As first time parents, my husband and I were anxious to find the best daycare for our son. Given…read morethat we live in a small community with many young children, we heard lots of feedback regarding all of the daycare options around us. After looking into everything from a nanny to a home daycare provider, we found EPC. Ashley, the director, met with us over Zoom (oh pandemic babies) and made us feel so comfortable and dare I say excited about sending our son to EPC. And after our first in person visit, we were absolutely sold. Every single person that we walked by on that day gave us a big smile and wave. We could tell that they loved their jobs and all of the kids they work with. Being an educator myself, I know how much I love my students. Feeling this love from all the staff at EPC was enough to convince me that this was the daycare for us. If that's not enough to convince YOU, here are some more perks of EPC: - Free diapers and wipes in the baby room. This really cut down on our diaper costs for those months! - Breakfast/lunch/snacks are included once babies are old enough to enjoy finger foods. One less thing for mom/dad to worry about! - Pictures and updates are sent via an app throughout the day. Best part of my day is seeing all the amazing activities my son is doing! - Easy and immediate communication via the app. You can send messages directly to the teachers and the director. They've always gotten back to me within a few minutes of sending anything. - Teachers are provided with ongoing professional development. I know that my son isn't just being well taken care of, but he's actually learning new things and thriving at EPC. - They never close. Like ever. Finally, given that this is COVID times, I must say that the staff at EPC has done an amazing job keeping everything clean and safe. In our 7 months there, we have only needed to quarantine once and EPC refunded us for all of the days that we missed. This is just the nature of the COVID beast but the refund really shows how much EPC cares about doing right by their families. We love EPC!!

Now that I pulled my daughter out of the program at EPC after only 1 month, I gave myself a couple…read moremonths to "cool off" before deciding to write this review. Upon touring the facility, my 3 year old had a wonderful time. I even left for an hour and came back to find her happy as ever. Let me be clear: I felt that the only people who DID care, were my daughter's teachers. And unfortunately, you could tell they were only able to do so much. In a matter of 3 weeks, I had 3 separate communication issues with EPC - after paying close to $1400 to just get my daughter into the program (she was only attending 2 full days if you can believe that), she started to become increasingly aggressive at home. My mornings on days I would drop her off were horrendous - gone was my sweet little girl who would want to make friends wherever she went. I dropped her off screaming and crying and I would pick her up screaming and crying. She was "fine" during the day but I would never receive pictures until almost 3pm, some days not even receiving a picture of MY child but some random picture of an activity they would be doing. My daughter was talking for weeks about how she was told she was being "naughty" in school yet when I asked several people, I was never given an answer. The only thing I was told was "Well, the boys in her class are a little rambunctious." I took that to mean that they were somehow making excuses for children to hit and be violent. Some people see that as kids being kids however, I see it as "Hey, you're kid is a little a-hole and their ruining my kid's emotional well being." Between uncharacteristic behavior from my daughter and the directors who couldnt even be bothered to smile in your direction when you passed them, I had it. This place (as someone suggested in another review) is simply an overpriced puppy mill for children. It took me close to 2 months to forgive myself for putting my daughter through that. I had her in another school within a week after I took her out. In fact, I was so adamant about not sending her there any longer, I gave them their 2 weeks notice and kept her out of EPC the entire time. They're concerned with money, the teachers are hit or miss and you'd be doing your child a disservice by sending them here. Nothing is individualized, children are "let loose" on the playground to do whatever they feel like and once they have your money, you are just a check to them. It's amazing to see my daughter where she is now - she has grown tremendously, loves her teacher and asks to go to school on days she doesn't have to. Sometimes "bigger" isn't always better.

Please do not send your children here!! My child attended First Church Early Learning Center for…read moreabout two weeks. She was sent home on a Friday (her last day) with her bedding from nap time which was stained with fresh blood. I didn't know until we got home and I took it out of her backpack to throw in the washer - luckily I took pictures of it which was sent to the police and DCF who are investigating the center. The only thing I was told at pick-up, was that my daughter was "coughing so hard" at nap time so they raised her cot, although my daughter had no cough that day. (She does however "cough hard" when she's REALLY crying). I asked my daughter how she got blood on her sheets, her reply "Mrs. Pitter pulled my ear because she was mad at me and ****** because we were not laying down". (Not using other child's name for his privacy). My daughter had an ADULT SIZED FINGERNAIL mark in her ear that was observed by an officer.. it was so deep she had dried blood inside of her ear which explained the bloody sheets she came home with. Elith Howard (the Director) is the adult who lifted my child's bed and supposedly "didn't do it" and also didn't notice my child's injury or her blood stained sheets! Unbelievable, since she would have to be kneeling down looking right at my child and her cot. I am grateful my daughter will make a full recovery, but no child deserves this type of treatment in a place where we are trusting another adult to care for our babies. PLEASE do not trust these people with your littles. I wish I could post the pictures of my daughter's ear and of her sheets but the site won't allow me.

