Looks Can Be Deceiving: The Reality Behind the Polished Facade From the outside, Beach Babies might look like the kind of place you'd feel good about leaving your child, a bright building, a polished brand, the right words in the brochure. We were there with our son for almost 2 years, long enough to see that the reality behind the glass is very different. And it's a reality that parents deserve to know before making what is both an emotional and financial commitment. What struck me immediately was how transactional the entire experience felt. This is a place run like an ATM machine, policies designed to extract, not to support. For the tuition and fees charged here, you would expect a level of care, warmth and professionalism that matches the price tag. Instead, you're met with rigid rules and inflexible policies. There's a mandatory fingerprint scan at the door, followed by a physical signature for entry, with a fine for any missed sign-in. No exceptions, no grace, even credit card companies allow for a margin of error before charging you interest. Here, it's about compliance above connection. And then there's the culture. The staff appeared unhappy, their energy closer to a high school clique than a team of early childhood educators. At the center of it, Laurie, whose leadership style could best be described as authoritarian without empathy. The tone from the top trickles down and you can feel it in the way the staff interact with each other and, unfortunately, with the children. Even the smallest, most human moments felt mechanical. Drop-off and pick-up should be times of warmth and reassurance, a simple "Good morning" or "How was their day?" goes a long way. Instead, it felt perfunctory, like we were interrupting a system that was already on edge. This isn't about expecting over-the-top enthusiasm, it's about basic care and acknowledgment, the kind of thing you can't fake if the work environment is toxic. Parents choose early education centers not just for safety and facilities, but for trust, trust that their child will be seen, cared for and guided with kindness. For the cost, that trust should be a given, not a gamble. Beach Babies might check boxes on paper, but in lived experience, it fails at the one thing that matters most... Creating an environment where children and parents feel genuinely welcome. I'm giving two stars only because there were a few teachers who truly shined and cared for the kids. Not surprisingly, none of them work there anymore, an unfortunate reflection of the environment created by leadership. For families considering Beach Babies, know that what you see in the tour isn't what you'll live day-to-day. If you value warmth, flexibility and authentic care over rigid rules and transactional treatment, I would urge you to look elsewhere. Your child, and your peace of mind, deserve better for the money you'll spend. read more

We really enjoy sending our daughter to beach babies. It's really evident that our baby girl feels loved when she's there during the day. The caregivers go out of their way to make sure all the kids are attended to and that the parents' concerns are met. Our daughter is always kicking with excitement once she gets out of the car and sees that we are going to BB. BB goes out of their way to make sure the parents have ease of mind and are up to speed with their kids daily activities. The facility is very safe. They use a biometric scan as well as a password to allow access the location which in today's world is very reassuring. There is also a weekly curriculum that the parents can follow on their app. I have many colleagues who have used or currently use this specific location. It's a great jumping off point for kids going to any of the South Bay school districts and I would highly recommend sending your kids here. read more

Beach Babies has been a warm, inclusive and wonderful place for our daughter to grow and learn. It's super secure which gives me a ton of peace of mind- they have secure doors and fingerprint at entry which goes above and beyond many other daycare centers we toured. From the front desk team to the teachers and the wonderful administrator Miss Laurie, there is a warmth and compassion for young children. I love walking in or out as I feel the love the whole time. My daughter smiles and giggles when she sees her teachers, and I know how cared for she is. They have low turnover across the board which is indicative of the passion from the entire staff. From the curriculum, constant updates, fun extra activities and activities for the Beach Babies community, it's the best fit for our family as we appreciate an organized, buttoned up and clear guidelines. Yes, it's expensive. It's also the most important thing we pay for, I wouldn't have it any other way. read more

