North Hills KinderCare

When I ask my son Aidan, age 4, what he likes about Learning Adventures, he just says "it's awesome." And he's right, but there's more to the story. My son isn't just learning phonics or how to read, he's developing a positive, trusting relationship with a teacher and that gives him the confidence to try all kinds of new things. He asks me to help him write the names of people in our family, he tries to read words on menus, or when we go into stores, he looks at books by himself and tells me the story of what's happening. He often makes mistakes, but that doesn't stop him. And I feel like that is the really valuable lesson he is learning in his Learning Adventures classes. He is learning to love learning!

 

I can not say enough positive things about KinderCare North Hills, PA. The teachers make you feel so welcome, such a part of their family. My daughter who is two, is so excited each morning to go to school and the smile on her face when we arrive there each day, speaks volumes. As a first time parent, you never know what to expect, yet the teachers here have made it possible for us to continue our careers, feeling safe and secure in our decision to put our daughter in their care. We know she is well cared for, well fed, safe, and happy. The piece of mind that comes with utilizing KinderCare is priceless. Thank you all for all your do for the families in your centers everywhere. 

I have trouble putting into words how much gratitude I have for the staff. When we first enrolled our boys in the center just over two years ago, Ben was in Kindergarten and was not reading at the same level as his class mates. He was getting individualized attention at his elementary school but we decided to enroll him in phonics with Miss Kate. I am so glad we did. His teacher in 2nd grade has commented to me several times that he is one of his favorites as far as reading aloud is concerned. I credit a lot of this to Miss Kate and her helping him. He loves reading and will pick up a book whenever possible. The entire staff has also approached Joshua's hearing issues head on with us and seen the ups and downs we have faced over the last two years. There are teachers who have learned sign language to communicate with him before he received his hearing aids. They have never excluded him from activities even though he wasn't communicating the same as the other kids. I also am so thankful for Miss Becky and Miss Rachel who have learned how to care for hearing aids and am appreciative of him being in a great environment. I have asked several times by family members and friends if he will be moving to go to preschool somewhere else such as Western Pa School for the Deaf, but I can say that I feel he is getting a great start to his learning with the teachers here at KinderCare. As soon as the hearing aids were flipped on he was telling us color names and his friends. I know this is because of the great place he is!

My boys have a truly special relationship with the teachers at KinderCare. When you ask my two- year-old, who is best friend is at school, he says the names of his teachers! What a wonderful thing to hear. When my four-year-old was home sick, he asked if we could call and talk to the Center Director because he missed her. Many parents feel guilty about sending their kids to daycare during the workday, but when you know your child is loved and cared for so well, and engaged in so many exciting activities like music, cooking and science, the guilt fades away. There are so many things I love about our KinderCare Center. I love how my four-year-old comes home and tells me a shoebox is a rectangular prism but a piece of paper is only two-dimensional. I also love how his teacher and his friends' parents tell me my four-year- old is funny. He is funny and his classroom environment must really give him a chance to show his true personality. I love how Miss Becky emails me to tell me my two-year-old is doing fine after a slightly bumpy drop-off, or a food allergy, or a bump on the head, or anything.

We didn’t start at KinderCare. It was our third day care and I do not like change. I fought against us changing day cares again but now I can't emphasize enough how happy we are. It took us a while to find our second day care (after a miserable1st daycare decision). We were at our second place for a few years, and we loved it. But as our kids got older, we moved, and the drive was feeling longer every day. We also realized that we needed more services than what were offered, including busing. We did our research. We visited more than a few places because we knew what we did not want. Every part of KinderCare seemed to meet what we wanted more than the other places. It is bright, the kids play outside often, and the curriculum is closely aligned with what we had researched would be best for creating independent thinkers. There are so many books and so many different stations. KinderCare also offers busing, they meet my work hours and they offer so many summer field trips. They have water play in the summer. They encourage family activities. We’ve now been at KinderCare for a few years for our two daughters. Our 2nd grader can’t wait for an in-service day at school because we only have her in daycare on those days during the school year. We let her pick some of her activities for the summer, and she chose to go to KinderCare two days a week above all of her other choices. Our kindergartner gets really angry with us if we pick her up too early in the day. They love the teachers and the activities, and we love that our babies are so happy.

