I absolutely do not recommend Blue Kangaroo in South Reno. I was in a tough spot due to some changes in our family and needed urgent childcare. Most places had long waiting lists, but surprisingly, Blue Kangaroo had openings for my 16-month-old son. Looking back, that should've been a red flag. All the other places I called were full, and this one had space--definitely not a good sign. I went for a tour last Thursday, and while the place seemed clean and organized, that first impression didn't last long. On Friday, I took my son to meet the teacher before we left town for the weekend. I thought it was important for him to get familiar with the place. The lead teacher, A, in Hopper classroom wasn't exactly warm, but I figured she was just busy--she has four children. I convinced myself that since she's a mom of four, she must know how to handle little ones. Boy, was I wrong. I'm really thankful they have cameras, so I could check in on my son throughout the day. He's shy and usually takes a while to warm up, but the first morning, he was just standing there, looking confused, observing everything. After his nap, things went downhill. He was crying for most of the afternoon, and the worst part? A didn't make any effort to comfort him. I called, and they transferred me to the classroom so I could talk to him. He doesn't speak much yet, but he understands a lot. The assistant, L, picked him up a couple of times, but mostly, she was busy playing with the other kids who'd been there longer and weren't crying. That was my first big disappointment--no one seemed to care about how he was feeling in this new, overwhelming environment. When I picked him up that day, his eyes were puffy from crying, and he had boogers all over his face. I asked A if he had a rough day, and she shrugged and replied, "There are a lot of crazy kids here!" That was a huge red flag for me. How can you work with kids and not have more empathy for a child who's clearly struggling? And she was not lying about how much food my son ate. She said he finished everything. My son is learning how to eat by himself. I packed extra food for him just in case, there was no way he finished all of his food. And when he got home, he drank 18 oz of milk, normally, he drinks 8 oz. It is absolutely okay that my son didn't finish his food. My older son brings leftover from school all the time. You don't have to lie about it. The second day was even worse. My son cried almost all day, except when he was napping or maybe outside (I couldn't see what was happening outside). I'm not exaggerating when I say he was crying for hours. I called again, and once more, L picked him up briefly, but then just put him down to clean up toys. I even asked at the front desk if I could go see him during lunch to comfort him, and they said yes. When I went in, A looked completely shocked and a little offended that I was there. When I left, the front desk stopped me and said they wanted to schedule a conference with me. All afternoon, I watched through the camera as my son cried, and no one seemed to care. There were times when there were three women in the room, yet no one made an effort to give my son the extra attention he needed, especially considering he was the youngest and new to daycare. When I picked him up, he was still crying, and L was once again playing with other kids who weren't upset. I tried to explain that it was his first time in daycare and both of us were adjusting, but L said he didn't want me to hold him, he was just crying. That was total BS. I was watching the cameras all day, and they didn't even try to comfort him. I pulled him out right away and sent him to a babysitter, one of my coworkers who sent her daughter to. He was doing great, not even crying once even though he doesn't speak Spanish at all. I went in to take my son's belongings and talked to the management team. I was offered the option to move my son to a younger classroom instead of the Hopper room, but I refused. I wasn't going to risk him being treated like that again. I can't trust a place where the staff ignore a child's emotional needs, especially a child who's brand new to daycare. I'm writing this long review in the hope that management will pay attention to these issues and hire teachers (at least for the Hopper room)who actually love working with kids. After pulling my son out, I checked Yelp and noticed that they have a 3.3-star rating overall, and a lot of the 5-star reviews look fake. I really hope this review helps other parents avoid the same mistake and find a place that actually cares about kids. It was just such a heartbreaking experience I don't want other parents and their children to experience. I just speak for myself in the Hopper room experience not other teachers in other rooms. read more

Blue Kangaroo Learning Center - My poor little baby in the Blue kangaroo daycare crying - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Reno, Nevada

Loooove this daycare for both of my kids. We've been going here for going on 3 years and I've loved it the entire time. My kids are always happy, and healthy! read more

