Now that we have been away from this center a month and have something else to compare it to I can…read morefully review this center. Initially this center had all the bells and whistles and for the most part the staff appeared concerned and helpful. We chose this center over two others because our son did not want to leave the day of the tour. Thank you Miss Jessie. Also, thank you Ms. Courtney as our son mentioned your name at home several times in a positive light. If you are looking for a center to help with potty training this is NOT the place. The teacher allowed our son to just urinate on himself going through multiple pullups a day like 7! Even during our initial potty training our son never went through that many pullups in a day. I started to think maybe they were using them for someone else, but still even though we had just moved I chalked it up to a new transition and maybe he was regressing. Week 2 was my first real red flag when my son did not want to go to school and he cried. We questioned him trying to figure out why, but can get only so much out of toddler and although I can make many assumptions I chose not to do that. Daily we would pick him up and the class was chaotic. Kids up on the table as the teacher yelled for them to get down, some kids playing in a corner and some at a table. Our son was usually at a table playing when we arrived and wet. When we mentioned his needs it was like we were blown off. However, over the next few days someone ensured he was dry before we picked him up after I said we picked him up soaking wet or that my husband took him to the bathroom before leaving the center. I pick up my son one afternoon and he doesn't have his clothes on, he wore jeans that day. Well, apparently he had wet himself so bad that it went through his clothes. I am in shock because the weekend my son went to the potty at home without incident. So, I'm thinking to myself no one paid attention to my son today. The response I got from the teacher was that he wasn't in her class all day and probably didn't tell anyone. I was so over it, but what broke the camel's back and put me in tears was the day I picked up my son and was told "He had a good day and just peed on himself all day". This was our last week and the very next day I talked with the director let her know my concerns and why we would NOT be finishing the week out. No compassion and no genuine feedback a fake apology and excuse of miscommunication of the use of the app is what I got. However, we are in a new daycare and the first week, the third day our son's teacher says to me "Have him wear underwear, every time I take him he is dry and he goes in the toilet" this was the best news ever and I knew someone was actually doing their job not only checking my son's potty needs but ensuring that he goes. The $1000+ spent sending him to TLE-Lakewood Ranch was horrific in itself. Especially for teachers not to do their jobs. Although, I'm not paying nearly that much at our new center, but would for the genuine care and compassion my son has received in just one week. This place needs an internal revamping.

First time mom, new to area and needed day care early on. Was lucky to find TLE and my daughter's…read moreteacher Karina. I knew she was safe, stimulated and cared for each and every day. Their hours are also great for working parents. Would highly recommend.

Thank you to Smarty Pants Preschool for taking care of both of my babies! One from 13 weeks to VPK,…read moreand most recently my daughter at 4 months. There's not many people I trust and I'm so thankful for Jillian Hernandez, her family, Lauren Nicole, Makaela Redmond, and all of the SP teachers! Thank you from Chloe, our littlest smarty pants! In regards to the negative review, it is common place for many daycares to follow even school calendars. The practice of having the school close so that the staff can celebrate holidays with their own family is well known in advance and practical for keeping happy teachers for decades. Smarty Pants stayed open for me and my family during COVID lockdown so that we could work. Tuition is paid for closed holidays so that staff can be paid. I completely disagree with the one star review listed here. You pay for the quality of care you receive.

Steer clear! We enrolled our two-year-old here 10 months ago, and we have had numerous issues with…read moreJillian (one of the owners). Anytime we have brought up a question or a concern, her immediate response was to threaten to "release us" from our contract; basically, if you don't like the way she does something, she has no interest in discussing it and would be happy to leave your child without daycare (obviously, any place good has a waiting list). Which is exactly what happened to our family a couple of weeks ago. The facility electively closed the entire week of Thanksgiving and still charged tuition, and I questioned the fairness of that closure and payment: see the attached photos. Smarty Pants cashed our post-dated check a week early, "released us from our contract" the next day, and will not return our NUMEROUS attempts to reach them about why they won't return $275 they took from us. There is rapid turnover with the teachers, as well. Jillian acts like they run a non-profit and is constantly asking for "donations" (we spent $150 on our child's back-to-school supplies). Everything about this place is a money-grab, and there is no true relationship with families.

i can't say enough good things about this school. my son has special needs/developmental delays…read moreand this school has been amazing with him. My son loves going to school everyday and he has learned so much with the wonderful VPK staff.

