Morning Playtime is a well-known, popular playgroup in Dedham. Over the past few years I've met a…read morelot of moms who sent their kids there- either before they were old enough for preschool, or as a 1 or 2 day a week enrichment in addition to preschool, or as an alternative to a preschool. I've always heard great things, so I jumped at the chance to send my son when she had an opening. They do crafts, sensory play, puzzles, instruments, dress up, chalkboard, storybooks, felt boards, playdoh, sand table, painting, shaving cream play, tower building, songs, and on and on. There's a new theme every month (this month: polar animals). Every day when I pick up my son I hear about all the fun they had. They do have circle time and talk about letters and numbers, always in a playful and imaginative environment, with mixed ages from 2-4. The other great thing about Morning Playtime is plenty of outdoor play every day, even in snow, which is so wonderful for kids. I love the fun my son has there- and I do think it is education- play is how kids learn at this age. I first met Elizabeth McKenna when she taught a children's art class at Mother Brook Arts Center. I saw how much she truly enjoys spending time children and developing a rapport with them. She is engaging and hands-on. If you are looking for a half-day program for young kids, Morning Playtime is a great choice.

You can't find a more sincere and competent care-giver for your children. Elizabeth is always…read morefully-engaged with the children and introduces new themes consistently. Both of my children benefited from her care and adore her!! And initially, when I was a new mom, Elizabeth was supportive, guiding and always patient with me. I couldn't have been luckier to have found her.

NOT SAFE FOR TODDLERS During the tour in May of 2023,…read moreeverything seemed calm and put together. I witness the toddlers quietly enjoying a snack and they all seemed fairly happy. During the registration process, the director was very slow to respond. A week before our son's first day, I still didn't know who his teachers would be, what he should bring to school (lunch, snacks, bedding, lovey), or which classroom he would be in. This was all very unsettling. When I walked in on his second day, it was complete chaos in the front area. Pre-k children were running all over the place playing while the toddlers (some as young as just 15 mo) were mixed in with Pre-K and looked completely scared. Come to find out that it is illegal to mix those groups together or at the very least, you need a special license. By the third day, I still wasn't told who my son's teachers were so I opted to pick him up early. I was horrified to see that a pre-k teacher (who didn't know my son or my son's name) had given him a twizzler as a snack and was sitting in front of a tv screen watching Finding Nemo. My son was only 17 mo old at the time. Candy is considered a choking hazard and we don't allow screens for him at all. No one asked our permission for him to watch the movie and no one knew of his dietary restrictions because no one had introduced me to his teachers. Not to mention the fact that this goes against all the marketing materials that you're given. The place is a hot mess. The marketing materials that they give you are a complete lie. The turn over for the toddler rooms is higher than average and from what I witness, it's NOT SAFE. The director is extremely disorganized, doesn't know what her teachers do on a day to day basis and provides little to no communication with parents. Needless to say, WE REMOVED OUR SON FROM THEIR CARE AFTER THE THIRD DAY. Of course I reached out to the 1800 number and explained my story. Again, I was given false promises. I was told: -That I could enroll my son at a different location, at the same price as Knoweldge Beginnings, Westwood. That never happend. -I was told that I would be speaking to the district VP about how Knowledge Beginnings was being run. That never happened. Essentially, all promises made to me over the phone by the district manager were never upheld. That pales in comparison to how little Knowledge Beginnings cares for their toddlers and doesn't not offer the care that is described in their marketing materials. From one concerned parent to another, do not take your children there.

I have two children, ages 4.5 and 16mos, who have both attended the Westwood Knowledge Beginnings…read moresince they were 3 months old. It has been a great experience for them overall. Our girls have thrived in that environment, much due to the nurturing staff and just the right balance of academic focus and self-directed play. Our eldest child is quite prepared for kindergarten at this point but still has another year before she starts in public school! The staff is quite experienced, many of them having worked at the center for 5+ years and who also bring their own children to the location. Maryellen and Stacey, the Director and Associate Director respectively, are attentive to the needs of the children and their families while continuously guiding the staff toward excellence; recently demonstrated through achieving National accreditation. Some perceived drawbacks to this center might be: the location - Rt 1 can be quite busy and the parking lot is not huge, but the location was quite convenient for us and we've rarely had a problem with parking. Snacks are provided but lunches are not included in the cost of tuition- this suits our picky eaters! And the center has recently partnered with a company called Smart Lunches to provide meals for purchase. We absolutely recommend this center to families seeking a caring place where their children will blossom and grow.

