Skipwith Academy at Westchester should be ashamed of themselves. They are closed for the third day…read morethis week for a snow event that occurred on 1/24-1/25/26. Although the storm resulted in residual affects including icy conditions, more than 98% of the surrounding businesses (including a Pediatric Physician Office, restaurants, Target, Chick Fi La, Panera Bread, a major Gym, Banks, etc.) are open with access to the high traffic of their parking lot and foot areas clear. So, why is Skipwith not open? Although parents seek Day Care Services for various reasons, they primarily choose it because they have to work and the children are either not of school age or need supervision after school or when school is closed because again, they have to work. Operating a Day Care that is more inclined to mimic the local school closure schedule does not serve the parents of the community very well. In addition, discounts to the ever increasing tuition for these numerous day closures are usually not offered. This is very frustrating. Safety FIRST should always be the focus and the goal. I have worked in operations for 32 years so I know what that is like and that it can be difficult to balance at times. However, I would expect Managers and Leadership to be more "Proactive vs Reactive", to think more "out the box" and come up with a better contingency plan for their clients than to simply "close" for multiple days. Would it be too much to consider maybe late openings and early evening closures for a couple of days in a time like this? That way, parents could still meet work obligations (everyone does not have the luxury or ability to work from home) vs missing the day all together. Children would be safe while still learning/having fun and all participants (teachers, parents, children, etc.,) would be able to arrive and depart to their designations safely. I am not trying to down Skipwith Academy or think that the establishment should never close in inclement weather. With Virginia's weather being as Bipolar as it is, there will certainly be times that option is most appropriate. With that said, for the most part, the staff do a good job. My little one enjoys going there and has excelled greatly under their teaching and supervision. However, you have to do better. Your parents are your clients too and if you are closed often, this defeats the purpose of them patronizing your business.

I just wanna say this place has exceeded my expectations for a daycare facility. Not only do they…read morekeep you updated throughout the day through an app letting you know what your kid eats drinks and uses the bathroom, but they also keep you in the loop with events and stuff. I have absolutely no complaints with this place. this was my sons very first daycare experience as I was a stay at home Mom for over a year so for him to just dive right in and play with the other kids and feel comfortable enough, was a huge sign that he is at the right place. the weekly cost is well worth what you're getting in return!! 10/10

Our 3.5-year-old son started at La Petite Academy of Glen Allen about a month ago, and he comes…read morehome every day saying his school is "amazing" and his teachers are "wonderful" -- hard to beat that review from the actual customer. Pam, the director, clearly cares deeply about the kids and makes every family feel welcome from day one. The teachers we've worked with have all been excellent: very professional, communicative, and organized, but they still keep things fun and playful for the kids. We came from another daycare in the area and can say with confidence that La Petite is a massive upgrade. In just a few weeks, we've seen marked improvements in our son's behavior and how he interacts with other kids. There is a strong emphasis on the classroom as a community, and it really shows--children seem to learn how to play well together, take turns, and be considerate classmates. The structure and expectations in the classroom feel age-appropriate but still set them up for success. I can very easily see our son being more than ready for kindergarten in a couple of years. They keep the kids busy in the best way -- every day our son is learning something new, with lots of hands-on activities and exploration. The app is also fantastic; we get tons of updates and photos throughout the day so we always feel connected to what he's doing. My only (very minor) gripe is the parking lot -- it's a bit small and can get chaotic during peak drop-off and pickup times. But honestly, that's a small trade-off for the level of care and education our son is getting. Overall, we're extremely happy we made the switch and highly recommend La Petite of Glen Allen to other families.

I chose La Petite Academy because of the proximity to work, the rate and hours. The teachers were…read moredecent. I do not agree with how they do many things so ended up going elsewhere. An item went missing from my son's belongings. Instead of trying to find out how/why, the blame was placed on him for bringing it to the facility.

