Hearts & Minds Early Childhood Program 13056 Atwood Avenue, Omaha, NE 68144

"H&M is not the childcare center/preschool closest to our house, and we drive past 3 other reputable places on our way there. But we've happily driven the extra few miles for the past 6 years to send our 3 children there for daycare and preschool. We started there because of their flexible scheduling options, but have stayed because they have instilled a beautiful love for faith and learning in our children, in a safe and caring environment. We recently attended KG conferences for our oldest, who attended H&M from 18-months (Moms Day Out) through preschool (3's and 4's). Her KG teacher commented on how prepared she was for Kindergarten, which I attribute to her wonderful H&M preschool teachers. My youngest (18 months) reaches for her teachers when we arrive in the morning, which I love and think says a lot. I feel fortunate we have had such a great experience at H&M, and recommend it frequently to others. The ONLY thing that has been a challenge for us with H&M is that they are closed the entire month. They follow the MPS school calendar for the rest of the year (days off, end of school, etc), and they do summer programming, which is super helpful. So I do understand why they take the month off (they deserve it!), but August is a challenging month to find extra help when most kids (summer nannies) are going back to school, and I selfishly wish they would start back up mid-August to align with the MPS calendar like they do for the rest of the year. :)"

"Where do I begin on how amazing this early childhood education facility is?! Raising my daughter as a stay at home mom I was looking for a place for my daughter to thrive and blossom while learning about God. Hearts and Minds has done just that. She attends the moms day out program as well as preschool and is extremely excited to go every single day. Moms day out is structured weekly with themes and monthly with bible verses. While she’s not in preschool she’s still learning and thriving. The preschool curriculum is more than I could imagine, she is learning and thriving. Also the class sizes are the best I’ve seen for the affordability and quality of education! The building is up to date and teachers all make us feel like family. We are going through some medical issues and they have been more than accommodating with her needs while we get things figured out."

"Why are there no reviews of this place? It’s a beautiful facility, and seemed very nice BUT I pulled my three year old after her second day. She’s a busy child, no special needs, just 3 and it’s her first time in preschool. She’s never been to daycare. I went to the open house- all went ok. I asked about discipline, and there was hemming and hawing about maybe a time out here and there, but definitely redirection. Sounds good. I show up for pick up, day one, of three year old preschool, mornings only. I am at the door, my child comes running for me, they make her go back sit down and wait to be called. She’s upset, and won’t come. I offer to pick her up, the teacher says she will and that she needs to learn. Ok- makes me a little uneasy the way she spoke, but I blow it off. The next day I’m told by a friend that they have strapped her 3 year old little girl into a chair for being too busy and not being still. She only found out bc he child told her, not the teacher. I felt worried about that, so I asked about it on pick up day two. I was told by the admin they really only use those for two year olds when they eat, and not the 3s, but she’s not really sure. Then I ask her teacher, and she said my child ran out of the classroom twice - that’s not great- and they do have those chairs. Would I be open to my 3 year old being strapped down if necessary? That the answer was not an unequivocal “NO, of course we don’t do that!”, is my issue. I understand that this form of discipline, for some parents, would be ok by them. My biggest issue is being mislead. Why, when I asked specifically about discipline at the open house, was I not told about this method? I don’t think the admin had any real idea about it. Would they have done this to my child, like they did the other little girl, without telling me? Have they all been trained on proper use of restraints? I think it would be supremely difficult to strap in most upset, resistant, three year olds without hurting them. Regardless, the way it was handled, and the fact that it might be an option, is not congruous with how we raise our kids. I’m disappointed. I’ve heard marvelous things about this center, and was shocked by this revelation. **I will also add that the use of restraints in childcare settings is legal according to the DHHS, with a few contingencies that need to be met. See 3-006.20E DHHS Children’s Services Licensing"

"Great caring preschool love this place very well organized and keep the kids engaged"