La Petite Academy

My daughter began attending La Petite Academy when she was around 7 months old. She is now 14 months old and has transitioned from the infant room to the toddler room. I truly appreciate this school and their care-centered approach. Any issue I have had has always been promptly addressed and resolved, which gives me a lot of peace of mind. The curriculum is amazing, and they have taught my daughter so many things already. It feels wonderful to have a support team that is genuinely dedicated to my daughter’s development and growth. Her teacher, Ms. Marianna, is truly incredible — she’s somewhat of a toddler whisperer! My daughter absolutely adores her, and it is the best feeling to leave my child in her care knowing she feels safe, comfortable, and deeply trusted. It truly comes down to the people who work here and how deeply they care about each child and their experience. I also love that parents have access to an app where we can view live camera feeds, receive updates on diaper changes, feedings, and naps, and see photos of all the fun and enriching activities throughout the day. As a first-time mom, trusting others with your child can be daunting, but La Petite Academy has made that process so much easier. I have felt confident, supported, and grateful every step of the way. Honorable mentions: Ms. Ciara, Ms. Lauren, Ms. Stef, Ms. Terri, and of course... MS. MARIANNA!

My baby started attending La Petite Academy in Saugus when she was just 4 months old, and it has been an incredible experience. The teachers are very kind and nurturing. The director, Melissa, is warm and professional, and always goes the extra mile. In fact, everyone at La Petite clearly loves kids. The live cameras provide peace of mind, and the fun projects keep my daughter engaged and learning. I love seeing updates about my girl’s day in the app and getting fun pictures throughout the day. Knowing that she’s happy and safe is everything to me. The schedule is also incredibly convenient for both full-time and part-time working parents. My daughter absolutely loves going to school and lights up whenever she sees her friends and reachers. It’s heartwarming to see her so happy and excited to learn. We’ve been coming here for 2 years already. We also had a wonderful experience with La Petite in Nevada for our older daughter, so we knew we were in good hands. I highly recommend the school!

Out of all the daycares we toured, this one is the one we put our trust in based on what we saw and how the staff made us feel. My son started attending since he was 8 months old. He is now 21 months old and he loves it. He used to cry every time I dropped him off and now he cries every time I pick him up...It's quite funny to me! There have been a few management issues in the time that we have been here, but it has gotten better...little by little...which I truly appreciate. And that is why we have stayed. What I love about this daycare is that the teachers are extremely caring and kind. Especially Ms. Mariana, Ms. Teri, and Ms. Lauren. This gives me peace of mind. I also love that they take the kids to play outdoors at least once a day. My son enjoys that to the fullest. I can see that in all the pictures and videos they post in the app when he is playing outside. Seeing my son happy is the most important thing to me...and he is definitely happy here.

This daycare has gone downhill and is no longer a good or responsible option for families. Please do your research before considering La Petite Academy. Our family was enrolled here for three years, and along with four other families, we all recently left for another daycare. Leaving was a difficult decision, but we all experienced the same issues: chronic short staffing, a "profit first, kids second" mentality, lack of cleanliness, minimal curriculum, high staff turnover, and very poor management over the last two years. While some teachers were truly excellent, most of them have since left. The teachers who remained were overworked and under-supported, and it was obvious in their daily frustration. Management offered no real help, and both the former and current directors ignored parent concerns. Serious problems include: Constant classroom combining: 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds are frequently combined into one class to cut costs rather than hiring adequate staff. This harms child development, disrupts curriculum, and discourages the kids. Neglect of required standards: PTA meetings, which are supposed to happen twice a year, never occurred. Curriculum tracking was virtually nonexistent--the most consistent work we saw were weekly hand paintings, with little educational structure beyond that. Unqualified and ineffective leadership: The new director, Mellisa E., initially seemed warm, but quickly proved inexperienced and unprofessional. Her overly cheerful demeanor came across as patronizing, and she failed to manage staff or address ongoing problems. Under her leadership, two teachers and one assistant director walked out without notice in a single month. Poor oversight: Regional leadership is absent. Accountability and support from upper management are nonexistent. Facility issues: The building has increasingly become dirty and poorly maintained. The numbers speak for themselves: in just three years, we counted 16 teachers, 4 assistant directors, and 3 directors cycling through this facility. That's not counting the latest 3 walkouts mentioned and only who we can remember by name. The turnover rate is alarmingly high, leaving children without consistency or stability. Most concerning of all, La Petite recently received seven citations from the California Department of Social Services during a single visit under the new director. That alone should give families serious pause. Before you consider enrolling your child here, I strongly recommend you ask these questions: What is the turnover rate for teachers and directors? How long has each teacher worked here, and what are their credentials? How many teachers do you have and which classrooms are they assigned to? How many kids do you currently have enrolled in each class and how many are returning next school year? What is your curriculum, and how do you track a child's progress? How often are PTA meetings held, and where are the records? How is cleanliness monitored and maintained? Why were multiple citations recently issued by the state? If you want the most expensive subpar babysitting service, this may be the place. But if you want a daycare that prioritizes children, growth, and stability, look elsewhere. Five families--including ours--left in the same month, and I wish there had been more honest reviews like this before we enrolled three years ago.

Wonderful school with a wonderful and caring staff. Constant updates through the day through an app that sends pictures and information specific to your child thought the day. I always know how much my child has eaten thanks to this. I have sent both of my younger children to this school and would highly recommend it.