It’s been less than a month since my daughter moved from the two-year-old classroom into the Three's, and the changes we have seen are incredible. The teachers have potty-trained her so she has no more accidents during her time at the center. Her vocabulary has exploded and she’s forming much more complex sentences. She is singing songs she learned at school and making up ones of her own as well — with real words and narratives that make sense. Imaginative play used to consist of, “Hide—there’s a monster/dinosaur/dragon coming!” but now involves characters and actions and results and consequences. And of course, I can’t forget all she has learned in the Phonics and KinderMusic classes. She is now leading me in call-and-answer sessions based on the Pattern work she is doing in the extra Math Enrichment Program. KinderCare is more than a daycare. It is an all-around well-balanced system of education for parents who are interested in giving their kids a head start or encouraging the desire for learning already imbedded within them. You and your team of exceptional teachers, Ms. Becky, have allowed me to go back to work full-time, because I know there is someone watching my daughter who cares deeply about her education and well-being. I recommend KinderCare — and your center in particular — to every parent I come across. You have my grateful thanks!

I wanted to take a moment to tell you about what an amazing employee you have in the Assistant Director of your Ross Center! Rachael is not only wonderful with my daughter but she provides excellent customer service each and every time. There is not a time that I call or stop by the office that she is not smiling. Yes I can even hear her smile through the phone! My daughter is going to be moving to the Moon Township Center in September and I was very stressed about the move. Rachel has been so great! She has answered ALL my questions (trust me I ask a lot). Rachel is the reason we selected the center in the first place. When I came to look at the center, over a year ago, Tara the director at the time was out and Rachel sat and spoke with me in detail and made me feel so comfortable that I stopped looking right then! She is a true gem that KinderCare is lucky to employee. I must say I am in HR and wish I were lucky enough to have employees like her on my team.

I just wanted to drop a line to you to let you know that your staff at the Pittsburgh (Cheryl Drive) Center is "Awesome". My daughter has been enrolled since 2006 and has returned for the Summer Program prior to going back to her school in August. I spoke to my Tara prior to enrolling her to be sure she can be in a room with her old friends and if she could not I was not going to enroll her due to the fact she has five close friends there and she would have a blast with them. Tara stated my request would not be an issue so my daughter got enrolled. She started on June 13th and when we got home she was very upset that none of her friends were in her class like I had promised her. The next morning I spoke to Mandy and even before we were out the door, she was with her friends. I understand this was probably due to the transition, but the promptness and accommodation was more than I can ask for. Also, my son just transitioned from the Infant room and is having a very difficult time with the transition due to separation issues. Your staff has been so accommodating to help him feel comfortable.. I am so grateful since my kids are my most prized possession. The specific teachers I would like thank are: Arlene (she is wonderful), Sarah, Mandy, Jen, & especially Robin. Robin has this calm, caring way about her and my son just takes to her. I know Becky is new, but since she has been there, she has been great to talk to, she listens to any needs we may have, and she genuinely cares. When I call to check on my son, she instantly knows how is day is going and I have an update prior to being transferred into his room. That shows me she cares about the kids needs and takes time to interact with her staff instead of being locked in an office all day and not caring. This makes me feel so comfortable since I have been through MANY directors and teachers since my kids have been there. The turnover is difficult on kids as well as parents. When new people watch your child, you always have a uneasy feeling in your gut until you get to know the person who is taking care of your kids. Lastly, I want to thank you for agreeing to take another 10% off of my daughters tuition, we are going through a difficult few months, but your generosity has helped, thank you.. I hope the teachers and the new director plan on staying for a while, they are a great asset to your team and organization and I feel comfortable with any of them taking care of my children.