My son attended IJAK for a year and I wanted to share our personal experience with the daycare. Pros: Holiday events, monthly newsletter with instructional focus, flexible hours Cons: - There are no cameras - They do not send updates on how your child is doing throughout the day (not even end of day paper updates or report cards) - Teachers are encouraged not to share how your child's day "really" went - There isn't any kind of security at the drop off gate when dropping children off or picking them up which is very scary/concerning. Just the owner's husband walking around - Sometimes we'd pick our son up and he'd be in a different classroom with teachers we've never seen and older kids in there as well - We would often pick him up and his clothes were filthy - We used to receive artwork and evidence of learning, but it all suddenly stopped Last, a big piece of advice would be to make sure any communication to/from the owner/manager is in writing. read more

I love that this is really a school for very young kids not just a daycare. They're caring and do a good job supporting kids to grow through play. Kids also get to go outside, which is so important. read more

It's been about a month since we left IJAK, and I know how valuable reviews are to me as a parent when researching daycare and school options. After 14 months there (from 5 months to 18 months old), I'd like to share my perspective on IJAK based on my experience and observations. Our experience with this early child development school was disappointing overall. There was a significant lack of consistency and minimal communication from the owner and director. While the teachers were dedicated, they lacked the autonomy and support to effectively manage their classrooms. The high turnover rate among teachers was noticeable and concerning. We were not allowed to speak directly to the teachers regarding issues, being told to go through the director and owner only--a definite red flag. Most teachers seemed to be undergoing certification, which, combined with limited resources, impacted their ability to support the children effectively. Teachers often moved between classrooms based on perceived energy levels rather than skill set, which was unsettling. Additionally, the food program fell short; I often saw minimal portions provided, and my child would come home super hungry. (Please note you will be asked to provide additional $40 to $50 of food contribution a month, separate from your tuition rate). Despite being marketed as a private school, the facility functioned more like a basic daycare. The cost did not align with the level of care or services provided. After moving to a new school, I can confidently say there are much better options available. If you're seeking a genuine early education experience, this may not be the right choice, though it could suffice as a regular basic daycare. Two Star rating 1. For the 14months of Service, and 1. For the teachers. read more

I highly recommend for infants. I started my 3 month old here and after a few weeks he started smiling when he saw his teacher Ms Rachel. They offer competitive pricing and the lowest infant to teacher ratio I could find. They are also super flexible and amazing to work with which is a God send when mom and dad are working full time and sometimes forgetful. Ms Rachel is attentive to his health, behavior, milestones and demeanor. She gives me updates everyday and update throughout the day with bottle feedings, diaper changes(and any abnormalities) and photos of my baby. My husband and I are super grateful for taking care of my baby boy as if he were family. They also offer potty training before 2 and teach sign language! I feel so lucky I found this place and hope to keep him there until he starts preK. read more

My child has been at IJAK since she was 3 months old, she is now 18 months old and we have had a very positive experience. What initially appealed to us was the tour with the owner Ms. Vicki who seemed very engaged; she highlighted that they are curriculum focused, and encourage family involvement. I have really enjoyed the staff, they have been caring and supportive. Another review mentioned staff turnover and staff turnover is an issue with early childhood education across the board. As a society there is not as much as an emphasis as there should be on supporting early childhood education and education period, which creates its own set of challenges beyond one institution. The staff that IJAK has had and continues to have are all quality employees. I speak with the teachers and support staff daily to receive updates and feedback about my child's progress and I also share insights and information with them to ensure we are all on the same page. The environment is caring and nurturing. Ms. Vicki and Mr. Ernest have made many improvements to the facilities even in the short time we have been there and they are always thinking of new ways to enhance the environment. The director Ms. Ana was very good at re-assuring me and keeping me updated in the beginning, because like most new moms I had trepidation about leaving my child in the arms of strangers. They sent me pictures and updates and openly shared about the highs and the lows my child went through in adjusting. I feel very comfortable with my child being at this school and I also feel confident in the educational value of the program as I can see a direct impact on my child's development. IJAK can provide babies and toddlers a solid foundation in a caring and supportive environment with staff that are engaged and committed to your child's success read more

My kids went to I'm just a kid until they both started kindergarten. They provided a safe play environment for learning and my kids were always excited to go to school. They have amazing holiday celebrations and other fun family events that we all enjoyed. The director has an obvious passion for education and staff were always supportive. I recommend I'm just a kid to anyone who's looking for an environment of enrichment for their children. read more

Both of our children, now 11 and 7 went to I'm Just A Kid as infants through pre-k. I believe the early childhood education provided helped to set them both up for success! The staff were well trained and educated to Teach our kiddos skills that helped them to thrive! They offer fun and educational summer camps too!! If you're looking for more than just a daycare, I'm just a kid is a perfect place!! read more

