Now that my son has been at Formative Years Preschool for a year and a half, I can safely say that…read morethis is an incredible school with loving teachers, welcoming students, and an engaging curriculum; my son loves it and has blossomed since starting in September 2014. After trying (and failing) at a more trendy, less-structured preschool, we found the structure we needed at Formative Years. My son feels safe and comfortable knowing when free play time, circle time, snack time, etc. will be each day. Each day is designated as a cooking, science, music, sports, show-n-tell, or library day, and each week has a letter of the week and other themes to inform the classroom activities, so I know that the students are exposed to a variety of subjects. While the school does academic activities like practicing letters and counting, handwriting, etc., the emphasis is truly on play and discovery. I feel like my son is learning the life skills he needs (e.g. socializing, taking turns, sharing, etc.) to be successful in Kindergarten. Nestled in an old church building on 20th and Lombard, the school makes great use of the neighborhood as a classroom. Students take "nature" walks around the neighborhood to search for signs of each season, walk to the public library each week, picnic in Rittenhouse Square, and take field trips to Sound All Around (through the Philadelphia Orchestra), Taney Park, fire stations, and other spots around the community. The school helps students connect to their community. The teachers in the school are wonderful. Ann, the head teacher and director of the school, maintains high expectations for her students, and still maintains a positive, nurturing relationship with each student. Even when my son misbehaves at school, he knows he'll still get a kind word and a hug from Ann when it's time to go home. The care, respect and love I observe between the teachers and students is heartwarming and reassuring. When I first toured the school, I was a little disappointed that the school didn't have a playground, but my son hasn't missed it at all. Instead, the school blocks off an adjacent street or courtyard and fills it with toys (scooters, balls, bubbles, etc.) and the kids have a great time. Formative Years does an excellent job ensuring that little kids have the chance to move their bodies, so even when the weather is bad, the school pulls out scooters and has a small structure to climb on inside the classroom. Here are some logistics: The school is one big classroom with 3, 4, 5 year olds mix together. Formative Years provides after-school care to students at Chester Arthur and Greenfield schools, so there are some KG and 1st graders who come later in the day. Parents have a great deal of flexibility in scheduling, students can choose to attend half or full days (or a mix) and can choose which days of the week they attend (although it has to be consistent). The school is perfect for working parents since they rarely close (e.g. you won't get saddled with trying to find day care for a weeklong winter break in the middle of February), and hold regular hours when the public schools have delays or early dismissals. When I was shopping around for preschools, I did notice that the Formative Years website was out of date, so I'd encourage prospective parents to look past that technological faux pas and go ahead and set up a tour. When we were shopping for schools, I found it interesting that my son didn't end up loving the fancier schools with the indoor sandboxes, instead he loved the simpler school with the friendly kids and teachers who welcomed him and made him feel at home immediately. My son has continued to grow and thrive at Formative Years, and I would encourage families to check out the school when they start shopping for preschool.

Hands-down the best pre-school in Center City! The Director is amazing. She has managed to create…read moreone of the most nurturing, educational environments I have ever experienced. The parents are very involved and the children are wonderful. They make full use of a multiple of resources within the city. They go to the library weekly, go to the Orchestra, take trips all around the city, provide an individualized learning experience for each child, and even have a Chess Club! My daughter blossomed at Formative Years....we absolutely loved it!

If you're OK with your child being severely sunburned multiple times because of negligence of the…read morestaff not applying sunscreen, not even once, and if you're OK with your 1st or 2nd grade-age child having accidents multiple times because they refuse to take them to the bathroom -- sure, this is the place for you. Otherwise, it's a complete joke and a slam dunk case for a child services' investigation.

The quality of the teaching staff and high standards of the center makes this site a gem. The staff…read morecare deeply for my children and are excellent about communicating daily growth. My daughter attended two centers before Warwick and this center is superior to the national chains. This center has a small infant room and only allows four infants in the class! So plan ahead it's been the best experience for my little guy.

For any mamas who have anxiety like I do! This is the PERFECT DAYCARE. Any update you need they…read morerespond within minutes! My kids have been here for 3 days and consistently talk about how much fun they have and how nice the teachers are! My 7 month old has been here and I have had such a relief knowing that they take so well care of him. They also will find anyway to help you and one of the most kind and understanding people I've ever came across! Thank you so much from my heart !

I took my child to Mathnasium this summer to help her prepare for 7th grade Pre-Algebra, and it was…read morethe BEST CHOICE EVER! She actively looks forward to tutoring sessions at Mathnasium, and she has never left a lesson without a smile. Mathnasium of West Chester gave her a new level of confidence in her abilities, and her progress in math has been incredible. The instructors answer the children's questions with patience and an impressive breadth of knowledge, while Jack, the director, leads with a great mix of professionalism and sincerity.