We have LOVED our experience at Beach Babies 2. Our daughter started here at 4 months old and she's now 18 months. As a first time and working Mom, it's extremely hard to trust anyone else with your child, but beach babies has made me feel that my daughter is truly cared for, educated, safe, and she's having a BLAST. She started in sand dollar, then moved to angel fish and now goldfish! She's met some really great friends, which is so cute. Even for babies they have a great curriculum with themes, do crafts and have a lot of socialization. They follow safe sleep and are up-to-date on what's recommended at each age. We love the hours 7am - 6pm as we commute and work early. We love how secure it is; you have to type in your special code to get in the front door, then do your fingerprint to unlock the next door. The caregivers and teachers are so sweet, caring and attentive. They can accommodate your child's needs and really learn their specific needs. Special shout to Ms. Krystal, Ms. Jocelyn and Ms. Shaina. They are amazing teachers. It's so interesting to me that every staff member seems to know every babies name when you pass them. They are the absolute best! I love that there's an app that updates you throughout the day with meals, sleep and pictures or any other communication like needs more clothes. You feel like you're involved in her day, which is great. I also love that they supply diapers and wipes. You can bring your own if you prefer. Now that she's in goldfish and 18 months, they provide all meals throughout the day which is a huge help. We plan on keeping our daughter here until she's ready to go to kindergarten. We would highly recommend beach babies 2! read more

We started sending our daughter here at 3.5 months old (she's 1 year now), and have been very pleased. She has thrived under their care, and has very clearly bonded with her teachers who are warm, engaging and professional, even when things get (naturally!) chaotic given the circumstances of caring for small children. She has learned sign language, is extremely vocal, and has achieved many physical milestones while at Beach Babies. The admin staff is upbeat and friendly, always wishing me a good morning or to have a nice day (even when I'm running out the door at a jog...). In the one circumstance when I had a concern that I addressed with Ms. Laurie, she was professional and sincere. I enjoy that I am able to receive updates through an app throughout the day with photos, etc., and that my daughter's teachers can message me and vice versa. Last but certainly not least - as a parent, my #1 job is to keep my child safe. In turn, I believe that's Beach Babies' #1 task as well. Beach Babies' system of entering the building, signing the children out, then entering the children's classrooms, helps keep everyone safe and accounted for and brings me a lot of peace of mind. (Plenty of other stuff to worry about as a parent!). read more

I have a preschooler and toddler enrolled at Beach Babies 2 on Artesia in Redondo Beach. We took a break during Covid and have attended for a total of 4.5 years so far. I wholeheartedly recommend the program to anyone! The teachers and staff are reliable, compassionate, and well equipped for the many challenges of teaching and caring for other peoples' kids from 7am-6pm all day, 5x a week, year round. I respect the staff and wouldn't be able to do my job without them. The cost is on the high end - it is not value priced by any means but I do believe we receive a lot for what we pay for - special events, enrichment programs and a sense of community. Very thankful! read more

Wonderful care! Kind & inclusive while also educational. Def recommend Wonderful care! Kind & inclusive while also educational. Def recommend read more

I paid $50 to be on the waiting list in March and visited one of their locations. I told the staff that our family are relocating from north to Southbay because my husband's military job change. I didn't get any update or contact ...So I contacted them in the end of May and was told to wait till the beginning of June. Finally, Lori called and said "sorry, no space." I ask her if it's possible in the near future that a spot is available ? She said, No. So should we find another daycare? She said "yes". Really! If there's no space available, why keep charging the applicants for even being on that waiting list, which is NOT transparent to the applicants. Who knows how many ppl on that list?! They just keep charging everyone without telling where they are and how long the list actually is! Scam! Other daycares usually don't accept people to be on the waiting list if there are obviously none space available. So be very careful before you pay the fees. Ask to see the list or ask how many ppl on the list. Don't be blind. read more

I just wanted to update my review since I now have one of my kids in kindergarten. Beach Babies fully prepared my daughter to enter the school system with zero issues. The obvious change was a small challenge bc she loved BB so much BUT the schedule and structure and how to behave in the classroom and do tasks that are asked seem simple to her... and I am so happy about that- that is 100% Beach Babies read more

I work at beach babies for 3+ years. I'm so thankful that I got the opportunity and privilege to work there. Learn so much here, I got alone with all the girls. It was never a dull moment with my class AngelFish, so thankful from the bottom of my heart. My heart will always be at Beach Babies read more

