Choosing a daycare for your child is one of the harder decisions you'll make in those early years. While touring facilities in the Columbia area, my husband and I came across places that checked many of the boxes, and I'm sure would have worked out fine for our daughter, but nothing gave us the warm and fuzzies...until we toured The Young School. We immediately reserved our spot and that decision has helped shape our child's development in ways we never could have imagined. Our daughter was 3 months old when she first started at TYS. In the beginning, you worry about how often they're being held, fed, whether they're being engaged, etc. With TYS, those worries were put aside quickly. Via an app, they update you in real time (or as close as possible) throughout the day on when they got a bottle, how much they drank, how long they slept, when they received a diaper change, and we received pictures or videos almost every day with a short description of what fun activities they did that day. TYS made my transition into becoming a working mother as seamless as is possible because I really trusted leaving my daughter there everyday with her 2 amazing primary teachers, and I knew I'd get regular updates on what she was doing. Along those lines, TYS use a team approach to care taking which provides a consistent and comfortable atmosphere for your child. While your child has primary teachers assigned to their class, they function in a "Cottage" atmosphere, where all the teachers in that cottage will fill in during breaks, vacation, and other times, when necessary. It allows your child to be familiar with everyone that rotates into the room when one of the primary teachers is on vacation, or even just at lunch. They will obviously pull in teachers from other cottages when necessary, but even when that occurs, because there are regular activities where the entire age group participates, your child is also familiar with teachers from other cottages as well. As my child gets older, I truly appreciate the philosophy TYS carries throughout their schooling. We are a family where both parents work full time, and because of that, our minds are constantly consumed with to-do lists to successfully satisfy each part of our work and home life. One thing that I have found exponentially helpful with TYS is their approach to developmental skills. Although still play based, which I love, their philosophy is extremely effective. As soon as I think that it might be time to introduce or teach my daughter something, her teachers are already 3 steps ahead. Examples include: baby sign language, drinking from a cup, using utensils, cleaning up after themselves, putting their shoes on, etc. It puts my mind at ease to know that my daughters developmental progress is in such good hands day in and day out and it allows me to compliment what's being done at school when we're at home based on suggestions the teachers give us. It's one worry that can be lifted from my mind, and it truly has been invaluable. Some other pros that I've come to truly appreciate about TYS is that they retain the same teachers from birth until they transition into the Twos program, which also means all the kids transition together as well. In our case, one of her teachers is transitioning with her into the Twos which we are THRILLED about. From what I've seen, while this isn't always a guarantee, it is also not uncommon at all as I've watched several other teachers do the same. TYS also groups the children based on their birth date (or in infant care, their due date), so the children all tend to progress similarly, and because they transition together, they aren't removed from their friends because they started walking early, or held back from being with their friends because they haven't mastered walking yet like so many other care centers. Additionally, I'd be remiss not to mention the facilities at TYS. The inside is inviting and clean, and the classrooms are engaging. While the playgrounds and outdoor space weren't necessarily on the top of my list while I was touring places for my infant, now that my child is older, I appreciate the sheer amount of outdoor areas they have for children to play. There is a HUGE paved outdoor area where they can ride bikes, push scooters and cars, or go play basketball and other activities in another area. They also participate in "water play" during the summer months out there. There are also multiple playgrounds for children of all ages, and I've honestly never seen another local facility with anywhere near the amount of outdoor space TYS has. read more