I'm just a kid is not a daycare it's a school and with that being said this facility has helped my daughter with expressing her emotions, potty training and being able to verbally communicate. I love the curriculum and how it's very in depth informative. She started when she was 17m old and she is now turning 3 next month and everyone says how smart she is. I love this school and the teachers especially Ms. Leah she does a great job engaging with the children and teaching the curriculum. read more

My son goes to IJAK and we love it! The staff is so friendly and nice and we love that we get an information sheet at the end of every day detailing exactly what our little guy has been up to. You know how many diapers have been changed and how many ounces of milk your child has had - it's wonderful! The child development system they have set up is superior and makes IJAK a true school and not just a daycare. It's family owned and they're the most caring people. There is a family atmosphere about the whole place and you really feel it when you drop your kids off. I 100% recommend IJAK to anyone looking for the highest quality care for their kids. read more

I love bringing my daughter to this school. She is obviously happy and learning a ton. The care and love the teachers here show all the kids is obvious, and they take great care to keep everyone safe. The cost is good as well. I shopped around before selecting this location when it was a different company. I was happy with the previous owners, but I am even more happy with I'm Just a Kid! My daughter is in the Spanish immersion class, and I love it! Again, my daughter is learning a ton and is very well taken care of by the teachers here. As a teacher myself, I love that they are trained teachers and participate in professional development themselves read more

If I could give a 0 star I would. My daughter was here only 3days, Over a year ago. I didn't leave a review but felt as time went on, my experience was no longer relevant. When I was schedule for a tour I like it, it felt like home. Yes i was sold. I thought my daughter would be in a good hand. But it turn out opposite, they took her milk to feed other kids, we lose her bottle and some of her clothes. And the worst part is she got a yeast infections on her lady part on the third day. I took my daughter to ER, that how I found out. And the next day I went there to talk to the owner about what happened to my daughter and her absence, she not saying sorry, infect she said: that maybe the other kid has it, and when they change her diaper she got contagious. Seriously, it that How you explain to me? I made the decision right away after I heard that: I will withdraw my daughter. To all mother if you love your LO don't send your kid there. read more

Our child has been enrolled at IJAK for almost a year now, and we do not have any major concerns with the center. When I drop my child off she is happy, and when I pick her up she is happy. She is learning, and she is being cared for really well. If I ever feel concerned about her safety or lack there of I would pull her out in a second. IJAK cares about their parents, and will sit down with you if you have any concerns or questions! They are willing to work with everyone, and truly seem to care about the children. read more

If I could give less stars I would! Please beware and do not send your infants here!! We had our son at IJAK for only two months before he was removed. The owners, Vickie Aguirre and whoever else is in her family preach a good story but they lack business sense. Parents are your customers and your customers do not need to know all the staffing problems etc that you have. You pay A LOT for a service and hope you get your money's worth. Within 3 days of being enrolled, the staff let someone walk in and take my child who they had never seen before and never asked a question. Luckily, this person was on my contact list, but no one ever wondered who is this stranger leaving with this child! His bottles were lost or "misplaced" twice, his cribsheet was given to someone else, his diapers were used on someone else's child and put diapers on my child that were 2 sizes too big. The "Daycare" had to replace them. The final straw occured on Wednesday October 9th when the infant room staff FAILED to feed my child. Just didn't feed him. When I picked him up that afternoon and discovered the issue, Michelle Martinez would not answer me when I asked her why she didn't feed my son. This is not a mistake or error, this is downright Child Neglect. You entrust and PAY someone to care for your child and this is the service you get? Director/Owner Vickie Aguirre gave us her traditional excuses and put it on us stating it was our error, not theirs, that our child was not fed. We feared for our son's safety and well being after and have placed him somewhere safer. Please reconsider your options before choosing IJAK. Pitiful place run by people who have no business knowledge read more

Very happy with this find for my active and engaged 3 1/2 year old son. We moved into Alamo Heights to find that all the Pre-Schools waiting lists were backed up. I'm Just a Kid appealed to us immediately. The mission and passion of the leadership -as expressed in conversation with both the instructors and parents- was a standout feature. The curriculim and facility is outstanding. Ms Vicky is accomplished professional her field. She provides training to other programs and is published in media as an expert. The rigor of the program is balanced with the love of her staff. My son has moved around with the military and this is the best we have found ; comparable to the Pasadena California center he was in as a toddler. I hear that this facility was under a different name and owner up until 2008. They have been running the facility for since 2008. It is outstanding. read more

I'm Just a Kid is a home away from home for our 2 1/2 year old son. We actually just returned after a four month period at another facility closer to our home. After increasing frustration with a lack of support in regards to potty training, poor interpersonal skills from the director, and a general lack of friendliness from the owner, we decided to return to I'm Just a Kid, where we have always felt a part of the family! IJAK is truly a family and Vicky, IJAK owner, is always friendly, welcoming, and responsive to parent needs and concerns. Vicki brings extensive experience in the field of education to early childhood and is dedicated to the growth and development of her young students, in collaboration with parent involvement! Don't believe everything you read from disgruntled staff members, check out IJAK for yourself. read more

