A loving, nurturing environment. My daughter attended here for 4 years (from 9 months to 4 years…read moreand 9 months, at which point she "graduated" to TK (and was more than prepared). My 1.5 year old son attends now. When we started my daughter, it was nearly devastating for me to have to enroll her in full-time daycare. We "attachment parented" her and I came to H.S. after an interview at another daycare where they informed me that my daughter (who had been held for every nap of her life at that point) would have to cry it out, and if I didn't like it, I wasn't ready for group care. The director at H.S. immediately eased my concerns. I still remember that as I talked to her she was rocking another, older baby through his nap. She let me know that they would give the babies whatever care and support they needed to help ease the adjustment to group care. Sure enough, my daughter was held, cuddled and rocked as needed until she adjusted, and learned to nap in her crib there with no tears required. The infant room is a quiet, homey environment. The infant to caregiver ratio is low (always 4:1 or less as mandated by the state, but often it is less as most kids attend on a part-time schedule). I know some parents feel that the environment isn't as stimulating for older infants as they may prefer, but it has worked well for my kids so far. As kids get older, whether H.S. is a good fit will depend on your kids' personality and your parenting philosophy. It is a relatively unstructured program, but tons of activities are offered at the child's choice once you get into the preschool (ages 2 and up) room. Personally I love this and believe that unstructured free play (in a safe, supervised environment) is the very best thing for kids 0-5. It has worked wonders for my daughter's emotional and social development. She is still "best friends" with so many kids from her preschool days. I have walked in on some very cool, often spontaneous activities like impromptu dance parties, "bear hunt", lots of sensory activities, "finger painting" outside on windows with colored shaving cream, water play on the (rare) hot days, etc. My favorite aspect is that kids play outside a large part of every day as long as the weather is decent (most of the time in PG, it is). Other centers may have fancier facilities, but the place is clean and has everything needed to allow kids to play and use their imaginations (including good high-end toys like magnatiles, an ever-popular dress up center, and toys designed to work on fine motor control).
The teachers are wonderful and kind. Many have been there for the entire time we have been attending (nearly 5 years) and probably much longer. It is a family business of sorts so the teachers are committed and invested and have sent their own children there. Kids attach to their daycare providers (hopefully!), so low turnover is a huge plus.
I have been at the preschool at all different hours and never have seen babies left sitting in high chairs for hours, or kids crying all the time (in any daycare setting, babies often will cry when an adult who isn't their parent enters the room, as the door opening may get their hopes up for a reunion, especially if it is near their pickup time - but the teachers always comfort them quickly).
One more huge benefit is that they are incredibly flexible for a center. You won't find this kind of flexibility at another infant care center on the peninsula that I know of; you would need to go to home daycare or a nanny. You can pick a part-time schedule (with pro-rated tuition) that works for you, but if you need to come earlier or stay later one day or do drop-in care they are very flexible. One limitation is that the center closes for the day at 4:30.
Ultimately, this is what it comes down to. My 1.5 year old, who is super attached to mommy and daddy, runs into the baby room with a smile on his face every morning. My 5 year old is excited to see her old teachers when she tags along for pickup or even to stay for a day if her school is on break. I'll take the lace curtains and antique chairs if my kids are happy!