Our child spent 3 years at the school, and it started out well but by the end of our time there we…read morewere glad to be done dealing with them. The teachers are nice and have a good curriculum, but it doesn't vary from year to year, so if your child goes for multiple years they repeat the same songs/experiments/projects every year. It is a private, not-for-profit school, and that is good and bad. The good thing is their is a volunteer Board that handles the finances, policies, etc for the school. The bad side of that is children with behavioral issues (physically aggressive with others, excessive crying from separation issues) take a large amount of time and attention from the teachers, leaving the rest of the students with less direct teaching and adult interactions. The first year there was a floater teacher/teachers aid that was very helpful in these situations, but that position didn't exist in the 2nd and 3rd year for us. We would have gone elsewhere for the 3rd year but Covid restrictions kept our preferred school from opening. The room has multiple stations that kids can choose to play with items like play doh/floam, a water station, painting, play kitchen, etc, so they choose where they spend time, and then there is something teacher-led for the children to interact with the teacher. It's nice for kids to pick what they do, but there isn't a structure in place to ensure kids participate in the teacher-led portion, and if that is where the true curriculum planned for the day or week happens, it's possible your child is just playing all day. That's fine for part of the time, but we found it happened a lot more frequently than we wanted. We were looking for social interaction as well as teaching kindergarten preparation skills, and we ended up teaching most of the skills at home. There was a change in the Director position during our time there, and we did not feel that the new Director had the same skills or strengths as the previous one, and we did not agree with the handling of classroom issues that indirectly impacted our child. Maybe with time this will improve, but we were often frustrated or disappointed in the processes in place.

The Staff and Leadership do really care for the kids when they are in the center and also when they…read moreare off. Their caring nature is very visible when you walk into the building. It's a small close knit community and kids really interact with each other well. Center times are very convenient for parents to pick the kids up without being charged additional charge.

Amazing school with caring staff and they do a great job preparing Kids for kindergarten!read more

From the owner: Award winning preschool specializing in creative learning environments for children age 6 weeks -…read moreprekindergarten.

Building Blocks has been nothing short of amazing for both of my children! I first called 10 years…read moreago on a whim, as I drove by and was able to turn around and view the center right away. I met Sheila and Carrie, and as a new mom I was both exhausted and nervous for the new chapter ahead. I noticed children saying hello to both of them, and coming in for hugs (nothing like what I saw at other daycares in the area). I felt so comfortable talking to them about my daughter's care and how all of this would work. I left knowing 100% this was the place for my daughter, Marley. She started in the littles room and transitioned very well, we have had tons of amazing teachers (some had moved on/retired) throughout her time there and she was spoiled! The staff always sent photos of her playing, laughing and getting hugs from teachers. It was good to know she was taken care of. I haven't ever had an issues with bullying, biting or hitting and if something did arise, it was addressed immediately and I was notified. When Marley was in grade school she did bus drop off to building blocks and their summer camp program- both of which were amazing! Flash forward a few years and my son, Cairo was born. It was a no brainer when we needed him in daycare, I called Sheila and Carrie. At each level Cairos is taught manners, abcs, counting, potty training.. all of the things, I am so thankful for all of the years we have had at this location. When Sheila left, my family was so sad but even happier that Carrie was stepping into the director roll. She has and will always be such a joy. I have never seen her other than with a happy smile on her face, greeting the parents and kids. The staff at this facility, especially Carrie, Sheila and Brenda, Mrs Desiree, Ms Amber and many more have become more than just the people who helped raise my children, but true friends. I write this with tears in my eyes knowing my son will be moving onto kindergarten this fall, and I don't know what life will be like without seeing them every morning. Thank you Building Blocks, for all of the laughs, convos and for providing a safe place for my two kids. We will miss you all! If you are on the fence about this place- TAKE YOUR CHILDREN HERE!!! You will not be disappointed

This daycare is awesome. all staff are super friendly very helpful my twins are going to be two…read moreyears old they started here at age 6 months. my twins are learning so much. rooms are always clean, nice huge play area. staff are always on top of things I feel good having my twins here, knowing their in good hands, I have nothing to say bad about this place HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This center has continually surpassed my expectations over the course of the past year. They employ…read morea diverse staff that brings a variety of teaching styles that keep the activities fresh and engaging for all of the children; the infants, toddlers and preschool. The kids are always learning something new and they are always having fun (while developing the social skills). Monthly and weekly themes and lessons are consistent, clear, and well communicated with the parents to allow them to be involved and able to follow up and easily provide enrichment after school. Communication across the board is too notch. Throughout the day parents get regular updates via the Brightwheel app, including pictures, meal updates, and potty and/or diaper changing schedules. The app is also used to send centerwide messages from the staff, as well as personal notes to alert us to any issues the children may be having. I could go on forever about my experience and have nothing but positive things to say about FFLL. I highly recommend 'Foundations' to anyone who is in need of childcare and/or preschool. If you are currently looking you owe it to your children to call and set up a tour with the director Marie! I have had direct experience with different ages and classes. I can assure you that you will find compassionate, caring and engaged teachers in every room who will work with you to achieve the goals you have for your child!

Wonderful staff. Caring fun environment!! Structured learning. Genuine care and concern for…read morechildren, staff and parents. I did a lot of searching before choosing Foundations. My four children attend and wouldn't think of sending them anyplace else.