My son attended HCA2 (on 12th and Washington) from four months until just about his third birthday. I cannot speak highly enough about this daycare. From the infant room up to the toddler room, my son thrived in every way. The staff is incredibly competent, devoted, and loving. The management team is very hands on with the staff and the children. They set an incredibly calm, vibrant, and accessible tone and I trusted them implicitly with my son. They have web cams in every room so that you can check in any time of day to see what your child is doing. If you ever have a problem or want to check in, they welcome open communication with the director. There is a wonderful curriculum that strikes just the right balance between freedom and structure and they are very helpful when it comes to discipline and even guided us through potty training. They use positive reinforcement and it works really well with the children. There is a strong educational component - my son learned way more than I ever expected him to at his age. They do plenty of wonderful art projects and do lot of dancing and free play as well. There is a nice ratio of teacher to children and you never feel like your child is not being looked after. We always had full reports at the end of each day and the teachers were always clued into the details (what he ate, how he napped). All very useful information when you are picking up your child after a long day. They have a morning and an afternoon cook on staff who makes 3 really healthy meals a day plus they provide a snack. The cooks know all of the children and contribute to the intimate and family type atmosphere. I am always surprised to see that there are not any mentions of this school on yelp, but I know that all of the parents that I know who send their children here are very happy with their choice. We were so sad to graduate our son from this school, but it was time. In fact, we are having a difficult time finding a "school" that has the same level of care. If you are looking for a safe and nurturing environment for your child- I would definitely make an appointment and check them out. read more

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Hoboken Children's Academy uptown location! From the moment we enrolled our son at nine months, we were continually impressed by the warm and nurturing environment that the staff created. The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, deeply passionate about early childhood education, and go above and beyond to ensure each child feels valued and supported. Our son has blossomed in this enriching setting, gaining confidence and developing a love for learning that we are thrilled to see. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed, incorporating a perfect balance of academics, creative play, and social development. The facilities are top-notch--always clean, safe, and filled with a variety of engaging and educational activities. We were particularly impressed by how easily our son was able to grasp basic Spanish concepts introduced by the school. Communication with the staff was excellent--they kept us well-informed about our son's progress, sickness, and any upcoming events. We particularly appreciate the special programs and events that involve families, fostering a strong sense of community. The organic hot meals made on-site, which our son loved, was a wonderful bonus. HCA also offers eight types of assessments to track progression in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development: Bi-Annual Assessment, 4-month, 8-month, 12-month, 18-month, 24-month, and 3-year checklists. These assessments have been invaluable in understanding our son's development. Hoboken Children's Academy is truly a gem in uptown Hoboken. We highly recommend it to any parent looking for a nurturing, stimulating, and supportive environment for their child's early education. Thank you for providing such an outstanding experience for our family! read more

First and foremost, let me just say that I am one of 'those' moms. I am a complete nut job, type A, control freak - who researched and went to 7 different daycares in Hoboken before choosing HCA (12th and Washington). And I cannot speak highly enough about the place. My daughter started there when she was 6 months, is now 2 - and I dread the day I have to take her out! Let me start with the teachers. They are loving, creative, informative, attentive, respectful and committed. Between observing them via the webcams (on a daily basis) or speaking with them when picking my daughter up at the end of the day - it has been consistently apparent that we made the right choice. The curriculum. It's always new and fresh. My daughter continues to surprise me with things I had no idea she was capable of learning. The environment. The staff goes above and beyond when it comes to enlivening the classrooms with their own creations or things the kids have made. They're also constantly adding new toys, gear, learning spaces and activity centers to help the children thrive and grow. The food / kitchen staff. Informed, moms themselves!, caring, knowledgable - and loving. When not preparing and serving food to the little ones, you can often find them helping out in the classrooms - or simply giving out hugs. They get my daughter to eat things that I can't even get her to eat! And finally, the management. Accessible, professional, buttoned up, informative - but most of all - hands on and very involved. My daughter loves the director just as much as her teachers. A true relief for a control freak! It's safe to say that I would recommend this place to anyone / everyone. I truly feel lucky that we found HCA! read more

My three-year-old son just started preschool and I have been amazed by how easily he has adjusted to his new school. I know it is because of the wonderful experience he had at day care last year at HCA and am feeling very grateful to his loving teachers there who helped him transition from being at home with me into a "school" setting. The year he spent at HCA was the perfect way for him to prepare for school. When he first started at HCA he had a very hard time with separation. The teachers and staff were amazing at helping both he and I through that difficult period. And I am so glad we stuck it out because I literally saw my son transform into an independent and confident little boy. By the end of the year he was barely kissing me good-bye, he was always SO happy to see Miss Sheila and Miss Lucia in the morning. Everyone who works at HCA, from the director to the staff to the teachers, seem to genuinely adore children and make them feel so safe and comfortable. They are super attentive to each child and know their particular needs and strengths so well. My son came home with so much new language and observations about his world - they know how to engage their curiosity and build a really strong foundation for learning for when they move on to preschool. I also loved how much variety they have in the schedule with music and books and art projects and "gym" class and play time in the park. I never worried about him getting bored! Finally, a huge bonus is that they cook the kids super healthy meals. Now that I have to pack his lunch for school every day I realize what a luxury it was to not have to plan those meals for him. I really couldn't recommend HCA more highly! read more

