Trusted Preschool and Childcare Center in Columbus, OH

OK, so Kare-A-Lot is a little rough around the edges, and I mean that in the best way possible. It isn't one of those cookie cutter daycares that look like something out of a stale modernist nightmare built to produce automatons in a sterile environment. The place has character, and your kid will run, jump, and play all the way until its time to go home. They'll paint, play on the playground, and hop in your car with enough arts and crafts to cover a thousand refrigerator doors.

I learned about Kare-A-Lot from my friend who recommended the daycare after my child was born. He said they had basically potty-trained his son, and I said say no more. The place did not disappoint. First, the teachers are amazing. They are full of character. I'm talking an episode of Hey Arnold type character. It is hard to pick just a few, but Ms. Kozie (I am sure I misspelled her name, apologies in advance) is absolutely awesome. She is like that crazy aunt that you can hear from a mile away that absolutely LOVES your kid. Ms. Kani is such a sweetheart. You can tell that she genuinely loves the kids. Ms. Shaday is also an absolute hoot, and thats just to name a few. I'm not saying it is all because of the Kare-A-Lot all stars, but my kid was potty-trained in mere days. Straight to big kid underware, no pullups (I make no guarantee that this will be your experience).

Not to mention, the place is like the model UN. You got teachers and kids of every sort in there. Chinese, Romanian, West African, African American, Rich, Poor, somewhere in between, Kare-A-Lot has it all. So if that level of diversity and acceptance isn't exactly your thing: 1. whats wrong with you, and 2. do better.

The kids also learn a TON while they are there. Before long, your kid will have the ABCs and their numbers down. I'm pretty sure my 3 year old has already started to correct my spelling. Not to mention, you get lots of updates and pictures through the app.

I also don't want to forget, THEY FEED YOUR CHILD. No lunch prep in the AM... unless you want to for those folks who only feed their kids organic avocadoes and strawberries from Costco (no judgement, I buy them , just for myself though).

All that said, and in all seriousness, finding a good daycare is hard. But I can say that there are few things better than knowing you can drop your kid off somewhere while you go to work and know that they are in a good loving place that they are actually excited to go to.

Sadly, my child no longer attends Kare-A-Lot because we had to move for work. Honestly, leaving Kare-A-Lot was like leaving family. A family that had watched my kid grow from a baby, to a toddler, to a kid. Whenever I get sad about it, I just remind myself the kid was getting close to graduating anyway (sniff sniff).

If you are on the fence about Kare-A-Lot, I can't recommend them enough. I've watched them handle medical emergencies and staff turnover like champs. They got Love, learning, and food, what more do you need. Besides, at the end of the day, they really do...care a lot!