School for Amazing Kids, Calera — Local services in Calera

The employees at this daycare would rather try to sweep issues under the rug than deal with them. Our daughter was bitten by another child five times in the four months since moving into the infant D classroom. In early September it happened twice in one week, and that's when we finally decided to have a meeting with the office. We met with the assistant director Jonathan, and he tried to tell us that it is normal behavior and that none of the bites were aggressive. He also informed us that the daycare has no official policy when it comes to biting, other than simply informing the parents of all children involved that it happened, and perhaps additional meetings if it becomes an "issue". On Monday, October 2nd, our daughter was bitten again this time on the face. The teacher who was working the room that day informed my wife that the same boy who had bitten my daughter that day had also bitten two other children, and that it had been a consistent problem with this one child and the office and his parents knew about it but refused to take any real action. I had a meeting with the assistant director Jonathan the next morning, where he informed me that two of the bites were "not aggressive " because the children that were bitten we're trying to take a toy away. Later in the same conversation, he backtracked and claimed that there were not three bites in one day, and the information we were given was incorrect . Later that same day, my wife met with the director Brittany who informed her that there actually WERE three bites in one day, and that Jonathan knew about that and she's not sure why he would have told me that there weren't. We understand that biting is an issue that is going to arise at most daycares, but we want to know that action will be taken when it becomes a clear and present problem. I also don't appreciate it when somebody looks me in the eye and lies to me. Parents trust daycares with the safety of their child, and they deserve to know...

Our first child started with Morningstar when she was 9 months old. I was a new mom and was not excited about leaving my child with strangers for 10 hours a day. In addition, my family is not religious, and I'm an atheist, so I trying to find a secular daycare in my area was next to impossible. We looked at multiple facilities and ultimately settled on Morningstar. While I'm not keen about the religious instruction (biblical stories and praying at meals), the facility is always clean and the teachers are well mannered, and trained in early childhood development. The facilities are kept up-to-date with new equipment and decor. The directors are always happy to listen to my latest worry or concern about my daughter, her behavior, or the latest news of the day. Parents are allowed to visit for meals and their adoption of a "parent's night out" is a treat my husband and I look forward to each month.

My daughter is now 3 and the teachers understand when to introduce structured discipline. My husband and I have started using the same techniques at home so that my daughter can have consistency and a better understanding of what's right and wrong. When my son recently joined our family, there was no question where he would go.

We have had incidents in the past of biting, falls, sickness, etc. and the staff were always prompt in notifying me and informing me of any additional needs they have. I am completely at ease with my kids being in their care and know that they love them as much as I do.

I would like to see more teachers in the classrooms, but they are following DHR guidelines for adult/child ratios. However, I understand what that would mean for tuition rates.

My daughter is well cared for, well mannered, well educated, and well socialized (as a 3 year old can be). And for that, I'm willing to put up with some minor annoyances about religion from...

School for Amazing Kids truly lives up to its name. My daughter has hydrocephalus and developmental delays—she’s three years old and not yet walking—but the staff here has never let her physical challenges hold her back. She has been attending since she was about a year old, and they have always moved her forward with her peers instead of keeping her behind. The children in her class love her, care for her, and treat her like one of their own.

This has been such a blessing for our family, allowing me to continue working while knowing my daughter is safe, loved, and learning. The director and co-director treat the children as if they were their own. In fact, the co-director even remembered my older child years later after he had moved on—that kind of personal connection shows how deeply they care.

This is more than just a daycare. They truly teach and prepare children for the future. My daughter was well-prepared for kindergarten and even ahead of her classmates thanks to the foundation built here. It’s a Christian organization that partners with parents in every way.

On top of that, they go above and beyond to support families. One example is their “Parents Night Out,” which gives moms and dads a chance to enjoy a date night, run errands, or just take a moment for self-care. I had never heard of a daycare offering that before.

I am so thankful for School for Amazing Kids. If you are considering childcare, this is my number one recommendation. They are loving, trustworthy, and...