Young School Review: My son who is now 3 and half years old started at Young School a year back. We had toured the school before, but did not get a spot as there was a long waiting list (that says a lot about the school and the fact that it's so good!). So thankfully a spot opened up and he was lucky to get through. I couldn't have possibly asked for a seamless transition to this school. He jumped right in, and from Day One enjoyed the school's teachers, their company and made new friends. It took him not even a second to forget the "past" (his encounter with the previous day care where he went for 8 months). Ever since he started at Young school, I see him flourishing with his vocabulary, his expression and communication skills (for a boy his age who is partially shy it's tough to make them communicate!), and his creativity increased substantially. He understands concepts, participates in activities, and listens to "instructions" without any hesitation. In fact since the time he started, I try to emulate the same communication pattern at home so that he gets a consistent message about passing through the terrible two's and three's...Needless to say we are very happy and satisfied with Young school. Here are some specific things we like about Young School: Staff: We were extremely pleased with Ms. Karen (now retired) in explaining the school processes to us. She was very caring and willing to spend time to know the child and their parents and work with the family to make the child fit into the environment. Of course, it has to be within the school's policies. We always hoped that the same standard is maintained and even after her retirement the school is keeping and maintaining the same attitude. Our interactions with Ms. Valerie (Mountain Cottage Director) have been excellent. She is very responsive, cooperative and takes personal interest in each child to understand their developmental milestone. That being said, I want to reiterate that our son falls under the standard statistic of a 3 yr. old with usual tantrums and no special needs. Apart from the cottage directors and school principal, we were also pleased with our teachers in the Mountain cottage who spent additional time knowing the children. They are extremely strict about seeing unwanted behaviors such as bullying which we were looking for when we moved him to this school. School policies and concepts: I personally loved the concept of child development in this school which I feel is a perfect mix of instructions/discipline and also allowing children to nurture their independence. Boys sometimes need a mix of discipline and or "no structure" to allow them to express their creativity. Understanding that balance between the two is important. I was worried at first as to whether he will listen to instructions or follow them at all, but the teachers have been patient to provide appropriate and adequate activities to the kids in that regard. Also letting them have free time to explore each other and develop their leadership and communication skills. I see a difference in my child for sure. Facility: We like the fact the school lay out is open with glass doors. Even though the kids are confined in one room they feel the openness of the cottage and interact with others in that regard. It doesn't feel claustrophobic at all, and gives a multi-cultural feel to the school. The room are very airy, bright and allows maximum sunlight. The crafts are displayed for the parents to see, and the children are allowed to create "their corner" with family pictures for bonding time. I personally like the fact that the potties are separate; eliminates the possibility of stinky rooms for toddlers. I would again like to reiterate, that this school is excellent and takes that extra mile to keep it up to date. I wouldn't think twice about choosing this school to send our kid! read more

The Young School is giving parents an entry in a drawing for every review they post where the winner of the drawing will receive one free academic-year (9 months) of tuition.  I am extremely happy with the school and would sincerely recommend it, but it is worth noting this giveaway, and a requirement that you send a screenshot of each review you write to the school, when reading reviews and evaluating options. We have a 23-month old who has been attending the Young School since she was a few months old.  The most important thing by far for us in daycares/schools was and is the personalities and attitudes of the people working in them and how those people treat the kids.  The Young School is great in this way (and most others).  In summary, the teachers and staff are incredibly loving, insightful, and friendly.  They also seem happy, which is extremely important in my opinion.  Happiness simultaneously indicates and helps create a positive learning environment. The Young School gives children the same two primary teachers for the first two years of the child's life, which we love.  The children and teachers get to know each other very well.  Our child has _amazing_ teachers.  They maintain an incredibly joyous atmosphere for hours on end and make it clear that they sincerely love every kid in their class.  Most days our child is excited the go to school.  At the same time, the teachers demonstrate an insightful, deep understanding of the kids and help the kids understand themselves, leverage their strengths, and improve their weaknesses.  The teachers have conveyed numerous very useful insights to my wife and me that help us better understand ways we can help our child develop.  The teachers do a lot of activities with the kids and help them to develop emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically.  Overall, I think the Young School has had a great positive impact on our child's knowledge, emotional control, behavior, and physical development.  I would highly recommend it.  We plan to continue using it and will be sending a second child there. Although I am extremely pleased with the Young School, I'll also briefly mention some of the downsides or things that aren't perfect.  I have seen them let the babies just cry sometimes (not because they are lazy per se or don't want to, but because they are doing other things, which may or may not be higher priority, as far as I can tell). It was the most expensive daycare we visited when we started, and the price went up by about $100/month last year, which I've been told is a fairly normal annual increase for the school.  For an infant, it's more than our previous mortgage payment every month.  The Young School also had the shortest hours and most days off of all or at least most of the daycares we looked at.  I fully support this because I think it helps contribute to the teachers' happiness and helps maintain their energy level, but it can be hard to swallow when you think about how much the school costs.  Several things have been lost or mixed up (a bib, clothes, milk bottles).   They don't allow cloth diapers.  They required us get a note from a doctor, in the middle of a work day, for a diaper rash "to ensure that it wasn't contagious".  (To be fair, it was a fairly bad diaper rash, but still just a diaper rash.)  If you're an expecting or new parent who isn't familiar with the daycare thing yet, you'll likely learn to appreciate how disruptive something like this can be in the middle of the day or week. Overall, the love, friendliness, insightfulness, and relatively high effort and energy-level of the teachers at the Young School really make it a great place that I recommend. read more

