We visited several daycares before choosing this one, and from the very first interaction, the difference was clear. There was an immediate sense of warmth and welcome, not just from one person, but from the entire staff. It felt genuine and consistent, not performative. What truly sets this daycare apart is how thoughtfully the program is designed around child development. Every stage of a child's experience is intentional and age-appropriate, from classrooms designed to support parallel play for younger children (where they play alongside one another rather than together) to environments that encourage curiosity, independence, and child-led exploration as they grow. The level of care and attention to detail is impressive. Nothing feels accidental. From the physical setup of the rooms to how educators observe and support learning through play. Since starting here, I've seen my own child's growth and confidence accelerate in ways that have been incredibly meaningful to witness. We're so grateful to be part of this community. read more

BlueSkies has been such a special place for our family. Our little guy started when he was just 6 months old, and we've been blown away by how loving and attentive the teachers are. They really get to know each child and meet them right where they are developmentally. The focus on play makes every day feel joyful and full of discovery. It's so nice to drop him off each morning knowing he's going to have fun, be cared for, and grow alongside such wonderful teachers and friends. read more

Our child started bluesky when he was 1 year old and he has been there for 1.5 years. Bluesky teachers and staff are very kind and detail-oriented and have been taking care of our child very well. Our child enjoys going to the school and has made a lot of friends there. The staff are very attentive to children and parents' needs. I couldn't be happier. read more

We love Blue Skies for Children! As a new parent, Blue Skies had an amazing 2 week transition program where both myself and my child learned the school, teachers, and how things operated. It was a great way to to adjust to daycare, for both my child as well as myself. The teachers in the Baby House are really warm and communicative, and I can tell all four of them really care about the well being and development of my child. Very quickly they became an extension of my family, and all the teachers in the Baby House are incredibly experience. I highly recommend Blue Skies for your little one, and if you can, start them at the Baby House Please check out their website for what the school looks like. We also love how all the classrooms are set up (so that the Babys can see the next class up, and get to see the kids walking and get familiar with the teachers). They also have this lovely shaded nice outdoor space so the kids get some outside playtime every day. read more

We absolutely love BlueSkies! The staff are incredible and the grounds are a pure delight for our kiddo. He comes home happy, tired, and well fed each day. The way they graduate kiddos from one room/play space to another is really well thought out and works great for everyone. I'm so glad we have our kiddo at BlueSkies! read more

