Happy Faces Daycare / Pre-School

Reviews 3

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Anonymous User

Weve had our now 6 month old daughter at Happy Faces since she was 3 months old. I looked at Happy Faces first, and then looked at four other day care centers in Centreville before I returned to HF for another look. I felt HF was right the first time I toured, and after looking at the others and returning to HF, I knew it was the place for us. Some of the things that sold me on HF, especially in comparison to other schools: 1. I walked in and toured during a busy hour, and didnt hear babies crying (!!!!!). Instead, one teacher was on the floor feeding a baby in her lap, while the other babies were sitting in a circle around her playing with their toys. No one was left sitting in a swing alone, rather each baby was actively playing and had interaction. 2. They have an outdoor, fenced, shaded area for the babies. On warm days, they take the babies outside (along with toys) to enjoy the sunshine and warmth. I LOVE THIS. Fresh air is so important, and for older crawling and walking babies, it is a great way to explore the elements. Younger babies can sit in their bumbo or bouncer or play on the padded mat. So great. 3. My daughter is not a good sleeper. I have never once had to listen to a lecture or feel bad about my decision to not sleep train her. Also, she is breastfed and did not start solid foods until 6 months old, and I did not get any criticism or hear about any inconvenience this may have caused. I have heard from friends that this sometimes occurs at other day cares. 4. They sanitize toys and play areas twice a day. I believe most daycare centers will TELL you they do this, but I have walked in unannounced and have seen the teachers at HF actually doing it. Saying they will and actually doing it are two different things. 5. The babies are never left without something to do. Meaning, they are never plopped in a bouncer without a toy (As I have seen at other centers, where the baby is left in a swing that is not turned on, without toys, just staring at the wall). They have many different activities, music is always on during the day (soft, sleepy music during nap time, playful music during play time), and they even do a story time. 6. All of her teachers and assistants speak fluent English. While touring other facilities, I noticed this was not always the case. Communication has not been a problem at all for us, and I feel confident that it will not become one. Her teachers are wonderful, warm, friendly, and encouraging. My daughter is happy, playful, and well rested each day when I pick her up. She smiles and giggles at her teachers so I know that she likes them as much as I do. Although pricier than some other schools in the area, I feel that this is by far the best option and worth every dollar. My daughter gets individualized care from her teachers, and they are actively participating in my decisions as far as feeding and sleeping are concerned. I would recommend this day care to any new parent.

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Anonymous User

My kids have been enrolled at Happy Faces since Oct 2011. My son had just turned 3 and my daughter was 4.5. I did a lot of research before I found a place that I wanted to enroll my kids. We didnt want a place that was religion based and some of the other places I checked out cost an arm and a leg. Im a stay at home mom who just started a new business, so my husband and I really werent looking to enroll our kids in some overpriced, cookie cutter place. This was also the first time our kids were going to be left w/ someone other than myself, my husband, or my mom. We dont even have a babysitter. So, I checked out TONS of reviews on all the places that I researched and did site visits. Happy Faces Daycare/Preschool had a lot of positive reviews. I also checked out CPI which is located across the street and is a co-op school. Although my friend has her daughter enrolled there, it wasnt the right school for me or my kids. When I first saw Happy Faces, I thought it was a very cute little yellow school. When I came for my pre-scheduled appt/walk thru, the school in fact was not little at all. My son actually started off in the Buzzing Bees classroom for the 2-3 yr olds and then quickly moved over to the pre-k Hungry Caterpillar room w/ his big sister. Our kids love it there and they didnt even cry the first day I left them there. My daughter is going to start Kindergarten this fall and when we went to the K registration, she said that she didnt want to go to the new school and that she wanted to stay at Happy Faces. I will admit that there are a lot of kids in the classroom but there are at least 3 teachers there whenever I go there to drop them off and pick them up, so I know they are still getting the attention that they need. I also know that they split the kids in half and take them into the next room, so they arent all there together. My kids also do pretend school when they are at home and they imitate their teachers. My son always hugs all 3 of his teachers before he leaves. Im very happy w/ Happy Faces. I like their facilities and the staff. My kids love their teachers and the new friends they have there.

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Anonymous User

It is rather upsetting to read the below two reviews as I have been a very satisfied parent of Happy Faces for 4 years. I feel as if there must be some disgruntled ex employees writing these reviews because there is no way these reviews would have ever been written by a current parent or staff member. Happy Faces is not just a place where you leave your kids, it is a family. I have a 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 year old. My four year old son has two very hands on teachers (Miss Tamara and Miss Amanda) who I have been incredibly pleased with plus there is a floater in their class (Miss Alva) who I also really love. Their enthusiasm is obvious from the beginning of the day until I pick up my children. In my 2 1/2 year old daughters class, she has two teachers; one who has been there since we started (Ms. Naheed and Miss Yuri). It is clear they both have a love for my daughter and want the best for her. I feel that there is a good curriculum that has been introduced and really gets through to the kids. Once again, part of that is due to the current teachers in the rooms. There was a change in staff a few months back, and since then I have really found their classes have been brought to a new level. I am incredibly happy with how the new assistant director (Miss Jessica) is helping to run the daycare and implementing policies. At this time it is obvious there is more stability and less turn over than in the past because the school has reached a higher end of staff. I feel very safe leaving my children at this daycare. They care about my children and they would care about yours. I would highly recommend looking at Happy Faces as a place to care for your children. It is the safest and most reliable daycare in Centreville.

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