Hiawatha KinderCare,

1771 Boyson Square Drive, Hiawatha, IA 52233

"My daughter went to this school several years ago, however the experience needs to be shared. My daughter fell off the monkey bars at their school and broke her arm. This was after she had asked for help from one of the staff members who told her “she could do it on her own.” She was 5. My daughter was in a split household where she spent time with her father and spent time with me. They asked my 5 year old daughter who she was with that night, and called that parent to tell them what happened. Which happened to be her father. So, I didn’t find out that she had fallen or had broken her arm until her dad picked her up and had taken her to urgent care and gotten X-rays … which confirmed the broken arm. They were on their way to St. Luke’s. I emailed the owner/director about if there’s an emergency I think both parents should have been notified, especially if there’s a split family household they know about. I was extremely upset and saddened I wasn’t notified by the school. I never received a response from the owner/director after sending an email relaying my concerns. It’s been 10 years now."

"Day school itself is good especially the teachers. But the director/owner is non-decent people. She charge money in 1 second. But if you find a wrong charge or something else you need her feedback, it will take a couple of months or years to get feedback. My kid doesn’t attend school for almost year. But she still charge tuition without official notice. I made several calls but didn’t get any feedback. She just keep charging money. Please think twice before you send kid there. You might have to deal with really non-decent people."

"I honestly couldn’t imagine sending our children (3 and 10 months) to any place other than Hiawatha Day School! When we began looking for a center for our oldest, we toured almost every place in town. I had/have incredibly high expectations for childcare and Hiawatha Day School was the only one that met (and then exceeding) all of them. I love the fact there is only one room per age group which promotes a very “family” like atmosphere. Because of this, all the staff know the children and the families which adds even more of a personal touch. I love how there is a focus on routine and predictability rather than a free for all, play all day approach like I saw at some centers we toured. Their cleaning processes are also top notch and the center is always very clean and secure. The school also has wonderful, personal touches like having someone come in and do music with the classrooms, organizing baby chicks to be brought to the school in the springtime, working with the community to have fire trucks and police officers come for safety week and hosting an annual spring musical for families (and these are just a few of the many examples!). Yes, the center is more expensive than other places in town, but I truly believe you get what you pay for and the product at Hiawatha Day School is worth every single penny. As a working mom, I knew when sending my kids to a center I was going to be paying someone to help me raise them, and I honestly couldn’t imagine a better place to rise to that ask!"

"Hiawatha Day School is fabulous! They have the most kind, caring and attentive teachers/staff you could ever ask for. They offer so many extras for the kids (sports, dance, field trips)! I'm so grateful to them and glad they take such good care of us and all the other families that go here. I couldn't recommend them enough to anyone that wants great care and education for their children! They definitely go above and beyond for the children and their families!"