Blue Skies and Butterflies

Our kids have been attending this school for the last 6 months. I love the teachers, and appreciate that there is little turnover (especially compared to our last daycare).
It is not new. It is not shiny. But you know what? Our kids love it. It’s comfortable and homey and clean. I feel good when I leave my kids.
The outside play is awesome. They have a huge covered spot for the kids to run around and play even when it’s raining (and it does that from time to time here in Oregon!).
I love that my kids come back and have learned new songs or poems. My 4-​year old can write her name and my 2-​year old knows the months of the year!
They provide lots of activities, so the kids almost always have something to look forward to. Picnic days, bouncehouse, clowns, picture day, reptile man, Tumblebus, Soccer Shots… it’s so much fun!
The location can’t be beat (tucked away) and it doesn’t feel like an institution. They allow the kids to get messy (my kids play HARD at this school, which means great bedtime!) and are always doing cool/​fun artwork.
I wholeheartedly recommend Blue Skies and Butterflies to everyone!!!

Not a preschool, as they claim.
The only pro–
It’s a convenient location for us and the facility is in a great neighborhood with lots of playgrounds for the kids. On the exterior, it looks clean, well kept, and located on a spacious lot. The staff there is relatively friendly and seem to be interactive with the kids. Not sure if our negative experiences are due to the management but I wish I could give more positive feedback.
We took our child there for over two years and its been an «ok to negative» experience. There have been a few incidents that have made us question why we didn’t switch day cares sooner. When my husband or I would pick up our child, we both agreed, that the environment felt dirty. Whether it be sticky floors, stained walls and/​or surfaces, or fowl smells, we stop to think about the germs that must be circulating. Our son was constantly sick, including hand foot and mouth, on multiple occasions.
The food that’s served to the kids (only posted on a board unless asked for a copy every month) are horrible. I’m not sure that corn dogs are a healthiest option even if you’re serving it with sugared fruit or canned veggies. Some daycares serve «quick serve foods» such as corn dogs, due to lack of equipment, but blue skies has no excuses. They have a fully equipped kitchen that is capable of cooking healthier food options.
For the amount that they charge, they are hesitant to provide documents. When we have requested any additional items, such as a receipt for our monthly payment, we had to ask multiple times and then told by the manager that we have to keep asking until «squeaky wheel gets the grease». No thank you.
As far as communication with your teacher. there is a chart posted on the classrooms for parents to look at at the end of the day. This chart shows whether or not your child napped or ate, with check marks, however more then half the time, it’s not filled out. If I ask the teacher there at the end of the day if my child ate lunch or not, they say they don’t know. Really?!
When we pick up our child at the end of the day, our son is always filthy. We started a habit awhile ago of not touching anything at home until we wash hands. Sometimes we take a bath before dinner, it’s so bad. Kids get dirty, We understand that, but It doesn’t even seem like they wipe they’re noses.
During our time at blue skies, the director of the facility was never present and had no communication with us. We’ve never been asked for feedback for improvement or approached about how our experience is with the staff or facility. We believe in some type of communication with the director of our child’s preschool/​daycare. Blue skies is horrible, in our opinion. I would ask what matters most to you, a nice outdoor facility or having your child engaged and lead to their highest potential.
Last but not least, If you’d like your child to be included and treated like their peers, I suggest looking elsewhere. The staff is not motivated to engage and redirect children who may need extra guidance.