This location isn't currently open. Regardless, I can't recommend this company. We had our kiddo…read morethere (he started a little after 12 months), and there was a range in the quality of teachers like at most other daycare. I did notice some teachers in the older kids' classrooms sharply yelling/screaming at kids from time to time (not what I wanted for our kiddo, but he wasn't in that room, so it was a "cross that bridge when we get to it" situation). The problem was the purposeful lack of communication and withholding of information. The director and company knew their lease was up. They knew their new space wasn't finished yet (literally not built, and no occupancy permit). They knew in January it wasn't going to be ready and ended up asking for lease extensions for about 4 months. They never told parents about this tenuous situation; it was always just, "oh, we'll be moving in [insert new month]." Not a word that construction wasn't even going on at the new place because BUILDING PERMITS hadn't been issued, and that they had no other backup plan. Well, the lease extensions ran out entirely and the building owner told them they had no more extensions and had to vacate. Did they tell parents? No. They waited until there was just 2 weeks before abruptly telling parents their only Pittsburgh location was closing. Oh, but we could request to be put into one of their suburban locations, the closest of which was 30 minutes+ each way with traffic (and at least 45 minutes driving near the end of the day because of rush hour). So, at least 2 hours each day of driving to/from daycare; out and back, out and back. Even getting a straight answer from them about which suburban location they'd place my son at was a nightmare. We had no other option, because they purposefully waited so long to tell us parents what they had known for months. We did the 2 hour drive for two weeks to see if it would work, while frantically searching for other daycares with open slots. The suburban location also treated anyone from the city like a second class citizen. Suburban staff acted like the Pittsburgh kids weren't their problem, they were just taking up space; it really seemed like there had been no planning or communication about the Pittsburgh kids coming. NO PLAN for parents to sign kids in and out; wouldn't let us use the electronic sign-in/sign-out system the suburban parents got to use, wouldn't give us door codes like we had at the other location and like they had for their suburban parents (until Pittsburgh parents repeatedly complained), no bins for kids to store stuff like extra clothes (and they literally had empty bins in my son's room; I heard a Pittsburgh teacher politely ask if they could use them for our kids since they were empty, and she was VERY FIRMLY shot down, "No. You CANNOT use them." No explanation.), not enough hooks, etc. for coats/hats/mittens, and they crammed all the Pittsburgh kids into one classroom regardless of age: infants, one year olds, and older toddlers all in the same room. Napping was a nightmare. I felt so bad for the Pittsburgh teachers. All in all, I wouldn't trust this company or the Pittsburgh Director (Maggie) again. The two stars is only because we had one excellent teacher who we really liked and miss. Hilarious note: the company employee's five star post was posted AFTER they closed this location.

From a parent's perspective... the director / leadership at this place with Maggie is the worst…read moreI've ever seen and I've brought three children through this facility over the past 5 years. Her communication is absolutely horrendous and extremely unprofessional. An alleged abuse incident involving my child and his behavioral tech occurred at the facility and was reported to DHS by daycare staff. Yet, Maggie - the director - never called us to tell us this happened. We only found out because DHS called us to come to our HOME and investigate. When we questioned Maggie about it she said, "I didn't want to bother you with it". Are you kidding me?!?!? Whether this report was unfounded or not, we - the parents - should have been notified. That's communication 101. This is just one example of her poor communication but I have an entire list. *Also... people who have been accused of child abuse work here. Leadership will tell you it's unfounded / retaliation between disgruntled teachers and maybe that's truebut I wouldn't risk it if I were you.

I can't speak to how Bright Light Academy was pre-covid (I see reviews from 2018 here) but I can…read morespeak to how I feel now. Our children LOVE Bright Light. It's not a "chain" of daycares, so it feels very homey. My oldest child always has funny stories about their classmates and teachers, and my youngest is always singing excited to play with friends in the morning. Whatever changes BLA has made over the past 5 years, it's working for us. I highly recommend Bright Light Academy to anyone seeking childcare in the area. We plan on keeping our children at Bright Light through Pre-K!

Both of our boys, who are a year apart, have been going to Bright Light Academy for the past 7…read moremonths. Within about a week of being at Bright Light, and after I had been a stay at home mom for many years and they had never left my side, they were waving goodbye and walking into class by themselves. The staff are compassionate, friendly and professional and tremendously eased their initial separation anxiety. My youngest does both speech and occupational therapy. Both therapists worked at other daycares and told me they had started recommending Bright Light to their friends who are expecting and to parents looking for daycares. Not only does the staff welcome the therapists into their classes, but they keep me up to speed on his therapy sessions' progress and they carry out what the therapists instruct him to do. The director abides by the rules and takes them seriously. While this may be misundertood by some, I would rather leave my children in the care of a professional who follows the rules and abides by the law and who I can trust to leave my children with. Not only that, but she only hires the best staff to work alongside her. Also, at a time of political and religious conflict, and as a family with very different backgrounds in those aspects, she has made us feel welcome, we were treated with a lot of compassion and respect, and she has taken the time to stop and ask me about our culture and beliefs and has been very respectful to them, which you would not see happening at your average daycare! Thank you to everyone at BLA who participated in shaping the lives of our sons emotionally, socially and intellectually and have been a second home to our boys.