WORST DAYCARE (PHOTOS ARE NOT OF THIS FACILITY)…read more PLEASE READ (11/3/2022) PARENTS BEWARE...DO NOT PLACE YOUR CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE!! THIS PLACE HAS 20-30 children in each little room(entire place is about 1,000 sq feet) have way too many children in the rooms with only one (sometimes two)teacher(s) This week , Ive personally witnessed staff members standing over the toddlers, aggressively pointing and screaming in the their faces just for toy job another child's plate while I was a few feet away! Another morning I witnessed a staff members snatching a toy out of a toddlers hands because they werent cleaning up fast enough in the morning!! They let my scared and upset baby just stand and cry all by himself EVERY SINGLE morning (ive never had longer than 20minutes to wait and watch on the front live 4"x4" video feed that is displayed on a tv mounted by the entrance/exit. I was late yesterday because I had to go back in and help him wash his hands and sit down to eat because the staff wouldn't even attempt to console him!!! As a mother, there's nothing worst than witnessing such cruelty before you have to be at work! Feeling forced to leave your child in their supervision!! Scary to think if this is how they behave in my presence; what are they doing when there is no witnesses knowing the babies don't communicate well enough to verbally share with their parents! A few days ago my baby got out of the playground and ran across the parking lot to the front door where I was walking in. The scariest part is that he ran across the parking lot at 5:00 while cars are whipping in and out not looking for a two foot toddler running, unsupervised!! Since I couldn't see him due to cars parked in the driveway in front of school (not in parking spots) I didn't see him until he was right behind me! He was completely filthy (Which is nothing new, everyday he has dirt all over his face, in his hair, his Clothes are almost always ruined after he wears them once to daycare.) sunburnt/sweaty, crying hystericall! As soon as he got in my car he drank almost an entire 16oz bottle of water! For the last three or more hours of the day(during the hottest part of day) with absolutely no shade or protection from Florida heat, AND NO WATER OR DRINK OF ANY KIND EVEN OFFERED TO CHILDREN OTHER THAN AT BREAKFAST OR LUNCH, with children of all ages, from babies to elementary aged kids all on one playground with only one or two teachers "watching" them. Typically when I pull up they are in front corner (talking or on phones (which is why my baby was able to run out of fence into a packed parking lot without anyone even noticing!! At least, not until they heard me attempting to address them from the front door, where my son was now in my arms, still crying uncontrollably with his face buried as far into my shoulder as he could possibly get it! Instead of apologizing or attempting to rectify the issue at hand; they said nothing and then called CPS to TRY and report me, just deplorable!!! Unfortunately, I am unaware of any other options available to me, I dont have the financial ability to relocate him at this time and I just started a new job(so asking for time off until ELC is approved is not an option, and ELC doesn't start application process until your actual first day of work, because I've been reaching out the entire time I was actively pursuing employment. I'm a single mother, with no friends or family to help watch my children, doing the best I can to rebuild our lives after losing everything to escape domestic abuse. I've definitely experienced all the struggles that keep women in abusive relationships, as if the shame society puts in the victim isn't enough, there's facilities like this that make it terrifying to leave your child every single day Because I fear for my babies safety and well being every single of second of the day that he is in their care!! PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE AND PUT YOUR CHILD SOMEWHERE THAT YOU MNOW THEY WILL BE SAFE!

The new director of Palma Sola Academy is well-versed in the growth and education of children aged…read more1-5 years. The staff is terrific. A five-star facility. terrific

This school was great with the previous director Pam. Ever since she left, things started going…read moredownhill fast. Great teachers are leaving and getting fired, there is no structure and parents are rapidly pulling their kids out. It is a mess.

I would not recommend Toad Hall Children's Center based on my family's experience. We ultimately…read moredecided to remove our child from the program after multiple serious safety concerns and what felt like a complete lack of accountability from administration. Over time, there were several troubling incidents involving bullying, physical aggression, and threats made by another child that were not handled appropriately by staff. In one case, our child required medical attention after mulch was thrown into his eye during inadequate supervision on the playground. There were also situations where we were either not informed about incidents at all or only learned about them directly from our child afterward. When concerns were brought to administration, communication was inconsistent and unprofessional. We repeatedly requested to review footage related to incidents involving our child and were given conflicting information about whether anyone had even reviewed the recordings. The refusal to provide clarity or transparency only raised more concerns for us. We were also disturbed to learn about ongoing complaints regarding understaffing, classroom ratios, and concerns about safety procedures. From our experience, the facility appeared disorganized and unable to provide the level of supervision and care parents should expect from a childcare center. Child safety should always come first, and unfortunately we did not feel that was the case here. Parents considering this center should ask detailed questions about supervision policies, incident reporting, and staff accountability before enrolling their children.

We are very happy with Toad Hall! The employees are all very nice and they listen to any concerns…read more They have been very flexible during COVID as well. Happy to have found a place we can trust our with our little one.

