Kinder Kastle Child Care Learning Center — Attraction in Metuchen

I usually don't write reviews online, but I have had such a pleasant experience with Kinder Kastle that I feel like I have to share with others who may be looking for a place for their children. I have two children, one who started in the toddler room at 18 months and continued through until he graduated from the kindergarten program last year. My second is currently in the preschool room and I intend on keeping her through the K program as well.

I don't even know where to start honestly, there are so many great things I can say. For starters the school has a security feature for you to enter the building and your child is always greeted by any staff you see. You are given a daily report so you know exactly what your child did that day, how much your child ate that day, whether they napped, when and how much of a bottle they took, when and the substance of any diaper change, potty training, etc. You also get progress reports so you know how your child is progressing both socially and academically.

The school provides two snacks a day and a hot lunch with your tuition - and the kids enjoy the food! There is a wonderful outdoor play area, separated to keep the younger ones apart from the older ones for their safety. And there is also Kinder Town which is a great indoor play area - wonderful for the winter and rainy days so the kids can actually play. And importantly the school is very clean!!!

The school operates as that - as a school and not as a daycare. Each class has a curriculum they follow and I am continually amazed at what my kids learn and at such a young age. I see friends with other children in other schools and they aren't doing near what they do and aren't as academically advanced as they are here at Kinder Kastle. Both of my children were already learning to write when they turned 3 and could write their names completely on their own! They start teaching the kids to read by teaching them sight words in Pre-K. My son was reading on a 6th grade level after completing the K program!!!! He tells me things he’s learned in school that I don't even know and I have a post-graduate education!

On top of that, the teachers and staff provide a loving environment for the kids. And my kids love their teachers right back. Most nights during pick up neither of my kids would want to leave and certainly wouldn't leave without giving hugs all around. In fact, many evenings I have left the building with one or both in tears because they want to stay. That alone speaks volumes to me. My son was so upset to graduate because he said he was going to miss his teachers so very much. I take him back to visit when I can which he loves. When he first started at 18 mos after being home with me for almost a year it was a huge adjustment for him. His teachers went above and beyond in the morning during my drop off time, to give him the attention, care and affection that he needed to help him from becoming upset at my leaving. Within a few weeks he would enter the room in the morning without even a glance back just so excited to be at school.

Donna and Katie (the director and assistant director) are extremely welcoming and professional. They are always accommodating and are there if I need to talk to them about anything and always do what they can to help me out if I need it.

My kids have both grown so much socially, developmentally and educationally here in a place filled with warmth, happiness, learning, and life lessons important to thrive. I feel completely safe and comfortable leaving my children in the care of Kinder Kastle. I have to say it's a wonderful feeling being able to go to work and not have to worry about...

I recently saw some " metuchen moms" looking for childcare recommendations on FB so I thought I'd write a review. My daughter has been at Kinder Kastle in Metuchen since she was 4 months old- she's now 5 and enrolled in their kindergarten program which is fantastic! When looking for the right place to entrust with my daughter, I researched several daycares in Metuchen Woodbridge and Islen. While all had there good points Kinder Kastle was the best overall. My best friend is a daycare director in CT and helped me on what to look for... Good facility, good size rooms, large outdoor play area, shaded area for my red head!, indoor play area and individually coded security. Check! Parents greeted by any and all staff , child greeted by any and all staff, sign in and sign out process, no shoes worn in the baby room for sanitary reasons, children being held & rocked, as well as tummy time. Crib for every baby with decorations. Rooms clean, and well kept- cleaning person on staff for daily upkeep. And it smelled clean and fresh everyday!!! They provide snack, drink and hot lunch for toddler and above - healthy choices like wheat pasta, & turkey hot dogs with fruit and veggies. The teachers are warm, personal and above all caring. There are daily reports, on your child - did they eat? How much? Did the nap short or long , and the curriculum for that day- songs, games, books read and motor skill activities. My daughter thrived in each room with the help and guidance of each teacher and the interaction of the Director Miss Donna and Assistant Directors Miss Nancy and Miss Katie. My daughter was advanced to the next class based on readiness, not just age or if there was enough room-which is extremely important. Bottom line is, I chose Kinder Kastle for her kindergarten as well because they do such a phenomenal job teaching. It's not just a daycare, it's a place of enrichment and learning. We've always called it " school". At her pre school graduation we received a DVD of all the photo highlights of the year - what a wonderful keepsake. My daughter loves every teacher she had and like another reviewer - says goodbye with a hug every night- even if we have to go room to room to find them!!! I highly recommend Kinder Kastle, their staff and programs to protect, care for and...

Two of my kids still attend Kinder Kastle of Metuchen, and the oldest one graduated from the Kindergarten program last year. All three of them love it. My oldest started at the age of 2, and instantly loved her teachers. She loved her toddler room head teacher so much, she actually named her favorite doll after the teacher! My younger two started when they were about 9 weeks old. To this day, they often refuse to leave until they hug all their teachers goodbye, and the older daughter runs in to hug and kiss her Kindergarten teacher every chance she gets.

The school's educational programs are very well tailored to each stage of the child's development. Children learn letters and numbers in the toddler classes, begin tracing letters, and at around age 3 they happily write their names. In Pre-K the children are introduced to sight words, which really helps them learn to read. Kinder Kastle's Kindergarten program is absolutely OUTSTANDING! Building on the sight words learned, my oldest transitioned to reading with ease. She is now in first grade, and at my first parent-teacher conference in November, I was told by her teacher that my daughter is reading on the level of a kid finishing the second grade.

There are a number of extra-curricular activities that are offered at Kinder Kastle: dance, karate, soccer, fun bus, art.... Special instructors come to the school on the designated day, to teach each class. You can sign up your child for any of these, and this can save you time on the weekends.

The classes and hallways are well decorated, displaying recent children's work. The kids really take pride in pointing out their art work, letters to Santa, facts about themselves, etc. The school also has an indoor play area, for children to enjoy during bad weather days.

Make no mistake about it, this is NOT a babysitting service, this is a school. Your child will be loved and tended to, but they will also be taught and prepared for...