I am so incredibly disappointed in Upstream's decision to no longer have staff wear face masks. We were extremely excited to have our infant son go to preschool here, but Monday I showed up to pick him up and his teachers weren't wearing masks. They had removed them during the day without notice, as they were no longer technically required. I pleaded directly with his teachers to see if they were open to wearing them voluntarily, then with the director Jeneffer. My husband and I decided to withdraw our son. Even if they agreed at that point they had broken our trust; there was no way of knowing if staff would wear their masks when we weren't there. My husband spoke with the owner Emily on the phone, who during a heated conversation had a few odd things to say about the pandemic (including saying that staff weren't wearing masks during our tour in January, so we can't expect them now. Like, what?). We paid half tuition in July to save our son's spot under Emily's assurance that they would take every precaution when he started school in August. One month in, I feel duped and I'm suddenly without childcare. This is an excellent school, but I can't recommend them during the pandemic. read more

Highly reconsider your thoughts after reading this, Before applying and working here or bringing your child here. I didn't even last a month working here, There's a reason for their high turnover rate. 1. Don't believe everything you see, there's no cameras in the classrooms, not everything is all sunshine on the other side. When Jennifer "corrects" a child's behavior, Her way of doing so, Is by tapping a child on the head with a pen over and over until they do what they are told. Repeating herself over and over again until the child listens and also pulls them by their arms. 2. I've heard Jennifer yell at employees, Such as picking a crying child up after nap and holding them. 3. You are underpaid here, They do not pay enough for the amount of work they try to put on you. 4. Emily the owner also likes to go around to her favorite employees and talk about the employees she doesn't like and what she does not like about them. 5. They will try to take away time from your lunch and have you do other stuff for the job, as if I'm not here full time already and need my full hour of lunch to relax for me as I should. 6. I was being asked by Jennifer, Where am I going for lunch because I did not want to stay in the building for my lunch. When I am off the clock, That is none of your concern first and foremost. I had asked her where Easter eggs were and that's when she showed me in the shed and started questioning me with abnormal questions where no one else was around and could hear the conversation. My privacy felt violated, I felt extremely uncomfortable. 7. If you've never been with a certain age group before, they will throw you in a class by yourself and expect you to know how to do everything, then give you attitude for not knowing and micromanage you for not doing this or that. 8. I unfortunately thought maybe this would've been a good place for myself to work at. Don't be fooled by a smile, it absolutely disgust me with the way these "women" behaved towards me and other employees. When parents are out the building, they are different towards the kids and us employees. The lazy employees/ bossy employees get prioritized, But the hard workers get treated horribly. that's why they can't find assistant teachers to stick around long in classrooms. read more

This place should be called "Downstream Daycare". Most biased, rude teachers, including the owner, I've ever dealt with in my life. If you're a father and "don't pay" (We all know whose paying for his daycare) the tuition, then you will be treated as a secondary parent at best. My ex-wife has thrown me under the bus to the staff on multiple occasions and they have treated me like complete crap without any information other than what they've been told. Even after showing them court orders, stating I'm joint conservator and that my ex-wife is pending legal action for theft of narcotics, they still treat me like crap. This school is also not a place to take your child to if you want to enhance their education, as they have never taken notice of my son's intelligence level, nor pushed him beyond what he already knows. My son knows the name of every shape there is, up to a ten sided decagon and he gets sent home with a note saying how bright he is after saying how a paper towel was a rectangle. This is a clear sign they don't provide any additional resources to enhance his education, take notice in his abilities and push him to excel beyond his own strengthens and capabilities. My son also had to start in the two year old class (he was 2/12 when he started), even though he is reading at a 1st grade level (yes, 1st grade), just because he wasn't completely potty trained. Considering the lack of attention they give to the students, I couldn't imagine how they couldn't have enough time to change a diaper in the 3 year old class if an accident was to happen. They are clearly more concerned about having to change a diaper then increasing a child's education. By keeping my son in the 2 year old class, they continue to restrict his abilities and have done so every day he's attended. I've also requested attendance records for my son to see which days he's actually been present and the owner, Emily, tells me how she has to check with her attorney to see what she has to provide me, then tells me that it will cost $50 to get my son's attendance records for two months. I pay to take him to the school and you're going to charge me for attendance records?!? I will be doing everything I can to ensure my son doesn't have to attend this school ever again. read more

