The Exploration Academy

We called to inquire and were told to book a tour. I filled out the application online along with a check for $ 45 for the application fee and a picture of our family as requested and asked to schedule a tour. This was a month ago and have not heard anything back. Not acknowledgement or response. My checking information and signature are somewhere in their office with no idea when they will process. If this is how they handle customer service and basic operations how do they handle daily customer service to parents and operations of children. Unbelievable. Maybe we’re not good enough for them. Maybe they should practice and model to the kids what they preach. Be kind and respectful and polite to people. The only reason I gave 2 stars is because I do respect that they serve organic food and try to keep the hours for 8 hours

TEA is by far the most impressive daycare I have ever been to. We waited a year to get in and it was worth the wait! They have structured activities and curriculum that push our toddler to grow everyday. We had a nanny prior to enrolling her and as soon as she went in, there was an explosion of words she started using. I love that everything is organic that they serve, they have Spanish and music and go outside everyday. The teachers are the sweetest and I can tell there is lot of love cause she is always so happy to see them. I also love all the art projects and the daily/​weekly/​monthly newsletters and updates. They are very accommodating to whatever people’s special needs are and don’t act put out by special requests. Seriously BEST PLACE EVER! Special shout out to Jessalyn, Becky, Lindsey and Jennifer, they rock!

Our son ended up being accepted into a private school that goes from preschool through 5^th grade and the difference in comparison to the Exploration Academy is pretty stunning. At our new school, there is a more structured curriculum and a clear philosophy to their school culture. The staff is much more empathic, open and seems to generally have more experience with Pre-​k/​preschool aged kids than The Exploration Academy; now that I have a basis for comparison, the staff at Exploration just seems «green» for lack of a better word. Our current school is generally warmer (the faculty, staff and other parents), better structured and feels like a more mature school; I think the Exploration Academy is still going through some growing pains. Most importantly the staff at our new school is generally more experienced and caring; instead of labeling kids, they teach them empathy and fairness through gentle guidance and lead by example. The Exploration Academy seemed more like «fancy daycare» with little academic structure and no emotional direction for kids; both are important to us since the preschool/​pre-​K experience will be prepping our son to test into other schools when he’s a bit older.
I’m updating this review because now I have a basis for comparison. I now know what a good early learning environment should be like. My husband and I had serious reservations after our negative experience with The Exploration Academy and were trepidatious about going into a new environment; it’s unfortunate that this was our first experience with schooling. Thankfully, our son is in better hands and is thriving.

I am so happy to have found The Exploration Academy. Michelle is top-​notch and her methods and offerings go far beyond general expectations for childcare. This is truly an educational and enriching experience for children starting at age 1. Every week, our 2-​year-​old daughter (she started at TEA around 18 mos) shows us new things she is learning at school and best of all … we can tell she really enjoys it!
The curriculum is very well-​rounded with art, science, play, Spanish, music, yoga, and more. We love reading the daily summary sheets of what the children did that day with development skills utilized clearly indicated.
We are incredibly grateful for Michelle and the teachers’ genuine dedication to early learning and child development. Very highly recommended.

We were extremely fortunate to enroll our now 4 y.o. when the school first opened in the Fall of 2010. We were initially impressed by the Director’s (Michelle) philosophies and goals for the preschool. Having witnessed first hand, the growth in quality of the curriculum and staff, as well as the emotional and academic growth in our child, I have nothing but gratitude and praise for The Exploration Academy. From the catered organic snacks and meals to the diversity in education, be it from a digital smart board, outdoor play/​park time, gymnastics at the local Tae Kwon Do center, endless art and music projects, etc., to the personalized weekly email updates, I completely trust Michelle and her staff to provide our child an enriching and nurturing environment.

The BEST preschool I could ever ask for. Michelle the director is great, all the teachers are super. This is a place for learning not babysitting or daycare. My 3 year old knows all the continents, she learned her ABCs the first month there, she can count to 10 in several languages, she even knows all the planets. The songs she comes home singing they are great! They do tae wan do a couple times a week. When the weather is nice they usually go to the park down the street (they are having an outdoor playground built for them right by the building). I can go on and on about all the things my daughter has learned and all the things she has done. Our daughter goes full days (they also do ½ days am’s or pm) often when I go to pick her up she doesn’t want to go home after being there 8 hours so I know they are keeping her busy and she is having fun. The bottom line for me is trust I completely trust Michelle and the Exploration Academy. One last thing, it’s CLEAN and organized we toured a couple of highly rated preschools and they were so gross I didn’t want to touch anything inside let alone send my kid there.