We considered a few daycare centers during our recent move to Inwood, and chose Little Jewel…read morebecause its proprietor, Cindy, was so warm and friendly and just gave me a really good feeling. She started the place after being dissatisfied with options for her own child, who is now an amazing and adorable precocious and sweet 3yo who helps her mom acclimate new babies - and their parents. Clearly Cindy's doing something right as a mom, and that spills over into her business as well.
Her staff also seemed really vibrant and caring during that first visit, as they engaged the kids in yoga poses, dances, and magic tricks. They have proven to be phenomenal - totally loving and attentive, with an inexhaustible energy and patience. The infants and toddlers spend most of the time in separate areas, but there is still a lot of interaction, including outdoors, and all of the staff seem to know my son really well. If he's upset when I start to leave him at morning drop-off, they know exactly which toy to pull out to make him smile.
Like most daycares in the area, Little Jewel is located in a converted one-bedroom apartment. But it doesn't feel as claustrophobic as some of the other ones I visited. It feels spacious and airy, with lots of nice, sturdy, wooden furniture; natural toys; and cute decor. They provide a small breakfast, lunch and snacks, and I suspect the hot lunch is probably the best meal our little one eats each day. And they have been willing to accommodate our little vegetarian.
Our previous daycare was large and structured, almost like a school, with set schedules and weekly lesson plans, so I was a little apprehensive about the more laid-back routine at Little Jewel. They do have plenty of activities, they're just not documented to every detail, and they may change them up depending on the weather that day, or the children's individual interests. I do get the feeling my 2yo is learning a lot and his language skills (including Spanish - hooray!) and imaginative play have skyrocketed. He's also gaining lots of independence, as he helps in the kitchen and with clean-up, etc. I appreciate the individual attention he gets, and the love that is clearly lavished upon him - including a line-up for kisses as he leaves almost every day.
I've recommended it to several other parents, and they all seem equally satisfied.