My daughter attended the Hoboken Children's Academy for one year from September 2014 through August 2015. Our experience during her time at the Hoboken Children's Academy was nothing short of wonderful. When our daughter started, drop offs were always challenging. She would cry from first time separation but the teachers made her feel wanted and took the additional nurturing she needed as as she was getting used to her new family. We could easily see her growth in just a few months, her teachers read to her, she was being taught Yoga and all the while allowing her to be herself, evolving into the socially capable 3 year old she is today and ready for pre-school. The food program was was very important to us, as all the food is cooked in house. We loved that the milk served was organic and also the great diversity in the food served on a daily basis from lentils to basmati rice. I am grateful to the Hoboken Children's Academy for her great eating habits, like waiting for her friends to get their food before starting to eat, amazing that 2+ year olds can learn that from such a young age. One of the biggest differences between the the other centers was picking her up daily at 7pm was such a breeze because she was already fed dinner so winding down at home was that much easier. It's these simple yet essential details that separate the Hoboken Children's Academy from just any other daycare. I am writing this review to recognize and acknowledge the staff and management for their hard work in my daughter's development. To all those mom and dads who are contemplating child care, we urge you to check out the Hoboken Children's Academy as it is a truly special place. read more

We had a wonderful 12 month experience with HCA both downtown and uptown with our daughter. She began downtown at 10 weeks old and was there for 2 months until we transitioned uptown for a more convenient commute. We felt incredible love and care from all teachers watching over our first born and while still hard to send her at first we knew she was in good hands and came home happy and healthy. As she grew the teachers uptown were excellent teachers and helped her quickly learn sign-language and as she began to speak she was also learning some Spanish words. They worked on her walking and mobility daily and were so proud when she began to take steps with them. Once she was old enough for the food they prepare we found that to be a wonderful perk of the program. Exposing her to fresh and diverse foods was something we greatly appreciated. We found management to be responsive and supportive. With both of us working in the city sometimes the commuting issues meant we were there after hours and they were always there waiting patiently. They worked hard to keep parents involved and had fun little programs throughout the year for both kids and parents. They were always happy to have you visit and spend extra time watching the class as well. Had we not moved out of Hoboken we would certainly still be clients of HCA and our daughter would still be thriving under their care. It was a wonderful experience and we would recommend them to anyone. read more

I don't even know where to begin...My daughter started at HCA when she was 11 months old. I researched several other daycares and although I felt confident about HCA it was still so difficult to put my child in the care of others. Once she began I instantly felt relieved. After the first hour of being there, the director sent me a picture of my daughter in circle time smiling and participating. I knew I chose the right place. The teachers are loving, nurturing, patient, and they make sure to carry over whatever routines etc that you are doing in your home. They also provide great structure and truly provide a fantastic learning environment. The kids go apple picking, pumpkin picking, have yoga class, paint, engage in circle time, sing songs, among so many other wonderful things. It's not just a daycare, it's a school. They even do developmental assessments every 6 months. It's truly awesome. The webcams are also very nice. If my daughter was having trouble separating at drop off, I could go home and look at the web cam and see her sitting happily on a teachers lap or already engaged in an activity. Finally, the fact that all meals and snack are provided makes it so easy on parents. We would stay here forever if we could:) read more

Our 2 1/2 year old son has been attending HCA since he was 4 months old. Leaving our infant in the care of the teachers and staff at HCA was not an easy decision to make, but it turns out it was one of the best decisions we ever made. Our son is extremely happy, well-fed, and loved. He has a huge vocabulary, great manners, and is a pretty good sharer (for a toddler!). We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the teachers, who tirelessly and patiently care for him with firm discipline and HUGE amount of love. Every time I walk in there, I always marvel at how incredibly well-behaved and happy the children are. They actually teach them to wait to eat until all their friends are served. It's just a great example of how they instill a good sense of citizenship in the kids. It's not all structure and classroom time -- they have a ton of fun, with their frequent dance parties, yoga classes, and park outings. Management has made a big effort to improve processes, safety and communications over the past few months. My only criticism would be that the teachers should be paid more, but I believe that for ALL teachers everywhere! In any case, I'd recommend HCA to anyone. read more

