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!

My son attended MCMS since he was 15 months old, and this child-led, respectful method of education…read moreis one of the best gifts we could have ever given him. The staff is highly-educated, and each child is looked upon with the utmost care and understanding of what makes them individuals. My son struggles minimally with special needs, and the faculty and support staff have always been there to help us along the way. If you are interested in progressive education, and a small, close-knit school community, this is the place for you.

I would strongly not recommend this school if you are considering enrolling your child in the…read morechildren's house. We were surprised to discover that the staff are not well trained to foster healthy social emotional development for children in this age group.

I'd give zero. But, working here was a NIGHTMARE. The owners were oblivious to anything going on…read moreoutside their little group. They treated staff like crap, especially if you weren't a "favorite" which they did have. I told the owner (mark) one day that his daughter was having some listening ear issues one day and instead on saying they'll work on it, he goes "well. She's two so...." Like cool glad you are raising your kids to be brats. I couldn't last a month before wanting to leave. Thank god I did. I'll never look back or recommend this place to anyone. Long story short. If you wanna be under appreciated, and work under idiots. This is the job for you.

From the owner: Primrose School of Middleton offers child care and preschool programs for children 6 weeks to 5…read moreyears old in Middleton. Primrose provides a safe and nurturing environment where children thrive.

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.

We had two of our children at Middleton Poor Bear since infancy all the way through graduation. It…read moreis very affordable (compared to other daycares/preschools in the area), yet very high quality! We explored all other centers on the west side of Madison and Pooh Bear is an absolute winner! The best part about it is teachers. We haven't had a single teacher who wasn't just outstanding! We always felt comfortable leaving our babies in there. They were very well cared for. All teacher are incredibly kind, patient, loving and devoted. They really do put an extra effort into everything they do. We've got so many treasured presents made by kids, but designed by teachers. They organize super fun holiday events. Their graduation ceremony was quite impressive as for a preschool. They are also super flexible. And they have a wonderful cook who makes delicious nutritious meals for the kids. We miss it so. Highly recommend! Educational component is also very good!

From the owner: 'Our Reputation Is Built On Quality Care'…read more Professionally Staffed Preschool - Locally Owned Since 1980 - Ages 6 Weeks to 9 Years - Consistent Loving Staff - Nutritious Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks - Summer Program/Fun Field Trips - Pre Kindergarten Available - Educational Curriculum - State Licensed Hours: 6:30am-6:00pm Mon-Fri Serving Madison, Fitchburg, Verona, Oregon, Evansville, Waunakee, Sun Prarie WI

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.

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.

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).