No wait lists, ownership hounds you until you commit -we should have seen the red flags right away! In my opinion, the biggest issue we faced was the 'communication' from leadership. Communication that was either absent or inconsistent. Another issue of concern was the consistent high turnover rate in a short amount of time with teachers. Our 2-year-old son had a minimum of 4 different teachers in a 5-month span. This is not including the multitude of teachers that arrived and left just as fast during the 2 years we were there. There were many poor reviews a few months ago regarding this topic of teacher turn-over, and now they can't be found. We were asked by ownership to take our post down the first time we expressed our concerns. Since our children at the time still attended the school, we agreed out of caution for our children. We wonder if this is true with the other posts? But as time has passed, we felt it was important to re-post. Lack of consistency in the classroom due to high turnover rates and wide age span led to a noticeable change in my children's behavior. In my opinion, my children's learning environment was disrupted. When you have 20-month-old children mixed with 3 and 4-year-olds in the same class, its no wonder teachers and children suffer for poor decision making by leadership. Unsafe location- At least 3 mom's, including myself, had our purse stolen from our car when dropping kids off. There are no security cameras at this site, not sure if they have since installed after we left 3 months ago. On a positive note, the curriculum was of value and there were a couple great teachers, but they are gone now. read more

If you're planning on working for this Daycare Center, I will advice you to first find out about their qualifications first because, the day before going on a weekend, I had worked​ for them two days out of the week and after finishing they told me that they were going to send me the rest of the requirements during the weekend. Well, I went to take all the requirements for it and I was set to start on Monday. I went into work, worked for a few hours but before finishing the day, they call me in to tell me that they were not needing me. read more

Having to leave your precious child with someone else is very difficult. You always worry if they are going to take care of them or love them just as much as you do. We had visited a lot of daycares before we found I'm Just a Kid. When I drop my baby off, I don't worry, and I don't feel guilty for not being a stay at home mom. My daughter is loved and well cared for. She is reaching milestones earlier than my friends children and did I mention she is the happiest baby ever! She is already sitting up on her own and she can feed herself! I am so happy with I'm Just a Kid. I wouldn't have my daughter there if I thought otherwise. Ms. Vicki and her staff are so wonderful and really do care about your child. So if you are looking for a place that treats your child more than a dollar sign, I highly recommend coming to I'm Just a Kid. read more

Awesome teachers and a great place. My daughter loves it so much. The curriculum they follow in school is a plus.. the owners especially are very nice and kind and they teach kids a lot of stuffs.. everyday when my kid comes home she says -- mommy I had fun at school.. I highly recommend this school I probably say this is the best school for my daughter ... read more

Our 1 year old daughter has been at I'm Just A Kid for over 6 months, and we love it. Vicky is an amazing educator, and we're thrilled to know she and her family care deeply about educating our little one instead of just watching her during the day. The teachers are all very attentive and care about each of the children in their class. We also love that our daughter is learning Spanish and American Sign Language. I think she is definitely learning more and faster than she would learn at home with just me. We're expecting our next child in a few months, and we will definitely sign him up by the time he turns one. read more

I would recommend you find a better place for your child or children. I just read the other 2 reviews and they are far different than our experience. Yes when you first come in you feel like part of the family and believe that it is truly an Early Childhood Development Center. That's what I thought. I got sold. Their intentions might be in the right place but what they preach and what they practice are two different things. Example, I received an email from them stating the sippy cup we brought for my son to use during the week (you are to bring a clean one or two every week and they say they care and keep it clean) was not clean and had mold in the top. I'd have to double check but I believe it was on a Wednesday morning. I called immediately and said I'm not sure what happened we always make sure everything is clean please have him use a plastic cup for the day and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again (he was 2 1/2). I picked him up that day as soon as I could get off work. I walk into where he was and he had a sippy cup in his hands and it was not his. It did not have his name on it and I had never seen it before. It had mold in the top and straw area. What was in his cubby? A clean sippy cup with his name on it. Why was he still drinking out of a cup with mold in it when I got their? I should have never taken him back. read more

I had a hard time thinking that I would need to take my daughter somewhere during the day when I went back to work. I am so glad we discovered I'm Just A Kid. We couldn't have picked a better place for our infant-now-toddler to be at during the day. The staff has become like an extended family for us because of the way they care for our daughter. She is thriving! She is always clean, always excited to see her teachers and friends, and she has learned so many new things. The staff is also great at connecting with me if they have any concerns, or any ideas for how we can help her graduate to a new skill. My mother-in-law even visits a couple of times a week and has seen first-hand their care throughout different times of the day and week. It is consistently exceptional! read more