We have had a fantastic experience with Upstream Learning! We have seen the teachers working there since we started, as well as the same kids and never see anyone leave, which from what I hear from friends with small children, is a rarity. The preschool is locally owned and not a chain, which makes me more comfortable with the way things are run. The owner is also the director. I searched for weeks for a suitable preschool for my son and knew almost the moment that I walked in to Upstream that it was the place for us. I have worked in childcare in the past and knew what I wanted for my son, Upstream learning provides that every day. The teachers and director genuinely care about each child and put me at ease right away about leaving my child in their care. I never worry about the experience he is having there, he is always happy and has learned so much during the year and half that he has been there. Everyone is impressed by how well spoken and how smart he is. He is counting to 20 and knows his letters, shapes, colors and more. He speaks in full, clear sentences and gets along great with other kids all at the age of just a few months over 2 years. I am impressed with every aspect of the classroom and the lesson plans the teachers pull together with the director. No matter what time of day I am there I never see anyone with a cell phone or hear anything that even resembles yelling or any such thing, reports that I hear from friends that have their kids in other preschools in the area. I highly recommend Upstream Learning to any parent who is concerned with high turn-over, distracted teachers or is putting their child in the care of someone else for the first time. There is no better place for kids than Upstream. read more

Our son has been going here for just over a month and we both love it! He's so happy when he comes home, they keep me up to date on everything and they send notes home everyday with a summary of daily "events" they really care about each of the kids. They are also extra carful during COVID and everyone is wearing a mask. The location is great too, very quiet street! read more

This place has been amazing for our son! He was only there for 5 months but he learned so much! The teachers did an excellent job at preparing him for kindergarten! All the staff are kind and it really shows how much they enjoy their work! We are grateful we found Upstream and wish we could have stayed longer! read more

This is the worst daycare I ever had the experience of dealing with. The director is rude and so are many of the teachers. I also witnessed Jen pulling a child by his arm from the lunch table and then chunking him across the floor several feet. Beneath this place's cute and expensive interior lies bad customer service and mean people. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHILD WITH THESE PEOPLE. read more

I give this school a 2 rating because the teachers are fantastic. The problem is the owner. She is highly educated, and equally arrogant. She claims to know all and see all, but what I heard from the teachers is that she makes stuff up and doesn't interact with the kids as she reportedly does. In addition, she apparently has a penchant for referring children to special education programs when they do NOT need it. I have enrolled my child in a new school and was informed by the director there that several parents have come from Upstream and stated that the owner, Emily, has claimed their children needed to be placed in special education, but those children have excelled at the other school. If you want your child to attend this school, then at least be aware that you cannot believe what the owner tells you. read more

So thankful to have found this preschool for my two children. It is so welcoming and feels like home. I love that it is locally/family owned, has Christian values and teaches what they need to know for kindergarten, and is character building. I highly recommend putting it on your list to visit when deciding where to send your child - I just wish I had found it sooner! read more

