Frog Pond Early Learning Center

We had a truly mixed experience at Frog Pond and I want to share both the wonderful and disappointing aspects of this school so other parents can make an informed decision. The Positives: The heart of this school lies in its nature-based curriculum, and it really shines here. Our children spend their days outdoors, exploring, learning through play, and connecting with the natural world—something that’s becoming increasingly rare in early education. It’s a breath of fresh air (literally and figuratively), and we love the values it instills in our kids. The teachers—especially the long-standing ones—are the true gems of this school. They are warm, nurturing, and clearly passionate about early childhood education. You can tell they love what they do and care deeply about the children they work with. It’s reassuring to drop your child off with people who feel like extended family. Another charming element is the presence of animals on the premises, which adds so much joy to the kids’ days and is a great learning opportunity. The Negatives: Unfortunately, the administration tells a very different story. In our experience, the administrative staff are consistently rude, dismissive, and condescending to parents. Feedback is rarely taken seriously, and there is little to no accountability from leadership when problems arise. There is also a troubling pattern of high staff turnover, including the sudden and unexplained termination of beloved, long-term staff—some with 20+ years at the school. This has created instability and a sense of unease among both staff and parents. Visually, the campus is showing its age. While the philosophy emphasizes rustic, natural elements, there’s a difference between intentional simplicity and neglect. Basic upkeep and repairs are often lacking, which doesn’t match the high tuition price point. And lastly, one of the more frustrating elements is the expectation that parents “volunteer” large amounts of time and labor—not optional, and often physical work—despite already paying premium tuition. It feels like a bait-and-switch, and it places undue pressure on working families. ⸻ In Summary: If you’re looking for a beautiful, nature-forward education for your child and are lucky enough to land in a classroom with one of the veteran teachers, this school may be a great fit. But be prepared to deal with a difficult administration, unclear policies, and questionable treatment of staff. We truly wish the leadership reflected the same values the teachers and children bring to life every day.

Uneven experience. Our child loved the animals and the outdoor education amd many of the longstanding teachers were truly wonderful. The mud kitchen, the walks through Huntley Meadows, outdoor yoga... all lovely. Our child still misses "my frog pond". The idea behind FP is special. Unfortunately FP has changed a lot over just the last few years. ( I know families who were there pre-covid who had a much more positive experience.) The communication from the current management was very poor. There were many (5 in one year) instances where a teacher left and was replaced without parents being informed ( leaving kids wondering where their beloved teacher had gone and parents wondering who or even what the name of the person now in the classroom was). We never knew when our kid was going to move up a class, giving no time to prepare the transitions. By our last year, the emphasis on outdoor education had severely declined, with the older kids inside most of the day, even on nice days. Many of the longstanding teachers we loved have left or been let go. I know that turnover is an issue across early chilhood education, but when parents raised concerns about the turnover and lack of communication, and asked for a prents council or some way to improve communication, we were told it is a private business, so we have no say. Again, the idea behind behind FP is wonderful, but families should go in aware that there are challenges.

My daughter just started attending the Frog pond. in a few short weeks the difference between her old daycare and Frog Pond is remarkable. Her vocabulary has increased dramatically and she is already in better control of her emotions. Now instead of long tantrums, she is able to calm herself down much quicker. My wife and I love the outdoors based education and my daughter comes home everyday burbling about everything she saw and played with. Highly recomend the Frog Pond

My daughter has been going to Frog Pond for two years now, and we absoutely love it! They have the best outdoor play space anywhere in the area, by far. I like that she gets natural, healthy food for breakfast and lunch. The teachers are fantastic! I highly recommend Frog Pond Early Learning Center.

I have so many amazing things to say about this school! I worked here I few years ago, and I highly recommend it. I gained a greater appreciation of nature, and became a more patient teacher and parent as a result of working here. They truly invest in their teachers, and care about the well-being of each and every student. The children eat fresh foods and get plenty of fresh air, while learning so much in the process. I have been teaching for over 10 years, and when I open my own school, I will apply much of what I learned here to ensure the best learning environment possible. 5 starts for Frod Pond!!