Reviews Kiddie Academy of Rocky Hill (Kindergarten) in Connecticut

Jessica Ficara

I've never been so disappointed in the owners at this establishment, very unprofessional.

Roman Pirogov

I am grateful I decided to enroll into this kiddie academy. My 3 year old really likes it there and seems to be well fed and taken care of. A better part of childcare centers in the area for sure!

Ma M

I do not recommend. walking down to bring my child to her classroom, I have noticed teachers talking badly about children and staff in front of young children. very unprofessional. I also hear teachers screaming at children in all the classrooms, there isn't just one classroom I can point out. they all do it. now that it is fall and getting closer to winter, it is getting cold outside and I have noticed that its been just as cold inside the center as it is outside. I saw the thermostat in my Childs classroom and it said 65 more than 2 days in a row. I asked her assistant teacher why it was so cold and she said the owner won't get it fixed and that its always like that. I noticed a portable heater on the floor in my Childs room one morning and I told the teacher that it needs to be removed because any child in that room can walk or crawl over to it and get seriously hurt. she said the owner gave it to her to use so the temperature goes up. thats terrible. this center lacks a lot of common sense, and safety of the children. Since my child started not to long ago, she has had 5 different teachers so the turn over rate is very high which lacks consistency. please do your research and read reviews. I will be pulling my child once me and my husband find a new center worth switching to. its a nice and clean center due to the newness but it ISNT worth it.

ApocalypseRC

So funny how the owner tries to justify every post lol. Awful place!

Jessica Ficara

I've never been so disappointed in the owners at this establishment, very unprofessional.

Roman Pirogov

I am grateful I decided to enroll into this kiddie academy. My 3 year old really likes it there and seems to be well fed and taken care of. A better part of childcare centers in the area for sure!

Ma M

I do not recommend. walking down to bring my child to her classroom, I have noticed teachers talking badly about children and staff in front of young children. very unprofessional. I also hear teachers screaming at children in all the classrooms, there isn't just one classroom I can point out. they all do it. now that it is fall and getting closer to winter, it is getting cold outside and I have noticed that its been just as cold inside the center as it is outside. I saw the thermostat in my Childs classroom and it said 65 more than 2 days in a row. I asked her assistant teacher why it was so cold and she said the owner won't get it fixed and that its always like that. I noticed a portable heater on the floor in my Childs room one morning and I told the teacher that it needs to be removed because any child in that room can walk or crawl over to it and get seriously hurt. she said the owner gave it to her to use so the temperature goes up. thats terrible. this center lacks a lot of common sense, and safety of the children. Since my child started not to long ago, she has had 5 different teachers so the turn over rate is very high which lacks consistency. please do your research and read reviews. I will be pulling my child once me and my husband find a new center worth switching to. its a nice and clean center due to the newness but it ISNT worth it.

ApocalypseRC

So funny how the owner tries to justify every post lol. Awful place!

amanda adams

Stephanie Whiteway

You may think the advanced technology and talks of a "curriculum" equates to better childcare. Complete misconception! The teachers don't get out of their chairs, your child is taken care of to a below minimum of standard, and when you express your concerns- nothing is done. . I pulled my baby out after just 4 days and now I'm fighting to get my money back. They are completely unprofessional. Don't waste your time or money. If I could give negative 5 stars- I would.

Stephanie Karavolis

Really nice, brand new facility. Teachers and staff are wonderful!

Katelyn Faski

Wonderful place!

Ihor Dutka

Very nice daycare, always clean rooms which is great achievement for daycare full of kids. Everyday activities and included lunch. Very happy to have Kiddie Academy as our primary daycare.” Update: With some changes in day care, we now gets many pictures online every day of our daughter activities, she brings home a lot of during day drawings and decorations, she is 3 years old but already can name all months , count to 20 and write some letters. Highly reccomend!

Marie L

Kiddie academy of rocky hill is a great place. I love my 3 year olds teacher. She does a lot of activities with the children and really shows that she loves her job! Everyday, i check my child’s folder and there are worksheets on the letter of the week and shapes that they have learned. My child has come a long way since her previous teacher and I couldn’t be happier! The only negative I have, is the food. I am paying for my child to eat breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack and my child has been asking me to bring snacks from home. According to tadpoles and from what my child says, she does not like a lot of the lunch choices. I hate to have her hungry, so I do supply extra food everyday for her to eat. They really should consider changing the lunch choices because I have talked to other parents and they feel the same way.

Irina Mammadova

I couldn't be more pleased with the service, attention to details and care that the staff of Kiddie Academy bring to the job everyday. I would highly recommend using them for all age kids.