I have had a wonderful experience at this school. My daughter started in Upstream two years ago. She has had the same teacher the entire time. That is 2 years of zero turn over at her level. The preschool we tried before upstream had a turn over of 3-4 teachers in a year! I am very glad that my daughter has been with Ms. Becca for the past two years and has not had to adjust to a new teacher every couple of months. The director is not only incredibly knowledgeable about children's development and learning but also very helpful and kind when discussing my daughter's progress. For example, when my daughter started reading early she pulled me aside and took the time to discuss options to give her the right level of challenge in the classroom. The director created an individualized schedule just for my daughter that would allow her to be with students that were reading at the same level. Personally, I find comfort in the fact that they have gotten to know my daughter so well throughout these years that they are now are able to really modify and adapt the curriculum to her needs. Also, as a former high school teacher, I feel that the structure and leadership at Upstream allow the teachers to focus on teaching. You can't really have a space for learning where students can listen and ask questions if teachers do not know how to manage a classroom. I have been so impressed with Ms. Becca classroom management and the way she can transition students from one activity to another without wasting time in the process. I am currently a stay at home mom as I have a new baby, and I show up to pick up my 4 year old at various times throughout the day. I have never seen chaos at the school and have actually been impressed by how consistent and relaxed the environment is, regardless of the time I come in. This stands out as one of the main reasons why I pulled my daughter from her previous school, as my experience before Upstream at a big name chain was that of a teacher with lack of classroom management skills, in which kids ran wild for most of the day in between poorly planned activities. I believe Upstream understands how children learn best and have put in place the operational procedures that make this school run well without chaos. The teachers are also clearly well trained and even take several professional development days throughout the year to improve on their skills. I highly recommend this school! read more

Upstream is an amazing learning environment. Not only are the owner, director and teachers highly educated and trained but they are gifted at nurturing and connecting with young children. Children are challenged and learning is made fun! The new location is absolutely beautiful and super spacious. read more

My daughter has attended Upstream Learning for close to a year and a half now. I have been very impressed with both the school and the teachers. The school is well run, clean, and takes great advantage of its location. All of the teachers are very friendly and helpful. Every time I have been to school, the kids in each of the classrooms seem to be well behaved and engaged with their activities. My daughter has had the good fortune to have the same teacher since she started, Mrs. Becca. Mrs. Becca does a great job managing the classroom and keeping the kids interested and on task. Every time I have spoken with her, she has provided very specific and constructive feedback concerning my daughter. She seems to have a great feel for each individual child. My daughter has learned a tremendous amount since attending the school. The most impressive thing is how she not only learns about different subjects, but she also is able to apply what she has learned to explain similar concepts or topics. Most recently, we have been working with Mrs. Becca and the owner Mrs. Emily to put together a program specifically for our daughter and they both have been open and willing to try different approaches to get my child the most from her school days. I really appreciate the effort to address my child's unique needs. I am not sure what type of extracurricular activities the school offers which might be the only downside when compared to other schools. Overall, I highly recommend this school to other parents. I would suggest dropping by or setting up an appointment with them if you have any questions or concerns. read more

We have been at Upstream for several months, I transferred my daughter there from another local "chain" school because I was tired of the teacher turn over and wanted a lower teacher to student ratio. The state minimum ratio is quite high, and I have trouble thinking anyone can effectively manage that many toddlers! After touring several new options, I just had a gut feeling that Upstream was different. Emily, the on site owner, was very knowledgeable and not "salesy" at all. I liked her approach that emphasizes teacher education. And there are structured weekly topics in my daughters class, with lessons based on that topic. The teacher to student ratio is also excellent, with just 8 kids and 2 teachers in her class. We have been so happy that we made the move to Upstream. I had to adjust my work schedule and sit in more traffic b/c they don't open till 7, but I am so glad that I did. My daughter is thriving there, and people are always commenting on how smart she is. We work with her at home but I know that school is a big part of that. In addition to the learning, I feel as though all the teachers are very caring and mature, but also firm. Structure is great for toddlers, and I don't get the feeling they are running out of control like I did at her last school! I encourage you to take a tour if you are not happy with your current situation!! read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Upstream Learning. I have been a teacher for several years, so my expectations on it being preSCHOOL and not just daycare were high. My expectations have been exceeded though. My oldest has been there for the past 3 years, and my youngest just started in the infant room. Emily, Jeneffer, and their staff are amazing. My kids love going to school, they are learning TONS (my 4 year old reads like a champ), and they are loved on ALL day long. The teachers stick around (many have been there all 3 years that we have) which says a lot about the environment and that they are happy to be there as well. Worth every penny if you can get a spot for your kiddo! read more

