Our daughter has been at the Child Development Cooperative since she was 7 months old, and it's hands down one of the best decisions we've made for her. The Coop believes kids learn best by being kids... playing, going barefoot, exploring, asking questions, and learning by doing. It's joyful, messy, and exactly how childhood should be. The staff is incredibly kind and thoughtful, giving children the guidance they need while encouraging them to solve problems and build confidence on their own. I'm certain my daughter's strong sense of independence and self-confidence have been shaped in part by her time there. And then there is the community. The parent work days and events have led to some of the greatest friendships. Leaving for Kindergarten is bittersweet. We are so grateful to everyone at The Coop for helping us raise such a capable, curious, joyful little human. read more

The Co-op is a hidden gem! From the directors' to the teachers, everyone truly has your child's best interest at heart. They help instill independence, encourage children to use their imagination, and teach kindness and respect amongst everyone. It is also unique in that it is run as a community. Everyone-- parents, teachers, and kids alike -- get the chance to connect with one another through outings and social events. It is unlike any daycare we have ever attended, and I really wish all of my kids had gotten the chance to go here. My daughter has absolutely flourished and we are so grateful to have found such an amazing atmosphere for her to learn and grow! read more

Hands down, "The Co-op" is the BEST early learning center in Baton Rouge! The teachers are amazing. They build loving relationships with each child and get to know all the children on an individual level. The turn over rate is low so you also get the chance to build a relationship with the ones taking care of your children all day. Whether it's teething, napping, or potty training, the teachers are great at collaborating with parents so that each child is guided through each new challenge. There's a beautiful balance of free play and intentional activities, so children learn through doing, imagining, and collaborating. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I especially appreciate how this program supports all areas of development--fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, social-emotional growth, and problem-solving--through meaningful, play-based experiences. It's the kind of learning that feels natural and joyful, yet is building a strong foundation for lifelong skills. It's not just a childcare program--it's a community. There are art shows, family work days, parents night out at Radio Bar, and field trips to strawberry patches (just to name a few). Through these experiences our family has built relationships with other families. The Co-op is where I formed my own tribe of moms who have become like family. We support each other and have watched each other's children grow. This is truly a magical place. read more

The Coop has been the best thing to happen to our family. We have two children there and they absolutely love it! We love the Reggio Philosophy inclusion and that they provide plenty of outside exploration. Our youngest recently got glasses but we noticed and discussed this with her teacher at coop before visiting the pediatrician. Her Teacher mentioned she was noticing some of the same eye issues we noticed and that was super helpful to know we were not just hovering worrisome parents. They have been such a great support to help her transition to wearing and getting used to them. All the staff are so knowledgeable and friendly. I credit so much of our children's independence and empathy to coop! read more

The Co-op is unlike anything else in Baton Rouge. Their model builds really curious, resilient, creative children. And the community of parents is a plus. read more

My daughter was at the co-op from ages 3-5. We would have stayed longer if we could have! There are many things that make it a unique gem in Baton Rouge. First is that they offer a play based learning environment. The kids learn by playing, creating and imagining. They are allowed and encouraged to take reasonable risks, work out social situations and think independently. The director was always available to answer questions and got back to me within a couple of hours when I sent emails. And I couldn't write a review of the co-op without mentioning the Chameleon teacher, Ms. Tressa. This woman is a child whisperer. She brought out my daughter's personality and helped her build confidence and learn to button her jacket. She loves the kids with everything she has and it shows! One other big draw for me was that the food and snacks served here are actually healthy which is rare for most local childcare facilities. If you're looking for a sterile, dirt free (outside) environment for your kids, this might not be the place for you. But if you want your kids to get to be kids and to learn through playing and getting a little messy in the process, there's no better place! We happily drove WAY out of our way to bring our daughter here, and are so glad we did! read more

We sent our daughter there from 12 weeks until 14 months. She loved the place. However, unbeknownst to us, the staff had this idea that we weren't happy, even though we stated that we loved the place on several occasions. This all came to a head when we were calling to let them know that we wanted to put our unborn on the waiting list. One of the directors proceeded to berate my husband for 20 minutes about how we complain too much and that we didn't need to let them know if our daughter had diaper rash because they already knew because they are the ones that take care of her. I spent the next several days on the phone with the other director to try to come up with some sort of solution on how to move forward. Her suggestion was to just act like the incident never happened. We ended up taking our daughter out because of this. We were extremely sad about all of this but we felt a line had been crossed. Come to find out, the director that berated my husband has been an issue with past families. Overall, the place has a great program. It definitely could be cleaner, but our daughter really loved it. Be prepared to have to deal with some ugliness from one of the owners if you have concerns or questions from time to time. read more