Based on 21 reviews
About
Happy Feet Child Development Center is an expansion of a Home Daycare founded 7 years ago. We are an Eco-Friendly program where we educate children and work with their families to live in balance with the environment through the use of healthy living habits to promote organic and all natural resources, practices and products. Happy Feet Child Development Center follow the Creative Curriculum, in our program, children have uninterrupted periods of play time in which to enjoy self-chosen activities. With a variety of materials, children are encouraged to work out individual ideas and foster their creativity. The most important goal of our early childhood curriculum is to help children become enthusiastic learners. This means encouraging children to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to try out their ideas and to think their own thoughts. We achieve this goal by helping children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive learners.
Happy Feet Child Development Center staff will strive to provide the Highest Quality Childcare and Educational Service that promotes and enhances each child’s development; while assuring our parent’s peace of mind in the care and service we render.
Happy Feet Child Development Center provides a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate program which fosters active learning, support for the whole child, and a child friendly environment. The staff at Happy Feet value family relationships and want to act as a support system for each family. All staff will do their best to maintain strong home to center communication.
Disclaimer: the licensing status was checked when this listing was created. We do our best to keep information up-to-date, but cannot guarantee that it is. You should verify the license/permit/registration status before enrolling in any child care program.
Parent Reviews
Shalini S.
Verified Parent
Posted 6 years ago
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We love Happy Feet! Our son was there from four months until he started school at three, and our daughter has also been there since she was four months old (she is now two). Both kids are really happy, feel the love of the teachers, and are learning a ton - my son started school knowing his letters and numbers (and quite a bit of Spanish too); he also had strong cooperative habits for playing with other kids. The staff's communication is great via phone, at drop-off and pickup and via the app.
Michelle R.
Verified Parent
Posted 6 years ago
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I could not have higher praise for Happy Feet. Both of our children started at 3 months and were there until we moved away from DC (at which point they were 2.5 and 9 months.) I truly felt like every caregiver at Happy Feet legitimately loved our children as if they were their own. It is an extremely warm and nurturing environment. Additionally, our daughter developed an extreme love of music at HF from the daily songs and dances kids sing and participate in. Having now been to other schools and daycares, I realize some perks I didn't even appreciate about logistics: the sign-in/out process is super-quick; you can have food heated up; and communication is great. Laura always makes herself available and any questions/comments you have for teachers are truly heard and responded to. Our baby had to wear a helmet and have physical therapy, and the HF staff worked with him to provide the exercises he needed during the day and ensure all his needs were met. I was super-stressed, and HF helped me feel like he was in good hands. I am happy to talk over the phone, too, but if it isn't already clear, I highly recommend Happy Feet.
Tianna G.
Verified Parent
Posted 6 years ago
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Our daughter has been a Happy Feet since she was 8-months-old. The teachers have been very loving to her, and helped her to develop her skills in both English and Spanish (she regularly asks for "agua" at home). It's been a great fit for our family, and we highly recommend Happy Feet.
Jill S.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 6 years ago
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We absolutely love Happy Feet. Our child loves going each morning. She's engaged in art, singing, play and outdoor time (water play in the summer). She's cared for by wonderful people who know her as an individual. Laura is an excellent manager. She's cares about her staff, the facility and especially the parents satisfaction. She works with each family to ensure you have a positive experience. My only wish is that they had windows and a larger outdoor space (without turf). However, the space inside is used very well and the children love it!
Mary C.
Verified Parent
Posted 6 years ago
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Our daughter has been going to happy feet since she was 3 months old and she is now almost 3 yrs. The teachers are great and have become like family. She loves circle time, the creative art projects, soccer, etc and is learning so much in both Spanish and English. When she was a baby they did such a great job with her sleep and feeding schedule and this year were a huge help with potty training. I'm so happy we chose happy feet and am very thankful for them taking such good care of her. She has so much fun at school and her face lights up when she tells me about her exciting day. I also look forward every day to seeing her picture on the app.
Katie L.
Verified Parent
Posted 6 years ago
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We love Happy Feet! The teachers care for our son as if he were their own. They strike the right balance of structured/free play each day and are great at communicating in person and via the app. We wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Elizabeth D.
Verified Parent
Posted 6 years ago
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Laura and the Happy Feet staff have become a part of our family over the last two years. Our daughter didn't start day care until 18-months, which is a little late these days. But the staff was so warm and comforting, not only to her, but to us as well, that it made her transition that much easier. Now most days she would rather spend her days at Happy Feet than at home with us. She has learned how to play well with others and is learning so much, in both English and Spanish. We love Happy Feet and feel lucky to have our daughter there.
Christie L.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 8 years ago
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Our daughter has been going to Happy Feet since she was four months old, and we couldn't be happier to have such a warm, safe, loving environment for her childcare. Laura is wonderful, and so are all the teachers. Our daughter is thriving and literally runs into the center every morning. They do a lot of fun activities during each day and we feel extremely lucky to be Happy Feet parents.
Dori K.
Verified Parent
Posted 8 years ago
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We love Happy Feet! The caregivers love the children and it shows. They actively engage the children in projects and activities and crafts all day long, structuring their day appropriately for the ages they are. Their communication with families through the DailyConnect app - sending notes and pictures - is reassuring and unique. We could not be more impressed with Laura's leadership of her staff and management of the center. Our daughter loves going to school and we know she is thriving!