My wife and I have had our daughter here since she was an infant (2012). You could not ask for a more caring staff. You get what you pay for as simple as that. We understand and agree with their rules completely. Very secure place professionally run in different classes depending on age. Beach Babies is very balanced between play and academics. Your child will learn valuable skills and positive character. Laurie and staff are very open to parents needs. Take it from a parent who's child has been attending for 3 years. It's a great place and will make you feel as worry free as is possible for parent of a young child. Updated: Had our son (3 years younger) here for 2 years after our daughter moved on to Lincoln. Boy was wild and "spunky" to say the least. Beach Babies treat him with the same loving demeanor as they did our rule following daughter. Highly recommend Beach Babies. Thank you all Teachers and Staff! read more

Another first review? You've got to be kidding me. I was referred to this wonderful preschool/daycare by a former co-worker, and all I can say is THANK YOU MARISSA! My kid is something of a challenge - when he first started with Beach Babies, he had been our son for less than three weeks and didn't speak English (being an adoptee at 3.5 years of age from Taiwan). No problem. He loves going to school, has many friends, adores his teachers and looks forward to seeing them every day. We had a short list of favorite foods, but their wide variety of breakfast, lunch and snack food helped expand that list quickly. They are also understanding, skilled and supportive - they've been wonderful to us. Would recommend them in a heartbeat! read more

Beach Babies - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

We have been at beach babies for about 5 years now. My daughter started at 18 months old and graduated last year. My son also started at 18 months and will remain there for another year until Kindergarten. We absolutely love it here. Not only are the facilities beautiful and well cared for, but the amazing teachers are really the heart of this place that keeps it amongst the best in the south bay. During our years here I have seen very little turnover which to me means this is a great place to work. It's very clear that they all love what they do and genuinely care for the children. I don't think I've ever seen one of them without a big smile on their face. The programs they put together are thoughtful and fun and my kids have loved going there. They have been amazing during Covid and I have not once hesitated sending the kids there during this time. As soon as it was available they made sure all staff got vaccinated (and gave them the day off after their second dose to make sure they recovered!). If you have the chance to go to any beach babies location, especially this one, take it! It is worth every penny to know your kids are safe, loved, and thriving! I will cry the day my little one graduates! read more

I can't say enough great things about the Beach Babies location on Artesia. First and foremost, the location is run by wonderfully caring teachers, administrators, dieticians, etc. It feels like family with a level of care and investment in my kids that provide me a sense of comfort when I drop off my two kids and I go to work. I know they will be cared for...I have come to pick up my kids when they haven't felt great and they have been held and comforted in a way that I would do myself. The administrators are responsive, understanding, smart, fair, and willing to listen which helps promote a caring and learning environment. We have been there for about 5 years and really appreciate them. While on the more expensive side, I feel it is an amazing value for what you receive. Wonderful! read more

We've been with Beach Babies for almost year, and now we are leaving only because my daughter is transitioning to kindergarten. The teachers are amazing! Their warmth, care, and love goes above and beyond! My daughter loved the center and she was going along with all the teachers and staff there. All my questions were answered, any arising concerns were solved on the spot. The teacher was accessible to speak, the director was there to answer the questions. We love this center! read more

We have had an amazing experience at Beach Babies. Our daughter started in August 2020 - in the middle of the pandemic. We chose Beach Babies because after interviewing several local preschools, we found that Beach Babies had the highest level of safety and hygiene protocols in place. They had also been open for the summer and had already proved that they were capable of running a safe operation in the midst of the pandemic. Our daughter transitioned seamlessly, by the end of the first week she was already comfortable and excited about her new friends and new teachers. Beach Babies kept kids safe during Covid, and at the same time my daughter learned so much and had so much fun. And she LOVES her teachers! I would highly recommend Beach Babies to anyone looking for infant care or a preschool! read more

I came to beach babies two years ago to enroll my daughter. They told me there was a waiting list and that in order to be put on waiting list you need to pay $50. Two years later never heard from them. No courtesy call at least. Nothing. I don't know how they do their things inside but I don't think is fair to just swallow up all those waiting list payments and never give the parents any status on it. read more