We are very thankful for the Goddard Dedham School. The communication is excellent and we receive a…read morenumber of pictures and details about our children's daily activities. My kids started as infants and have learned so much! Colors, ABCs, numbers, writing their name, etc. They've learned even more about kindness, empathy and gratitude. The social skills they get at a young age are incomparable. We couldn't be happier with the teachers and staff that create such a wonderful experience for the children to learn and grow!

My family has been a proud member of The Goddard School of Dedham for 4 years, having sent 3 of our…read more4 children here. We have felt as though the teachers and staff have been an extension of our family. My children have all loved their time with The Goddard. They are greeted with hugs and smiles each day, and talk about missing their teachers and friends when not at school. The curriculum fosters learning with an interactive, age appropriate approach that makes learning exciting each and every day. We have been blessed to be part of the Goddard Family, and without reservation recommend them to care for and teach anyone's child. There is no better peace of mind than knowing your children are loved and treated so well when in someone else's care.

Marina is fantastic! She is very caring and knowledgeable about kids and child development…read more She cooks home made meals and is very interactive and kind with children. I have no hesitation to recommend this daycare. Our kids were always well taken care of there.

This place is a gem. My daughter started going to this daycare before she turned 2 and the progress…read moreshe has made is incredible. She can recognize and write letters and numbers, she can cut out figures out of paper. I can't even count how many songs and poems she has learned in both Russian and English. There are new activities everyday for the kids. Great home made food and personal care for each child. You can see how much the kids love Marina. Send your kids to ATID, you will not regret it!

I like the staff they're friendly and care about the children & my son's personality has changed…read moredrastically..

The staff at Little Sprouts in Dedham is fantastic!!…read more Dropping off your 3 month old when you are back to work from maternity leave is very hard and they made the transition much easier on a new mom. The infant teachers are wonderful. They are very loving and take great care of my infant daughter as evidenced by how well she has adjusted there. It's not just a "daycare", it's a school for little ones. My daughter already has art work on our fridge. They make sure she is stimulated in a loving environment. They were really put to the test when an emergency situation arose this winter with a snowy roof that led to an evacuation. The teachers and administrators of this school were stellar. Their response time and ability to keep all the kids safe, warm, and happy was amazing. Now being in their new facility they have the whole package. The new building is bright and cheery and very welcoming. The administrators of this school are also very eager to hear from you and quick to respond to any concerns and they welcome the feedback. Overall we are very happy with our choice to send our daughter to Little Sprouts in Dedham.

If you are looking for a safe & reliable au pair experience reach out to Marta Pena.... She has…read morebeen of tremendous help finding us the right au pair for our family.

We were desperate looking for childcare when our nanny moved to another city. We contacted Marta…read morefrom Au Pair busy moms and couldn't have been more happier with the placement. She helped us find a Swedish Au Pair. If you are looking for child care I highly recommend Marta.

I was a parent of a student who graduated from the Lighthouse. Cheryle is a disgruntled…read moreex-employee, and her feedback is misleading and false. She was NOT a parent, and the facility is state of the art with the largest indoor gym facility in the area. Visit the facility, meet the staff, and decide for yourself.

From the owner: Are you in need for childcare for you newborn, toddler or preschooler? Trying to find the best…read moresolution for your family? Let us help you during this chapter of life. Our Learning Center is so much more than a daycare as we pack our mornings with an extensive curriculum and the afternoons with a lot of play activities, either outdoors or indoors (2,000 sq ft gym). We teach through play to let them have the Early Childhood Education we would want our own children to have. Our Center, as well as all our teachers, are EEC certified and trained in First Aid and CPR.