter off in the morning, she was in loving hands - and as a sole parent, that feeling of relief is invaluable. I truly believe that because of the care and education my daughter received at LLA, she is now a thriving, talkative, and confident 2 year old. Sadly, we had to change daycares due to relocation, but if I had the choice, I would have stayed until she aged out!

We love learning ladder. My mom heart is happy knowing the things my child is learning are helping her grow not only educationally but also as a person. She comes home singing her songs and showing how she was taught to calm down if upset.

Wish I could give them 10 stars. My son was in infant 1 and infant 2 and they are truly the best. The care and communication is amazing. The teachers really care and get to know your child. We had to leave due to a new job and we miss it every day. Every staff member you encounter is welcoming. No better feeling than not having to worry about your child when you aren’t with them.