I have been sending my 21-month old son to the Young School since he was 3 months old. As an educator I had difficulty finding a school that met my high expectations but after visiting the Young School in the Spring of 2013 I believed I had found the right daycare for my first child. Now, after 18 months of daily interaction with my son's teachers and school administrators along with countless observations I know for sure that I made the right choice. The Young School consistently provides an engaging, safe and educational environment for my son. Below are some of the Young School's pros and cons based upon my personal opinion as a first-time Dad and long-time teacher. Pros: *The Infant and Toddler Teachers - My child has been a part of the Cedar Cottage throughout his time at TYS and I have been impressed with the dedication, the knowledge and the compassion of the teachers. Ms. Danyse and Ms. Keona are exceptional when it comes to caring for "their babies" and it shows. Ms. Shamika, Ms. Julie, Ms. Marilis and Ms. Emilee have been wonderful too as well as many others. My son's teachers truly care for him and his wellbeing - emotionally, socially and physically. *The RIE Approach - This philosophy, founded on autonomy, respect and empowerment for infants to 2 year olds is why I first selected TYS. TYS uses this approach as the basis for all that they do in their infant cottages and the results are astonishing. My son learned to explore his own environment, hold himself up, drink from a cup, help others and communicate at a very young age because of the RIE approach and the staff at TYS. Besides the staff at TYS, I believe this is the single biggest factor that sets this school apart from other area daycare centers. *The Facilities - The physical rooms are designed specifically for the RIE approach and they complement it well. They are well maintained, safe and even include fish and other small pets for children to observe. My son particularly enjoys the indoor gym, the huge bike path, the far field and the many playgrounds all on site. He has always been an active child and the Young School facilities provide him with a variety of opportunities to run, play and learn. Cons: *Management of Teacher Schedules/Staffing - As the parent that drops-off my child in the morning I often witness "the morning coverage shuffle". During the hours of 7:30 am and 8:30 am there appears to be barely enough staff to keep the minimum staff to child ratios in the infant cottages. As a parent, this disturbs me and I would like to see TYS hire more staff to provide more consistent teacher coverage and provide staff with more flexibility to take leave when needed. *Snack Menu Variety and Nutrition - I have been unimpressed with the snack menu in the toddler room. Upon speaking with school administration I learned that a staff member sets the daily snack options every 4 months based upon the availability of delivered food and not the nutritional content. I would prefer a less rigid menu (possibly developed with the assistance of a Nutritionist) based upon nutrition with more fruit and less gluten-rich items. Overall, I have found the Young School to be a terrific daycare and educational institution. My child is thriving as an independent, active and competent little person because of the staff, the school's philosophies and their facilities. My wife and I are now expecting our second child and we have no hesitations sending her to the Young School too. I would highly recommend this facility to any parent searching for a high-quality infant daycare. read more

My son is almost 22-months old, and has been attending The Young School since he was 3-months old. He's never spent time in another daycare, so my experiences with other facilities is limited to conversations with friends. Overall, I am incredibly pleased with TYS. Pros: * Every teacher who has cared for my son has been very loving, caring and nurturing. * The RIE philosophy - to a first time parent visiting TYS I thought some of their practices sounded odd, and I had my doubts about whether it would be a good environment for my child (no high chairs, no sippy cups, etc.) I couldn't have been more wrong. The RIE philosophy has helped my son be very self-sufficient, and has shown me that my son is capable of a lot more than I had originally expected. Other parents and family members comment all the time about his ability to drink from a cup and sit at the table for meals from such a young age. * The teachers keep the children engaged through a lot of hands-on activities. * The focus on learning through play and exploration has been a wonderful way for my child to develop. * The size and cottage structure of the school has created an environment that allowed my son to form a close bond with his primary teachers, while giving him exposure to others. Almost every teacher in the school knows my son by name. * Wonderful outdoor space! Playgrounds, fields, bike paths... I can't say enough positive things about the outdoor space. We toured five other daycare facilities in the Columbia area and none had outdoor space that compared to TYS. * Children stay with the same class and teachers for the first two years. Cons: * I've heard of other schools where technology is used more effectively when communicating with parents: electronic check-in/check-out procedures, electronic access to child's daily information/activity sheets. TYS currently does this via paper. * Teacher staffing can be an issue - I've heard of teachers being denied sick leave or vacation leave because they were short-staffed. This is rare, but I think they could improve by having on-call, back-up teachers available to cover. Overall, I would rate TYS with 5 out of 5 stars. My son is thriving and absolutely LOVES to go school in the morning. read more

