Step One Academy LLC

This daycare is colorful and inviting at first glance, and it does provide a structured environment for young children. However, my overall experience was mixed. While the staff are attentive with the children, communication with parents is very limited and often last-minute, which can be frustrating when important information, such as classroom transitions, uniform requirements, or items needed, is not given in advance. Language barriers also make it difficult for parents who speak Spanish to receive clear updates about daily routines. Another concern is the cost. The program is quite pricey, yet parents are required to purchase a long list of classroom supplies, items such as paint, cotton balls, toilet paper, glitter, paper plates, gallon-sized Ziploc bags, Play-Doh, and craft sticks. As an educator myself, I typically don’t mind adhering to supply lists, but I found it unusual that a daycare would rely on families to provide basic teaching and craft materials that are normally the responsibility of the center. This raises the question of what tuition is covering, as it can feel like families are paying not only for education but also for outfitting the classroom. Additionally, basic supplies like diapers were not well-stocked, and cleanliness was a concern since my children frequently fell ill and even contracted lice during their stay. Although the center has potential, families considering enrollment should be aware of these challenges and ask detailed questions about communication practices, hygiene policies, and how tuition is allocated before making a decision.

HORRIBLE ! HORRIBLE ! HORRIBLE ! If I could give ZERO stars I would!!!! This is one of the worst child care centers in Plainfield NJ. They are MONEY hungry and Money is their only priority! They constantly lose my child’s belongings and have never reimbursed me for anything but they want their money on time and never miss a beat. They have a majority of non English speaking teachers who can’t and will not communicate with parents because they can’t. They are there to primarily serve Spanish speaking families and my family and others that I know of constantly feel discriminated against because of the language barrier. They give certain parents special treatment while constantly charging outrageous amounts of money to others for everything. Hopefully the state can come and check in on this place. My child will not be coming back next year. Hopefully I will find another center in the Plainfield area that will provide a safe and nurturing atmosphere. I urge anyone looking for an affordable child care center where the teachers are doing their jobs and monitoring the children NOT TO CHOOSE THIS PLACE!

When I moved to Plainfield, I looked for the perfect place for my daughter to be cared for; and out of all the places I checked, I loved the cleanliness & the environment of Step One Academy. She has been with them ever since she was a year and a half, never had a complaint. She loves her teachers and classmates and I love the interaction she has with everyone. Updated* My son is now a year and 3 months, and this is the place who is now taking care of him. Professional staff, clean environment, safety guidelines for Covid in place. I love it.

the facility is clean but they are very short with people, it's like they dont even give you a chance to talk before they are hanging up the phone it's been many occasions where it just seems like they are such in a rush they they can not really hear your concerns and it could make parents seem rushed and that is not good for a place that I am sending my child to, they dont get back to people when they say they will and they are just like doing too much, I am not pleased so I pulled my child out immediately. their communication is all off and on my daughter's birthday I told them it was her birthday and they were acting surprised it was her birthday. over all not a good place to send your kids they act like they just dont have no time or patience with the parents and that's not okay if you dont have patience perhaps choosing another career. ultimately they are unorganized and kinda disrespectful and they do come off and come accoss as money hungry mainly the director of the daycare the one in the big building she seems money hungry and dismissive of the parents needs and feelings and it is unacceptable. please this is not an acceptable place. they trying to act nice.

This was not a good experience. The teachers there consistently fed my son foods that he did not eat. The place has a bad odor very often and I feel like there was miscommunication between the administrators. It is more like a babysitting service than a school or daycare.