As my youngest child graduates from Beach Babies and transitions to elementary school this month, I'm reflecting upon the past 5 years I've had my kids in Beach Babies 2 and feel immense gratitude and joy (mixed with sadness that we are leaving). Laurie, Angela, Jessica, Brittney, Alisa, Bianca, Juanita-- countless other amazing staff, the list of which is too long to list -- have loved and nurtured and taught these kids. They've created community and a sense of safety during a long and uncertain pandemic, protecting one of our most vulnerable populations and helping them to socialize and grow during what could have been a very isolating period. The teachers have all been fantastic, patient and nurturing. My oldest son was well prepared for elementary school and has been crushing it socially and academically. And despite it being three years since he graduated from Beach Babies, the staff greet him with such warmth and enthusiasm every time he comes and picks up his sister with me. I see a couple of negative comments on price and admission from folks that have not attended Beach Babies. Regarding price, you get what you pay for. We've been at other daycares that charge less, but the experience was very different. Their pricing shouldn't be held against them because all of the tuition is poured into the resources and staffing and opportunities they create here. In fact, they have eaten costs at times during the pandemic, reimbursing partial tuition when kids have had to quarantine despite them not being able to fill up a spot. As it relates to the waitlist and responsiveness, I hope folks can have some empathy. I see on a daily basis when I drop off and pick up my daughter how busy staff is fielding questions, managing the pandemic response and responding to different parent and child needs. This is not a huge organization -- it's a small and tightly knit community that is doing it's best to meet high demand. I owe a lot of gratitude to Beach Babies and will sorely miss them. read more

My daughter was 21 months when she first started attending Beach Babies, she was only going twice a week to start so it wasn't the quickest transition for her. But the teachers were extra kind and patient and after a few weeks she was totally acclimated. She now looks forward to going and when we pull into the driveway she yells, "school!". I love that they send home a sort of report card every day listing what she learned, what and how much she ate, how long she slept, when she pooped. And whenever I drop off or pick her up none of the other children are ever crying and the other kiddos in her class always say hello. I can tell that they're all having a good time and are treated well. The facility is well organized and clean and there are proper gates, latches and locked doors in place so no one falls astray. But really, it's all about the staff, everyone is really smiley and nice and I feel no worry when I drop off my child each morning. My daughter has particularly taken by a specific teacher and I'm glad she has her for comfort when she needs it. The place isn't cheap but what childcare is these days, it's major convenient since all meals and diapers are included in the fees. I don't have to worry about packing lunches or bringing diapers when I'm already rushing to get out the door. AND they serve healthy, well rounded meals. You won't see any fried foods on their menus which is so great. My experience with this place has been nothing but positive, would totally recommend you visit for yourselves. read more

My kids have loved goign to Beach Babies! We've been coming here for 7 years (2 kids). We're in our last few days & I'm going to miss all the teachers. It's not all hearts & flowers, it's expensive & they close for 2 weeks at Christmas and 1 week now during summer. But if you feel your kids are safe & cared for, then you work out those issues. read more

We relocated from Chicago to the South Bay and feel very blessed to have found Beach Babies. Both our kids spent nearly three years there. There is a strong sense of Community and family values and I have always felt that my kids were safe and very loved during their time there. My kids also learned a lot about being respectful of others, sharing, learned to count, color, write, sing, play sports, the list goes on. I would highly recommend BB to families in the South Bay. I'm grateful for the Community they gave us and the strong foundation they have given our kids as they head onto new adventures. read more

Very fortunate to have gotten my two children into beach babies awhile after we moved into the area. It took some patience and some staggered starts but it was well worth the wait! I have nothing but great things to say and am so sad to be moving away from the area so soon. There is nothing more important to me than my children's care and I never for a second worried about them at this school (and we have moved around a lot and been to a few daycare centers!) Beach babies is the best of the best and a good mix of play and learning. Great staff and they make it so easy on parents. They also were outstanding in their covid response and keeping everyone healthy. read more

An exceptionally wonderful daycare. Great teachers. Great kids. No complaints.

