Our family has been part of Hickory Hill Academy (HHA) since its founding in 2020, and we've…read morewatched the school grow and evolve. Starting a new school during COVID was no small feat, and while there have been occasional missteps--what school doesn't have them?--HHA's commitment to improvement stands out. Challenges are met with reflection and growth, ensuring lasting progress. The administration, faculty, and staff are deeply dedicated to HHA's mission. This isn't just a school for academics; it's a place that fosters character and community. My kids love attending, and the sense of belonging is incredible. From hugs shared during Community Circle to my daughter having besties in every grade in the school, it's clear HHA is building a kind, inclusive community. If you're looking for a school where your child can thrive academically and personally, HHA is an amazing choice.

We did the summer on the farm camp and it was extremely disappointing. My daughter was indoors most…read moreof the day doing school work and only did a couple of the activities that were advertised on the website. We thought she would be outside most of the day, but they only do one small activity session in the morning and a second one in the afternoon. Each week is the same activity. My daughter did not have the opportunity to do any of the activities she was excited about (and that we paid for).

This is a beautiful childcare facility and preschool that has open gym on the weekends. In my…read moreopinion, this is the best indoor activity for toddlers and young children in the Madison area. This facility is beautifully designed. They have a large open room with a beautiful indoor playground perfect for toddlers. There are several other play areas within this large open space including an art table, puzzle area, mega blocks/duplo areas, a little grocery stand with play food and play kitchen, etc. There is a big sandbox for kids to play in. There are also lots of riding toys. There is another room with tons of toys. Another large room has fake grass and tons of fun active toys like tunnels, balance stones, balls, hula hoops, a giant size ConnectFour game, etc. The staff was diligently cleaning up as kids made messes and keeping toys organized. Highly recommend their open gym for parents of toddlers.

Regardless of whether you chose The Well for child care or not, it's a fantastic location for play…read moreon the weekends during open gym (8am-3pm). My daughter loves it there so much that I decided to book her 2 y/o Birthday party there.

Beautiful school! Kids are so happy to go to school, they love learning. There is so much outside…read moretime, and they fit in Spanish and German from 1st grade on. The kids play music and sing all the time, they have huge smiles and seem so healthy. We love Waldorf.

As an active volunteer and parent at MWS, I was deeply invested in the school's success. However,…read moreafter witnessing faculty, staff, and board members dismiss and downplay credible concerns about child safety, ignore warnings from outside experts, and treat concerned families with open hostility, my partner and I felt compelled to disenroll our child for their safety. In our child's first year in MWS's mixed-aged kindergarten class, its pedagogy suited them well, and they thrived. We were deeply thankful for that experience. However with their second year came strict enforcement of a forced nap policy that caused noticeable emotional and behavioral struggles for them as well as multiple children who had outgrown naps. We eventually learned that this policy required all children to lie still and quiet in a dark room for up to 90 minutes a day, without alternatives for quiet play or reading in a lit space for those who could not sleep, while the teacher often left the room for the rest of the day. This had not been fully disclosed to parents previously. Seeking clarity, we consulted outside experts including a licensed child psychologist, who advised MWS that the enforced nap practice was developmentally inappropriate and potentially harmful, especially as most 5- and 6-year-olds will have outgrown naps by that age. We contacted other Waldorf schools which reacted with surprise and concern when told of MWS's nap policy. We also learned that, by contrast, WI state law requires licensed childcare centers (which MWS is not) to allow children who don't fall asleep within 30 minutes to move "off their sleeping surface and given a choice of activities in a reasonably lighted area". Despite bringing this information to the school in a good-faith and collaborative manner, our attempts to discuss this topic further were met with defensiveness and dismissal. Alarmed by the effects of subjecting children who have outgrown naps to this treatment, we voiced our worries to the school administrator and board. We were met with further dismissal and disparagement. After additional parents raised their own concerns, the board did eventually agree to an outside review -- but rejected calls to work with a licensed child psychologist in favor of hiring an "anthroposophical psychologist" instead. The school ultimately contracted a formal Waldorf teacher who lacked any training or licensure as a psychologist. During my meeting with this individual, whose role was to ostensibly serve as a neutral party and childhood development expert, they stated that while practitioners of "mainstream psychology" might be concerned with the appropriateness and safety of the current MWS naptime policy, Waldorf educators "know what's best" for their children, and that that should be sufficient to put any concerns to rest. Increasingly out-of-touch and aggressive communications from the school community followed. One individual, vying for the school's open admissions director role, urged the board and administration to expel us and another family for questioning the practices of a Waldorf teacher. Their memo also pressed for what was then an ongoing investigation into child safety concerns be quashed immediately. That individual was subsequently hired. My partner and I ultimately withdrew our child from MWS to ensure their safety and well-being, and in protest of how this and other issues across the school were handled. Subsequently connecting with other families who left MWS revealed a disturbing pattern of dismissal, denial, bullying and gaslighting -- including but not limited to concerns over naptime policy -- as well. I urge current and prospective families to be vigilant and to critically assess what type of environment they want for their child and family. Finally, it saddens me to anticipate that MWS might respond to this and other critical reviews with misinformation and personal disparagements. I encourage readers to weigh any such responses thoughtfully as they draw their own conclusions about which school is right for their family.