Alicia H

Great staff! Love all the new technology!

Jamie Ritone

We had a wonderful experience at this center when we first started when two teachers were always present. One month after being there, a lot of the staff was abruptly let go, and our son’s schedule was not followed like it was with the original teacher (but there was no strategy used to follow infant schedules- I offered many ideas, too). There was lack of routine and staffing in the rooms. We gave KA so many chances (met with directors numerous times as well as the owners, Natalia and Douglass) regarding our concerns, but we ultimately had to move our son to a place where staff was consistent, curriculum was used and sent out to parents, and schedules were individualized and followed daily. Also, we first chose KA based on the promise of curriculum, but it was not followed. Staff was friendly and caring toward the kids and the new director was trying to make improvements, but change was not happening for reasons we are still unsure of. Other centers provide a lot more in terms of consistency and activities (art, exercise for infants, sign language, outdoor play in all weather and baby yoga) for the same price. Our biggest concern overall was the staffing and consistency. As other reviewers noted consistency is the most important part of a daycare, and sadly, even after waiting three months (since the inconsistency started) Kiddie Academy still did not work out the issues.

Anthony Gonsalves

One of the most horrible places I have ever dealt with. The director does not care about the children only as long as they get your money. Teachers have led children unsupervised alone for streches at a time. They threaned legal action if you leave the program early due to teacher neglect. Stay away at all cost.

amanda adams

Stephanie Whiteway

You may think the advanced technology and talks of a "curriculum" equates to better childcare. Complete misconception! The teachers don't get out of their chairs, your child is taken care of to a below minimum of standard, and when you express your concerns- nothing is done. . I pulled my baby out after just 4 days and now I'm fighting to get my money back. They are completely unprofessional. Don't waste your time or money. If I could give negative 5 stars- I would.

Stephanie Karavolis

Really nice, brand new facility. Teachers and staff are wonderful!

Katelyn Faski

Wonderful place!

Ihor Dutka

Very nice daycare, always clean rooms which is great achievement for daycare full of kids. Everyday activities and included lunch. Very happy to have Kiddie Academy as our primary daycare.” Update: With some changes in day care, we now gets many pictures online every day of our daughter activities, she brings home a lot of during day drawings and decorations, she is 3 years old but already can name all months , count to 20 and write some letters. Highly reccomend!

Marie L

Kiddie academy of rocky hill is a great place. I love my 3 year olds teacher. She does a lot of activities with the children and really shows that she loves her job! Everyday, i check my child’s folder and there are worksheets on the letter of the week and shapes that they have learned. My child has come a long way since her previous teacher and I couldn’t be happier! The only negative I have, is the food. I am paying for my child to eat breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack and my child has been asking me to bring snacks from home. According to tadpoles and from what my child says, she does not like a lot of the lunch choices. I hate to have her hungry, so I do supply extra food everyday for her to eat. They really should consider changing the lunch choices because I have talked to other parents and they feel the same way.

Irina Mammadova

I couldn't be more pleased with the service, attention to details and care that the staff of Kiddie Academy bring to the job everyday. I would highly recommend using them for all age kids.

Alicia H

Great staff! Love all the new technology!

Jamie Ritone

We had a wonderful experience at this center when we first started when two teachers were always present. One month after being there, a lot of the staff was abruptly let go, and our son’s schedule was not followed like it was with the original teacher (but there was no strategy used to follow infant schedules- I offered many ideas, too). There was lack of routine and staffing in the rooms. We gave KA so many chances (met with directors numerous times as well as the owners, Natalia and Douglass) regarding our concerns, but we ultimately had to move our son to a place where staff was consistent, curriculum was used and sent out to parents, and schedules were individualized and followed daily. Also, we first chose KA based on the promise of curriculum, but it was not followed. Staff was friendly and caring toward the kids and the new director was trying to make improvements, but change was not happening for reasons we are still unsure of. Other centers provide a lot more in terms of consistency and activities (art, exercise for infants, sign language, outdoor play in all weather and baby yoga) for the same price. Our biggest concern overall was the staffing and consistency. As other reviewers noted consistency is the most important part of a daycare, and sadly, even after waiting three months (since the inconsistency started) Kiddie Academy still did not work out the issues.

Anthony Gonsalves

One of the most horrible places I have ever dealt with. The director does not care about the children only as long as they get your money. Teachers have led children unsupervised alone for streches at a time. They threaned legal action if you leave the program early due to teacher neglect. Stay away at all cost.

olga cherednikova

Natalia Gregoire

Wonderful and warm childcare environment. Lots of educational activities for kids and peace of mind for the parents.