TOP TEN REASONS why Beach Babies is a five star nursery school 10. ACADEMICS: My daughter learned so much here, she is always surprising us. What 5 year old uses the word "apparently" correctly? She learned the colors of the rainbow at four. I finally memorized it in college physics. 9. MUSIC: When did my kid learn Frere Jacques? In addition to a lot of other songs from Miss Elvia! 8. BEST FOOD EVER! Kudos to Miss Monica! 7. THEY OPEN AT 7:00 AM, ON TIME, EVERYDAY 6. BABYSITTING PARTIES: Several times a year in a safe and loving environment with teachers you know and trust. 5. ARTS & CRAFTs: I did not know you have to be an artist to be a teacher. I know now! 4. PARTIES: Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween, Christmas, and the most AWESOME GRADUATION PARTY EVER!!!!!!!! 3. BEST MANAGEMENT, STAFF AND TEACHERS EVER! A high level of training, with excellent reaction to any feedback that I gave them. My daughter learned so much there, all with smiles, laughter, and hugs 2. LOTS OF HUGS from everyone she ever met there. I estimate my daughter got over 10,0000 hugs from the teachers, staff, students 1. LOTS OF LOVE from everyone she met there. EVERYONE!! THANK YOU, BEACH BABIES!! read more

Beach Babies didn't work out well for my ~6 month old twins. We were just there a month before finding a much better fit for half the cost. Cons: Cost/Value: Really really high for what I was perceiving as the value + service. It cost us with start up/wait list/tuition costs $3500+ (not to mention the $1800 refundable deposit) for just the first month for two babies for 3 days a week. For that price tag, I really expected a much higher level of service. Convenience: It wasn't. Parking lot was crowded and getting two non-walking babies into the classroom was a total pain. I understand that this wouldn't be everyone's experience but it was quite challenging to get the 2 babies from the car to the classroom through 3 doors (one of which requires a fingerprint to open) and where strollers aren't allowed. They also never offered to help or even showed any empathy with the challenge that this was. Warmth: It could have just been our teachers, but I never felt that anyone in their classroom was happy to see them. The first day, no one introduced themselves to our babies or acknowledged them when we arrived. Scheduling: For the cost/level of professionalism that they boast, I expected the team to be able to keep our babies on a similar schedule as to home. They couldn't and acted as if it was unreasonable for me to ask. Flexibility: It wasn't. I get policy + procedures, but they once called me to tell me that my son's bottle had spilled in their backpack. I asked if they'd either mix more formula or take from his twin sister's bottle to make up for the difference and they couldn't do that either. ----- Pros: Seems like a very safe and well-equipped facility. read more

Laurie, Angela and the entire Beach Babies staff are simply the best! They provide a safe, clean, happy and loving environment that both of my girls loved going to each day. Our eldest had been with Beach Babies from the infant daycare all the way through to the preschool program, so we came to know and love all the teachers throughout the school. You truly sense the teachers love each kid as they would their own and choosing Beach Babies made my transition back to work far easier than it otherwise would have been. In the preschool program they provide a healthy breakfast, snack and lunch as well as extracurricular classes such as; music, dance, sports, yoga and Spanish. One of my favorite things about Beach Babies is the sense of community they establish through their many fun holiday parties. From Mother's Day and Father's Day celebrations, to Halloween parties and winter concerts, each event is a fun-filled day for the kids and parents. I wholeheartedly recommend Beach Babies to all my friends and neighbors, and to you too! read more

I have a toddler with high-functioning autism, who is literally one of the sweetest children in the world. The only problem my child has in class is a tendency to isolate unless regularly prompted to join the group. I called Beach Babies to schedule a tour in order to see if it might be a good fit for my child. During the telephone conversation, I explained my child's situation and asked if Beach Babies would be agreeable to letting us pay for a professional aid to help our child socialize with the group for part of the day. Believe it or not, the lady responded by saying "I don't know about that" and went on to say that she has only heard of such an arrangement when "THEY BITE." The lady told me she would speak to the director and that they would call me back. Suffice it to say that I never received a call back. I waited a while before deciding to write this review, because I am really not one to write an angry review whenever something does not go my way. But after giving it some serious thought, I decided it was appropriate in this situation. So many children have some sort of delay these days and it requires such a leap of faith to find a school who you think will genuinely welcome him or her with open arms. And if I were a parent of a child with a delay considering this school, then I would want to know about my experience. Shame on you Beach Babies!!! read more

