Once Upon a Time Academy

This daycare/pre-school is absolutely wonderful!! My daughter started in the infants class at 16 months, the transition was extremely difficult for her and I, as I had been home with her full-time prior to daycare. Ms. Danielle was incredibly helpful for both of us during this challenging time. Not too long after, my daughter moved up to the Toddlers class and it was incredible to see how much she blossomed both socially and intellectually throughout her time here. My daughter is now almost 5 years old and quickly approaching her pre-K graduation. We have had an equally positive experience with Ms. Kaylee and Ms. Nicole in the preschool/pre-k building. My daughter is excited to go to school everyday and adores her teachers. As a fulltime working parent, it is extremely comforting to be able to drop my child off everyday to trusted individuals, who treat my child as their own. I also appreciate that these 3 teachers have been there right along, since my daughter started school nearly 3 years ago, and that there are not constantly new teachers coming and going. I am currently pregnant with my second child and have already booked a spot for her in the infants class next year. There is truly no other daycare that I would trust with my children. My husband and I HIGHLY recommend this school to prospective parents!

While I understand that everyone will experience everything (place) differently, ours has thankfully been nothing short of a blessing. My son who has only ever known my mom as his caretaker was struggling with transitioning into a structured program/socializing with other kids. The first two daycare programs we tried were truly traumatizing and had zero patience with him adjusting to a new setting. Since starting Once Upon a Time Academy my son's socializing skills have soared, he made friends, has participated in arts & crafts, is excited to tell me about the books the staff read to the kids. I feel confident in my little guy having a positive experience as I am able to see it myself through the camera app. More importantly, he is excited to come the program which was the exact opposite with the other two-- he really loves Miss Lindsay and Miss Linda. As they say, the proof is in the pudding and you can't beat that!

We love this place. Our child started here just over a year ago right after she turned three months. At the time of writing this review, she is 15 months and watching her change and grow has been the most amazing experience of my life. My wife and I both work full time, so sending her to a trusted local daycare where she is going to thrive is very important to us, considering she spends more waking time with them every week than with us. Especially, as you could imagine, at three months. Once Upon A Time is that place for us. Our daughter started in the under 12 months class and had some great infant caretakers. Her last infant teacher is currently the lead and is wonderful with the infants. They take them outside and ease them into more of the "big kid" activities. When our daughter began to take steps, they eased her into the 12-18 month class, her current class, by spending some days on and off with the older children. As soon as she could walk, she started with them. I am completely amazed by her advancement in the past 3 to 4 months. Words, colors, body parts, walking, singing, dancing, eating, her manners, her smiles, high-fives. She is like a sponge, and I like to believe that it is the teachers here. She now comes home with art projects, new dances, and every week she is learning more and more. They have Tadpoles, an app that lists their diapers, meals, and they have little pictures at the end of the day. This is generally where I see what she has been learning. They school also has WatchMeGrow, another app and website where you can watch a live webcam of what’s going on. My coworkers like this too, as they sometimes stop by my desk and ask me to fire up the webcam so we can watch them during circle time or while they are napping. One more thing that Once Upon A Time does is give me advice. Being a new parent is tough, and we don’t know when to stop giving her bottles and start sippy cups, or when to stop with the baby foods and maybe try something more solid. The teachers have a personal relationship with our daughter and know when she is ready for new things as she grows up. Sometimes it is difficult to take advice as a new parent, so I am happy they offer it to me. My job is to pass it onto my wife… Finally just to touch on these negative reviews. Look, if you think your kid is going to go to daycare and not lick the floor and get a stomach virus and give it to the rest of the family, you’re dreaming. They’re kids. They do gross stuff all the time and get sick. The daycare, in my experience, does the best they can. And we are not the only parents that have stuck around the whole time we have been there. I think their snap judgement of this place is unfair, and is inspired me to write this review from another perspective. Some people are more crazy about their children than others… Anyways, five stars from us, and we will continue to send our little one here for the foreseeable future.

Please, stay away from this facility. My child has been here in Pre/Pre K class. Not long, though, because this facility does not care about your child. Not once do they wash their hands, even before meals. So, from the minute they walk in to when they get picked up, their hands do not get washed. Children use the bathroom on their own with no one watching, no one helping. There are 2 toilets in one bathroom, and boys and girls can use it together at the same time. They go out to play in the playground 4 times a day which is of course not right, since their ages range from 3-5. Circle time lasts bout 15 minutes once or twice a day and the rest, their playing by themselves with blocks or toys. You child can fall and be all dirty, but the "teachers" do not change their clothes. You would think, since they have a camera, they would be aware of the parents constantly checking up on their kids, but no, these teachers do not care. Sanitary is a big issue with most parents , but this place does not think so. I will be filing a report with the licensing department because it is absolutely gross to think that my child is being left at a place where they allow children to eat with hands that have not been washed after going to the bathroom or being out in the playground. We sent our precious child here so we can be convenient, but I have learned my lesson.

We loved our experience with Once Upon a Time!