Prior to choosing The Young School (TYS) for our daughter's childcare, we looked at several different places. When we came to TYS, we knew this is the one place we wanted our daughter to be. When we first came into the school, we noted that it seemed to be more open, embraced different cultures/beliefs, and had a less "sterile" feel compared to other places. We find The Young School to be a wonderful place to begin your child's education. My 18 month old has been going here since she was 5 months old, and during her time here, we've been amazed with her development emotionally and socially. When I tell people that she was finger painting at 5 months old, they look at me in disbelief. It's one of her favorite things to do. Her skills and her ability to do things on her own are far more than I expected for a child of her age. They encourage her to grow and become more independent. Our daughter is our first and only child, so the teachers have been very helpful helping her to expand her capabilities- coloring with crayons, writing with chalk, using spoons and forks, and drinking from a cup (she could do all this by the time she was 15 months old). She has also grown socially. She and her classmates are actual friends. They greet each other and say good-bye to each other at the end of the day. It's more than she would've gotten than being at home with a nanny. We love her teachers, they really do seem to care and love the children. For the infants, the same teachers follow the children until they turn two. We never thought about how important the continuity would be, but does seem to help the children to develop loving and trusting relationships. Some of the teachers will even babysit if needed, which makes it nice to have someone that your child knows, loves, and trusts. TYS has various special events for the children throughout the year, and they all get to participate in one way or another- Halloween parade, Butterfly Picnic, water play in the summer time, etc. read more

My toddler son has been attending TYS since he was an infant and my husband and I have been extremely happy with the level of care that he has been receiving. When looking for a daycare, I was very impressed with the facility and the many amenities offered by TYS. The infants have a separate (but still open to be observed) crib room, allowing napping babies the chance to sleep better in a darker and quieter space and not out in the open like other daycares. The infant teachers are all extremely caring and dedicated professionals who provide an excellent level of care to the children in their class. Now that my son is older, he is able to vocalize how he loves going to TYS every day, and will ask about his friends and teachers on the weekends. I know that he adores his teachers and always has a fun day playing and learning with his friends. Whenever he has had an "oops" (which happens with clumsy toddler boys), I have been given a courtesy call where the teacher told me the situation, the extent of his "oops," the remedy, and the aftermath. None have been more serious than little bumps and bruises which have been immediately cared for and left him laughing and playing shortly thereafter. The only thing that might give another family pause is the number of school closures that TYS takes during the year. While not as many as public school districts, TYS does have more days closed than the average daycare, and certainly more than most employers recognize. This leads to an extra level of coordination to make sure your child is cared for on those days. My husband and I have been able to make it work between PTO and working from home, but depending on the flexibility of your job, this could have a big impact on your decision. Overall however, we are very happy that we chose TYS and would recommend it to any parent looking for an excellent caring and learning environment for their children from infant to preschool level care. read more

Our toddler has attended The Young School in Kings Contrivance since she was 8 months old, and we've enjoyed having her there! The same teachers rotate through the rooms with the infants/todfants for the first two years, and our teachers are competent and sweet, in that "gentle-but-firm" way. They have a philosophy that kids get to play and explore -- therefore, kids aren't strapped into chairs or bouncy things, but get to sit down in chairs that they can get out of themselves. No sippy cups allowed, so our toddler started drinking from a cup around 10mos or 11mos of age and stopped using bottles shortly after turning 1 y/o. They also have different playgrounds for different age groups, and a lot of friendly activities, from water play four days a week in the summer to a "Butterfly Garden" picnic with the parents and teachers, where the children plant flowers in a garden for caterpillars that they've been watching turn into butterflies. The daycare is open from 6:30am to 6:00pm. The lady in charge of the infants/toddlers sends out a memo with updates every Monday, and is pretty responsive via email. We also get emails if the school closes (e.g., for snow days, though they've also stayed open during some days when even the government closed). The daycare tuition for infants is pretty pricey, but people who work at APL get a discount after the children enter the "Twos" room at 2 y/o. Many of the other parents seem to work for APL or the government. They also let you do automatic payments -- daycare generally gets expensive, but at least with automatic payments you don't have to worry about dropping off a check each week or so.  Whenever you consider a daycare, make sure to check out several places and compare the teachers, the cleanliness of the facility, what the kids do, how much it costs, etc. If you keep using one place as the standard for your comparison, it's a good sign that you like that place best. :) read more