BlueSkies for Children is amazing. I can say so much more--and I will!--but amazing is at the core. As a pregnant woman, working full time, with a husband who also works full time, I struggled with a childcare decision. I knew that BlueSkies was the best that I could find. The cost still caused me to gulp since, let's be honest, it is expensive. I spoke to two different BlueSkies families (one with financial aid and one without) who each told me that BlueSkies is the best way they, as a family, spend their money. My daughter has now been at BlueSkies for the past 7 months and I can firmly say that BlueSkies is the best thing that we spend our money on each month. Let me break it down... Our daughter's tuition buys: **Full day care 51 weeks out of the year. I drop off at 7:30 and pick up at 5:00 (there are many different day options so that children can be there anywhere from 6 to 10.5 hours/day). Not only can she be there all day but the program is DESIGNED for children to be a part of it all day long. The program has carefully blended elements of school and home (more school as the children get older but still intentionally providing the warm, nurturing, and varied environment that is necessary when children are in an all-day program). **Diapers! I do not have to bring diapers for the day. BlueSkies provides all diapers during the time children are at school **Hot, mostly organic meals. This is huge. I just bring my baby to BlueSkies, nothing else. Young babies are provided with formula (whatever kind you want, BlueSkies will provide) if they are not exclusively breastfeeding. Older babies are given breakfast when they arrive (hot cereal, fruits, applesauce, toast), lunch (vegetables, rice cereal, tofu/meat depending on family choice, and fruit) as well as healthy snacks through the day. My niece, who is 3.5 and has been at BlueSkies since she was an infant, looks forward to her meals of burmese curry and rice, grilled cheese and tomato soup, etc. Children are NOT given heavily processed or sweet foods. They eat fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, etc. **This should be first: Incredible teachers. From the moment that the first teacher in the morning reaches out to hold my daughter, get her comfortable, and then help her get settled in the room, to the loving and firm redirection, to the thoughtfully set up classrooms, arranged by smart, capable teachers who know the children around them as individuals but also within the framework of development, I have never had an ounce of concern about the adults with whom my baby spends her days. **Beautiful facilities: I think you have to see this to understand. The classrooms are beautiful, the inside and outside space of each age group's classroom built specifically for that one age--considering what children need physically to be able to best develop independence, understanding, trust, physical strength and motor skills, and, of course, increasingly complex thought processes. Each age group's playground is somehow connected to the next age group's so that they can see the "big kids" playing and learn from those around them. It is awesome. **Racial and Family Diversity. I think the school is about 50% children of color and 50% white children. There are many family structures (single parent, two-mom, two-dad, grandparent) represented. The teachers are quite diverse in these ways too, as far as I know. **Parent support: The Co-Directors and Program Directors and Head Teachers all connect with parents on a regular basis. Head Teachers check in each morning and afternoon and the others are all very available. Parent Education events are also offered throughout the year. **Financial Aid. This is rare in a preschool. It is important to me that my child grows up with children who have a wide variety of financial realities. Whether or not you receive financial aid, you benefit from it. After all this, I am only scratching the surface. It is worth a visit and exploration to see if BlueSkies might be the right place for your child! read more

Top 3 reasons I chose BlueSkies for my son: 1. They think very carefully about everything related to the care and nurturing of children. A ton of thought and theory and care goes into developing the environment and the structure of BlueSkies. They work very hard to make the best, child-centered choices for every aspect of the program. 2. Despite (or more accurately, because of) the aformentioned level of detail and care, the children are allowed to be children. My little guy interacts with dirt and sand and creates art projects that come straight from his imagination. The kids learn through their experience with their peers, mastering the important skills of interpersonal dynamics and trial and error. 3. The teachers are so bright, intelligent and kind. Many of them have been at BlueSkies for decades. I trust them to help me navigate the challenges of early childhood, and I value their advice and appreciate their encouragement. Other perks include: diapers, formula (as needed/desired) and meals and snacks are all included in tuition. This simplifies my life so much! I am so grateful that my son is at Blue Skies, and I just wish this level of care were available to all families. read more

Blue Skies for Children is the best day care option we could find for our infant daughter. We were lucky to get in as they have a very high teacher to baby ratio. All the staff is highly trained and knowledgable. I have learned a lot just from them. About 40% of the day care staff have BAs or MAs. Each section of Blue Skies is modeled to be age appropriate with toys and surroundings chosen specifically to match the kids development. The infant day care is carpeted and includes low mattresses, small rails for the more advanced babies to pull themselves up by, and rocking chairs for visiting moms to breastfeed their babies at drop off. They will store EBM for babies that aren't weaned, serve warm formula and best of all, snacks and meals are comprised of freshly prepared organic meals. They will diaper babies in cloth diapers or disposables from the baby's home. The teachers are always in a good mood, which I am amazed by. The family community is fostered by reading groups, parenting classes, counseling, small parties and picnics, as well as volunteer options. The day care options are flexible from 9am to 3:30pm Mon - Thr up to 7:30am to 6:00pm Mon - Fri. It's also a great opportunity for the kids and babies. Our child's development made a noticeable jump after she was transitioned in to the day care. Being around all the other babies and kids certainly inspired her! Whenever I drop our daughter off there are kids running around outside playing and having fun under the watchful and caring supervision of the day care teachers. They have indoor facilities and awning spaces for rainy days. read more

