We are new to Olympia/ Lacey area and were looking for a good child care for our four-year-old son. We didn't like the first place we took him to. As soon as we realized that it was not a good fit we started to search for a new place and luckily for us found Cadence Academy of Lacey. We love this place. The staff here is very friendly and professional. You always come and greeted with big smiles. Teachers in our son's preschool class are exceptional. They give you good feedback about your child's progress and how his day went. Our son loves coming here, he learns a lot and have good rapport with his teachers. My husband and I would highly recommend Cadence academy. We could not be happier with them. read more

Our experience with Cadence Academy was extremely upsetting. The school claims to be NAEYC certified but doesn't reflect the values/standards that certification represents. My daughter is 3 and has ADHD and autism and they knew she had special needs and had behavioral challenges when we enrolled. Yet they would send her home after about an hour most days and would fully exclude her around two days a week, yet continued charging full tuition. This caused tremendous stress for our family -- emotionally, financially, and with our work schedules. The school felt extremely chaotic, with constant teacher turnover and little compassion or understanding for children with special needs. We never knew who her teacher would be or what room she'd be in- there was zero structure or educational enrichment. My 3-year-old daughter came home saying the teachers "didn't like her" and that she was "bad," which was devastating to hear. Since moving her to a preschool that truly values inclusion and care, she's thriving and happy again. I would never recommend this school to any family and will continue to share my experience with as many parent as will listen. read more

We have used Cadence academy for a little over 7 months and have been far from impressed. The curriculum for my 4 year old was almost non-existent. They have staffing issues which all centers are faced with currently but it made the center unreliable at times. They often had to shut down and ask parents to keep their kids home due to staffing (this happened on a monthly basis). They do not have cameras in the classrooms and with the constant turnover I am not sure that their staff is really properly trained to work with kids. Ultimately I believe daycare workers should be paid more to work with our children but that is another rant... My son hates to go to daycare and occasionally has referred to himself as a "bad boy" even though we have NEVER name called in our home. We had the last straw when we picked our son up from daycare and we walked in on a teacher restraining him. He was screaming and when we asked why he was being restrained it was because he was "running around and not listening". Further digging with our son we found out this isn't the first time they have held him down for basically no reason. There have been no incident reports given to us which is detailed in the parent handbook whenever a kid is restrained. I was so upset by this and worried for his welfare I called the director Shelby who didn't really have any solutions and promised to get back to me that afternoon. Instead of making this issue her top priority she, did NOT get back to me or look into it since it was a "busy day". I immediately yanked him from the daycare after that. (There have been other red flags but this was it for me). read more

My review is too long to post the entire text so I will include screenshots of original review in the pictures. (UPDATE as of May 2022) Department of Children, Youth, & Families released entire file at my request. It states that Cadence Academy Preschool staff members reported that they themselves have been touched by the child and have observed the child touching classmates. The report continues and states that Cadence Academy Preschool recognizes that they enough reason to disenroll the child (inappropriate touching, hitting, chokeholds, etc.) but will not because they feel the child is safer at school than in their own home. I would like to know how they justify their decision to keep a child in care who is harming others while rationalizing that they are keeping that child safe. Where does that sense of authority come from or are they informing parents? I attempted to speak to the Director at the center and Regional Director but since receiving the report they do not answer my calls or respond to emails. (UPDATE as of March 2022) Since our family's abrupt exit from Cadence Academy Preschool other families we developed relationships with have contacted me. They shared their stories of the same child harming their children and it makes me wonder why Cadence Academy Preschool is still allowing that family to receive care while putting others at risk. In fact, one family shared that their own child was in the same situation that my child experienced, but I have not found any evidence it was reported to Department of Children, Youth, & Families nor was the family contacted by them following the complaint to the Director. read more

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If you are desperate. They were reliable half the time. I needed them for a school aged child for before and after with transportation. Their van broke down for a week they were too short staffed other times to drive the children to their schools. It was inconveniencing. So like I said, if you are desperate. read more

My child has attended Mini Skool since infancy. Although spendy, the teacher in my child's preschool room trumped the cost because I knew my child would be receiving the wonderful education and attention from the preschool lead teacher. Ms.P. Last summer, there was a change in the lead teacher in the preschool group. My child absolutely adored the wonderful Hawaiian woman who taught the class for so many years. We grew close to Ms. P as she always took the time to give my child and others that extra special attention teaching our children basic curriculum along with music and culture. Ms. P retired almost a year ago and the center cannot seem to find a decent replacement. The classroom is just not the same. Staff can be rude and dismissive. There have been so much turnover in teachers. Many don't stay long or eventually realize that working in a daycare is hard work. I gave the center almost a year to find a teacher who would nicely replace Ms. P., but no luck. I will pull my child out from the center and find another. I want a center whose teachers love the work and the children, and will go above and beyond. read more

