OK, in full disclosure, this is my first daycare experience and my first ever kid. And I'll admit,…read moreI'm a neurotic, anal-retentive, worried parent! I was scrambling looking for infant daycare in the Twin Cities. I had looked at several top rated places in the Highland Park area, and unfortunately, the wait lists were SUPER long! I originally thought I had a spot secured at the Jewish Community Center (JCC), and that ended up falling through... so I was urgently scrambling to find a place that met my expectations. Someone had recommended Jardin, so my husband and I toured it immediately. We met with Jardin's Center Director, Hortensia. She was kind, professional, and very patient with all my numerous (read "neurotic!") emails and questions. It was a brand new facility when I toured it (it just opened up in Feb/March of 2017) and was shiny, clean, brightly colored, and new. My husband and I were immediately impressed with Jardin... and we weren't even looking for a language immersion daycare. We ended up enrolling our son there within a few days (we knew their infant spots were going to fill up fast!), and I'm so glad we secured a spot! What I love about Jardin-St. Paul? I love the three daycare providers in the infant room - Isaura, Marisol and Jesica are so kind and gentle with our child, and I feel really good about leaving our kid here. He's always smiling and happy while here, and when I've dropped by several times (to randomly breastfeed him when I have time), he seems very happy! I love how Cheryl (at the front desk) occasionally sends us pictures of our son interacting with the teachers, as it gives me some peace that he's happy there. I also love that I can come and go to breastfeed as needed. What are some other pros? While my kid isn't eating food yet, they serve organic food here (Their menu looks so good, I want to eat there!). And they are super eco-friendly. They use cloth diapers during the day (You bring your kid in their regular diaper - we use disposable - and they change him in and out of cloth diapers throughout the day. They also change him at the end of day so you go home with a disposable diaper). They provide diaper rash cream, as needed. You don't get nickel and dime'd for everything (e.g., diapers, meals, etc.). They have a great fenced in outside playground and an indoor gym. (Plus, Tori Ramen is right across the street so you can grab a quick meal before you pick up your kid!). The cons? It's not in the best area of Selby-Dale/St. Paul. And the hours (7:30AM-5:30PM) are very narrow if you have a job that has earlier or later hours. Occasionally, the door has been locked at 7:30AM, so I've had to call to be let in. That said, the pros outweigh the limited cons, and we've been super happy here. Nothing negative to review at all so far! Overall, I couldn't be happier. Love this place so far. Two thumbs up!!!

The jardín is a very careful childcare center, its employees are very friendly and the office…read morepeople are very kind and respectful people who treat others with care, the teachers are human beings very trained to the needs of children, and the food served to children is prepared with care and cleanliness all food is organic for the well-being of the children

Both our children love this center and are excited to go there every day! The teachers are highly…read moreeducated, caring, supportive and engaged. They are always approachable if we have questions and have always advice for parenting issues, too. We love the diversity among families and seeing our kids develop in a multicultural and multilingual environment. This center has become our second home and feels like family!

Our daughter started to visit this daycare when she was 22 months and enjoyed the toddler room. Now…read moreshe is in the younger preschool room. The staff is great, we love this place so does she. Best place ever.

Mis Amigos here in St Paul is incredible. The curriculum is bar none--with our kids participating…read morein an elaborate Olympic Games one day, to dressing up as explorers braving the rainforests of Central America another day, to singing traditional songs and dancing to music lead by a teacher from his or her own country the next. I truly don't know how the staff does it so quickly and with such effusive happiness. The community also feels very tight-knit as well. Parents have their own Parent Advisory Board that meets at various restaurants and breweries with the kids each month. We've made lasting friendships with other parents as our kids start exploring their own first friendships. With a city park nearby, you'll find yourself at an impromptu park playdate with other parents at pickup--cementing long lasting core memories as your kids keep playing with favorite friends and making new ones. But most of all: It's the teachers. They are all some of the most dedicated teachers I've seen. Absolutely in love with each parent's kid and moving heaven and earth to shape each child into a good person every single day. Pure miracle workers. If there's one note to end on, it's this: Lots of places are great at looking after your kids. But for me, Mis Amigos is a place where I know my aren't just safe, but are being truly loved.