As a parent of a Blue Skies alumnus, I can honestly say this place is magical. My son was at Blue Skies (then called AOCS) from age 6 mos. to 5 years, and man did we all learn a lot from the experience. The teachers are great; there's really low turnover among the staff, and they prepare nutritious meals on-site daily. The approach may seem unstructured to the untrained eye, but the curriculum is actually very well thought out and developmentally appropriate. Without being explicitly taught lessons daily, he was more than ready when he got to Kindergarten. I have nothing but good things to say about the place! If you're thinking of getting pregnant, you may want to get on the waiting list today :-) read more

I can't say enough good thing about Blue Skies! It is a wonderful place where kids can be kids and learn everything they need to learn about being little kids. The staff and administrators are wonderful. They are so caring and supportive and kind and knowledgeable. I love the way they talk to the kids and how consistent everyone is with using that language. Our son has been there since he was just over 3 and we will be sad to leave. It feels like a sanctuary. We always know he is safe and well cared for. They also provide great meals like lentil soup and chicken curry that the kids actually love. They have great classes for parents on things like choosing a kindergarten that are so helpful. read more

I originally found Blue Skies after calling another daycare in the area, which happened to be closing soon -- I asked if there were any other places nearby that they would recommend. The woman's tone immediately brightened. "Oh, Blue Skies!" she said. "I sent all my kids there, they're the best!" And I agree with her -- two years later, my 2.5 year-old son and 5-month old daughter are both enrolled, and to say that we love it there would be an understatement. Blue Skies follows the "RIE" method. Google it, it's amazing. It's this beautiful combination of setting firm boundaries and high expectations, coupled with acceptance and scaffolding for expressing emotions. For the babies, it means they don't use contraptions that restrict their motion, but instead let them move freely in an interesting and safe environment. No sad rows of bouncers, just babies exploring movement on the floor with teachers nearby to help, which is carpeted and has little ramps for cruisers. Each baby gets their own crib with their name, their own school blanket, and is allowed to sleep and eat on their own schedule. The RIE approach really starts shine is as the kids get older. Teachers have high expectations: The children are not allowed to hit or bite. They must wash their hands. They brush their teeth after lunch time. They put their toys away when finished playing. They take naps. But it's always done with kindness and understanding of children's developmental level. A child is never shamed for their behavior, even when their behavior is very challenging. (Trust me, the day will come when your child is the one with challenging behavior!) For example, I once saw a little girl throw an absolute tantrum on the "todd porch" (an outdoor play area for the "todds" or two-year-old class). The little girl wanted to sweep with some brooms, but it was time to put them away -- cue "nooooooo!!!!!!!!" screaming, crying, etc. The teacher put the brooms away, then went back to the child's side and put her arm over the child's shoulder. She said, "You really wanted to keep playing with the brooms. But it was time to put them away. Maybe you feel disappointed." Then, I kid you not, the little two-year-old girl replied, through choking sobs, "Yeah! I feel very disappointed!" Her teacher said, "I know. It can be hard when we have to put toys away. Time to go inside for snack. Do you want a hug?" The little girl quietly but defiantly said, "no!" -- she wasn't ready for a hug. But she did go inside, and a few moments later, she happily joined her friends for snack, having satisfactorily aired her grievances. I just love how the teachers help our children put their feelings into words, so that over time, they can let go of more childish ways of expressing themselves, like tantrums. You see the older children there and they're so mature and articulate. It's really amazing. Blue Skies is definitely on the high end price-wise, but to me, it's worth every penny. They are one of the few daycares I know of that offers competitive salaries and full benefits to all teachers and staff. This means that the teachers stick around. Turnover is often a big issue even in really good daycares, but at Blue Skies it is astonishingly low. I would say 60-70% of teachers have been there at least 5 years, and 40-50% for a decade or more. Which brings me to my final point: if you absolutely love everything you've heard or read about Blue Skies, but you can't afford it, ask about financial aid. Blue Skies has a scholarship fund that's raised every year by volunteer parents and alumni who feel as I do, that all children deserve to be treated as our children are treated at Blue Skies. About 20% of families at Blue Skies receive financial aid, and I imagine that number will increase as cost of living out here continues to skyrocket. In sum, I don't know of anywhere in the country that you can get the level of childcare offered by Blue Skies. It is a really special place. read more