This is by far a great school. My daughter goes here and loves it. I wouldn't go to any other school. The menu is always full of different choices. read more

Abosutely loved sending my kids to this school. The teachers are so caring and great with the kids. I would have continued having my children attend if I could continue to afford it. The only reason I cannot give them 5 stars is because if you have ANY kind of financial situation with them, do not expect it to be solved in a timely manner. Multiple times I had been overcharged or charged incorrectly and it took a long time and expense from my own pocket to resolve. Even now, my kids have not attended this school all month and I am STILL waiting on money to be refunded to me. Overall wonderful school/daycare but their home office financial team needs a LOT of work. read more

The staff at the Lacey location are all very personable and are compassionate to your children. The center is clean and tidy everyday. Can get reports on your child as they are happening, and a daily summary. Also offer extra activities like soccer lessons. My family has been apart of the center for almost 4 years and couldn't be happier. read more

Always friendly good staff, my daughter always wants to go back. Pretty affordable, but lets be real here, child care is never cheap. They pick her up from school, and she is there until 6 and its about 100$ a week, transportation included. They give healthy snacks, they teach kids, not just babysit them. They are in age appropriate groups, always a clean facility. I am late sometimes due to JBLM traffic and they are always VERY understanding and kind about it. I for sure reccomend this place to anyone looking for outstanding child care. read more

My 18 month old was bit 8 times in 45 attendance days. I'm talking bites to the face, the abdomen, bites that broke skin, and two bites that were "unwitnessed" and unreported. The director and the regional director did absolutely nothing to make improvements. Biting increased in frequency, and I was continuously told it is there policy that they only had to have 7:1 ratio, even with the amount of biting going on. After the 8th bite they removed my daughter off the books and took down her cubby without my permission. Even after explicitly telling the director I COULD NOT pull my daughter out due to needing to find a new daycare (not easy at the drop of a hat), she removed my daughter AGAIN the following week. No cubby, no pass code, no attendance sheet, no account via the app. This place is full of neglect, poor communication, and unprofessionalism. My child was not the only child being bit, per the teachers. She also has never bit another child. This place has been a huge headache, I feel terrible for keeping my lo there so long. It got to the point where I was sending her to daycare to be neglected and abused. Needless to say I reported them to DLR. hopefully soaction will be taken. And to respond to cadence's response below.. these are EXACTLY the details. And they know it. Shame shame shame. read more

I loved this daycare! I was so sad to have to leave. Unfortunately, they only provide childcare up to age 10. The teachers are wonderful and the management is so great to work with. My children really enjoyed going to this daycare. read more

My 4 1/2 year old daughter has attended nearly her whole life. She loves it here and looks forward to coming to "skool". She has learned a lot from the teachers here who all seem to genuinely care for the children. They regularly put on events that bring the parents in off hours and their dedication shows. This is a safe place to bring your child, young or old. Our daughter comes home regularly reciting new lessons and facts she's learned here. We're often in amazement at just how much she picks up. To be fair, she may be the smartest child in the world, but I'm sure MiniSkool has a lot to do with it too :) read more

I cannot say enough about this place! My daughter went to the worst daycare around this town far too long. After leaving my career to stay home, after all the stress of daycare, 7 months ago, I decided to look around again and take my daughter somewhere so she can get the socialization she deserves without mommy hovering over her all of the time. How was she expected to grow and be able to take care of things without me there. After looking for a while I decided on mini skool this time. I am so thrilled with the love and care they show my daughter. Not to mention the patience they have had towards me and my concerns. At the other daycare, they never made me feel okay leaving my daughter. They always made me feel like a burden. Trust me, if you are looking for a daycare that will actually love your kids, please take them here. read more

Don't send your child here. Our kid (2 year old) and others in his class were being bullied by an older child. This went on for months without us being fully apprised of the issue. In my view, they don't care for you kid - just a sizable portion of your paycheck. read more

My 20 month old son has been attending Mini Skool since August and we are so happy with the care he receives! As a teacher, my expectations are high, and I have seen such growth in his social interactions and independence. He loves going to school, and every member of the staff there loves him too. His teachers plan thoughtful learning opportunities, while both directors are caring, responsive, and so easy to talk to. Thank you for all you do! read more

We have been a part of the Mini-Skool family for 2 years now. We absolutely love the teachers and the secure learning environment they supply. This school is hands down the best in the area! read more