Posted June 24, 2015 - a parent Seven years ago my family moved to Columbia, MD with a five year old, 3 year old, and a 1 year old. We've had experience with other day cares, in-home day cares, and nannies and I can say unequivocally that we have never regretted our decision to place our children in the care of the teachers at The Young School - King's Contrivance (not even for a second!). TYS-KC has been and continues to be the best, safest place for our children to grow and learn. For one year after we moved here, we placed our two youngest children in different childcare situations in the area; none of those situations was satisfying and some of them caused significant dismay. Then we transferred our children to The Young School in King's Contrivance. TYS in King's Contrivance is a secure, happy, enriching place to be a child. My children have been encouraged to love learning and to delight in the process of exploring the world around them. The teachers at TYS-KC are loving, supportive, and take the time to get to know each child as an individual and to treat him/her with respect and care. Children are treated with dignity and helped to understand how to get along with others and recognize them as individuals too. My TYS-KC children have been well-prepared for kindergarten and able to transition easily to the school setting because TYS-KC helps them become socially well-adjusted and well-prepared for the challenges of "real" school. Now I have a fourth child attending the school, two "graduates, and one never attended who all want to visit and give/get hugs from all the the former teachers/administrators every opportunity that they can. We wholeheartedly recommend TYS-KC to any family who is seeking a stimulating, supportive, caring, and fun environment for their infant or pre-school son/daughter. read more

We've had our daughter in the Young School (King's Contrivance location) for almost two years now, and we've been quite happy with it. Our daughter is thriving there, and she and we love her teachers. I think they do an exceptionally good job with fun and educational activities - right now they are growing various kinds of plants from seed. The kids always seem to be engaged and having fun whenever I visit. One area where the Young School stands out is in their employees - they seem to go to great lengths to recruit and retain exceptionally good people and keep them happy. It's also wonderful (for both parents and kids) to have the same teachers for your child for long periods of time rather than switching teachers frequently. The environment at the school is very open, warm, and welcoming. Learning is play-based, rather than more traditionally academic. The teachers seem to have a knack for identifying the unique strengths a child has and nurturing them. Additional pros: - The kids spend lots of time outside and being active indoors - Water play in the summer! - Fun annual events such as the butterfly picnic and Halloween parade - There are plants everywhere in the building Complaints/notes: - The school doesn't allow cloth diapers. - The refrigerators are small, which means bottles need to be stored lying down in some cases. We had problems with bottles leaking in the beginning because they were stored on their sides. - In general, big daycare centers are much less flexible policy-wise. - The price is extremely high and seems to be increasing at a rate far above what salaries are increasing at. The Young School is a great place for kids, and we're really happy our daughter is there. We're planning to use it for future children. read more

We came to The Young School after touring another recommended school in the Columbia area. Being new to Columbia, we really didn't have much to go on. I had several conversations with Lesley, the director, and she pretty much told me that once I visited the school, that she was sure that I would want our kids to be a part of The Young School family. She was right. I toured the school during lunch, in my opinion probably the most chaotic time during the day. I had a front-row seat to see what the school was really like, how the teachers really were with the kids and most of all how chaos was handled. I saw children laughing, holding hands while singing, coming in from having a picnic outside all sweaty and happy, teachers comforting a couple of kiddos that were having a hard time transitioning with coming in from play, eyes and open walls everywhere. I heard mindful teachers speaking to the kids and controlled chaos as they were all moving about their cottages. All around the school I saw the kids artwork, family pictures, and cottages that were filled with amazing nooks and play areas. It was simply perfect. I found a home for our two children when they can't be at home. Ever since our kids started at The Young School, everyone has showed them love and respect, and they will forever be part of the people there long after they age out and move onto kindergarten. Finding the right place is a very personal choice and there are so many factors that go into it. I hope that this recommendation speaks to you, that you take the chance and see for yourself. Most of all, I hope you can give your child the amazing opportunity that we are giving ours. read more

