The Growing Tree School

Rosey S. _{on Yelp}

Nov 15th, 2021

The teachers at Growing Tree are amazing and I can't say enough good things about this place! Finding the right childcare can be such a hard and big decision. I feel so lucky that a coworker recommended GT to us when I was still pregnant. My son started at just 5 months old. 4 years later, he is still there and thriving - happy, social, curious. The teachers genuinely care for the children and it shows in how much the kids enjoy being with each other. Aside from milk/baby food, they also provide all meals and snacks. As a busy working parent, I never knew how valuable this would be. Brenda, who is the head of the school, is always responsive by text or call. She's flexible and accommodating as things come up, and has helped us with naps schedules, potty training and various other transitions over the last 4 years (along with other teachers). I've especially appreciated the thoughtfulness and care that the teachers have put into keeping everyone safe during the pandemic, while remaining open. We're expecting baby #2 in 2022 and they'll be attending GT too, of course!

Amy B. _{on Yelp}

Jan 24th, 2018

My daughter started coming here at just 3 months old and I can't say enough good things about this daycare/ preschool!  She is so excited when we get out of the car and sees where we are.  All of the staff are so friendly and Miss Joyce who is the primary caregiver to the infants is so sweet.  My baby just loves her and I never felt worried for one second leaving her here when I went back to work.  It is clean, secure, very spacious and they run this place like a clock they are so organized.  I'm so bummed that we are not going to be coming here anymore due to a work relocation, I haven't been able to find anything that can even compare.  I would highly recommend them!

Jenn K. _{on Yelp}

Apr 19th, 2022

Firstly, I want to share that I have heard good things about Growing Tree. Note that they have two locations - Great Highway and Balboa. It was recommended to me by a coworker whose son attended and loved it. My review has nothing to do with the actual quality of care or teaching abilities of the teachers. It is unfortunate that these series of events had to happen which has now made me question the level of trust and honesty with the individuals who run the childcare.TLDR: I enrolled in the Growing Tree Balboa location in August of 2021 while I was pregnant  - paid the $168 fee (they deposited my check) - for a start date of June/end of May 2022 when I return to work. I recently reached out to discuss the start date only for them to tell me THERE IS NO SPOT AVAILABLE FOR MY DAUGHTER. They essentially gave away my enrollment spot and it is now one month before I will need to start work. Leaving me scrambling to figure out childcare.Long Version: When I first reached out to tour Growing Tree last year in August, Covid was still a primary concern. They were not allowing tours at Balboa but I could tour their Great Highway location. We thought it was still worthwhile to visit and learn more about the school. We made it VERY clear that our enrollment was for Balboa - it was written on our check and it was acknowledged via email by the person we were working with. The email they sent stated that by paying the enrollment fee, I was guaranteed a spot for my child. She told me that they will reach out closer to my start date.Since paying the enrollment fee, I had not heard from anyone. When reaching out via email, their response was that someone will reach out to clarify availability. I was shocked because all this time, I assumed my spot was secured, but it sounded like we didn't have a spot at either location. Someone from the Balboa called me and shared they do not have any open slots. She was nice through each of our conversations, but I just kept hearing excuse after excuse and not truly acknowledging their mistake which made things worse. She did try to offer some solutions - but none were helpful. EXCUSES: 1) They thought I wanted a spot at Great Highway2) They do not have many infant spots at the Balboa. 3) All currently enrolled infants will not age out of the infant class until next year. And no one has left the infant program in 9 months. Next opening is in 2023.4) There are infants that are siblings which have priority. MY RESPONSE: I have written documentation from their team stating my enrollment waitlist was for Balboa. I don't doubt they have few spots. Which is why I enrolled 9 months in advance - while I was still pregnant. If an open spot isn't available until 2023, then why was I enrolled and my check deposited? If their situation changed during those 9 months, someone should have reached out to me. And instead of trying to give us our spot back at the top of the waitlist, they wanted me to wait a second time until next year which is not fair.THEIR PROPOSED SOLUTION: 1) They will refund my enrollment fee of $168 and give me an additional $168 for a total of $336.2) Enroll at Great Highway for May and then transfer to Balboa when they have an opening next year.MY RESPONSE: A refund doesn't solve my problem of needing childcare in one month. If they could guarantee a spot at Balboa in June/July - then I would do that. But I can't wait until next year. It is inconvenient to go across the park since we only have one car, another child in preschool on the Richmond side, and I will split time in a downtown office. During rush hour, it can take 40mins to get across the park and back. At the end of the day - I am frustrated, angry, and disappointed. I don't want them to kick a family out or put another family through this situation. Ultimately, what I really wanted was a proper explanation as to what happened, ownership of their exact mistake, and a sincere apology without an excuse attached to it. This has yet to happen. If that happens, I will update my review. So far, I've been ghosted.