Update: Initially, I was hopeful my report to the Department of Social Services would be…read moresufficient, but unfortunately, the "investigation" let me down. I reported Celebree School of Henrico for the following violations: Special Care Provisions, Emergencies, and Staffing and Supervision. On August 18, 2025, I received the daily report for my daughter, who was exclusively breastfed, which reported she was offered and took 4oz of formula. Celebree's response was nonchalant, and that it was entered incorrectly. The investigator agreed, even though she and I both uncovered that they had gone back into my daughter's report and changed days and weeks of data regarding feeding. Given this incident and the previous, recent violation in February 2025, where staff mistakenly fed a child another child's breastmilk, I find that hard to believe. Regarding the Staffing and Supervision violation, oftentimes, my daughter's teacher(s) had not arrived when she was dropped off, and she would have to go to the other infant room, meaning the 1:4 ratio was exceeded. We'd drop off a teary-eyed girl and pick up a hungry, sad, and sleepy girl. As new parents, we wrongly assumed that it was normal or that there would be an adjustment period. As time passed, it became clear her basic needs were not being met. My biggest regret, one I feel guilty to this day, was not unenrolling sooner. My hope in sharing this new information with other parents is simply that how you interpret and what you do with it is ultimately up to you. Trusting someone and someplace with your child is not easy, and I wish all parents nothing but the best care. (End)

When my daughter started it was great. The teachers in her room was fantastic. but…read more.... for the amount I paid a month was insane and having to provide lunch on top of it was a downfall. Also they tell you very last minute when school is going to be closed unless you search through the handbook and write it down and remember yourself and you still have to pay for the days they are closed when most places wont charge you for that. The first classroom she was in was such an amazing experience , and i must say the people who run the place are very pleasant! but... When my daughter went to the next classroom because she was getting older, i noticed almost everyday it was a new teacher, and they never acknowledged you when you came to pick up your kid. There was only 1 or 2 teachers that were nice and friendly , the rest was a different person almost everyday i couldnt keep up and i had no idea any of there names. & then one day i went to get my daughter and she wasnt in the normal classroom , nor was she in the classroom that age group goes in towards the end of the day and none of the teachers knew where she was so i was furious and panicked i had to run to every classroom searching for her and i shouldve complained then and there but i didnt.. i found her and left and knew her last day was coming up so i let it go because she was safe in a younger classroom but that specifically made me grateful to leave.. Also, the teachers would complain that what i packed for lunch was not healthy and they would tell her she cant eat it... so why have us provide lunch if you wont feed it to them , i had a lot of issues after she moved from the 3 year old classroom to the 4 year old classroom. started off great, ended badly. It is a safe place very guarded nobody can enter or leave without a code and the front desk always knows who is who picking up which kid so that part i did like a lot. So very mixed review!

I cannot recommend this school. We pulled our son out after he attended for 11 months. Our number…read moreone concern was our son's safety. We brought safety issues to the attention of the staff and directors multiple times. There were several occasions where we picked our son up and he had bruises or cuts that the teachers couldn't explain. At a minimum, once we pointed them out they should have been documented. The teacher would say she didn't see what happened. When I explained my concerns to a director, she said "That's just how the children play with each other". So there appeared to be a lack of concern for preventing or remedying the issue. Our son began to state that he didn't want to go to school. We didn't want our son to develop a negative perception of school or learning that could impact him later on. Primrose is very expensive, and for the money, parents should at least be assured that their children are safe. The last time I spoke to one of the staff members about the issue I said I wanted to take time to brainstorm and come up with potential solutions. I proposed volunteering in the classroom, but the idea was rejected. The rationale given was "state guidelines". At least one other parent was already volunteering; no other school we interviewed indicated that there were state guidelines that would prevent parents from volunteering. The secondary concern was our son's kindergarten readiness. If he was indifferent about attending and worried about whether another child was going to hit or harass him, he would be unable to focus. Also, although I think the balanced learning approach works for some children, it wasn't what our son needed to get him ready for kindergarten. Two other schools we interviewed have children our son's age reading and spelling three to five letter words. That wasn't happening at Primrose. For the reasons above, I can't recommend Primrose.

My son went to Primrose from the age 2 till he turned 5, and oh! what an amazing childhood he had…read moreat Primrose. The facility is super safe, super education pro, and it nurtured my son's interpersonal skills, motor skills, social values to the highest and in best way possible. The quality of food is great. All of his teachers were well educated and trained to take care of the kids. We loved all of his teachers. He still remembers them fondly. He made the best of friends here. We moved out of Richmond, and Primrose is one of those places which we sorely missed. We are proud of this facility at Westerre Commons! You are forever cherished. Kudos to you!

