Hello to all parents and caregivers. :-) As a mother for 23 years, former teacher and a person with…read morean extensive ECE educational background, degrees in Social Psychology and Social Science as well as finishing my Masters in Clinical Psychology, I found myself needing temporary care for my daughter during the current Summer months while she is out of school from RSA and with my hectic schedule. Having come from such a warm, loving, and attentive after-school program, I fear we may have been spoiled and enjoyed the luxuries of a quality after school program at RSA that we unfortunately are unable to recommend at this time anyone enroll their child in Heather Ridge if they want to continue the tradition of excellence that is always expected. Heather Ridge has some fine teachers, no doubt about it however, their hands are tied as to how they are allowed to encourage or respond to unruly, misguided, and undisciplined children who act and behave inappropriately and have not had the best opportunities to perhaps learn some coping skills with the full knowledge of the director and their rules and regulations. My daughter has only been in attendance for less than two weeks, and already, licensing had been called and on premise for issues beyond the children's and parent's control. My 8-year old daughter has been systematically allowed to be terrorized by a 'student' who has been in attendance at Heather Ridge for many years, admittedly by the director. We had attempted to express our concerns with how their procedures and policies work however, we were met with opposition from the assistant director, Krystin with unapologetic excuses and adamant denial coupled with a meeting to work together to resolve the issue and move forward with a positive goal in mind never coming to fruition. I was also hoping to address the fact that she told my daughter while I was not present that the reason the boy picked on her so much was because 'he liked 'her.' Personally, as a family unit and a long-time parent and former teacher, this type of excuse sets the bar for young girls to believe that it is okay for boys to harass and accost them merely because they like them. This is a serious recipe for girls to grow up thinking it's okay and if, in fact, find themselves in abusive relationships later down the line the notion that it's okay for a man to abuse them because it means 'they like/love them." Please note that this facility partners with SCOE, so you will find that there are recommendations made that may not be the best fit however are 'financially feasible'. I think the previous reviews stand by themselves with regard to this facility, and anyone considering Heather Ridge should look to the reviews to ascertain whether or not it's worth the drama, degradation and safety to enroll your child in this program or make the effort and financial decision to find somewhere else to enroll your child which have more than stellar reviews. It's so easy to write a mission statement including but not limited to "Our goal is to allow children to have hands-on learning experiences that foster age appropriate development" and not keep that promise! How easy it is to write that but not keep that commitment? Here is hoping that this center can find the time to work together with us to solve our issues and meet the safety, security and happiness needs of my daughter as well as the other children in attendance. If it is happening to one, it's happening to others. Recognize that, even if it is only one parent that is willing to speak up and be her child's advocate! Excited to see some form of thoughtful and productive communication for the sake of all children in attendance in the near future! Looking forward to an updated review with positive results! UPDATE: This school's resolution to our issues: After writing a one-star Yelp review, we were given a 2-week notice to leave and accusations laid out that my daughter might have contributed to the issue. LOL. Seems they have no interest in creating a caring and positive environment for all but would rather eliminate any potential desire to correct irresponsible behavior by both students and staff.

Best daycare around! My kids been going here for years and she comes home happy! We love all the…read morestaff also! They are amazing!!

After vising a few daycares/preschools in the area I decided to choose Kids and Me based off of the…read morecleanliness, the safety of having someone by the front door, the spacious indoor/ outdoor play area, and of course curriculum. Robin was a former teacher and is knowledgeable about what skills the children need to develop to prepare for Kindergarten. This of course was a major selling point for me. Robin and her staff genuinely care for the children; you can tell in the way they interact with them and the way the children beam in their presence. Additionally Robin is constantly working to provide the children with the best preschool experience possible. During the holidays and changing of seasons Robin would decorate the school to add a festive flare. Other times she would purchase new toys. She even installed misters outdoors for those super-hot days. She is always thinking of ways to improve her school. ((Thank you for that)) My daughter attended Kids and Me for a little over year and enjoyed the program so much that she begged to stay! Unfortunately for her, it was time to transition into Kindergarten. Teacher Marlena, Teacher Hannah, and Teacher Pam were in charge of my daughters care; they were all very loving and kind to my daughter. We will miss the staff tremendously.

