Kiddie Academy of Olathe, Olathe | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

I do not wish to be contacted, nor do I have any desire to provide further feedback. Kids R Kids was sold as of March 2024, and I have given this 2 months to see what changes happen and how things went before writing this review. This review is specifically for the location in Olathe and should carry no influence in altering the operations of Kiddie Academy or the current changes already set in motion for this childcare facility. Its purpose is to alert parents and prospective clients to my own experiences of the unfortunate decline of this establishment. Previously under commendable management, Kids R Kids maintained exemplary upkeep and staff performance. I had selected Kids R Kids as a childcare provider for my family because they encouraged every child’s emotional, intellectual, social, and physical well-being. Kids R Kids focused on having your child feel loved, safe, and confident before any learning could occur.

Recently, there was a push for mandatory staff uniforms reminiscent of archaic practices better suited to military, food, or emergency services, making this unnecessary and inconsistent with the nurturing environment expected in a childcare facility. Additionally, the proposed fee for camera usage underscores a shift towards prioritizing financial gain over essential aspects of child development and a parent’s need to monitor their child’s well-being and reliably hold all personnel around the children accountable, regardless how the facility puts the “fee” as an added bonus or not, would likely serve better being part of the tuition cost for everyone to use than a fee to pay for the benefit.

The adoption of an inferior communication platform, Tadpoles, neglects the convenience and efficiency that was previously provided by ProCare’s direct messaging service. This decision not only obstructs real-time communication between parents and staff, but also raises concerns about timely communication for various situations within the facility. Teachers were able to use ProCare to send out pictures and information frequently rather than the need for a “daily” report at the end of the day.

Moreover, the current expansion plan, which involves converting school-aged classrooms into infant and toddler rooms, appears to prioritize profit margins over the needs of the established community. The main room being converted was a gym room, a spacious area where kids could engage in activities and possible indoor recess if weather was not viable. This room also hosted special events like magic shows and movie nights (known as parent’s night out) for the kids.

As more staff from the original “Kids R Kids” are replaced and the curriculum undergoes further changes, this facility risks losing its uniqueness and becoming another childcare option that is indistinguishable in the area. This shift indicates a prioritization of corporate financial gain at the expense of the values and standards that once defined the Kids R Kids brand.

If you are considering this facility, be aware that there are numerous other childcare options in Olathe/Overland Park that offer similar curricula and teaching methodologies. As the curriculum, staff, and families continue to change, this childcare facility will lose its unique qualities and become identical to others. It is disheartening to see the shift from the cherished Kids R Kids principle of “Hug First, Then Teach” to Kiddie Academy’s principle of “Making the most of every learning moment, from day one.” While there are already pressures in a child’s life to excel academically, any childcare facility will already provide some form of academic support, not ONLY academic support. After my current tuition cycle is paid through, I will not be re-enrolling into Kiddie Academy.

There is only one opportunity for anyone to experience childhood. I personally would prioritize my child(ren)’s happiness over pushing them to be a prodigy.

Since “Kids R Kids” was sold and became “Kiddie Academy”, quality and value have gone down. They are about to charge $7/week for the cameras (used to be free), they now force workers to wear uncomfortable-looking uniforms, they’ve taken down the beautiful wall artwork and replaced it with boring corporate posters, and they refuse to give teething babies Tylenol (even with parental permission). They’ve already been indicating large price increases starting in June. As well, children can no longer bring their own snacks or food, and must buy it from Kiddie Academy.
Literally every change has been for the worse, and it is now more expensive. Consider looking elsewhere for a better value.
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Original review above. New info below:
I’m taking away another star from my review (going from 2 star to 1 star) because of the move from the ProCare app (4.8 star rating on Google Play) to Tadpoles Parents (2.4 star rating on Google Play). In what is almost definitely a cost-cutting measure, they’ve moved from a fantastic app to a terrible one. With ProCare, teachers could directly message parents and parents could message back. Or parents could message teachers with questions. With Tadpoles, that is no longer possible. You have to call in to the daycare now. Quality continues its march downward at Kiddie Academy, all in the name of “it’s what corporate does/uses!”

In regards to Kiddie Academy’s response about medicine: I did talk to our pediatrician and they will not give an open-ended Rx for an OTC medicine, and stated there is zero legal reason that a daycare would refuse to give an OTC with parental permission. “We can’t give an OTC med without an Rx” is simply a cop-out that makes parent’s lives more difficult.