Our son recently 'graduated' from Beach Babies on Artesia after 2+ years. We are extremely happy with his time there. Pros - The teachers. I cannot speak for the really young kids, but can say that the Sea Star and Dolphin teachers are professional educators and not just babysitters. Our son came home nearly every day with some new piece of knowledge - writing, spelling, geography, current events, etc. But they are so much more than just educators...kind, compassionate, loving. Everything you'd want your child to experience. Communication. The teachers, especially, are very good at communicating progress, problems, upcoming events, etc. We did have one issue very early on, where a teacher told us that our son needed a costume for some event the next day. We weren't happy and expressed our displeasure with the administration, who agreed we should have been given notice weeks earlier. Facility. This particular Beach Babies was recently renovated and is very nice. Sometimes a bit too loud, especially in the main building, but overall it is clean and welcoming. Food. They serve a healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks, which makes our morning routine so much easier. Safety. They are very safety conscious, especially when it comes to injuries (which are inevitable) and child pick up. I witnessed one teacher refuse to release a child because she did not recognize the person picking him/her up (even though the child clearly did), and escorted the child and adult to the office to sort it out. A+ Professionalism. I'm sure there is drama just like every other workplace, but at no point did that spill over into their relationship with the kids or parents. Flexibility. The administration team is generally very flexible. For a while, our son only went a few days a week. It usually wasn't a problem when we asked to switch days. Cons - (this is a 5 star review, please note that all of the 'cons', cumulatively, don't warrant lowering the rating.) Transparency. Beach Babies is a for-profit business and, I imagine, a very successful one. Which is why I would get upset every time we got another email about a book sale, car wash, etc. to raise money (not a tax-deductible donation by the way). It's not a big deal, you can always say no, but then they started making it a competition - who could sell the most tickets - and putting the kids' names on a chart. I think that for this level of tuition, fundraisers should not be necessary or, at least, share with parents the company's financial statements so we can understand why they are needed. In fairness, my wife thinks I'm blowing this out of proportion, which is probably true. Parking. It is a real pain and, given the way some parents drive, dangerous (looking at you guy who drives the white sportscar). I wish the remodel had improved the parking situation. Seems to be a lot of teacher turnover recently (2 out of 5 Dolphin teachers in last couple months). Hope that isn't a sign the administration is treating them poorly (I've no reason to think that, other than a spate of resignations could be a red flag for something). read more

This business underwent a renovation after we left, possibly solving the problem of directing traffic through the "crawlers" ("sand-dollar") room & makings kids there sick. read more

My daughter started at Beach Babies when she was two years old. This was her first daycare/school experience And it was absolutely wonderful. She had a tough time at the beginning since she had only been cared for by nannies before, but the teachers helped get her adjusted quickly. The facility is clean and all the teachers are so sweet. Our daughter did art projects all the time; we had to dedicate a full wall to her creations. She made great friends and I, in turn, met some wonderful moms who became my friends. We are moving and thus had to say goodbye. On her last day she got A booklet with pictures of her playing with friends at the school as well as nice notes from the teachers. Thank you Beach Babies for taking such good care of Claire! We will Miss you! read more

our daughter has been there for since 10 weeks old, currently going on 3. Everyday I think how lucky I was to find this place (more luck than referral). The kids, their families and the people that work there become a intricate part of your day to day life - and take seriously helping your child learn important life skills. All you have to do is look at the tenure of their teachers - most have been there a very long time and the kids come to view them as more than just a teacher. Our child has been close with each teacher in each class - they bond. It is true that it's non inexpensive, but they do provide breakfast and lunch (for the older kids) and diapers/wipes (for the younger infants) and the days off keep them fresh. I highly recommend this place to everyone now! read more