MANAGEMENT IS HORRIBLE HERE! The teachers and management at the front desk have two different stories all the time with every issue. We began getting phone call after phone call and notice after notice on what our child did wrong. Most of the things seems more like teachable moments for the classroom staff to work on more than anything and started to really become petty. Eventually, the front office demanded we have a parent teacher conference to which we declined as the behavior didn't warrant time off work and really needed to be deal with at school instead. Things such us, "your child pushed another child on the play ground", or "your child wouldn't put his water bottle back on the shelf". We also got a call one day telling us our child had bit someone and he was being sent home (first offense). Yet, our child was CONSTANTLY coming home with bites from one particular child. When I received the call, I specifically asked if the child who was always biting mine was sent home with the many times it happened, instead I was referred to the school handbook and never got a definitive answer. I was upset to say the least as our child is a kind soul and biting wasn't something they've ever done and this was a result of the environment the school created. Until one evening they forced themselves on my husband as he was picking our child up, which then turned into a phone call well after 6pm that lasted an hour. This conversation was strictly one sided, almost as if we the parents were also being scolded. The management did not have any interest to listen to where we were coming from. Which was that the behavior they claimed our child displayed while in their care was not present anywhere else at home, at soccer, or with grandparents which let us to believe it was something crated in the environment they were responsible for and had NOT taken the time to observe in the classroom to actually get a fair assessment, instead, our child was labeled as a "bad" child and that was it. The next day I gave my two week notice and we moved facilities. While we have been gone for a few months, our instincts were right. Our child is thriving and doing exceptionally well in their new environment. There have been a few times our child has cried because they didn't want to leave, instead wanted to stay and play with their friends. Our child has come home signing songs that we're sung in the classroom. Or my favorite is telling us they have night vision after eating carrots for their school snack. While the new facility costs more, it's true what they say- you get what you pay for. read more

They kicked our two-year old out for not regularly napping. After 8 months attendance throughout 2021, they demanded we move our son to part-time and procure state behavioral services or disenroll him. So we were forced to pull him out and scramble to find new accommodations. In retrospect, the warning signs were there but they were our first daycare and we just thought everything was normal procedure. Now that our son is doing great at his new daycare, we've come to believe we were being gaslighted by their employees. I could complain about my son coming home with scratches and bruises or poopy diapers, but instead, my main complaint is more philosophical than anything - this place is run like a business with strict policies and rules. In theory, you get what you pay for, a clean facility, the state-required teacher-child ratio, and diligently filled out incident reports. In practice, and in our experience, however, it allows them to self-select only the most well-behaved kids and discriminate against any child they don't like. It's kind of a nightmare scenario for a new parent to be told your kid has behavioral problems or is in some way abnormal. I mean, our son is an active boy. He's runs, jumps, sometimes hits others. Our belief is that these incidents are teachable moments, not examples of some disorder. But we consistently got the feeling that they thought our son was 'bad,' that there was something innately wrong with him. We attended meetings with management and took their advice, even though he rarely displayed that behavior at home. Soon he started getting sent home for innocuous reasons. Hitting three times in a row, not being quiet during nap time. One time they said he had a 100 degree fever, and when I went to pick him up 10 minutes later, they couldn't get the thermometer to measure above 99. All policy according to them. For every occurrence there was a form to sign that went in our son's record. I suspect they had already made up their minds they were going to kick him out and needed the documentation to protect themselves. Anyway, that was our experience. Our son is almost 3 now. He is napping regularly at his new place, no hitting, no scratches, no incident reports. He's potty training very well. BK really forced our hand and caused two weeks of stress and frustration in our family, but we're much better off now. read more

I worked there years ago and it was always a great facility back then and I always appreciated the way it was set up. The indoor activity playroom is in the center and all the classrooms lead into that area and then the windows looking out to the outdoor play yard complete the picture and a teacher's ability to see all area's standing almost anywhere. Anyone who is getting ready to send their 2-3 year olds to preschool in Reno need to at least checkout Blue Kangaroo before you make your little ones school plan. read more

Beware. If you want your child sick all the time, come home with blue green bite marks from other kids and poop all in their pants here is the place to take your child. Teachers take the kids outside in 105 heat index and your child returns to your care all red from heat exhaustion. Only thing for shade a small tarp and other portable shade which is giving shade on the other side of the fence. First incident was our child came home with bite marks for about a month. Ask the teacher what was going on she just looked at me and did not say anything. I ask again and then I was told that two children had issue biting other kids. One day I was watching video, seen the two kids picking up other kids toys and throwing their toys across the classroom. The teacher was just watching and did not say anything to the two boys. Talk to the front desk and ask if the teachers could better watch the other two kids that are causing all the trouble. I was told their was nothing they could do and it is part of kids at this age. No it is not and this is called not doing job correctly. All the biting stop once our child moved up to the next class. Once again the teachers in that classroom were not paying attention to the children. Second incident in the new class was not wiping our child's bottom at all. One day we all get home and she goes to scratch her butt. Her hand had poop all under her nails and fingers. Gross. Took three months to get all three teachers to wipe our child's bottom correctly. Ridiculous. Third incident was our child came home saying her wrist hurts. I look at her wrist and our child had finger bruises around her wrist. Our child said she told the teacher she was hurting her wrist and the teacher just kept grabbing even harder. This facility just about had the cops called on this teacher, but our child only had two more weeks of this school before she started the her new school. During winter your child will be in the wet and cold playground at 20 degrees with no hats or gloves. Our child was always sick because their playground has no cover to get away from the elements outside. At the end we were told not to bring up any issues with the front desk or the teachers in our child's classroom. The owner was worried about other parents hearing and then thinking they are having same issue with kids at this facility. I guess. Not sure. That is not right and you should not even be in business if you think any of these issue are okay. Just beware of childcare facility because all they want is your money and for you to be quiet. Only if I could give no stars. read more

