Univ Co Fmly Hsng Childrens Ctr is a child daycare & preschools daycare located at 2202 Arapahoe, Boulder, Colorado CO. Find contact info, location details, and similar daycares nearby.
What Parents Say
CU Children's Center receives mixed reviews ranging from 1-5 stars. Positive reviews praise the new leadership, Colorado Shines 4 rating, experienced teachers, thoughtful transitions, and university affiliation. Negative reviews report concerning incidents including inappropriate teacher behavior (pinching), overly strict illness policies, and inadequate care and responsiveness.
We've been at CU Children's Center for 3 years now and have had a wonderful experience. My understanding is that they went through a difficult period between a long-time director leaving and COVID, but they have worked hard to turn things around and recently earned the Colorado Shines 4 rating. The new director, Emily, has been at the school in different roles. She spends lots of time in the classrooms, which I really appreciate. My daughter is about to "graduate" after being in the 2s, 3s and pre-k rooms. She has loved all of her teachers. There has been some teacher turnover, but it has been limited and seems to have slowed down. There has not been much student turnover, which has helped her to make a good group of friends whom she is really sad to leave. They do a good job planning and communicating the curriculum, and she is well-positioned to start kindergarten. Most of the parents in her classroom are affiliated with the university, which helps to build a sense of community. They also take advantage of university affiliation for things like a recent field trip to the CU Greenhouse (organized by a parent in the biology department). My daughter loves the student aides as well! My son started in the infants room at 6 months old, and I was particularly impressed by how thoughtful they were with the transition process. The teachers came to our house for a home visit to meet him in his environment and talk with us about his needs, schedule, etc. We then did two classroom visits before he started. The infant room ratio is officially 1:4, but I have rarely (ever?) seen it that high. They have teacher support aides join the room to support the primary teachers. He loves his teachers and goes over to give them a hug first thing every morning. I would highly recommend Children's Center!
My family had a wonderful experience with CU Children's. The teachers have years of experience and no staff turnover. It was so nice to have an organization associated with CU. I wish late starts and snow days were better commentated to families who were not tied to CU's alerts. My child was thrilled with the recently installed playground climber. In addition, we made friends with other families which made use feel like we belong.
Not a good school to send your kids. The teachers do not care for the kids and do just the bare minimum. It was rare to see any smile or even an acknowledgment from the teachers when we dropped off our kid. One time they said they won’t take our kid to outdoor visit to a nearby park as they were unable to handle him. My son felt very sad when he could not go while all his friends went. He cried everyday during drop off and pick up. Eventually we switched to a different school and is very happy. Worst experience with CU children’s center. It is sad the the daycare affiliated to CU functions below par.
CU children's Center My son was in daycare at CU children's center. During that time, my son pinch me and said "You need to stop, OK?" Because he learned it in Tigger class during one of the teacher pinching his wrist and saying to him"You need to stop, OK?" The policy there is very strict. Slight cough or diarrhea without fever will cause 24 hours home staying. My son get sick 1-2 times per month. No chance to negotiate until the last time I decide to quit. In winter, the teacher always took off my son's coat and let my son play outside, then my son always get cold. After getting cold, they will force me to take my son home staying for 24 hours. I was not secure to let them take care of my son anymore, after hurting by them again and again. That day, my son has cough, but no fever, they ask me to take my son home again for 24 hours, I was hurt hardly again and again by them, finially I quit. Then I sent my son to another daycare, and my son never get sick for about two month since then. At first I was thinking the reason my son often get sick maybe my son has lower immunity, but now I know the reason. The teacher pinched not only my son, my son told me the teacher also pinch another boy.
All depends on the group you are in. Some teachers are amazing and others are ok. Overall very good.
Colorado Shines
Level 4 out of 5
Level 4
This rating is part of the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Trained evaluators assess staff qualifications, learning environment, curriculum, and family engagement — standards that go beyond basic licensing requirements.
Level 1: Meets basic licensing standards.
Level 2: Exceeds licensing with some quality improvements in place.
Level 3: Demonstrates strong practices in curriculum and staff development.
Level 4: High quality across most assessed areas.
Level 5: Highest quality — excels in all areas of assessment.