Both of my children have been at LAOS since they were twelve weeks old. My oldest is now 8, my…read moreyoungest has two years left before kindergarten. These caring kind and compassionate people have loved and helped raise my kids for 8 years and I couldn't be more grateful to have found them in 2018. As with all daycares there is turnover but Alexis hires only the best. We've never had a teacher we didn't like. They're always doing art projects and water days and sensory lessons, my youngest gets mad when we DONT go to school to see his best friends and teachers. If you want somewhere that will genuinely love your kids this is the place for you. If you're someone who needs everything to be perfect all the time maybe steer clear.......mainly because I don't want the fantastic staff here to have to deal with you

I am so grateful for the amazing childcare provided at The School House and Learning Academy. Miss…read moreEliza, David and all the Teachers have been such a blessing for my family. They are so caring and attentive, and they truly go above and beyond for the children in their care. My son absolutely loves going there every day and always comes home happy and full of stories about all the fun activities they did. I couldn't ask for a better place for my child to learn important life skills and grow into a kind and helpful individual. Thank you to everyone at The School House/ Learning Academy, for all that you do! He will be ready for Kindergarten!

My son started at Doodlebugs in Dec 2023 at 18mo. He came home a couple months later singing the…read moreABCs. He was very feral, and we were so surprised they trained him to sit in chairs. He's the biggest little hype man. Always super excited for everything and he brings that energy with him to Doodlebugs. They do a wonderful job directing his energy towards a variety of activities. They've worked hard to bring out the best in him. Especially Ms Olivia who worked with him extensively when he was adjusting to a bigger kids class. He recently just turned 3 and he's counting, recognizing letters, sings a long list of songs, and is so polite. He absolutely loves it there and we're looking forward to having his little sister start when a spot opens for her!

We have loved everything about Doodlebugs. We have a 3 year old in Tues/Thurs class. Management is…read moreon top of everything with excellent communication and adhering to safety rules. Very organized. Teachers are amazing! They make your child feel special and loved. Cost is affordable. Food served is good quality and has a good amount of fruit and veggies offered. Most important to me is that this school is safe. Would definitely recommend.

This school and its staff have been an absolute blessing for my son and family. We have been…read moreattending this school since 2021 when my son was 2. He just graduated VPK last week, and it brought me to tears knowing our time here was over. Ms. Vanessa was his teacher when he was 2 and she followed his class up to VPK. She has grown so much in her teaching career and as a person and I'm so thankful for her patience with the kids. My son had the tendency to act out some days (as all toddlers do) and she handled it and him beautifully. Ms. Vanessa sends photos of your child every day so you can always see what they're doing and learning. Which is nice because you don't have to worry about what your child is doing. Ms. Maria also started as a teacher and has moved up to being one of the best directors there. She was always so excited to see us every single morning. She would hug and love my child as if he was her own. Watching her work so hard to earn her director title was inspiring. I watched her as all the children would run and hug her when she entered a room. She loves this job. Period. Ms. Mavis, one of the other directors is so calm and caring for each of the kids across all the rooms. She reached out and let us know how our son was doing frequently and her demeanor around the kids was always that of a loving mother and friend. She was firm enough with the kids to keep the ship afloat. She has since moved on from Kinderhouse but she visits and helps out frequently and like Ms. Maria, was always so excited to see every child walk through those doors each and every day. It takes a lot to run a daycare and to maintain a clean, happy, loving environment for kids. Any parent who says otherwise about this place is quite literally delusional and probably has a personal issue. If you want your child to be loved, taken care of, and most importantly you want a great education for them, you'll send them to Kinderhouse Preschool!

THANK YOU to our Kinderhouse Preschool family! Not only have the staff been a rock to my son and…read moreprovided social, emotional, and academic guidance -- Miss Vanessa and Miss Maria and very important people to his development of self. My son has been at Kinderhouse Preschool since he turned 2 -- and I have watched him blossom. Achieving a 5 star ranking is no small feat -- as a VPK and School Readiness provider, Kinderhouse Preschool MUST comply with high standards set out by the Florida Legislature. I have a Masters from Georgetown in Education & Social Public Policy -- and I have been profoundly satisfied with this school. Early Learning as a system is one of the hardest vocations and businesses with the TIGHTEST margins -- with the cost of living rising, and Sarasota overall ties the cost of childcare in Miami now, Kinderhouse Preschool has tried to keep things as affordable as possible. Treat our teachers as the heroes they are, willing to watch and teach our babies and keep them safe while I work. Thank you to Kinderhouse Preschool and congratulations on your well-deserved ranking from Early Learning Coalition Of Sarasota County