Three kids, three different preschools--including UW-Madison's Waisman Center's vaunted WECP--and…read morewhile each program has its strengths and weaknesses, in our humble opinion PSA takes the prize in the Madison area. From Director Penny, to the teachers in the various rooms, and the administrative staff, every single soul at PSA is a gem! Our son lives it, of course, and gets tremendous, thoughtful, experienced instruction in art, music, reading, math, and so on. So much so that we decided to keep him in the kindergarten program here, even though we could have saved some money by sending him to free public school. In short, I'd give PSA 10/10 stars, WECP 9/10, and another a much lower score. Worth every penny!

I've sent all three of my children to Preschool of the Arts, over the past decade, and my youngest…read moreis currently enrolled. PSA has been an absolutely wonderful experience for our family. The teachers are highly qualified, incredibly dedicated, and many of them have been with the school for years. That sense of stability and experience really shows in the way they care for and teach the children. Class sizes are small, which means each child gets a lot of individualized attention. The curriculum is creative, play-based, and truly lives up to the "arts" in the name -- my kids have thrived not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. They come home excited to share what they've learned and created each day. What I appreciate most is the nurturing community the school fosters. Families, teachers, and staff all feel connected, and it's clear that children's growth and well-being are at the heart of everything they do. My oldest still connects with her preschool friends. If you are looking for a preschool where your child will be challenged, supported, and celebrated, I can't recommend PSA highly enough.

There are so many quality childcare centers in the Madison area. This one is outdated, staff are…read morerude, and the building is run down.

So many better places to choose from. Staff are rude, systems out outdated, and run down.read more

We absolutely love King's Kids Academy! The staff are caring, attentive, and truly invested in the…read morekids' growth and happiness. It feels great knowing our little one is in such a safe, loving environment every day. Highly recommend!

From the owner: A Bright Future Starts at King's Kids Academy…read more Looking for a nurturing and enriching environment for your little one? King's Kids Academy in Madison, Wisconsin, is your answer. We offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere where children can thrive and develop a love of learning. Our Programs: Infant Care: We provide personalized care for infants, ensuring their safety, comfort, and stimulation. Toddler Care: Our toddler program focuses on social-emotional development, physical skills, and language development. Preschool: Our preschool program prepares children for kindergarten by introducing them to letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. Afterschool Care: We offer extended care for children up to age 12, providing a safe and fun place to unwind after school. Why Choose King's Kids Academy: Experienced and caring staff: Our teachers are passionate about early childhood education and dedicated to providing the best possible care for your child. Safe and secure environment: We prioritize the safety and security of all our children. Engaging curriculum: Our activities are designed to be fun and educational, fostering a love of learning. Nutritious meals: We provide healthy meals and snacks to ensure your child stays fueled throughout the day. Convenient location: We are located in the heart of Madison, making it easy for parents to drop off and pick up their children. Enroll Today!