BlueSkies is the best day care/preschool in the area hands down! Staff turnover is low, highly educated, hihgly experienced teachers and staff. Children get home-made meals daily, open spaces to play in and well thought out activities so they can learn while they play. They are open 7:30-6, perfect for working families who need a great day care while at work. read more

There is simply nothing that compares to BlueSkies for Children. You might initially experience a little sticker shock when you see the fees, but consider everything that you are getting for your money: 1) No other childcare center or preschool is open 51 weeks out of the year, 2) all the food (healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks) is provided, and for infants diapers and formula is provided too, 3) TONS of educational resources for parents including a small library and frequent lectures/discussion groups on how to handle certain situations (difficult temperament, searching for a Kindergarten etc.), 4) a heavily involved parent community, 5) teacher and staff expertise; they are always available for consultation, 6) NAEYC accreditation which means they have to and do meet exceptionally high standards for early childhood education, 7) teachers and program directors who are masters of play-based learning and who have developed unbelievably thoughtful spaces and curricula for each age group, 8) a diverse student and family population that goes far beyond "just" ethnic diversity, 9) staff members who are compensated fairly for their work and given medical benefits and vacation time. I believe this is directly correlated to their extremely low turnover rate. Many of the staff have been there over 20 years! Above all else, this place is RELIABLE. When we drop our kids off in the morning, there are simply no worries. I know they are in the best of hands getting the best care and having the best time! And, unlike many home daycares and nannies, I know they are not going to suddenly close/quit and leave us in the lurch. All three of our kids have gone to BlueSkies and thrived there. It has been an investment, but one that has been worth it in every way. read more

My kids are 10 and 8 now, and I can vouch that they are better adjusted and more emotionally stable and understanding kids because of their time at Blueskies. Yes, it's fantastic on all the food, play, and intellectual development fronts, but the fact my kids are better little citizens of their elementary classrooms and the world is because of Blueskies. read more

Blueskies is a truly transformative place- my wife and I are ridiculously happy with it. They offer a really unique approach to early childhood education that is seldom seen elsewhere- a real commitment to building emotional and social skills in children through thoughtful, supportive play. It's the kind of place where they help parents understand what to do to help their children by explaining why it's happening, enabling you to really understand your child's behavior on a much deeper level. But beyond all of that, my daughter just loves to go there and we feel great about dropping her off every day. Really the best of the best. read more

This is the best daycare I could imagine finding. I am a current Blue Skies parent. I have been there for 3.5 years with my first baby starting at 4 months. Now I have a second child also at Blue Skies. As a first time parent, I can't tell you how critical it was for me to have the benefit of all that experience and infant/child development history at my fingertips. I learned (and continue to learn) more from the teachers about how to be a good parent than I would like to admit. They have fantastic insight and advice. My kids LOVE going to "school" and have learned manners and habits that would be hard to teach/enforce without their consistency. When I was first returning to work and looking for a childcare situation with baby #1, I felt so sorry that I would be putting her in daycare from 7:30-6pm. The program director told me that I shouldn't think about it as an unfortunate thing and now I understand. They get so much more age-appropriate interaction and excitement than I could ever provide by trying to arrange play dates. Aside from this, they are learning everyday how to be good little citizens and how to manage themselves. On the practical side, they provide hot meals (breakfast and lunch) as well as snacks, and all the diapers your child needs will attending...so no need to purchase and pack up all that stuff for the daycare! What a relief to the mom who has to get out of the house in a hurry. The staff loves and cares for my children like additional parents..it is truly like a second home for them. Thank GOODNESS for Blue Skies!! read more