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June 2024 by Nyla Glenn
I worked at this location for about a year and a half in 2021. I enjoyed my time in the PreK and school age classroom I love and miss my students dearly but, my only complaint was that it was very disorganized and very drama filled. It was very toxic environment and was very stressful.
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March 2024 by Kate Forde
Short Story: Do not send your children here, specifically infants. My oldest attended aftercare here and always looked bored and some of the other children were ill behaved on the video camera. Kids Connection is a much better aftercare option.
Long Story: The incident occurred in 11/22 (it took me awhile to write this review in an unbiased manner ). My understanding is that Joanne Tucker is still the director and the woman that left bruises on my son is still employed at La Petite.
On the morning of the incident, I woke up my son (9 months at the time) and put lotion on him as usual and his skin was free of bruising. That afternoon Ms. Joanne Tucker, the director of La Petite Columbia called me to let me know that my son vomited twice that day (vomiting was the norm for him at that time) and that she took his temperature, which did not indicate a fever.
That night, my husband and I discovered a large circular bruise on each of our son’s arms. We sent pictures of the bruises to his pediatrician and to La Petite. In his email, my husband indicated that we were very disturbed by the bruises on his arms because someone had to intentionally handle him in a harsh and unacceptable manner. The following morning, my husband and I went to La Petite Academy to talk to Ms. Joanne and Ms. Claire. Ms. Joanne indicated that she did not know how the bruises came to be and that she had not had the opportunity to speak to the teachers in the infant classroom yet. I requested to obtain the classroom video footage or for the footage to be reviewed. Ms. Joanne informed me that she would need to request the footage from the regional director in order to review it.
Afterwards, Child Protective Services (CPS) called me to schedule a home visit, in order to establish contact and to document our son’s bruises. While CPS was in our home, Ms. Joanne called and said that the teachers were unaware of how he could have received his bruises.
Our pediatrician performed a physical evaluation on our son and indicated that the bruising appeared to be the direct result of child abuse by an adult.
CPS investigated and interviewed the La Petite staff. Based on their initial interviews with the teachers, CPS deduced that the bruising could have potentially been the result of SD holding our son down on the changing table while Ms. Joanne took his temperature in his ear. CPS was told that our son (9 months at the time) was resisting. After reviewing the video footage CPS determined that SD was holding our son down as originally suspected, but the video showed that he was not resisting to the extent that it was described to her. After Ms. Joanne took his temperature, she left the room. After which, SD picked him up to a standing position and continued to hold him inappropriately with only one hand on his right arm while he bounced up and down on the changing table. She then picked him up from the changing table and carried him on her right hip while continuing to inappropriately hold him with one hand on his right arm. All of which caused the bruising.
My husband and I decided that we no longer felt comfortable sending our children to La Petite. If our son was resisting having his temperature taken, it would have been appropriate to either perform a forehead or under the arm temperature check. Otherwise, Ms. Joanne could have called his parents to pick him up. The amount of force used on our son was highly inappropriate and excessive. I sent a letter to the Director and Regional Director and never received a phone call following the investigation. When I finally got in touch with the regional director she said Ms. Joanne is so sad that your son is no longer attending La Petite. Why isn’t she sad that the incident occurred and occurred partially in her presence? Or that someone took some accountability.
DO NOT SEND YOUR KIDS HERE.
