Kiddie University Capitol Hill

The care and attention toward the children didn’t seem as gentle or structured as I hoped, and routines were not followed as clearly as I had been told. The organization overall felt lacking, and I often left feeling uneasy about how things were managed. In my opinion this center needs to improve communication, structure, and the overall quality of care. I would encourage families to visit first and observe closely before making a decision. The teacher there Tamika very unprofessional.

UFK Capitol Hill took wonderful care of our two children for more than 3 years, and I can't say enough good things about the facility. Their leadership and staff are truly top-notch. I highly recommend UFK to any Cap Hill families looking for a warm and inviting daycare community!

As a parent, I feel the need to write a very honest review of this childcare center to help other families make informed decisions when choosing care for their children. About a year ago, my family and I moved to D.C., and we began searching for childcare. When we found this center online, it was advertised as a high-quality program using the Creative Curriculum. They mentioned having a waiting list and asked for payment. However, once we enrolled, it became clear that there was no actual waiting list and that the center was in need of more children to fill spots. When my child started, it was a very difficult experience. My child did not feel comfortable with the lead teacher and would cry during drop-off. Instead of offering comfort, support, or reassurance, the lead teacher did not attempt to hold my child or engage her in play. Because of this, my child was often sent to another lead teacher’s classroom, where she finally felt welcomed. That teacher would hug my child and allow her to play calmly. Watching this contrast was heartbreaking as a parent. What made this more concerning was that the original lead teacher asked me to leave immediately after drop-off, without giving my child time to transition. On one occasion, while walking down the stairs, I overheard her speaking negatively about my child and about me. I also overheard unprofessional comments about a newly appointed director at another center, describing that person as mean and unprofessional. This type of conversation is not something I expected to hear from a childcare professional. She would also frequently talk about personal matters unrelated to the classroom. All I wanted was a professional teacher who could respectfully and warmly receive my child. The classroom environment itself was not welcoming. Children were repeatedly limited to playing with the same materials, mostly magnet tiles. I got the impression that children were not encouraged to freely choose from a variety of toys in that room. Although the center is marketed as using the Creative Curriculum, my child’s artwork lacked creativity and freedom. Most projects were identical across children, with little opportunity for open-ended art such as free painting or creative exploration. Activities felt more teacher-directed rather than child-led. The photos shared with parents also appeared staged or scripted. Children were often placed in one spot smiling for pictures, and props seemed to be used mainly for photos rather than allowing children to freely play and explore them. Most art and science activities did not appear child-led. There were few math, literacy, social studies, or social-emotional learning activities observed. The classrooms had a lot of clutter and did not appear clean from ceiling, walls to floor. Many items looked old and worn. The upstairs carpet was extremely old and visibly dirty. The stairway railing, child safety gate, and surrounding areas also appeared dirty. The toys were old, many had missing pieces, and they did not appear to be regularly cleaned. Several toys were dusty and had visible smears. The furniture was very old, with some pieces broken and others appearing moldy. The classroom walls were painted in mismatched colors, and a lamp appeared unstable and unsafe. During the time my child was enrolled, there were ceiling leaks on more than one occasion in different upstairs classroom areas. The bathroom ceiling also had a leak, and the sink appeared very old and moldy. Both bathroom toilet seats were broken, and the bathrooms and step stools often appeared poorly cleaned. The menu posted did not always match what my child was actually receiving, especially for breakfast and snack. It often seemed inconsistent and relied heavily on cereal for breakfast. The center also advertised that teachers would regularly share pictures of meals, but this was rarely done, which made it difficult to know what my child was truly being served each day. I was also informed by parents that many staff members held a CDA rather than higher education degrees.

There’s no better place for young children than UFK! The rich, innovative experiences provided to the children are by far set apart. This is an extraordinary safe place for young children. What’s more important, feedback is critical to work together on behalf of your child! Prime Time moments are essential attributes of the teachers work and excellence is the standard. Instantaneously you have a guaranteed peace of mind when leaving your child. As part of the management team, I fully endorse and stand strong on this review!

Delighted to share our exceptional experience with University for Kids, Capitol Hill—our now 2yo son’s first daycare experience. He’s been here a year and we truly could not love it more. We feel so lucky to have found a place that not only prioritizes education, but also extends genuine kindness to our son and every child in his class/the center. The curriculum provided is outstanding, striking the perfect balance between structured learning and play. We especially appreciate the regular updates throughout the day (everything from photos to nap time to BM updates) and the genuine caring, warmth and kindness of all the teachers—and Mrs. McFadden, the administrator, who is just a saint and always so responsive over text to any requests or inquiries. The teachers at this daycare are truly phenomenal—they are dedicated, caring, and fully invested in each child's growth. It brings us immense joy to see our child thoroughly enjoying his time here, having fun and making friends while learning. I couldn’t recommend this daycare more to any parent in search of a nurturing and enriching environment for their child.