My husband and I moved to California from Chicago a little over a month ago and prior to moving we were desperate to find a daycare that we loved as much as the one our son went to in Chicago. With this big of a move and change for our family it was a must to find a good daycare for our son who is 16 months old now. We have been so happy that we found Beach Babies! The price is comparable (and actually slightly less) than what we are used to in Chicago and they just recently redid the back playground where my son has a ton of fun exerting all of that pent up energy that young toddlers have. The facility is updated and super clean and the teachers, kids and parents we've met so far have all been very welcoming which has been so nice! It's such a comfort knowing that we've picked a place where my son will grow and learn in a wonderful environment! read more

Beach Babies is the best day care! We did an enormous amount of research and visiting. Our son loves the teachers, the kids, the activities, the playground. He's learning so much and having fun doing it! Couldn't ask for anything more! read more

Not the best child care center as far as there hiring process the receptionist was very iritted not all that friendly had three interviews here and never landed not one at all had all the qualifications and never got q call back at qll will never apply to them no more read more

Beach Babies is very proficient and well run daycare. Laurie, management, is extremely professional and responds to concerns (email and in person) quickly and with thoroughness. We had one or two hiccups when we started but they were resolved within 24 hrs of being brought up. The staff is friendly, kind and caring. My son enjoys every day he attends and always asks to go to "school". The only concern I have is the amount of sickness that has presented itself with my son. Granted, it could be an absolute fluke, we still seem to come home ill (cold and cough) every other week. Mind you, this has been a ferocious flu/ cold season. Perhaps a coincidence.... read more

I don't normally post reviews, but I wanted to post one for Beach Babies because I did a ton of research before choosing a daycare for my son and got concerned with some of the negative reviews here. He is currently in the infant classroom and has been there since last September. First off, as others have stated, daycare may not be the best option for everyone. I thought I would share why we chose daycare: - Social interaction: We noticed from an early age that our son seemed to really, really like people. He loved playdates and was intrigued by anyone who came over. That was the big deciding factor for us and why we went daycare vs. nanny. And I have to say it was the best decision. He is always playing with the other kids when I pick him up and I can already see him developing friendships with some of them (even though he is only 14 months.) The teachers also tell me stories of what he and his friends did during the day (lots of laughing babies!) - Education/curriculum: There are definitely stellar nannies out there who will take the time to teach your child, but we loved the fact that most daycares had daily curriculum. Also, the artwork projects are an added bonus. - Events: Who doesn't want to see a bunch of cute kids parading around in their Halloween costumes? Or listen to them belt out Holiday songs? - Cost: Daycare is cheaper than a nanny. This wasn't the deciding factor for us, but definitely came into play. However, Beach Babies is probably the most expensive option out there as others have noted - but is well worth it in my opinion. So why has Beach Babies been amazing? - Teachers: We LOVE LOVE LOVE our teachers. They are seriously incredible. They always have a smile on their face and act so happy to see my son every morning. I end up chatting with them every day when I pick up my son. Also, I can tell my son has really bonded with them. He is always smiling and laughing at them. - Hours: 7am-6pm is great for us working parents with a commute. - Facilities: Extremely clean. Also, tons of great toys/play areas for the kids. My son loves to climb all over the foam gym with his friends. And per another reviewer, foot traffic no longer goes through Sand Dollar classroom. - Events: As others have mentioned, they have a great event lineup throughout the year. We also took advantage of their babysitting night recently and saw our first move in the theater since our son was born. - Report cards: We get a cute report card every day, which speaks to what our son did. I haven't figured out what to do with them yet, but I can't toss them! - Front office staff: They are also amazing and so friendly. - Safety: It is a very secure facility and they actually just added another level of security recently. Makes me feel a lot more comfortable with everything going on. Of course, there are some downsides when choosing daycare. For us, our son does not like to nap at daycare. Too much activity going on. But he still sleeps fine at night and is always happy, so a small sacrifice. The other downside is illnesses. Your child is going to get sick.. a lot... the first year of daycare. They are building up their immune system. But if you went with a nanny, you are still going to deal with this - just at a later age when they go off to preschool. Hope this helps! read more