Inna Z

Kiddie Academy is a great daycare center with highly professional staff, clean and well run, and the caring and devoted owner who is on premises all the time. They also run programs for kids during school breaks. I would highly recommend!

Olga L

This facility is a state of the art, modern, clean, specious, bright! It is a head above of a few other daycare centers in the area which my 4 year old used to attend. The food includes many organic items. I was so impressed to know that they accommodate vegetarian diets with such care. I think a lot of it comes from the owners who are very personable people and put their heart and soul into it. I know that they have high expectations for their teachers. The programs are excellent. I’ve never seen the classrooms being too crowded. We feel that all our needs are accommodated. I highly recommend!

Douglas Russell

We have been taking our 2 year old son to Kiddie Academy Rocky Hill for 2 months now. The facility is super clean and spacious, the staff is caring and attentive and their communication with parents is always thorough. All day, children participate in engaging arts and crafts activities, play time outside and in the extremely spacious indoor gym in poor weather, as well as reading circles and other tactile exploration activities. In the mornings, when our little guy has trouble saying goodbye, the staff skillfully divert him and get him interested in fun things to do and play with. They are very well staffed which leaves ratios very low. Throughout the day, we constantly receive pictures and updates through Tadpoles which lets us see exactly what he is up to. A detailed report is uploaded each day where we can view diaper changes, meals (which are all included) and any relevant information. When there is the potential for exposure to an illness that is also sent in a separate report detailing what to look at for. They definitely take health and safety very seriously. From the touch pad sign in security system to the toy sterilizing machines, they aren't messing around in that regard. All of this for a very reasonable price compared to the other facilities in the area...we definitely looked around. If you are looking for child care in the area, this is the place.

J.

After having my children attend this daycare, my eldest going there since earlier in the year, I found I had to follow my instincts and withdraw them. The positive: A clean and bright place. The directors were always courteous to us. The negatives: High staff turnover. Some absolutely wonderful staff were let go. Also, there's just not enough staff with many years of experience. A parent needs to be able to build trust with their children's caregivers and more importantly, the child needs to be able to do the same. This was never possible because of the turnover and one of my children would ask where the teacher was. Multiple times unfortunately. Retaining staff makes all the difference when your child needs at least some structure throughout the day. Ratios seemed a little bit off to me when I would pick up my children which raised a red flag in my mind. On a smaller note many of the younger staff (most are still just in school and do not have some years of experience) didn't introduce themselves to me. I would ask my child what the teacher's name was and the answer was "I don't know". I wish it could have worked out here but at the end of the day we know that we made the right decision to leave and put them back into the excellent care of a previous daycare (Kiddie Academy was closer to us and that's the only reason we switched). My children are doing so much better and thriving mentally as they should, now that they are being taken care of by multiple caregivers with years of experience.

AB

Kiddie Acadmey.. after a lot of observation you are able to pick up on things most people wouldn’t notice on a day to day basis. To start they are often way out of ratio. Some mornings I could count 15 children in one small classroom. The staff are really kind and loving but are only able to do so much when most issues are out of their control. The school does provide food, however cereal is given multiple times a week as with canned peaches.. often times there is not enough food to satisfy all of the children. Yes the building is beautiful and everything is new however if you really read what is being written in on the app. You start to see all the areas the center is lacking and the lacking areas are far more important than the “new toys”. The staff turn over rate is so high that not one staff member has been there over a year not even the director. My biggest most concerning issue is the fact that there is little consistency for your children at the center, the kids are always being moved from one room to another room to accommodate the director. Rather than hiring other staff the children are always passed around and that’s when the management cares about ratio. Please keep your options open, several other options in the area.

Natalia W

I am writing this review to express my appreciation towards Kiddie Academy owners and caregivers for taking care of my children during several seasonal camp programs. I read some older Google reviews, and I am confused where these negative reviews are coming from... I visited about fifteen day cares and preschools in Hartford county before I decided to enroll my kids in a daycare center. Yes, I'm very picky. :) Kiddie Academy is the best educational daycare in the area based on the parameter 'Value for the price'! They also put some additional expenses to expand their educational curriculum by inviting outside entertainers and educators. Dr. Seuss reading, soccer, arts, just to name a few of those. Who else does that?! Most of the family day cares have insufficient resources and do not step outside of their budgets, while chain day cares are not allowed any extra expenses to keep their profits in their pockets. I'm also fully confident that none of the daycare centers in the area offers a better nutritional program. As for my kids, they are coming back to Kiddie for their school Christmas break.

olga cherednikova

Natalia Gregoire

Wonderful and warm childcare environment. Lots of educational activities for kids and peace of mind for the parents.