When that moment came where my wife and I realized that we were expecting our first child so many things went through our mind. My wife being a teacher, the first thing that she mentioned is "we need to find daycare soon." Mind you, she was only about 4 months pregnant. My wife and I had a deal, she would visit the place first and then if she liked it, she would tell me; so that we could go back and visit the center together. After she visited about six daycares, not one stood out, to the point that she wanted me to go visit. So, I decided to take the reins. I did my research online and came across the Young School. I have to say that it had to be the best decision that we ever made. We secured a spot for our son, as he was still baking in the womb. When he was born, we didn't have any worries, because we knew that he would be going to a reputable place for daycare. At 6 weeks old, our son joined the Young School family. I say that, because it really does feel like a family. I love the diversity of the students and the teachers, at the Young School. I will say this, because this comes up often during the discussion of child care. Yes, childcare is expensive; but why should that matter? We are talking about putting you child in a place where you don't have to worry and they are getting the best education that money can buy. I could go on and on to praise the Young School, but I must do some work to pay for the tuition. In the 3 years that our child has been going there, we have no complaints at all. If you make one right decision in your lifetime regarding your children. Send them to the Young School. You will not be disappointed. read more

The Young School at King's Contrivance has been such a wonderful experience for my soon to be Kindergartener! He began attending when he we two years old and has enjoyed three fun-filled years there that has prepared him for kindergarten and beyond. Most impressive is the way that he has gained such confidence and competence in the way that he problem solves, expresses himself in a very positive and proactive way, and has learned to build compassionate and nurturing friendships with the other children. The Reggio Emilia based curriculum is outstanding, supporting project-based, hands-on learning through exploration, play, and critical thinking which I know has supported my son with getting him ready for school; I can hear him analyzing and thinking in creative ways and I know this is due to the encouragement of the teachers at school. I have to put a plug in for Mr. Nick. He has been a profound influence on my son who absolutely adores him. Mr. Nick has been with Aiden since he was two years old. That kind of continuity speaks volumes for the kind of program The Young School inspires. The teachers are kind, caring, knowledgeable, and most importantly, they love the children. Finally, I will say that The Young School has created a friendly environment that promotes family engagement and a sense of community for children and parents. My husband and I have felt supported and encouraged to participate in a variety of ways and know that our opinion matters as parents. We would recommend this school to any parent that is looking for a high-quality early childhood education program. read more

My husband and I must have toured 10 preschools before making our selection. I knew within 2 minutes of the tour, that we had found the perfect school! My family has had a wonderful experience at The Young School. My son started at TYS back in Fall 2011. He started part-time (2 days/week) and went full time his final year (he is now finishing Kindergarten at Centennial Lane in Howard County). Our son received a great education and had a blast. He refers to the school as "My Young School". TYS has a schedule and uses terminology consistent with the public school system. His transition into Elementary School was amazingly smooth. Our daughter is completing her first year at TYS. She will turn 3 this summer and looks forward to "Water Play" - sprinklers, water tables, etc. during Summer Camp. She has the most beautiful classroom, and sweetest teachers and kids. We look forward to watching her blossom as she enters Pre-K this fall! One thing we love is that TYS offers extracurricular activities at the school - which means I don't have to sign my kids up for activities over the weekends or evenings. My son participated in Tiny Ninjas, Soccer, Golf, Tennis and Swimming. His last summer there, we signed him up for swimming every session. TYS took a van full of kids to the neighborhood pool, where they spent 2 hours, 4 days/week (which included a 10 minute lesson every day). My son called it "Epic"! He said he felt like he was on vacation all summer. This fall we plan to sign our daughter up for dance. We highly recommend to everyone! read more

My husband and I are expecting our first child and started looking into Day Care Facilities and we did not know what to expect. Some of the places we toured was Child Time, The Godard School, The Columbia Academy and The Young School. We did not know what to expect and we were very overwhelmed and wanted to make sure we were making the right decision. All the schools were priced around the same however we were so impressed with The Young School. When we walked into the Facility we felt like we were in a home. The open classroom concept is very impressive and how the teachers maintained the kids was amazing to us. Karen Fambro (Head of School at the time) gave us tour and showed us how the kids progressed from an infant to a toddler. They also keep portfolios for the kids as they grow which was amazing to see. They also have teachers who have degrees in Special Subjects like Math, Art and Languages. We even went back on another tour to make sure it was not too good to be true and we were impressed with how the teachers had lesson plans for the infants. They were reading them books, using sensory images with water, sand and mesh. I also have a childhood friend Michelle Giove (Head of School) in White Marsh. She has 3 lovely children who went through The Young School and they are very bright kids. This is when I knew we made the right decision to send our infant to The Young School. We are very happy about our decision. Erin Johnson, Laurel MD read more