I sent two kids here from baby to age 5, and in between had tried out some other schools. Beach Babies in my opinion, is the best school in the area. I love the teacher retention (my kids who were 2 years apart were able to have the same teachers). Also, the ratio of teacher to kid is excellent, the kids had fun, learned manners and toilet training as well as academics, and did some great artwork and projects. I also love that they send sick kids home. A lot of schools allow the sick ones to stay and then your kid ends up being perpetually sick too. There are some minor complaints - too many rules sometimes, and they charge you for forgetting to sign in, but these are minor compared to the major happiness my kids experienced here. We are sad to have to move on to kindergarten! read more

My husband and I are teachers so we need full time child care for our newborn. We went with Beach Babies without really investigating more options due to convenience. Our experience with registration was a surprise as they want cash and don't take credit cards for a very expensive monthly tuition (most expensive in the area) and when we showed concern regarding this, we were treated with sarcasm and rudeness. "No childcare facilitates take credit cards!" and when I said I knew others that do, I was asked to give examples. When we called the next day to notify them that we had decided against admitting our newborn due to our treatment the day before, the girl in charge of admissions (Laurie) asked why. When I explained that we didn't like the way we were treated, she just flippantly asked for an email stating that we were not interested. No explanation of how we would get our $900 deposit back or an apology or anything. I said, "Even this call with no apology surprises me." Laurie proceeded to tell me that her staff member has been with the company for a long time so she didn't think she did anything wrong. I had to explain to her that in the future, treating the customer with kindness might be a good way to conduct business. And there you have it. I am so glad our son is not going to be "nurtured" by this group of people. They obviously have the mentality of "you need us, we don't need you". When we told our pediatrician about it, she said she was relieved as most babies from Beach Babies are coming to see her every three weeks due to the sickness flying around the center. read more

First let me start off by saying I am a mom and a teacher (I've taught childcare, elementary school, and special ed) so I am picky about where my child would be attending. At first glance this place looks great, they use a lot of buzz words, have lots of art work up, and the ladies who work there (for the most part) seem very nice. However, the more I looked around the more I started to really dislike this place. First off, they have 150 kids in one big giant room that is divided with bookshelves and wall partitions, so it's very loud. They play music to drown it out, but that just makes it even louder. Second, my biggest complaint is with the infant center, which is where my son would start off. They have a big table with seats built in for the babies who can sit up to sit and play with toys, eat, be sang to, etc. and at first I thought that was great, but then the more I looked around the more I saw just how little floor space there is for the little ones to crawl around and move. It looks like those kids are stuck in those chairs for most of the day, they do have an area for really young babies who can't sit up yet, and a room for babies to sleep in, but it was really cramped and crowded. Also, the toys were filthy, they looked they hadn't been cleaned in months or years, which makes me think that this place is a huge germ factory. Also, my son is 6 months old so he can sit up, crawl, and pulls himself up to stand. He's always on the move and loves to play outside. But kids in the infant room aren't allowed outside until they are old enough to go to the next classroom, which was a huge disappointment for me. Overall, I wasn't impressed. It's very expensive, they want a $900 deposit, $50 waiting list fee, $100 registration fee, numerous optional services (that cost extra), plus the regular monthly fees. They are also expanding and have several locations and are building another building next door and I just got the impression that it's all about quantity, not quality, and making as much money as possible. They have lost sight of what's best for these kids. My kid will not be attending this program. read more

Best daycare in the South Bay. We absolutely love this place. The security there is great and the classrooms are pristine. The teachers are incredible and have become practically family to us. The wait list is long so you need to really plan out your child's needs in the future in order to get them in at the appropriate time you need. The hours are really great too and work well with working parents schedules. The first day I took my son there I was sobbing in the parking lot when one of the teachers consoled me. I didn't know her at that point but she gave me a hug and told me it would be okay. She messaged me later in the day to tell me he was doing well and just took a nap and it made me feel so at peace. They provide report cards daily to let you know what they ate, when they slept and what they did. It really makes you feel like you are a part of your kids day when you are away. They also provide random nights on the weekend of baby sitting parties so parents can get a date night. We love the Halloween parades as well. We can't wait to enroll our one on the way here. read more