A vibrant hub for arts and community engagement the Elizabeth Seton Center, located at 1900 Pioneer…read moreAvenue in Pittsburgh, PA, is a beacon of inspiration and service in the local community. Drawing upon the vision of Mother Elizabeth Seton, the center was established to offer a diverse range of programs and resources, including child-care services, senior services, and music and theater programs. Through these offerings, the Elizabeth Seton Center has become an integral part of the Pittsburgh area, fostering creativity, learning, and intergenerational connections. I've been here in several occasions and have been impressed with their continuing support of the arts and the community. Most recently to attend the very first play that my son, daughter, and son-in-law performed together in. It was a very well done production by The Heritage Players of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. It is a fantasy play based on C.S. Lewis's novel, depicting the magical adventures of the Pevensie siblings in Narnia. They discover a wardrobe that transports them to this enchanted realm, where they aid the lion Aslan in defeating the evil White Witch and restoring peace. This timeless story, filled with magic, love, and courage, that was captivating. Catherine & Alan played Mr. & Mrs. Beaver and Matt played a guard to the evil White Witch. Rooted in the legacy of Mother Elizabeth Seton, the first American-born saint and the founder of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, the center is committed to providing compassionate care and support for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. In keeping with this mission, the Elizabeth Seton Center offers high-quality child-care services, creating a nurturing environment for young children to grow, learn, and thrive. The center also places a strong emphasis on senior services, providing essential resources and opportunities for older adults to engage in social, cultural, and educational activities. Through these programs, seniors can participate in stimulating and enriching experiences that promote physical and mental well-being while fostering meaningful connections with others. In addition to its focus on child and senior care, the Elizabeth Seton Center has established itself as a premier destination for music and theater enthusiasts in Pittsburgh. The center's performing arts programs provide opportunities for participants of all ages to explore their creative potential and develop their talents in a supportive and inclusive environment. Home to the Heritage Players, a community theater group with a rich history of producing diverse and engaging productions, the Elizabeth Seton Center's theater programs bring the magic of live performance to local audiences. Through this collaboration, the center contributes to the vibrant arts landscape in Pittsburgh while offering a platform for performers to share their passion and skill with the community. The theater area is a spacious 300-seat auditorium with a excellent sightlines but the seating is old school wood and the acoustics can be challenging due to the high ceilings and the shear size of the auditorium The Elizabeth Seton Center's musical offerings further highlight the organization's commitment to promoting the arts and community engagement. Through concerts, workshops, and other events, the center fosters a deep appreciation for music and encourages both emerging and established musicians to showcase their talents. Bottom line: The Elizabeth Seton Center is a vital institution that exemplifies the values of its namesake, Mother Elizabeth Seton. With a strong dedication to child and senior care, as well as a deep commitment to promoting the arts through music and theater programs, the center continues to make a profound impact on the lives of Pittsburgh residents. By providing a welcoming space for learning, creativity, and growth, the Elizabeth Seton Center remains a true gem in the heart of Pittsburgh.

Other than offering services for children and senior citizens. Elizabeth Seton Center also offers a…read moreFarmers market & live theater. It is host to the Heritage Players who put on live performances throughout a year. I've seen my sister do productions with a couple of theather groups throughout the years. I would have to say this has to be the best one by far. The theather is old and has a bit of a 1950's nostalgia feel to it. I'm all for nostalgia but they could use some better seating. I was satisfied with the stage area acoustics and lighting making for a perfecting musical or play experience. If you're wanting any concessions for the show it's not really anything special as it's reminiscent of a table we'd see at elementary school functions consisting of candy bars sodas & a few other little snacks. But did offer a little alcohol. I would strongly recommend to BRing CAsh as consesions doesn't accept cards. I don't know about tickets as my sis gave me those free. I'd love to spectate some plays here in the future. I actually enjoyed myself a bit & will look into what else this Center has to offer. Be sure to like them on FB & tell a friend Elizabeth Seton Center https://www.facebook.com/elizabethsetoncenter/ Heritage Players https://www.facebook.com/heritageplayerspgh/

I met Miss Jala a year ago and her instant warmth and connection with children made me feel…read morecomfortable and as if my kiddo was going to be loved and well taken care of. It's hard to find people you trust with your kiddos but once you meet Miss Jala your fears will be gone. She has a cute kid friendly set up and is engaging and interactive with the kiddos in learning activities and fun. My daughter said other day, unprompted, "I love Miss Jala's" so this is really a review for my 4 years olds honest opinion. They do adventures to the library and parks and an academic curriculum that is solid and progresses forward. We love Miss Jala and Friends!