1 out of 1 thinks this review is helpful
Heidi G.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 8 years ago
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Happy Feet is great! Our 18-month old has been there since she was 6 months old. The nursery is an exceptionally loving place, and she bonded with her caretakers. Now that she's toddling, she's graduated to the "big kids" room and is enjoying her time learning, again with a very loving staff.
I like that she and I are greeted warmly every morning, that I'm updated throughout the day on what she's up to and with photos and that I'm given feedback each evening when I pick her up. We also appreciate that communication with parents has been wonderful.
1 out of 1 thinks this review is helpful
Martha H.
Verified Parent
Posted 8 years ago
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This is our second time at Happy Feet now that we have a second kid, and we couldn't be happier. We know our son is loved, well cared for, and developing beautifully. We recommend it to anyone!
Lauren C.
Verified Parent
Posted 8 years ago
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Our family has been with Happy Feet for almost 4 years. Laura, her mother Maria Elena, and her brother Mauricio feel like part of our family. We've felt so much love from Happy Feet; our kids have both been so happy there and learned so much; and we'll definitely miss them all when the second child 'graduates' to preschool.
Isadora C.
Verified Parent
Posted 9 years ago
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We love Happy Feet! I would not trust anyone else like I trust Laura and her team. They have been amazing in so many ways but most specially in individualizing the experiences and environment for my child to adress her unique needs and i see this with other of the children too and the families in general. They know her well and know how the engage her and just how to manage the tougher aspects of toddlerhood in a way that is loving as well as firm.
As most of urban DC, The neighborhood is transitional and usually hard to park for drop-offs and pick-ups but when you walk inside it is all worth it as they have created the perfect little environment for fostering creativity, having fun, and feeling safe and nurtured.
A huge aspect for us is that Happy Feet is bilingual and as such the kids are learning Spanish as well as colors, animals and social-emotional skills.
1 out of 1 thinks this review is helpful
Christine G.
Verified Parent
Posted 9 years ago
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Our son loves all the staff at Happy Feet and has truly blossomed in their care. They take time to talk with us about our son's development and individual needs. It is a fun positive loving environment.
Rebecca M.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 9 years ago
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We absolutely love Laura and the Happy Feet Development Center. Our daughter was in her care for two and a half years, and now my son has been with her for a year and a half. The space is beautiful, clear, inviting, and perfect for the little ones running around. The outside space has toys and play houses for the kids to use and it's great that they can just go right out back for some fresh air. There is a library area in the back of the facility and a separated area for babies towards the front. The teachers at Happy Feet are amazing. So incredibly warm and welcoming. It's clear when I drop off my son that he loves them and that they love him. The kids do fun activities throughout the day and learn Spanish. Laura oversees this wonderful facility and takes part in the caretaking as well. Overall, when I drop my son off in the morning, I know that he will be safe, happy, engaged and loved throughout the day. I couldn't ask for more!
3 out of 4 think this review is helpful
Rebecca M.
Verified Parent
Posted 9 years ago
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We absolutely LOVE Laura and the Happy Feet Child Development Center. We have known Laura for 5 years, and she has been consistently kind, thoughtful, engaged with the kids, open and honest, and above all, a wonderful caretaker and teacher for our kids. The new center is gorgeous and the outdoor play area is perfect. My son cries if I come to pick him up just as they were going to go outside to play. The staff at Happy Feet is loving and engaged with the kids every day. We feel so blessed to have such great childcare and would highly recommend Happy Feet!
Shannon M.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 9 years ago
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We absolutely love Happy Feet. Laura and the entire staff are warm and welcoming and it's been wonderful to work with them. Our daughter kicks her legs with excitement whenever we drop her off, and being able to trust her childcare providers has been invaluable to us. Happy Feet staff are communicative, friendly, creative, and super engaging, thinking of new and innovative ways to provide an exciting daycare experience for the children in their care. Happy Feet is clean, hygienic, safe and secure - we couldn't recommend it more highly!
2 out of 2 think this review is helpful
Barbora M.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 9 years ago
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Happy feet is a wonderful, loving, and fun place. Both my boys go and love it. Laura, the owner, is amazing. She is like part of the family. And she picks great staff. I never have to worry that my kids are getting anything short of great care.
1 out of 1 thinks this review is helpful
Shannon M.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 9 years ago
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We absolutely love Happy Feet. Laura and the entire staff are warm and welcoming and it's been wonderful to work with them. Our daughter kicks her legs with excitement whenever we drop her off, and being able to trust her childcare providers has been invaluable to us. Happy Feet staff are communicative, friendly, creative, and super engaging, thinking of new and innovative ways to provide an exciting daycare experience for the children in their care. Happy Feet is clean, hygienic, safe and secure - we couldn't recommend it more highly!
Ingrid A.
Verified Parent
Posted 9 years ago
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The staff are very loving and the children all get along and seem happy at the center!
Contact This Program For Free
Center
Hours
7:30am - 6:00pm
Ages
6 weeks - 5 years
Kindergarten
No
Before School Care
Yes
After School Care
Yes
Accreditation
No
Meals Provided
No
Transportation
No
Facilities
• Fenced Facilities
• Playground
• Multipurpose Room
• Video Cameras
• Electronic Access
• Library
