I wish I could give Learning Pathways 10 stars - and I never say things like that! The teachers…read moreare stellar - warm, inviting, and terrific at making learning fun. That's because the school treats them like family, unlike so many other schools in the area. My daughter comes home with new words and skills every day, and I can see the pride she takes in learning. She has learned so much academically (writing, reading, math) that she is actually too advanced for ordinary TK programs, which is a good problem to have! And when she had trouble adjusting to a different classroom, Mr. Wes and Mr. Wyatt were incredibly kind and helpful, and ultimately worked with us to find a place where she felt happy and supported. The Willow Glen campus is intimate and beautiful, with a lovely covered yard and play area. Mr. Wes, Mr. Wyatt, and Mr. Todd run the school with such thoughtfulness and care, through pandemic ups and downs and everything in between. We adore the school, the teachers, and the kids. What a special place.

Our child attended this preschool around age four. While the school is organized and structured, it…read moreultimately was not the right fit for our family. One positive aspect is the teacher-to-child ratio, with three teachers for approximately 23 children. The program runs efficiently, routines are clear, and from an operational standpoint the school is well managed. The directors, Mr. Wyatt and Mr. Wesley, were consistently kind, professional, and thoughtful in their interactions. That said, the classroom environment felt very crowded, particularly during nap time, when children were closely packed together. Our experience with teaching staff was mixed. Two of the three teachers appeared relatively inexperienced, especially in communication during drop-off and pick-up, which often felt limited or awkward. One more experienced teacher stood out as warm, confident, and engaging, and the contrast in experience was noticeable. Our main concern was that the program seemed best suited for children who fit narrowly into a compliance-based model. Children who were still developing self-regulation skills -- which is developmentally appropriate at age four -- appeared to be labeled or judged more quickly. In our case, our child was repeatedly singled out for age-appropriate energy (like in music time) and expressive language, and at times it felt clear that one teacher lacked a strong understanding of early childhood development and behavior. After raising ongoing concerns, I communicated to the director that I was exploring other preschool options, as I was not satisfied with how things were progressing and felt the program would likely not meet our expectations. Shortly afterward, we received an abrupt email from the owner stating that our child was being unenrolled. While the timing felt abrupt, we had already decided that transitioning to another school was the right move for our family. To be clear, this is a structured and well-run preschool, and it is clear why they have a waitlist, they truly do a great job, all around, but it may be a good fit for families whose children thrive in that environment. For us, we were seeking more experienced educators who could thoughtfully support a range of personalities and developmental stages. After moving to another preschool with similar structure but more seasoned teachers, our child thrived.

Being part of Explorer has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience…read more There's a joke that parenting is the one job nobody has to pass a test for -- that there really ought to be some kind of "SAT for parents" before anyone is handed a child. Explorer is the closest thing I've found to that school, except it never tests you. It teaches you. And what it teaches is less about how to raise a child than about how to be a good parent -- and underneath that, how to be a good person. What it made me see most clearly is this: the bond between a parent and a child is one of the most extreme imbalances of power that exists. In no other relationship does one person hold so much control over another human being -- over their time, their body, their choices, even their sense of what is real. And yet we almost never name it as power. We take it for granted. As a society we rarely talk about the restraint a parent owes a child, precisely because the child has no way to demand it. Explorer takes that restraint seriously. The community here holds to a belief that is simple to say and surprisingly hard to live: that we are not only here to protect our children, but to respect them. And what surprised me most was what that respect produces. Children who are treated with respect learn to extend it -- to their peers, and to the world around them. They come to understand boundaries not by being controlled, but by having their own boundaries honored, and by watching others honored too. They learn it through play, through sharing how they feel, through being given room to work things out rather than being told how things will be. I'll be honest: none of this is intuitive, and much of it runs against how most of us were raised. It asks you to hold back in the very moments when instinct says to step in and take charge. It asks you to be challenged -- to be willing to find out you were wrong. So I don't think Explorer is the right fit for every family. It's for the ones ready to walk in open-minded and let themselves be stretched. For us, it was exactly that. I'm deeply grateful that our family found Explorer, and that we've had the chance to be part of it.