Our daughter went to HCA starting when she was three months old and we had nothing but a great experience. The teachers were amazing, loving and supportive of my daughter growth. They loved and cared for her like they would their own children. The school is small and very clean so my daughter didn't get sick very often and we met some amazing families. Communication on all levels was great and they engage the children in all types of activities. Show and tell became my daughters favorite thing. They helped make potty training a breeze. The food that is provided was a huge benefit for me because my daughter was picky and I made all of her food when she was a baby so the provided food was a life changer. The preschool room was a great prep room to get my daughter ready for the public program. My daughter recently graduated because she was three and could go to the public program. It was a sad day for us all to leave HCA the team of teachers became part of our family. read more

Warm and stimulating. This is how I would describe HCA on 14th St. We relocated from another state 1.5 year ago and found a new family in HCA, From the morning drop-off (and the delicious smell of home-made breakfast) to the pick-up at night, I know that my children are extremely well taken care of and doing activities that we don't always have time to do during the weekends. 2 of my kids' favorites are the weekly yoga classes and the visit of a real fireman! The curriculum is impressive. On top of that, my kids are also having fun! The teachers are amazing. Full of energy, smart and loving. They care about our children; they also care about our families. We love them. And for us, working parents who need convenience, HCA has great hours and provides all the meals! I strongly recommend HCA. read more

My child has been at HCA from 4mo to almost 3yo, and it's definitely been the best parenting choice we've made so far. The staff is warm, caring, & attentive, and has exceeded our expectations at every stage. They are diligent about my kid's food allergies, and we are so grateful for the everyday peace of mind that has given us. There is a community feel among the parents & kids. I think they really nurture a love of learning and engaging positively with others (he's learned a ton at HCA - baby sign language, letters/numbers/counting, Spanish words, manners!, songs, yoga poses, etc.). Other pluses - they provide organic meals, are closed sparingly for holidays & snow days, and have webcams parents can access anytime. read more

Our second child is about to "graduate" from Hoboken Children's Academy in the fall, and our oldest child was there until she aged out as well. We have had an excellent experience at HCA. The teachers and other staff are loving people who clearly enjoy caring for children. Our children were always happy to go, and they learned a lot while there. HCA always seems to go the extra mile, from potty training to activities with the parents on special occasions. If we were having another child, choosing HCA would be a no brainer. We couldn't be more happy with our experience, and although we are excited to see our youngest take the next step, we are sad to be leaving HCA. read more

My daughter attended Hoboken Children's Academy from the age of 15 weeks through 9 months. I was nervous as a first-time parent leaving my child at daycare, but the environment at HCA is very warm and caring. The teachers and staff are extremely attentive and affectionate. The lessons were well thought out and I loved getting "artwork" my baby had created. The classrooms have webcams, so you can log-in and see your childy during the day. This made me so happy when the new-mom gulit set in. When we moved out of state, I was very sad to leave HCA. We remain in contact with several staff members and will always be grateful for such a wonderful daycare experience. read more

We had a wonderful experience with HCA - it is truly a special place in Hoboken. Our daughter thrived at the center where she grew from a shy infant to strong and silly toddler. The management team really understands and accommodates the needs of families with two working parents. The services they provide from meals to enrichment programs (pre-pandemic) were the best in the city. During the pandemic, the owners were transparent and informative on what was happening and why. The teachers in the Step Up and Toddler classrooms were wonderful - they truly cared for our daughter and her development. I would recommend HCA Uptown to anyone looking for childcare. read more

I want to give huge 'THANK YOU' to the staff of HCA! It was a difficult transition for me to go back to work after my son turned 7 months, but the staff at Hoboken Children's Academy made me feel so comfortable. Not only was their infant room staff able to read my child's cues from day one, they treated my son as their own family and always created a warm, loving environment for him. I recommend this childcare center to any Mom or Dad looking for a trustworthy, loving environment for their child. Bonus: They also provide nutritious, homemade meals and snacks for toddlers which makes life so much easier... read more

Our daughter attended HCA from 4 months old to 3 years old. HCA is truly a unique daycare. There is a reason why they call themselves an "academy". HCA has extremely focus on developing children in a very holistic way - their nutrition (they serve organic, variety rich meals), their curriculum (my daughter know the alphabet, numbers, colors, shape and a ton of songs starting at around 1.5-2 years old), and their love...yes love. There is no way to explain this until you experience it yourself. If you want to have a community around your kid caring about her as much as you do then go for HCA. read more

My children have attend HCA for over 3 years and we love it. The staff and management are professional, friendly and accommodating. The teachers go out of there way to make my kids feel unique and special. Also, they have a web cam!!! This is a major plus. Not many daycares provide the ability to watch your kids during the day. It's been fantastic. They also provide all meals- breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. For working parents, it's a huge help. I can't rate them highly enough. read more

Couldn't have had a better experience. Like most parents, we were worried about leaving our child in daycare for the first time. Once we left our daughter there the first day, they treated her as if they were their own child. They are caring, thoughtful, stimulating and just great people. Our daughter made the leap to pre-k about a year ago and still asks to go there! I highly recommend HCA if have children in Hoboken. You will not regret it! read more