Unpredictable hours. The instructors are inexperienced teenagers. Very unprofessional. No results…read moreseen at all.

My husband and I moved to Philadelphia in the fall of 2017. Our baby had just turned 6 months and…read morebefore the move we were actively looking for a childcare center. We were disappointed that most centers were full and required us to be on a waiting list; however, we were pleasantly surprised that Bright Horizons had a spot available for our little one. We met with Laura, the director who insisted that we also bring in our 6 month old. Laura was very warm and disarming as she explained the curriculum and addressed my concerns from properly heating the breastmilk bottles and feeding schedule to when our daughter would be moved to the step up rooms. We are very much hands on parents when it comes to our little girl so we love to engage with the staff and ask how the day went and what the children learned. The instructors were very accommodating in terms of our expectations for our child. I am delighted that this is not just a daycare where I pay someone to change diapers and feed my child, but that there is a clear learning experience for all ages. We have had a couple of hiccups in relation to payment schedule/tuition fees. However, we were able to maintain clear communication with Laura and she was able to resolve those issues. The parents now have an app for Bright Horizons that include drop off notes and hourly updates on feedings, potty/diaper changes, nap times, and the lesson for the day. My last point in this review is that the classrooms are diverse. I haven't met many parents but the ones I see passing in the halls between dropping off or picking up my children are from many backgrounds. It is encouraging to know that this learning center fosters an environment of diversity at such a young age and we are happy to continue to support this education center.

We have truly loved our time at Philadelphia Cathedral Learning Center. I enrolled my daughter at…read more10 months in the part time infant room, knowing that she's a rather *vocal* and *discerning* (read loud and picky) baby. She was a terrible napper at home and feeding was a challenge for me but within a few weeks, her teachers had her taking long naps and eating all kinds of things! They've definitely given me some tips. lol. I could tell that the staff really cared for the kids. Many mornings even the Pre-K and Kinder teachers would greet her by name! And Laura, the site director, has just been fantastic in being available and well-aware of how my baby is developing. It wasn't uncommon that Laura would see me in he hallway and update me on how well my daughter had napped that day or wanted to tell me about a new skill she was trying. Because my daughter started walking at 9 months, Laura worked with her to transition her to a room of bigger babies before her first birthday. This was really key for her because this exposed her to more activities, outside time (which she totally loves) and foods that the younger babes don't participate in. Unfortunately, we had to leave because it was no longer convenient for my commute but we really enjoyed our experience there.

I had my twins go here and can't thank this place enough. let me start with saying that my kids…read morewould not be who they are today without the nurturing and learning their received at this wonderful school. I still remember the first day I dropped my twins and my son threw up in the first 5 mins after I left while crying. Miss H was so sweet to take care of it all while she knew I was right outside in my car waiting for it to happen and take them back home. They helped the kids from when they were 17 months to when they finally left them. I am so grateful to all the wonderful teachers the school carefully hires and Miss Vicky, who I really admire for her passion to help develop the little ones as a person. This place is a safe second home for all. I can't thank them enough...Thanks Miss V and MCH staff.

This place is run by a dictator on a power trip. My daughter spent 1 month at this disaster. At…read moredrop off on day 1, the school's second in command yelled at my wife for dropping my daughter off 15 minutes earlier than the assigned drop off time. It was the first day so we weren't aware that the school's open hours are not the same as the assigned hours for your child. It was a precursor for what was to come. In the 1 month my daughter attended here, she was sent home 4 separate times for having a runny nose, even though she was not sick. Each time she was not allowed back without a doctor's note. Each time, the doctor said she was healthy and fine. I had to watch my daughter for 13 days that month--shuttling her to doctors to get a note to satisfy the mad woman running this place. All the while, I'm paying this place (and the doctors) and hoping my work wouldn't fire me. When I brought up the ridiculousness of the policy with an email, the head kicked my daughter out of the school. The idea that the people here care about your child is a farce. Leaving this place was a blessing. If the toxic fumes from the adjacent auto repair shops are not enough for you to avoid this place, I hope my caution here gives some insight to the toxicity inside. If you do join here, make sure you don't question the supreme overlord. Or maybe you should so you can get out of your contract and go to a better place.

This is my toddler's first pre school and he just loves it. We are very happy to see the…read moredevelopment and progress he is making each day, all thanks to his amazing teachers at the school. CACC is a great choice for any one looking for a well grounded growth in your child.

i used to go here and the staff was so sweet and welcoming. Glad to see nothings changed!!read more

I really think very highly of this daycare. I have my own kids here and friends' kids go here too…read more I have been sending my kids here since they were babies. The school offers a structured day for my children which helps tremendously with little ones learning about their world. My kids have friends, love their teachers, and honestly learn a lot. I really like all of the teachers we've met, they all seem to genuinely like being around little kids all day. I've always felt like my children were in very good hands when I leave for the day. It's a very happy place.