Inna Z

Kiddie Academy is a great daycare center with highly professional staff, clean and well run, and the caring and devoted owner who is on premises all the time. They also run programs for kids during school breaks. I would highly recommend!

Olga L

This facility is a state of the art, modern, clean, specious, bright! It is a head above of a few other daycare centers in the area which my 4 year old used to attend. The food includes many organic items. I was so impressed to know that they accommodate vegetarian diets with such care. I think a lot of it comes from the owners who are very personable people and put their heart and soul into it. I know that they have high expectations for their teachers. The programs are excellent. I’ve never seen the classrooms being too crowded. We feel that all our needs are accommodated. I highly recommend!

Douglas Russell

We have been taking our 2 year old son to Kiddie Academy Rocky Hill for 2 months now. The facility is super clean and spacious, the staff is caring and attentive and their communication with parents is always thorough. All day, children participate in engaging arts and crafts activities, play time outside and in the extremely spacious indoor gym in poor weather, as well as reading circles and other tactile exploration activities. In the mornings, when our little guy has trouble saying goodbye, the staff skillfully divert him and get him interested in fun things to do and play with. They are very well staffed which leaves ratios very low. Throughout the day, we constantly receive pictures and updates through Tadpoles which lets us see exactly what he is up to. A detailed report is uploaded each day where we can view diaper changes, meals (which are all included) and any relevant information. When there is the potential for exposure to an illness that is also sent in a separate report detailing what to look at for. They definitely take health and safety very seriously. From the touch pad sign in security system to the toy sterilizing machines, they aren't messing around in that regard. All of this for a very reasonable price compared to the other facilities in the area...we definitely looked around. If you are looking for child care in the area, this is the place.

J.

After having my children attend this daycare, my eldest going there since earlier in the year, I found I had to follow my instincts and withdraw them. The positive: A clean and bright place. The directors were always courteous to us. The negatives: High staff turnover. Some absolutely wonderful staff were let go. Also, there's just not enough staff with many years of experience. A parent needs to be able to build trust with their children's caregivers and more importantly, the child needs to be able to do the same. This was never possible because of the turnover and one of my children would ask where the teacher was. Multiple times unfortunately. Retaining staff makes all the difference when your child needs at least some structure throughout the day. Ratios seemed a little bit off to me when I would pick up my children which raised a red flag in my mind. On a smaller note many of the younger staff (most are still just in school and do not have some years of experience) didn't introduce themselves to me. I would ask my child what the teacher's name was and the answer was "I don't know". I wish it could have worked out here but at the end of the day we know that we made the right decision to leave and put them back into the excellent care of a previous daycare (Kiddie Academy was closer to us and that's the only reason we switched). My children are doing so much better and thriving mentally as they should, now that they are being taken care of by multiple caregivers with years of experience.

AB

Kiddie Acadmey.. after a lot of observation you are able to pick up on things most people wouldn’t notice on a day to day basis. To start they are often way out of ratio. Some mornings I could count 15 children in one small classroom. The staff are really kind and loving but are only able to do so much when most issues are out of their control. The school does provide food, however cereal is given multiple times a week as with canned peaches.. often times there is not enough food to satisfy all of the children. Yes the building is beautiful and everything is new however if you really read what is being written in on the app. You start to see all the areas the center is lacking and the lacking areas are far more important than the “new toys”. The staff turn over rate is so high that not one staff member has been there over a year not even the director. My biggest most concerning issue is the fact that there is little consistency for your children at the center, the kids are always being moved from one room to another room to accommodate the director. Rather than hiring other staff the children are always passed around and that’s when the management cares about ratio. Please keep your options open, several other options in the area.

Natalia W

I am writing this review to express my appreciation towards Kiddie Academy owners and caregivers for taking care of my children during several seasonal camp programs. I read some older Google reviews, and I am confused where these negative reviews are coming from... I visited about fifteen day cares and preschools in Hartford county before I decided to enroll my kids in a daycare center. Yes, I'm very picky. :) Kiddie Academy is the best educational daycare in the area based on the parameter 'Value for the price'! They also put some additional expenses to expand their educational curriculum by inviting outside entertainers and educators. Dr. Seuss reading, soccer, arts, just to name a few of those. Who else does that?! Most of the family day cares have insufficient resources and do not step outside of their budgets, while chain day cares are not allowed any extra expenses to keep their profits in their pockets. I'm also fully confident that none of the daycare centers in the area offers a better nutritional program. As for my kids, they are coming back to Kiddie for their school Christmas break.