We were called this spring about the waiting list after we left our number 2 years ago. I was so…read moresurprised they actually still had our info and called, that in itself showed me they were very organized. We counted down the months for my sons first day and now a month into it, I can say already I understand the reason for that waitlist. My son is happy going in everyday and when o pick-him up. Everyone in the staff is personable, I get daily updates, and he's proud to show me his daily paper with what he colored. The sheet also tells me what they covered for stories, what the age, and he's even napping again. I can use the information on the sheet to talk to him about his day and I'm just mind blown at how much more responsive he is since he started. I'm so happy we got in! They are fantastic

So far, we are happy with Promise Care. Although they lack some of the modern amenities that our…read moreprevious preschool had (I really miss getting those Brightwheel updates!), they are handling Covid with grace and my child feels safe and cared for and that is what matters the most. Unfortunately due to Covid, parents still aren't allowed inside. I still got a chance to see the classroom via a virtual tour and meet his teacher on a few occasions and she is incredibly sweet. My son talks about all of his friends every night, loves the playground, and brings home some cute art projects! He has matured so much just in the 3 months that he's been there, and he quickly stopped crying at drop off because he enjoys his school so much. Negatives would be the lack of an app, not being able to go inside yet, and having to write a check to pay. But, where they lack in modern amenities, they more than make up for it in care and tuition. This is the best priced tuition in the west end for an all day program. I am so thankful that we were able to get in off the waiting list after a 2 year wait and that my daughter will be able to attend next year. We plan to keep both children here until they age out. Thankfully, they pick up from our zoned elementary school so we are set in terms of childcare. It was a rough road to get here - the childcare situation in Richmond is absolutely horrible - but we are here and so thankful!

I absolutely love Ms. Manaly at The Learning Experience! I'm convinced she's part chef, part…read moresuperhero, and part toddler whisperer. She wears many hats and somehow manages to handle them all with professionalism, patience, and genuine love for the children. I can truly see her passion in everything she does, from preparing balanced meals for the infants and toddlers to nurturing and caring for each child as if they were her own. The kids light up around her, and honestly, I think my daughter Rain, might love her cooking more than her parents' home-cooked meals! It takes a special person to make sure little ones are fed well, cared for emotionally, and still keep a smile on their face all day. Ms. Manal is truly one of the hearts of TLE. Her warmth, kindness, and dedication do not go unnoticed. Please keep her forever because the kids would probably organize a toddler protest without her! Well done, Ms. Manal you are appreciated more than you know! Shaka

This childcare is awesome. The director Ms. Heather is very caring, and so knowledgeable, it is…read moreimpressive. The school is so clean, bright colors, and those characters on the wall are so cute. My son always has a smile and he is always happy to go every morning. This is a great place for your kiddos.

They lack site and sound supervision! Poor execution if services. They do not have a standard of…read moreprocedure. My child was bullied and harassed and I was asked to be patient. Kids and staff targeted my daughter and they did not provide a safe environment for her. When I asked for things to be reviewed they were not!! When my daughter defended herself they had a problem. In an incident where it was clearly documented and seen on the camera to show she did not hurt a child they still blamed her. Lack of motivation and consistency at their facilities is dangerous. Do not send your child or children to these centers. They need additional training. I'm a child therapist and I wish I hadn't been so patient. Avoid the damage that I wish I had avoided. Keep them safe by utilizing a better place to provide care.

Caring, loving, healthy and happy!! My kids preffer Kids World over the YMCA for their summer's and…read moreyoungest is ahead of the game as he heads into Kindgergarten thanks to the fabulous pre-k plan.

We are so lucky to have found this Goddard school! Kendra, who has a heart of gold and a true love…read morefor children, opened this school in April. When we initially met her at our tour, we just knew that she was in this field for all the right reasons. Our boys started at the school when it opened, and their teachers have been amazing. Their primary teacher, Miss Katie, has been so loving, and cares about our boys in the most genuine way. They have come so far with her and Miss JaVonne, and we feel so lucky that our boys are in her class. The school director, Molly, has a background in speech therapy, which is so evident in how she has been supporting our children's development. Thank you for giving our boys such a loving and safe transition into preschool! We are forever grateful