Countryside Children’s Academy, Sterling | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

UPDATE: My children stopped going to CCA a few years ago. They had both gotten older and were getting very bored there since there are not a lot of activities for older kids. Also, the ownership of the daycare changed and I did not like the direction the new owner was taking. She was not as friendly as the previous manager/owner, and she did not make any effort to build relationships with parents or children. I couldn’t see leaving my kids there anymore.

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
Both of my sons have been going to CCA since they were 3 and have loved it! The teachers are amazing and truly got to know and understand my kids. Even the teachers who didn’t work in their classroom know them and know our family.

Before I sent my oldest son to CCA I toured several other schools in the area and was not comfortable with the environments and how they interacted with him. Once we did the tour at CCA and I saw how they spoke to him and the way they were interacting with the other kids there I knew it was the right place. I left him there for a one day trial and when I came to pick him up he was hugging his teacher and the director goodbye.

Both of my kids have learned so much in the classes there and were prepared (and even ahead) for Kindergarten, in part, because of the extra work they do. My youngest son is now in Kindergarten and the work they do in his aftercare program mirrors what they are doing at school so he is getting that learning reinforced. The teachers and director put on several shows and do a really cute graduation ceremony each year as well. They work very hard to make sure the kids get to have fun and do the shows for the parents.

All of the teachers have worked there for years and you can see that they love what they do. My oldest son has begun going to another after school program and he loves going in and visiting when we pick up his brother.

From a practical parent perceptive, the school is open 6:00-6:30 and is open most holidays except for 6. Last year when Loudoun County schools were closed and delayed due to snow they only closed for 2 or 3 days. It is a lifesaver for a working parent. Most importantly, I know when I leave my children there that they are safe and loved.

Reviews before the fall of 2016 are for the previous owner, who was excellent in running this day care.  Under the current owner, this daycare has declined.  The level of professionalism and experience in operating and managing a day care has changed under the current ownership.  She will speak badly about certain parents to teachers, and responded to a parent’s online review that they were receiving Department of Social Services assistance (which is totally unprofessional and uncalled for.)  While some of the teachers there are good, a lot of the good ones have left, and replaced by some who have difficulty in providing information to you in. Or not suited for the job.  I had two children there, and moved them to a better-run and operated center that has a corporate and expertly developed curriculum.  All incidents that occur during the day by or to children should be documented and provided to the parents; this is not always done.  One teacher quit on the spot and left, and the kids were left unattended for over 15 minutes.  There were many incidents that my children came home with bite marks, bruises, scratches and no reports, that I had to confront the teachers about and then was informed what had happened.   I enrolled my children there under the previous owner when I did not have to worry about my children.  This was not the case after the previous owner sold the daycare and a family member stopped working there.  My children are now in a center that truly has a curriculum, Don’t let all the 5 ratings fool you.