We moved to the area in June of 2018, right before the Carr fire started. My husband and I are both…read moreteachers and planned to find a preschool for our 2 year old in the beginning of August. Then fire the happened and we ended up having to enroll her in a place fast, a week before school started. We went to Kids and Me first and immediately loved it. Robin (the owner) was so friendly and welcoming to us. I called her to schedule a tour and she was flexible and able to work around our schedule. We ended up showing up without giving her notice and she showed us around all the rooms. Everything was incredibly clean and well maintained. You can tell that they keep the place well looked after and that they are spending the time to make sure everything is safe for the kids. We looked at a few other places but did not get the same feeling as how we felt at Kids and Me. My daughter, like most kids, took time to adjust to the new environment and people but it was clear that she was well taken care of and looked after. I was told that she was having a hard time during lunches. Robin took it upon herself to help my daughter feel better by letting her eat lunch in her office. She allowed my daughter to sit and eat lunch with her until she was more comfortable. She went above and beyond to help make my daughter feel safe and loved. I have also been extremely impressed with how much learning they foster in the classrooms. My daughter seems to come home every day with either a new word or song. She is 2 and a half and can tell me her shapes, days of the week, and colors. She can count items up to 15 accurately. She is thriving in her classroom and doing so well. The teachers are working hard to come up with different ideas and ways to help the kids learn and grow. It feels so much like a school and not just some day care that your kid goes to while you are at work. Also, the teachers are always willing to take the time to talk to you at drop off and pick up. I can always ask them about her day and never feel like I get a scripted answer (like "It was good.") but rather a detailed explanation of her day. I usually pick her up with they are outside and I always see all the teachers playing with the kids and interacting with them. They don't just stand around waiting for the next kid to leave. Overall, I could not be happier with our choice to put our daughter here. They are so kind and caring to all the kids. I would recommend this school to anyone looking for an academically rich preschool where the kids are well cared for and loved.

Carol is an amazing woman with over three decades of experience in the community providing child…read morecare for kids ages 6 months to 5 years old. She honestly cares about every child in her charge and takes special care to see that they each have the opportunity to develop their minds to the highest level of their potential. This is not a park your child in front of the television kind of daycare. Here the kids learn how to learn and have so much fun doing it. Carol realizes that every single child is different and special and she really strives to identify the unique needs of each one. She keeps her classroom small so she can really focus the attention on each child that they need and deserve.

My two kids love Carol like a second mom. She takes her job seriously, always continuing her…read moreeducation and adding new materials to the mix to enhance the environment for the kids. Your kids will have fun, get dirty, learn social skills, eat great food, make new friends and generally be safe and well cared for.

My son has been at this Daycare for over a year and a half. He is a doing phenomenal here !! Such a…read morechange since we started . He just turned 3 , knows how to spell his name , his alphabet and can count to twenty . We were told by our pediatrician to maybe look into outside help with a speech therapist , because he wasn't talking much at all ( which is common, EVERY little has their own pace ) . After our three year checkup , the Pediatrician was so Impressed with his linguistics and communication WENDY IS TRULY AMAZING !! Our son has learned so much with here! Everyday he comes home with a craft project, and a letter, he's learned for the day with a new word corresponding to the letter. He's excited to tell me his new word , and I'm amazed by how in tune everyone who works there is with his quirks . We are having some Potty training complications, and she is sooo nurturing (so is everyone working there ) they all make a huge point to keep me informed on his pee & poo accomplishments. . She makes sure they get prizes for going potty & celebrates every holiday and birthday. I am a first time momma and my son is everything to me , knowing he is loved , learning and growing his vocabulary, so he can express himself means everything to me in a safe nurturing environment. That piece of mind while I'm away from him is priceless. I was militant in Choosing a daycare after a previous experience and Wendy's has surpassed anything I could have hoped for . Wendy offers suggestions on behavior and learning always to communicate to me what we can work on together for helping him grow and it's always coming from a loving place . I want to raise a good human! Like I said I'm a first time momma and any help or ideas she can offer I greatly appreciate. I WISH I COULD GIVE A HUNDRED STARS . If you are nervous about finding the perfect place for your little and a crazed momma who is obsessed with finding the perfect place while you are away THIS IS IT !! I WE ARE SO LUCKY WE FOUND WENDY'S DAYCARE! ! She sends me pictures daily of his smile and videos of their activities. It literally makes my entire day and I can't wait to pick him up !