We LOVE Explorer. We started our LO at 18 months and are saddened that graduation is in one month,…read moreending our time here. Being here for 4 years, we've been able to see a lot and meet lots of families. It isn't for everyone. But if it is for you, as it was for us, it's a godsend. We couldn't be more thankful for all that we've learned, the kindness and patience we've received as new parents, and the community we've been able to take with us as we leave. The #1 reason I chose Explorer Preschool was the required monthly Parent Ed Classes. As a former teacher, I love learning but not too proud to admit that I need to pay a school to hold me accountable. Sleep deprivation is a big deterrent. Explorer, however, is special because what we learn is immediately applicable. Parents learn from each other, ask questions we hadn't thought to ask yet. We get the opportunity for our LOs to be loved and supported by a caring community of similar values. We, too, fall in love with other LOs and get to watch them all grow up together in a safe space. We don't have family here, which was daunting to say the least, as first-time parents in 2022. Now, after 4 years, we feel like the close families that we've bonded with will remain our friends for a lifetime. I love how much my LO just goes up to other parents just to have a good laugh, and how much these other LOs come up to tell/share the most exciting news of the day. A lot of families have come and gone in the last 4 years. But the ones that stay until graduation, at least in my experience this year, it says a lot about them = dependable, flexible, kid-centered, sees value in education, team-player, committed, nature-loving, and open-minded (we're in an all-inclusive school). I could go on forever! Thank you, Explorer Preschool!

There are not enough words to express how grateful I am for Ms. Jane. She has cared for my children…read moresince they were infants and has been a part of every significant milestone--from crawling to walking to talking to reading. By the time my son started Kindergarten, he was well-prepared and eager to learn, thanks to Ms. Jane's influence. She played a crucial role in his academic and social readiness. Now, as my daughter begins TK, she is equally prepared for school because of Ms. Jane's guidance. Ms. Jane not only prepares children for school, but also lays the groundwork for life, teaching responsibility, manners, respect, and how to care for one another. Her unique ability to connect with children means they both adore and respect her. I often struggled to get my kids to listen at home, but a quick call to Ms. Jane would immediately improve their behavior. My children frequently say that they miss Ms. Jane, and they often draw pictures for her or eagerly share their weekend adventures. Even my son, who has been out of daycare/preschool for over a year, still enjoys visiting her. She has truly become a part of our family--a trusted guardian for our children. While we are so sad to be leaving after six years, we know she will remain a cherished part of our lives, and we will plan to visit often. If I could give her ten stars, I would!

We highly recommend Ms. Jane's Daycare!Our son attended Ms. Jane's daycare when he was around 2…read moreyears old, and he is 23 years old now. He loved Ms. Jane and her daughter, so much, and actually looked forward to going to daycare, especially since, we were transplants from Tennessee, and had no family around, it was so important to find the best care for him, while we were at work, etc., and Ms. Jane's Daycare, did just that! We always received a warm smile and a hug at the beginning and end of the day, and had great communication at all times. He would show us his art work, and what he learned that day, and was so happy there, until we moved back home to TN. It was bittersweet, but we never forgot about Ms. Jane, her daughter; and all of the amazing things that made Ms. Jane's Daycare, so special. Thank you, Ms. Jane for taking such good care of Zane. You are one of a kind, and we feel so grateful for having met you.

I had to switch my sons daycare short notice and ended up enrolling him here because of the…read moreproximity to where we live and I was impressed when I went to tour. Here are some of the reasons we are very happy with the switch: When we toured my son wanted to stay and for me to leave lol The staff has always treated my son and I with kindness,patience and respect Almost instantly when my son started he came home with a lot of new words in his vocabulary and new songs he had learned at school Aside from location, the actual school is big with 2 classrooms and 2 outside playing areas for the kids They have 2 classes one for younger age group the other for older but the classes come together at several points through out the day. I love the diversity of this school, it's super important to have my son included in a diverse environment. They have pet parakeets which my son loves as I'm sure the other kids Countless educational toys and a lot of art projects Overall the energy of the classrooms when I drop off my son is really great. You can feel the warmth of the class/staff when you walk in. When putting your child in daycare/preschool can be a little intimidating but when you find somewhere that welcomes your child with such warmth, as I have with willow glen academy, you know you're setting that child up for academic success

A lovely, cozy preschool, and in a really convenient location! And, added convenience, the school…read moreprovides breakfast and lunch (ask about dinner, I don't know, since my kid is never there that late), which means I'm not scrambling to pack a lunch. My child has been attending for about 6 months, and their development has been astonishing. They went from barely knowing a few letters to currently sounding out words whenever they can. I've no doubt, they'll be actually READING by summer, when they'll be just 4.5 years. My biggest praise has to go to how they've handled my child's gender exploration. Shortly before beginning preschool, they said they're a girl, and thus they were introduced as a girl. Now, they are sometimes a girl, sometimes a boy, and we inform the teachers in the morning. Never any pushback, just embracing my kid's identity formation.