The Young School is a great place for young children to thrive and grow. It is so much more than a child care center. Our son has attended The Young School's infant program in King's Contrivance for the past four months and we couldn't say more good things about the teachers there. Our son's teachers are kind and patient, and genuinely care about his well-being. We like that the program is arranged so that he will be with the same two teachers and five other babies for the next two years. They become somewhat of a family unit. The teachers provide feedback daily and always take the time to answer any questions we may have. Our son's teachers have even offered to learn a few words of my husband's native language so that they can help to teach him. The environment of the school is cozy and safe unlike the stark environments of other centers that we visited. The teachers thoughtfully incorporate new stimuli in the room every week based on their curriculum. Infants spend their days playing on the floor with a variety of items to explore on their own. Infants do not sit in swings or seats, which can be dangerous and hinder their development. We also like that infants nap in a separate crib room. In a few months our infant group graduates to the "todfant" room where they will have a new environment to explore as they become more vertically mobile. We look forward to working with the The Young School throughout our child's early years. read more

Both of our children go to the Young School at the King's Contrivance location and love it there. The teacher/caregiver turnover is extremely low, which helps the kids build a long lasting relationship with teachers and it really helps their social development. The educational programs are very strong and far more engaged than you would expect if you've only visited daycare centers. Infants and toddlers are given a lot of exposure to different colors, textures, toys, and experiences. They grow plants from seed, they watch caterpillars grow into butterflies, they learn colors, words, etc. As they get older, they learn even more like language skills and social skills. They also offer opportunities for kids to playact, use their imaginations, read, sing, etc. It's not just a place where kids go to "play," though there's plenty of that to tire them out. Outside of learning, they also help the kids learn structure and organization. After they play with something, it needs to be cleaned up. If someone else is using it, they need to wait "1 minute" (this gets used often by us). They get their own chairs for lunch, they clean up after themselves, and they put the chairs back. Teachers help when necessary but they try to foster independence and self-sufficiency. Don't overlook all of that, it's something that no one ever talks about - because you benefit from this at home and the teachers pay the "cost" of teaching it. :) read more

As soon as we took a tour of The Young School on Guilford Rd we knew that it was the right place for our children. The school environment is lively, and different than the other daycare centers. Our children have now attended The Young School (TYS) from their infant program through their Pre-K program. We have had excellent experiences throughout the 4 years that we have interacted with the team at TYS. One of the main strengths of the program at TYS is that the curriculum is based on the RIE philosophy. (http://www.magdagerber.org/blog/magda-gerbers-rie-philosophy-basic-principles). The children are encouraged to be the initiator, a explorer and a self-learner. This along with a very loving environment has helped our children to develop into independent, thoughtful, and caring children. One of my favorite things about TYS are the teachers. They are well trained, are always willing to talk about any concerns that I may have, as well as are willing to talk to me about any concerns that they may have. In the Pre-K program, the language, science and math teachers are excellent. Even in the non-academic months (summer time), the children are still learning important skills such as team work during fun activities like school-wide Olympics and water play. I highly recommend The Young School at Guilford Rd. read more

My children, ages almost 4 years old & 14 months have both attended the Young School in Perry Hall since they were 3 months old. We have had such a wonderful positive experience with all the teachers and administrators and the school feels like an extension of our home and family. It's a great feeling to be able to drop your children off in the morning and know they are in a nurturing safe environment with people who truly care about them. The Pre-K program is preparing my oldest child to enter into kindergarten. We are very pleased with his letter and word recognition and math skills. He is encouraged to think independently and creatively. We love going into the room and seeing photos with short stories attached displaying the different projects they're working on. He is a naturally shy child but his teachers have helped to develop his confidence and at school he shines. The infant care program has also been wonderful. There is a real partnership and open communication between the teachers and the parents. It is clear the children's safety and development are their top priorities. They provide gentle discipline while allowing the children to explore and grow. We couldn't be happier with our experience at the Young School. It has been the perfect fit for this busy family. read more