My son was mistreated at this daycare. he just turned 5 months and the teacher yanked him by his wrist and arm so hard that his head flung back. She threw him across the rug when this happened. She then dragged him by his feet. If they do this while on camera what do they do when there are no cameras. They said my child would be safe but lack security. They did not check for ID and allowed for someone to go back to the infant room. Thankfully this adult had our permission but they would've never known. They never checked ID or even asked for a name. I didn't receive my child's belongings but have received some little girls clothing. This daycare is just a mess and the lies the staff tell to try and cover their end is sad. They love to say they have cameras and thank god because these cameras unravel all their lies. I am my child's voice. What they did was not okay. Sadly the lady still works there too. read more

this place is one of the worse places to go in Reno. my grandbaby was there for 1 day he is 5 months old .. first they did not ask me who I was or even ID they just took me back to the room and left me in the building not even knowing who I was .. these are children you need to keep safe not Walmart then they literally grabbed my grandson by his foot and dragged him on the floor before picking him up .. then the lady grabbed him by the wrist swinging him before she grabbed him right . when my daughter in law went in to ask for the name of that lady and copy of footage they refused they want to keep it hidden . that girl is still there working and they refuse to do anything about it .. I have read and heard a lot about this place .. if you want your child safe do not go to blue kangaroo on gateway!! read more

The other review is spot on, all the owners care about is your check clears. Not enough parking so forget about seeing your kid at a performance or just pickup/drop off at the wrong time. My son ended up in the hospital TWICE because of them. Worst of all they choose one parent over another rather than putting the child first. Multiple times I came to pick up my son to find him outside playing with NO ADULTS! There was always some excuse, once maybe but after that, that is neglect! read more

I love this school and they love us! Every issue I had with my daughter's teachers was resolved quickly. I even had Adrianna call me at home after closing to let me know a problem had been resolved. The most unpleasant experience I've had there was from the other parents. I treat everyone here with respect and in turn, that's how I get treated. So if you can handle rude (park in the handicapped parking space because rules don't apply to me) , self entitled (I'm going to demean my kids teacher and then whine because they're not nice to me) parents and a super duper friendly front desk staff and talented teachers, this is the school for you! Jenny and James care, truly and it shows in what they have turned that school into and what they continue to transform it into. And if you don't like it, I'm sure there's an opening at Kids R Kids. read more

Love this place! Both my kids attend and I know their teachers truly care about them. My daughter has learned to count and knows how to speak in English and Spanish! She can even write her name and she just turned 4. They do have turnover but they have a lot of core teachers who have been there for several years. It's a very clean facility and they do a good job disinfecting and keeping everything sanitary. The front office staff is nice and personable and will always say hi or good morning. My kids always come home happy and love to share what they did that day. They do lots of art projects, reading and playing. Very much a loving and nurturing environment and I know they're in good hands. read more

I searched for the perfect school... and we found it! I took my 2.5 year old son to this school and I am so in LOVE!! Everybody is so sweet! The Owner and front ladies are so great! My son is in the Awesome Aussies and I am so greatful to get such loving teachers! I really respect them and appreciate all they do! So so happy!! I was really scared to put him in school so early and felt guilty for needing to work. Not anymore. My son and I both feel confident in Blue Kangaroo and there super staff! He will be a Crocodile next and those teachers seem super sweet too! read more

Lovely place! My grand children have been going for 10 months now and they love it. Absolutely adore the atmosphere and creative classrooms. My grandson still talks about carnival day and loves the new playground. read more

My wife and I really like this blue kangaroo location. Our oldest child went through almost the whole program at their old location. When we had our twins, we decided on blue kangaroo again. It is a little pricier than some daycares, but worth the peace of mind in my opinion. We really haven't had any real issues other than the rare crappy employee, but they never seem to last long. They hit a home run with some of their long time employees. Jill has been awesome! My twins love seeing her every morning, and she seems to genuinely care about the kids. We feel our kids are safe there and they really enjoy being there. I agree with some of the other posts about some of the other parents being jerks, but I think you'd see that anywhere. If I had a complaint it would be that the outdoor playground really could use more shade, and the parking is horrible. What I know is my kids are happy there, safe, and we feel comfortable leaving them there. Every minor issue we have had has been dealt with quickly. read more