I don't have a review. I honestly cannot make one as it's not my child that goes there but my…read moregrandbaby. She has hearing impairment needs a day care teacher that knows American sign language to communicate with her. I feel that if the daycare does not provide that service, I believe the one she goes to does not provide ASL , my gbaby can feel lost, and confused. She also needs a therapists to teach her to speak as it can be difficult for a toddler to learn three languages?

We love MMS! The teachers and support staff are awesome, the building and classrooms are beautiful,…read moreand their philosophy/approach/curriculum builds our daughter's independence. She loves it and we love it too. And, during this last year of Covid, MMS has been our one constant saving grace.

The staff is amazing, they love the children. It is the administration that is going to be the fall…read moreof MacDonald Montessori. Staff that have been there for years, almost decades, are fleeting fast because of how they are treated by administration. Here they do not care for their staff and push their staff over the limit and turn around and say it is staff's fault for administration falling short. The turn-over rate is concerning to the point your child could have a new teacher every 1-2 weeks. When they are understaffed it is on administration to help in the classroom. When they do they are rough physically and verbally with the children. Snatch things from them, yell and ostracize the ones that "are too difficult." Which is concerning considering administration doesn't spend much time with the children as is. They only care about money and aesthetic and not feeding into the children. Do not send your child here, please.

"You don't know how good you have it until it's gone." - So goes the old addage. Lexington Kids…read moreChildcare has been full time with our son from Infant through age 3. We are spending a summer (six months) in the San Francisco / Bay Area and are amazed how well rounded the entire (infant through preschool) program is. Some BIG WINS compared to a home-based childcare that has good reviews in San Fran: WIN: Great communication from the staff. As our child grew out of infant (Joeys classroom) we were given constant and clear communication when our son would move to the next classroom. Any time our kiddo was sick (and kids do get sick!) we would get a clear phone call right away, and clearly explained that 45mins - 60 mins would be appropriate timing for pickup. WIN: Great "loving to work with kids": Each and every room transition (think "Grades" in K-12 school) was clearly communicated four or more weeks in advance, lots of reminders, and then our son would spend one week "part time" in the new room, one week "fullish time, with time in both rooms" before one half-week of "full time-ish, visiting the old room" to make moving between friend groups and "levels" or "grades" really easy for our kiddo. WIN: All grade levels encourage parent visits, participation and reading programs. You can drop by and play with your kids' class, if you miss him/her. Nothing builds trust faster in me then the constant invitations from teachers in all classrooms to drop by for an activity mid-morning (walk to the park, come read a book to my son's class.) I have participated in a few of these; and the teachers love the interaction and the kids know my first name. WIN: You are greeted when you drop-off and a little "daily sheet" (baby report card) goes home each and every day that outlines how long Naptime was, how well or not well your kid ate, the current week's theme, today's learning activities and your kid's favorite activity of the day. Oh, and if your kid pooped/peed. While that's totally over the top for me, the closing teacher greets you, mentions that your kid had a good/bad day overall, and really enjoyed (insert same name of activity that other teacher wrote on daily sheet.) The amount of data collection about an infant to 3 year old's day is simply amazing. BIG WIN: Classroom management. It's taught to the teachers / caregivers on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, and new techniques for managing the stress of small children are shared among the staff. The staff also "is of one mind" on when various kids are ready to move to the next classroom or "transition". Everyone agrees on staff before a change is made, and anything is communicated with parents. Simply amazing to work with a child care center that works so well together, and at all levels. BIG WIN: Classroom management x 2. When I drop off my kiddo, I can easily say goodbye to him (and is encouraged by the teachers). There is a set routine, and the teachers work individually when my kiddo is having a bad day with drop-off. Kids are asked "how are you feeling? Use words. Think Think Think." then "Why are you feeling this way?" My super-shy kiddo now verbalizes his feelings and needs when asked. This doesn't seem to happen at a home-based daycare in San Fran, where the teachers are less interested in kid's feelings, and just keep the rugrats away from hitting / killing each other. Lexington Kids teachers, at all levels, will pull kids aside and speak with them, *each and every time* a hitty / not-so-nice manner happens in the classroom. If another child gets upset from a brush-by, the offending kid is asked to stop and check to see how the hurt kid feels. Like I said, it's simply amazing the program they have. And there are always more stuff that the individual staff members are applying for; government grants, a reading program that sends a little journal, whiteboard and book home each week in a red bag. There are just little grant-style programs going on all the time that involve parents and time at home. It's all of the above things that make me so aware that each and every teacher loves being around children. That's why they go out of their ways to apply for grants, sponsor spring/fall activities on the weekends and such. Also, our kids' teacher was featured on WCCO Television's morning show as outstanding teacher of the month. While it's a morning TV show, Miss Katelyn is totally like her television appearance in person. Just a wonderful educator. http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/01/16/excellent-educator-lexington-kids-katelyn-okeefe/ -matt