Wendy's Daycare is by far the most amazing daycare in the world and I can't say enough good things…read moreabout this place... Given the unfortunate reviews that have come about, it is long past time that I share my story. If you are here checking reviews, you already know qualified childcare in our town difficult to come by. Knowing that I began my search early in my pregnancy 4 years ago. Several friends and families recommended Wendy's Daycare, and so I made the call to find out more information. To my disappointment, there was a waiting list 6 months out. (Weird that someone who is reportedly so terrible can still have a wait list a mile long all these years later) So I put our name on the list, and we waited. Sadly, no space was available by the time I went back to work so we found alternate childcare. Long story short, it was a total nightmare. A year later I was at the end of my rope, ready to quit my job and stay home, when I got the call that would change my life! Wendy had a space and wanted to schedule an interview. Being new to this game, I first thought it odd that a daycare would want to interview me. Isn't she working for me? Aren't I interviewing her? However, in a world where parents have varying personalities and levels of experience and as a rational adult whose concern for their children is paramount it makes total sense! The fact that Wendy has the emotional capacity to recognize the importance of these relationships speaks to her incredible character. Spaces at Wendy's are not easy to come by and that is because so much care and thought goes into selecting children and families, and once you're there you don't give up your spot willingly. Wendy puts every ounce of herself into the time she and her staff spends with children and she works hard to make sure anyone coming into her home is a good fit. It is a shame when people you once trusted turn on you and spread vindictive lies. Contrary to my original thought, Wendy may work for me in the sense that I pay for her service, but in truth, she works for my children. Taking care every day to research the latest curriculum, staying up on nutrition and health and safety to ensure that my children are receiving a well-rounded experience. She knows my children and their personalities as much or more than I do and is always there to listen and offer valuable advice when needed. To cut to the chase, I have since had another child and would have a dozen more if I it meant I could go to Wendy's every day. I now work for the Early Education Department of the Shasta County Office of Education and I can tell you in all confidence, as someone who has seen the worst, Wendy's Daycare is the best there is. I have never once felt anxious or uncomfortable about the care my children receive here. Wendy's staff is loving and compassionate. My children are happy and excited to spend time here. My oldest daughter went into Kindergarten more than prepared and Wendy's has the best reputation of any early learning center that feeds into our school. Wendy helped with our potty training issues, and my daughter was reading and writing by 3 years old, which is impressive because the information is presented in a way that my kids do not even realize they are learning, all they know is they are having fun and feeling loved. Yes, there are rules, and expectations. Children and parents alike know what is expected and Wendy provides consistency and security to all of us. Yes, Wendy runs a tight ship, but given the fact that she has nearly 20 years of experience, she knows that both children and adults need boundaries, and she knows what works. Believe what you will, but I rest easy every day knowing that my kids are well cared for, and Wendy will be part of our family long after my children age out.

If you are looking for the BEST private fitness trainer, look no further--Andrew at the YMCA is…read moreabsolutely outstanding. My son had just three months to prepare for a fitness exam that required at least 15 pull-ups. At first, both my son and I were nervous and stressed about whether he could make it. But thanks to Andrew's exceptional training, calm personality, and systematic approach, my son not only reached his goal but confidently hit exactly 15 pull-ups on the day of the test. Andrew is more than just a trainer--he's a mentor who knows how to bring out the best in his clients while easing their worries. His combination of kindness, professionalism, and skill is unmatched. We recommend him with complete confidence. Without question, Andrew is the BEST trainer we have ever worked with.

Friendly staff. Gym is well taken care of and maintained. All issues are addressed in a timely…read moremanner. Excellent facility.

They have some really amazing staff here. I spend a lot of my time here and I watch everything that…read morethey do, and the kids truly love them. These are wives, mothers and grandmothers working here, which is great! I can talk to them and even exchange motherly wisdom. They are open to making adjustments wherever need be. As a nursing mom, I use my breaks to feed my daughter and have been doing so for several months. They have been so accommodating to this. They work as a team to raise the babies. I have never came there and my daughter was soaked and dirty, with the exception of her need to grab for the spoon during her morning feeds(can we say mess). She does this with me, so I don't expect them to be miracle workers. One of my favorite things about this place, outside of the staffing, is how the kids are separated. We all know that the older a kid gets the more they are into things, the more aggressive they can be and so forth. I passed up many Daycare Centers because the kids were grouped or easily had access to another group. Here, the kids are divided into rooms (with actual doors and hallways) and buildings, not only by AGE but also by DEVELOPMENT. The experienced walkers are separated from the crawlers, and non crawler and so forth. There are plenty of toys, learning activities, and reading. Ok lets talk price. They are by far the best when it comes to working with you. My husband and I schedules are rarely consistent. Sometimes we need full time, sometimes we do not. Unlike many other organizations, Kinderland has adjustable pricing and are willing to credit for the time that was not used. For me this was fabulous. When we decided to go out of town we did not get charged for those days that she was not in attendance. You will find that most places charge you for a set schedule regardless if the days are used and for their time off/holidays. Just a side note. I think it is important for parents to take the time to connect and share with the caregiver. Let them know your needs, they are pact full of information and can tell you what is going on (just in case you missed it). Not every place is meant for everyone, that is why we have options. Take the time to choose wisely.

Everybody from the office staff to the teachers are very friendly and kind. My grandson loves going…read moreto school everyday. He enjoys all his friends and loves Ms. Cindy very much and loves being in her classroom. He has learned quite a bit and has come along way from when he first started out there. I thank you Ms. Cindy and all the other helpers there very much. You are all great. I would recommend Kinderland to anyone looking for Child Care. We appreciate you all.