From the owner: Miss Jala and Friends provides quality childcare services inside a home. The goal is to keep child…read moreto adult ratio small to ensure that children are learning. Miss Jala provides large group circle as well as one on one learning instructions to each child multiple times per day. Miss Jala and Friends is licensed, CPR certified, and has all clearances. Also, as a mother of two I understand how important is it is to have reliable, trustworthy and safe relationships for children as they learn, grow and learn.

I scheduled a tour of the Goddard School a few weeks ahead of time. I received several reminders,…read moredirections to the school , as well as parking suggestions. I arrived to find the building very secure, being on Fifth Ave,can be of some concern. The director pointed out that all entrances require special admittance and there are two windows, only, in the gym, which are also safely closed. I met with Brian, Director/owner. He was extremely knowledgeable (as he should be), well spoken, and able to put me at ease in several instances. We spent at least 30 minutes discussing the curriculum, which I am extremely impressed with. I don't want just a babysitter, especially at such a high price. I asked what a typical day is like for the two year olds, and he was quick to point out, that every day has the same schedule, which it is important for toddlers to have continuity. We reviewed my particular needs, and Brian explained that my requirements were out of their ordinary, but he would make it work. As we proceeded to the "gym", Brian described the cleaning procedures of the school. Strict attention is taken to prevent spread of germs. But I have to tell you, I was amazed at this activity area, WOW. Large, appears safe, and decorated to the Pittsburgh area, including points of interest, historic sites, and sports teams. This is important to me, because I want my grandson to be familiar with his roots. We visited the classrooms, but unfortunately it was nap time. I do want to point out that this is a school, with education and growth in mind. Brian appeared "compassionate ", which is also important for children of any age. Brian answered every question I had, and never made me feel pushed, or in a hurry, despite that, I later found out, he had another tour, right after mine. I have to say, that my grandson is presently in a program that I am not completely comfortable with. This of course helped me to ask certain questions. Even though i haven't yet experienced the actual intervention, I am looking forward to enrolling my grandson in the program and continuing to watch him grow. I may write further reviews as time goes on.

My daughter has been at the Goddard School for two months and we absolutely love it here. This is…read morethe third center we have tried after being disappointed with the other centers. Everyone that works here is extremely kind and professional, my daughter loves all of her teachers and always has a big smile for them. The facility is bright, clean, and there are so many amenities for the children (I mean seriously, there's a climbing wall for little kids!). I'm not ashamed to admit that I wish that I could play here all day rather than work. It is very expensive but in my experience, you get what you pay for and this is absolutely worth every cent.

My son and I loved Little Tots Academy! We were so sad when we moved away. Little Tots Academy has…read morea great curriculum which was challenging without being stressful. Within a few weeks of enrolling, my son was showing off the nursery rhymes he'd learned, singing his days of the week, even spelling color words! The teachers are warm and friendly. I was pleasantly surprised to see my son hug Ms. Kathy goodbye after just one day of attendance. It's a wonderful learning environment. I can't say enough good things!

I recently went on a tour of the program and although I liked what I saw, I did not like the…read moreattitude of the director. In my opinion, she was not very warm or welcoming to me. She kind of had a serious tone and wasn't helpful with giving me payment options and asking if I could afford it or not. She was very blunt about telling me the registration fee. It's like she was wearing a fake smile. Due to the impression that she left on me, I will not be enrolling my child. It sucks because kindercare has a great reputation and I want the best for my child but I do not want to have another interaction like that again with the director.

Words can't express how much we LOVE this KinderCare! The seasoned teachers and long-standing…read moreleadership are clear to see from first interaction. While I was nervous to start my son last July (mid pandemic), KinderCare always made me feel comfortable with the procedures in place to keep the kids safe! Now my 2 sons attend and the teachers could not care for them any better. Shout out to the infant teachers who have really raised two happy happy happy boys in those difficult months- both developmentally and mentally for me! Rose, Tia and Poli are the best! My toddler is always smiling on drop off with Janelle and Tracy. I have a demanding career in healthcare (what a time!!), and I know everyday they are so well taken care of and loved! The kids are thriving and LOVE coming to school. They are also so tired at the end of the day from the physical and educational stimulation that they sleep 12 hours straight (always helps!). I guess the only negative would be that the location might not be convenient for the work from home'rs, but I would recommend all my friends to this childcare without any hesitation, esp if it is convenient! Plus; they have an enclosed playground right on the square! Kids LOVE!