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February 2023 by Adileny Rodriguez
they speak Spanish? I am looking for a daycare for my 3 month old baby and my 4 year old daughter but we are new to Columbia ☹️ and she spoke little English
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January 2023 by Hb Brock
Man this daycare was a gold mine of memories for me and my buddys I used to go here when I was a about 10 I can remember the best moments and most exciting experiences ever here this place is a really good place to shape your kids to be comfortable around other kids and to learn to share and play with everyone no matter what the look like are sound like this place is a big part of who I am and what I have become I have made life long friends at this daycare and have met people whom I will never forget if I could take a rewind in memories this is a core place I would want to be I would also really like to thank Ms Kemberly for making the time I spent at this daycare a great one.~Hassan Brockington
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January 2022 by Keisha Martin
Short version: This is the best daycare in Columbia! Staff members are professional, kind, and communicative. I have zero regrets about sending my child here and I recommend La Petite Academy of Columbia to anyone in need of childcare.Detailed version: I recently accepted a full-time job and needed to find a daycare for my 16-month-old son. The pandemic caused me to stay home much longer with my son than I had originally anticipated. So I was super nervous about this process. However, Ms. Joan (Director), Ms. Whitney (Assistant Director), Ms. Bernie (Teacher), Ms. Carlie (Teacher), and Ms. Erica (Teacher) created a WONDERFUL experience for us. Each of these women have shown us the best care, respect, and professionalism that a parent can ask for. The center is organized, clean, and provides diapers, wipes, and food! Ms. Sirena (the nutrition specialist and cook) is especially knowledgeable and accommodating of children with food allergies.My son has attended the daycare for about 2 weeks, and he LOVES IT! My husband and I love it as well. We get timely updates and pictures of our son daily. We also get access to the cameras in his classroom, so we can peek in at any time (we often do!). His teachers are always super engaging, patient, communicative, and kind. They offer a balance of structured (reading time, water play, etc..) and unstructured free play. As a parent, this is my first experience with a daycare and I'm beyond thankful that it's with La Petite Academy of Columbia.
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January 2022 by Sofoniyas Demelashe
They will cancelled an appointment and not saying anything. When you called why customer service will tell you "you want to reschedule or what?" Very rude. unprofessional.
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January 2017 by Natalie Meyers
As a parent it is hard to find a place you trust enough to leave your children in their care. We've been at La Petite for only a few months but love it. They have been great at finding space for my daughter for drop-in care. I LOVE the updates I get throughout the day about what they are doing.
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January 2017 by Suzanne Goodney Lea
Great staff, happy kids!
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January 2016 by Allison Maricle
Having worked in various child care settings myself, I have been very pleased with the care and and support my son received at La Petite. His teachers in the toddler and young 2's classes were dedicated and showed genuine concern for his well-being. Ms. Kim and Ms. Charnetta were involved in the classrooms each day, giving the center a very cohesive feeling. He looked forward to going to "school" to see his friends and teachers, and we will miss them all very much. Thank you, La Petite family!
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January 2016 by Fareeha Zulfiqar
We recently moved our 4-year-old to La-Petite Columbia from another center. As parents, we worried about how she would adjust to a new place with new teachers, friends, and routines. Turns out, we were worried for no reason at all, the transition was smooth and easy and she is happy to go to school each day. We love the organization and thoughtfulness from all of the staff that goes into her days. I am fully satisfied with La-petite Academy. The staff is very cooperative, friendly and welcoming.
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January 2016 by Yunkou Wu
Teachers and directors are kind and nice in general, but a teacher in preschool is the worst one that I have ever met. That teacher has no patient and love at all. My daughter hates going to this school everyday. She is happy now since she was transferred to another daycare center.
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January 2016 by Darren Rodgers
Great center. My child loves it and she has learned a lot since being there as infant. The staff is great and eveyone seems to love kids, which is important. The payment process is also pretty easy. There is really great communication from the director and staff.
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January 2016 by John McCloskey
La Petitie is a great childcare facility with a staff that is very friendly and professional. Anyone that is looking for a safe place for your child should seriously consider La petitie.
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January 2015 by Shannon Rembert-Gonzales
My 4 year old and 2 year old have recently transitioned to La Petite from out of state. The staff has been excellent with both of my children. The entire center has made my children feel safe and happy at their new school. I am thankful I found La Petite and enrolled both of my children.
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January 2015 by Marie Williams
My daughter attended La Petite for 4 years (and sometimes attends there when public school is out...which is often) and currently my son is enrolled. The staff and teachers work hard to give kids and the parents a positive experience from the infant program to the Pre-K class. I was hesitant about a daycare facility vs. home daycare for my kids especially in the infant stage. However, over the last 5 years, La Petite teachers have become family. I know my son is in a safe, fun, nurturing and educational environment. My daughter was more than prepared for Kindergarten. She is excelling in school. She was definitely ahead in her class. And my son will be going to the Pre-K 4 this Fall and I am confident he will also be prepared for Elementary school next year (both academically and socially).