Love, love, love this preschool! My daughter is a challenging and spirited 3 1/2 year old who has…read moresome separation issues. This has made it hard for me to find a daycare that she enjoys and that I feel good about. This place is amazing. Sweet and educated teachers, great classrooms filled with many creative ways for kids to learn through playing, two gorgeous playgrounds and a chicken coop! The kids go on lots of field trips, go to the garden and help with the chickens. I'm so glad she loves her new school!

First, let me say we have a lot of experience with daycares, and I must admit that we are picky…read more So, it is saying a lot that we were blown away by this awesome school. My son has lots of energy, and other places have shown zero patience, but Mr. Mark and Miss Lauren were excellent with him from the beginning. Miss Lauren is now in the office with Miss Sheena, who is also awesome, but you could still be lucky enough to get Mr. Mark as your kid's teacher. I will detail below what we loved most about the school. 1. The curriculum was good, and my 4 year old son knows a ton of sight words. There is a detailed report that comes out every day about what the kids are learning, and they even started teaching them chess. I also love that there is structured learning without the classes being so ridged that a large portion of the kids can't sit through lessons. We've experienced places with no patience that have caused me to lose my patience based on the way my son has been treated. Not here.. great education while still understanding the needs of small children. They also have a large gym for the kids to blow off steam in bad weather. 2. The staff and owners go above and beyond to make this place special for kids, and make parents comfortable. My husband even observed one of the owners helping another parent change a flat tire. They had a Santa for the kids at Christmas, hosted Trunk or Treat for Halloween, and provided a free session with a nutritionist to help parents with picky eaters. Never have I felt so confident that we had partners in the process of raising up our son, and I have never known a daycare where I felt more confident that they actually cared about my child. 3. The children are happy. You can see it in all the pictures. You can see it in their attitudes. My son made good friends here, and still asks to see them. There is also a ton of parent involvement. We ended up moving for a job, and I actually cried over pulling my son from this school. When you've had bad experiences, you truly appreciate the really good ones. I am grateful for our time at Goddard Verona and would encourage any parents reading this review to enroll.

The Verona school has only been open 2-3 weeks at this point... However my 2 1/2 year old has never…read morebeen happier at a childcare facility than he is now. It's not a struggle to get him out the door and to school. He knows where he's going and looks forward to it. The teachers are great and the lesson plans are creative, educational and FUN. There's a great variety of things for the kids to do. The facility is brand new and with exceptional amenities and security. The Director and Owners are on-site and very involved. They've even got my son eating his vegetables (since snacks AND lunch are provided). Lots of pros. I have not encountered any cons yet. As of now, we could not be more satisfied with ALL the school has to offer!! I would refer, and have referred other parents to the school.

Our experience as a family has been just wonderful. The level of staff experience here is the…read morehighest I have ever encountered. Many teachers have been with the preschool for more than a decade, and it shows.

Our family has been at ORNS for the last 7 years. The teachers, staff, and director are all caring…read moreand enthusiastic. Their play-based curriculum is ideal for early learners. ORNS has been voted Hulafrog's "Favorite" preschool in Madison. It's a great place to start a love for school.

We just absolutely love the Learning Gardens. My daughter started when she was 8 months old and the…read morenewborn teachers, Ms. JJ and Ms. Breanna were just amazing with her. Their excitement and energy every morning at drop off just made my heart so happy knowing that they were genuinely happy to see her! Now she is in the 1-year-old classroom with Ms. Maddie, and to see the joy on my daughter's face at drop off is just the best! Maddie is so wonderful with Blake and I just love hearing all the stories about her day/accomplishments at pick up! They do a great job of sending updates throughout the day, and our favorite part are the photos they share! And the chef and kitchen menu is awesome! It always smells so delicious at drop off and they give the kids a great, healthy variety of foods. Last thing is, even from the beginning, when I would drop her off, ALL of the teachers would greet Blake by name as we walked down to her classroom. How special is that?? Couldn't be happier that my daughter gets to go to daycare here!

My son went here for two years and completed his 4K through their program. Such an awesome place!…read moreHe absolutely loved his teachers and had such a fulfilling experience. I really loved how many great activities they add into the normal day. Truly a great learning environment!!