My child has never attended this facility but we were planning to. I placed a deposit and was told…read moreit would be refundable if cancelled within 60 days of start date. I ended up finding a place closer to my home and asked for a refund. I have called about 20 times asking for a refund as promised but have yet to receive it. They are non responsive to me. Very disappointed with their lack of communication and their truthfulness.

My son started at Sandcastle when he was three months old and now he's on his way to Kindergarten…read morethis fall. It's hard to have someone look after your kids while you work, but I always felt he learned so much and was treated with love, respect and kindness--it put my mind at ease from the very first day. I'd recommend Sandcastle to anyone--they've been around for over 25 years for a reason!

I love this school for my son! It was a little rough letting him go at 8 months to their daycare…read morearea and to be honest they where a little unorganized and not the best visual experience in the basement but it was worth it. He moved up to the second level with the preschoolers and my son and i just LOVE his teachers! He has had the same three teachers for about a year now and jumps into their arms every morning. They are amazing. The food they serve isn't the best, just like grade school would I guess, no organic meals or anything but you can bring your own food for them if you can afford it. They have fun side classes and my son brings home the sweetest stuff that he's worked on. My son comes home with great knowledge and the teachers communicate to me everything each day. Their facebook page is also pretty great.

We are new members and love this place. The staff are all eager to help and so friendly. We…read moreattended the Monday night water aerobics class and the instructor is awesome. She took the time to introduce herself to my mother and I, and gave us some extra attention during the class - knowing we were new. The locker rooms are well maintained and super clean! The fancy lockers don't require you to bring a lock. Looking forward to future classes here. There are a tons of families and kids all over. This is a community driven Y, not just a gym. And I love that.

We go there so my child can swim in the kid's pool. It's very inconvenient now that they don't open…read morethe kid's pool until 6pm. Sorry, we would have to cancel our membership for now.

Our son has been at Jardin Longfellow since he was an infant, and we have nothing but the best…read morethings to say about their incredible care team and facilities. As a first-time mom who struggled with postpartum anxiety, I was so nervous about sending my baby to daycare. But right away, I could tell Jardin was a wonderful place for him to be. Ms. Maria, Laila, Melizza, and Minny in Infant Room B were so incredibly loving and caring. I could tell from the start that my son was getting so much love and attention throughout the day, which brought me so much comfort. He's now in the toddler room with Marisol and Dianna/Julia, who are equally amazing teachers. Even now, when he sees his former infant teachers, they all light up -- it truly feels like one big family filled with love and connection. We've also been so impressed by how much he's learned, especially his Spanish! He was saying "hola" and "agua" before he turned one, and now at just two years old, he can count to ten in Spanish and knows so many words -- numbers, letters, colors, shapes, animals, and body parts. It's incredible to see how much he's grown in their care. I also love the app they use to share updates throughout the day. The teachers are so good about posting photos and noting naps, meals, and activities -- it really helps ease any anxiety and allows us to see how happy and engaged our child is. The directors are also amazing and always available to help with translation when needed. I don't speak Spanish and my husband only a little (and he's rusty!), so I was initially worried about communication. But it has never been an issue -- there's always someone ready to help, and everyone is so kind and patient. The enrollment team has also been fantastic -- prompt, organized, and easy to communicate with. We love Jardin Longfellow so incredibly much. It's such a nurturing, supportive, and loving environment, and we feel so grateful to have them as part of our family's village.

Absolutely love this location. The staff are wonderful and communication is prestige.read more