Children's Garden Learning Academy

"Our family recently moved out of state and to say we wished we could have taken CGLA with us is an understatement. Our baby has been here since before he was 3 months old and we believe that he is the joyful, goofy, smart, healthy kid that he is because of this place and the people who run it. When we first began our time at CGLA, Sylvia told me this place was special because the staff and operations run like a family (the good kind!!). I wouldn't know the extent to which this was true until our baby was hospitalized with RSV. Cathy and Gail at CGLA removed financial burdens as much as possible, Jami (his teacher and like a second mom to him) brought a handmade card and activities for him to do in the hospital on her break. They sent daily texts asking how he was and supported us in every way possible. And those weren't even "school days." We all cried when we had to leave this place because it feels like a truly magical and special place. Every teacher he's had at CGLA we owe so much to and we miss them already dearly. I am excited another kiddo can be welcomed in since a spot has opened up and if it gets to be your kid, register this minute!"

"My son has been going to this center for 3yrs now and I'm glad I picked the right place. Even with his early birth and Lung issues. But I can say that unlike most corporate daycares they don't make me feel like a number. They actually treat us like family. My son loves all the teachers and calls a couple of the auntie. Thank you for everything CGLA staff"

"I am long overdue for a review of Children’s Garden but this being my eldest son’s last week before moving on to ECE4 and after reading the latest review on Google by someone who has zero experience sending their child to this school I think it’s time. He has been at CGLA for around 3.5 years now. He has done all those catch phrases: grown, thrived, felt comfortable, etc. etc. He loves it there, he loves his teachers, he loves Cathy and Gail who run the place. The thing you should know about CGLA is that it is run primarily by a few families. Those that are not direct family members are treated as such regardless and that is the environment that Charlie has experienced over these 3.5 years. It’s not a sterile environment, it’s a home environment. Miss Diondra is his teacher currently; her mother is Cathy who is one of the two administrators. Gail’s grandson is in my youngest child’s class. Several of the teachers have their own children in school there as well. Going back to the height of the pandemic, that was a fun time. Everyone was losing their minds, schools were shutting down, curtailing hours, it was rough. You could see it on Gail and Cathy’s faces every day. Through all that, they did not change their hours. They couldn’t, many of the parents of students at CGLC work at the hospital as first responders and needed to work. They followed all the proper protocols and eventually there was an outbreak of covid… in February of 2021. It took that long, I’m sure some of that was luck but sometimes you make your own luck. When the few shutdowns have happened after that they always made an effort to do everything they could to keep the kids safe but to get the school up and running as quickly as possible. Those were trying times for everyone, I was happy to have CGLA on my side through those years. Our youngest is turning 1 next month, he’ll be at CGLA until it’s time to move on to ECE in 3 years because I can’t imagine entrusting him to anyone else."

"PLEASE READ MY HONEST OPINION AFTER BEING ON THE WAITLIST FOR 1.5 YEARS THEN REMOVED WITHOUT NOTIFICATION: Around April of 2020 my wife and I toured Children's Garden for daycare for our soon to be son and needed child care around April 2021. We only toured because their website states they offer part time, which it turns out they dont at all. Full time rate was $1500 at the time and then moved to $1600 more recently. As soon as we walked in we knew it wasnt going to be the nicest of daycares. Seemed very dirty and dark. They showed us an infant room which wasnt being used at the time, but dont know why they would want to because it was very dirty and definitely not a highlight. Walking down the hallway I noticed insect spray in the kitchen near the food, I have always remembered seeing this. Then they showed us their playground in the driveway. We knew this wasnt going to be a full time solution, just to get by till we got in to part time at Rose (University Children's Center). We were pretty embarrassed telling people where we were going to take our son for daycare, but we did tell one of our friends and they toured it. They wanted no part of it and ended up getting on the waitlist at University Children's Center. So April 2021 comes and they reach out to ask about our intention and we told them that with the pandemic, we still had someone at home to watch our son. They would call every couple of months to check in and we would push the start date a little bit. Then around September/October 2021 I was sent back to the office so I started my 6 week paternity leave and let Garden know that once my leave was up, we would need daycare, which would be February 1. We knew that we probably wouldnt be able to get right in, but when I called to confirm the start date around January 7 2022, they told me the waitlist wasnt open till September. I stated we have been on the waitlist already so that must be for new applicants. They said no, the waitlist is so far behind that we would be about 7 months. Which means they removed us from the waitlist completely and didnt just bump us down a spot or two. We are now going to be changing our work schedules until we get into the better daycares, but wanted to share our story with others and to steer clear of Childrens Garden Learning. Primrose has a very long waitlist, but why would you spend $1600 and Garden when you can spend the same at a nicer daycare like University Childrens Center at Rose Hospital or spend a little more and send to Primrose. Hope this helps. I know childcare is tough in Denver, but just start very early and avoid Children's Garden Learning Academy if you are able to"

"My son had been at this center for over a year, and he loves it! He's learning so much, and feels safe and cared for with every one of the staff and directors. I'm so grateful to have a fun and safe place for my son to be when he's not with me."