Kiddie Academy of St Johns

We have 2 children and both have gone to daycare since they were less than 3 mos old, and Kiddie Academy was by far the worst experience we have ever had. Our 2nd child was in the same daycare from about 8 weeks until he was 4.5 yrs old, and then we moved him to Kiddie Academy for VPK. As soon as we moved him, he started to really dislike going to daycare. He would cry every morning we left him there. Thankfully we made the decision to part ways with KA after only 4 weeks, and have moved him to a new daycare where he is thriving and happy to go to school every day. I would highly recommend avoiding KA at all costs. The teachers, staff and ownership are all very unprofessional and unwilling to work with the parents to formulate a transition plan for our young one. If Yelp let me select 0 stars, I would have!!

Our kids have loved going to Kiddie Academy over the last few years. They have wonderful teachers, curriculum, resources, amenities etc. for the kids. Professional staff and clean facilities are a big plus as well. They have various after school activities to promote community involvment and family interaction. Convienant location off of US1 as well. Mr. Joe and Ms. Rita are a joy to depend on!

Our daughter has been going to KA since the very beginning (about 2 was after they opened). They have always been amazing to work with and have taken phenomenal care of her. Our son occasionally goes as well. In the near 9 years we have had our kids in daycare, this is the best daycare we have ever had the pleasure of taking our kids. In the 3+ years our daughter has been at KA she has rarely gotten sick. I attest this to their dedication to keeping everything clean and disinfected. KA has always been very accommodating. They worked with us during the first year when our daughter had to wear a helmet for medical reasons for the majority of her first year at KA. When we had a job loss they also worked with us to accommodate a part time schedule that wasn't what they typically allowed. We have referred many of our friends and neighbors to KA and wouldn't consider leaving KA. They are the best!

Within a week of our daughter being in their care we submitted a complaint with how unorganized her classroom was and the teacher had no control over the kids. Within six months our daughter thrived off the chaos and was a problem in the classroom and at home. They had no time to teach the kids as they could hardly manage the daily routine. They called us multiple times to come pick her up due to behaviors she learned in their care and I had originally complained about other kids doing. Most daycares have turnover but here it is exceptionally high from teachers, helpers, and even management. The franchisees are present but are forthcoming that they know nothing about kids or daycare. Their Director and Assistant Director were teaching the classrooms since everyone kept quitting. One day I dropped off my daughter to a crying teacher. We moved our daughter to another daycare almost two months ago and so glad we did. We know have our daughter back and dealing with the minor obstacles of a three year old versus complete chaos. Whether you are looking for a job or daycare, keep looking.

Unfortunately my experience with Kiddie Academy at St Johns was the worst experience we have ever had with any childcare!!! My son was only there for 1 month and he hated it from day 1. The transition from his old daycare (left old daycare due to change in my employment) to Kiddie Academy was difficult to say the least. 1 teacher in particular was loud and not warm towards the kids at all. My son would cry every morning begging to go home with me; this had NEVER been an issue before. My son unfortunately began to act out in ways that was completely unlike him (crying not wanting to be left there, not wanting to participate in circle time or during activities, hitting kids); all of this very unlike him and not something that had ever been an issue at the other daycare center or even outside of daycare with friends/family. The straw the broke the camels back with us was the day they called us to pick him up after being at daycare for 1hr. Upon our arrival we were advised he had hit another child; I understand the children's safety is their #1 priority and I 100% agree with that, but after having so many issues with the center my husband said to me "lets just leave and find another center". I told them I'd like to talk to the Director/Owner of the center and was told to schedule a meeting with her upon her return to the office. Later that afternoon I sent the Director a VERY POLITE email asking if we could meet to discuss the issues we were seeing with Kevin and for us to formulate a plan to help him with his transition to the center. Mind you up until this point I had not had not 1 parent/teacher conference or a formal meeting with his teachers about his behavior; just quick talks with the teachers btwn pickup/drop off. The response from the Director/Owner was completely unprofessional! Long story short, the owner did not give me the courtesy to meet with me, she said they had already met with me multiple times already (lies) and was told they believed my decision to leave the center was in everyone's best interest. I was told they would allow me to bring him for the next couple of days while I made other daycare arrangements.... The day I picked up my son I did NOT withdraw him from the center. I even told them I would like to talk to the director about all the issues; my husbands comment to me was that, a comment to ME. I did not give them an official withdrawal notice. The fact that the Director/Owner NEVER once met with me and declined my request to meet shows how unprofessional this facility is. Not one parent/teacher conference either. I felt my son was no longer welcomed there and I was NOT about to take him some place he was not welcomed!!!I replied back to the Director with my disappointment on them and made the official request to withdraw him immediately. The Director did not respond back after that which again shows me how unprofessional they are.My son is now at a new center where he feels welcomed and loved again! No issues since joining this new center; not 1 incident to report at all. Makes you wonder who the real problem was to begin with... children pick up on negative energy and act upon it; I 100% believe this was the issue with Kiddie Academy!!!

Our son has been enrolled in Kiddie Academy of St. Johns for a couple of years now, and he LOVES it there! The atmosphere is fun and inviting, and the teachers are all extremely friendly and helpful. Rita, one of the owners, is always very attentive and responsive to our needs and we know we can always count on her to help us with anything we may need. We simply couldn't be happier with our experience at Kiddie Academy of St. Johns!