Words cannot express how great this school is! I've had my children at several different preschools including expensive montessori schools but nothing compares to Upstream Learning. I noticed an exponential difference in my 4 year old's capabilities within just the first week of attending Upstream. She started reading, writing, recognizing shapes and sounds, and always comes home with something to teach us that she learned at school that day. I couldn't believe when my 4 year old could point out nocturnal animals! Furthermore, you couldn't ask for better staff. Mrs. Andersen (and all teachers) sends home detailed and personalized summaries of your child's day which is so comforting and makes you feel like you are involved in your child's day and what he/she is learning. There is a strong sense of community at this school and its obvious the teachers and staff here love what they do! read more

Our family loves Upstream Learning! The teachers and directors are committed to loving and developing the whole child. The academic rigor is fun, active and advanced for pre school learners! I drive my child 20 minutes one way (passing many other options along the way) so she can grow and learn in this wonderful and loving preschool environment. I highly recommend this preschool! read more

My son has attended this school for about a year. He will start kindergarten in the fall of 2013. We looked at many, many preschools before landing at Upstream on the referral of a coworker. As a kindergarten teacher myself, I know what he's going to be expected to achieve, and I want him to be as prepared as possible. I also want him to be in a loving, nurturing environment, where he is going to learn how to socialize, be independent, have opportunities to explore, nurture his curiosity, and learn more about personal responsibility. I wanted to find a place where the values and beliefs we held at home were also honored and valued at school. We found all of these in Upstream Learning. Before starting at Upstream, my son could recognize nearly all upper case letters and could count to about 20 with help. not bad for a three year old, I'd say. Since starting there, my son has learned how to write his name, learned basic sight words, and can count to and recognize numbers more than 100. As a teacher, I know these are all skills that will be beneficial to knowing before kinder even starts. However, as his mom it is not always easy to get him to respond to sitting down and working on things. Any teacher will tell you that kids usually listen better to their teacher than their parents, so it's no surprise to me that he has gained so much under their guidance. The teachers and staff are all kind. They have high expectations for the students, which is exactly what their future teachers will have for them, too. They teach them to be kind to others, use manners, and be respectful, which is actually very refreshing. Being polite is also a skill, and therefore must also be taught. Unfortunately, in society now days people are not as polite as they should be. I appreciate that they teach the kids to say please and thank you, as well as yes ma'am and no ma'am. It's just good manners. My son's teacher, Mrs. Becca, has pushed my son as a thinker and has encouraged his curiosity. When he has learned a topic, she keeps going deeper - she doesn't just stop because he's learned it. She strives for her students to learn as much as they are each capable of learning. She knows what the needs of her students are and individualizes instruction as needed to meet each unique learning need. We couldn't have asked for a better first teacher for him. Our family is truly grateful to have found Upstream Learning. We have no doubt that our son is prepared to enter kindergarten and will continue to do great things in his education. He has a solid foundation, and for that we are so thankful. read more

Our experience at Upstream Learning has been great! From the beginning Emily, the owner, has been very welcoming in letting us know this preschool is not just a child care but puts a lot of focus on academics based on your child's age. Thats exactly what we were looking for! My son comes home excited everyday with something new he has learned. His main teacher is Mrs.Becca who teaches the 4yr olds and he just loves her! I can tell she genuinly loves the kids -she is not there just to make a paycheck but there to look after while teaching these kids and getting them ready for kindergarten. We love the daily notes we get on how their day went! It really helps to know what they day did each day in order to have a discussion with our son. In our house we TRY to focus on teaching our children to always TRY to say thank you and yes/no mam yes/no sir -your average manners, so I love that Emily, the staff @ Upstream Learning helps our children to grow up with manners. Overall my child has been comfortable from the beginning, it truly is his home away from home when we are at work. I do believe Emily has a great preschool with awesome teachers. She is always there to talk with and is involved -- not just being the owner. Thank you Emily & Upsteam Learning Staff for taking care of my son while teaching him manners and getting him ready for kinder while still having fun everyday! I would definitley recommend anyone looking for a child care / preschool to call Emily @ Upstream Learning! read more