Growing Tree Academy at 777 Taylor Street, Vista, California.

My son started going to Growing Tree Academy on August 17th 2015, he was 20 months old when he started and has enjoyed his time there very much. He loves the toddler room. They read, play, sing, and do art everyday. He is always well fed, clean and changed regularly and all of the days activities including feedings, diaper changes, nap time, the songs they sang, the games they played, the books they read and the art they made are all documented on their communication pages that are sent home daily. The teacher Ms. Natalie is wonderful. She is patient and loving, always happy and everything you would hope someone who is caring for your children would be. I know it sounds cheesy but I really cannot say enough good things about this lady. She takes such great care of my son and I appreciate it so much. It's nice to know that he is in good hands while I'm at work. When I pick him up at the end of the day he is all smiles and the joy that he gets from being there is why I decided to write this review. Of course, I can only speak from my experience but I would recommend this place to anyone. We've only been there for about 4 months so if anything changes I will update my review but for now I'd definitely give it two thumbs up.

Had you asked me three weeks ago, I would have raved about this daycare. My son has been here since January 2013; he was 9 months old. He loved going to daycare and he would excitedly yell his teacher's name. His teachers, Ms. Angelica and Ms. Yasmin, were loving, caring, prepared for the day, and professional. I didn't not worry for one second while my son was in their care.

Three weeks ago (on a Monday), the school had several "staffing changes." The owner, who I had never met in 10 months, began "teaching" in the infant and toddler rooms. Since he was almost 18 months old, he began visiting the toddler room. While in the toddler room for the second time ever, my son was not fed for an entire day. When I asked about why none of his food was gone, I was told it was "an oversight" on their part, and that my son was "active". The owner also told me that she personally fed him 4 small slices of banana that day, so she knew he ate something. My son's diaper was only changed twice in 9 hours. He was not given anything to drink. I was asked what his allergies were because his new teachers didnt know.

I immediately started searching for a new daycare, and on Wednesday morning asked that I be let out of my contract with Growing Tree. When I picked my son up on Thursday, he was sitting alone in a play pen while the other kids in the infant room were playing with the teacher. I asked about it, and was told that he was jumping and playing on the play structure and they didnt want him to step on the babies who were laying on the floor next to the play structure. When I looked at his daily report, it showed that he hadn't eaten much. When I unpacked his lunch, it became clear why: They had mixed his turkey, cheese and crackers with pears and peanut butter snack crackers. He wouldn't eat that combination of food (WHO WOULD?!) so he just didn't eat for another day. They basically treated him like a dog, and dumped all of his food in a bowl together.

I have since found out that they were forcing toddlers to potty train. The toddlers were lined up on the wall and could not go play until they tried to use the toilet, whether or not they were ready, needed to, or wanted to.

Do NOT send your child here. The people you want working with your children are few and far between. The staff moves between rooms, so you never know who will be caring for your child. You will be lucky to have your child make if through this daycare without being neglected, disciplined for ridiculous "offenses" or verbally abused.

My sweet, loving, gentle son has turned into an angry, frustrated little boy who screams gibberish and speaks with such venom that it is shocking. He is not the only child from the center whose personality has changed drastically in the last month. I know of at least two other families who have pulled their kids in the last few days due to the neglect and down-right abuse their kids have faced since the owner started getting more and more involved.

Ms. Rita, Ms. Angelica, and Ms. Yasmine were the three amazing people at Growing Tree who seemed to really love my son and treated him like a person. Besides those three, I would not trust my child with anyone from Growing Tree.