The Willows is more than a preschool - it's a deeply thoughtful, nurturing, and magical place for…read morechildren to grow. As a mostly outdoor, Reggio Emilia-inspired school, The Willows truly honors the natural rhythms of childhood. The teachers meet kids exactly where they are developmentally, with so much respect, patience, and intention. Learning here isn't rushed - it's guided by curiosity, joy, and connection. Over the two years our son attended, he was deeply loved, understood, and supported by a team of teachers who are as skilled as they are warm. He flourished there. Under their gentle, intentional guidance, we saw his social-emotional growth blossom in the most beautiful ways. They didn't just teach, they built relationships. They created a safe, joyful space for him to discover his voice, his confidence, and his love of learning. We feel so lucky to have had these early years rooted in a place that so fully sees and respects the whole child. The Willows will always hold a special place in our hearts.

My daughter has been at The Willows for over four months and we absolutely love the school,…read moreteachers, and the community. This is her first time in a school setting with other children and the teachers are great at helping her get comfortable and warm up in a new environment. We love the indoor/outdoor aspect, and all the unique and creative play-based activities. There's always something new to play with and learn! We couldn't be happier with our choice to enroll here.

Action Day Lincoln has taken such good care of our boy!…read more Our son has severe food allergies and eczema that requires a lot of care and attention. He was in Action Day's infant program from the time he was 5 months until he was 1, then we took a short break and now he's back as a 1.5 years old. I'm writing this review because I had a hard time finding information about how daycares handle food allergies when I was looking through reviews myself. Jamie has done so much to help us feel confident sending our son (who is severely allergic to milk and eggs) to daycare. She worked out plans to keep him safe during meal time when other toddlers are eating his allergens, and ensured staff were all trained in how to handle allergic reactions. She even visited the local fire department to inform them about the severity of his allergies and ensure they were prepared to find their way around the campus should they ever need to. Additionally, our son has a great time every day and all of his teachers have been attentive, warm, professional, and easy to communicate with! Shout out to his current teacher, Miss Maria, who takes extra care to apply lotion to him all day long and does frequent diaper changes to keep his eczema at bay.

We have been going to Action Day for over a year, starting when my kid was 5 months old. Our…read moredaughter is now in the walkers room, and is obsessed with Ms. Allison. We can always tell that she is having so much fun with Ms. Allison, and I know I can trust her to take great care of my baby!

We are incredibly grateful for our experience at Over the Rainbow Montessori. As our son graduates…read moreat age five, we can clearly see how much he has learned and grown in past three years. The teachers have provided an excellent foundation and prepared him well for kindergarten and beyond.What stands out most is the caring and nurturing environment. Thank you to all the teachers and staff for the positive impact you have had on our son's early years. We highly recommend Over the Rainbow Montessori to any family looking for a supportive and high-quality preschool experience.

We had a wonderful experience at this school. It's a small, close-knit school where every child…read morereceives personal attention and truly feels valued. The teachers are incredibly caring, patient, and dedicated, creating a nurturing environment where children can thrive. They not only helped shape our daughter's early years and build her confidence, but also provided an excellent foundation for learning. We were amazed by how much she learned academically, socially, and emotionally during her time here. She looked forward to going to school every day, and we will always be grateful for the love, encouragement, and support she received. I highly recommend this school to any family looking for a warm, supportive environment with outstanding teachers.

My son has attended for 2yrs and we REALLY like this school and we're going to miss taking my…read morealmost kindergartner there.. The environment is very nurturing, peaceful and supporting and they've been very accommodating with our family as far as scheduling and helping us deal with some of my son's sensory issues. I know my son is loved and cared for there. I love the huge green grass for my son to run, the big covered sand pit and how safe and natural the play area is for my wandering boy. Another big plus is that they provide wholesome and nutritious breakfast/lunch/snacks. I can see some room for improvement on the art projects for the children.

Both my daughters have attended this charming preschool. The school focuses on hands-on and…read moreinteractive learning with Christian centered teaching. The teachers are attentive and caring and most instruction and songs are taught in English as well as Spanish. My older daughter entered kindergarten this year and pretty much already knows what she will be expected to learn in her Kindergarten curriculum.