Nanook Learning Center

Nanook Learning Center, located at 73 Pickering Road, Unit 102 in Rochester, has been an exceptional daycare for my grandchildren. The environment is nurturing, natural, and developmentally appropriate, with a thoughtful rhythm that supports curiosity, independence, and confidence. Owned and operated by Beth Giesta, the center reflects her hands-on leadership and genuine commitment to children and families. Beth is approachable, perceptive, and deeply aware of the big picture, creating a calm, organized, and supportive space where children truly thrive. What truly sets Nanook Learning Center apart is how family-centered it is. The staff understands the needs of the whole family and responds with flexibility, compassion, and sincere care. They honor multiple learning styles, meet children where they are developmentally, and create an environment where each child feels seen, supported, and encouraged. It has been an exceptional place for my grandchildren to explore their world, build confidence, and experience meaningful early learning. A truly special learning community in the heart of Gonic Mills.

The owner miss Beth has been in charge of the safety development and growth of our daughter since she was an infant. The facility she owns and operates now is nothing short of spectacular. The staff and atmosphere are top notch. The center is constantly upgrading and changing to better suit the little ones. From a huge outside play area to new learning and development apparatuses inside. Our daughter flourishes here. 10/10 highly recommended this learning center. Thank you Miss Beth and the staff for all you do for our little ones. ❤️

Brace yourself—this is going to be a long review, but as a first‑time mom, I know how much I relied on detailed, honest feedback when choosing a daycare. Our little one has been at Nanook for six months, starting at 4 months old and now 10 months, and we wanted enough time and experience before sharing a fair and thorough review. First and foremost: this is a truly wonderful community—one you’ll want your family and little one to be part of. Beth and the teachers radiate kindness, patience, and a genuine passion for what they do. Their care extends to every child, from the tiniest infants to the confident “big kids.” **The Pros** • The space: It is huge and immaculate—truly so clean. The setup is beautiful, thoughtfully designed, and never feels cramped or stuffy. The classrooms flow well and have plenty of room for littles to explore safely. I also always see teachers cleaning throughout the day, which I appreciate as a self‑proclaimed neat freak. They also prioritize outdoor time, taking the kids outside whenever the weather allows so they can get fresh air and move their bodies. They recently added a large playground, which has been such a great addition. • Curriculum: They’ve recently implemented weekly curriculum updates for infants, which we LOVE. It blends Montessori‑style independent learning with structured opportunities for fine motor practice, socialization, and sensory exploration. They also actively support infant milestones like tummy time, pulling to stand, and early walking. • Communication: The teachers are incredibly responsive through the Brightwheel app. They log everything and send multiple photos throughout the day, giving you a real sense of what your little one is doing—huge for a nervous first‑time mom. • Health & safety: They take precautions seriously. They’re transparent when illnesses are going around and will send littles home at the first sign of sickness. Some may find that inconvenient, but I appreciate their “better safe than sorry” approach. • The teachers: Every teacher we’ve encountered is warm, consistent, and truly invested. In six months, we’ve seen the same faces day in and day out—rare in childcare and a sign of strong management. Teachers seem to know every child’s name, even outside their own classroom, which speaks volumes about the culture. • Community feel: Beth (director) and Lynsey (co‑director) are always smiling, approachable, and genuinely caring. They’ve created family events, spirit weeks, holiday parades, and even community support initiatives like Secret Santa for families in need and a donation room where you can give or take items as needed. It feels like a village. • The owners: Beth and her husband are not only passionate about the center but deeply compassionate toward families. When our family went through a difficult time in January and had to reduce attendance, they allowed us to keep our spot and worked with us financially. We couldn’t be more grateful. **The Cons** Honestly, there aren’t many. If I had to choose one, it would be the strict 10 a.m. drop‑off cutoff, which can be tricky if your little has a morning doctor’s appointment. But truly, that’s the only thing worth noting and can be worked around to some degree. --- In closing: Nanook is still a relatively new learning center, but I wholeheartedly believe it’s on its way to becoming one of the most sought‑after programs in the area. The foundation they’ve built—community, compassion, structure, and genuine care—is exceptional.

I cannot praise Nanook Learning Center enough for the wonderful experience my family has had since enrolling shortly after they opened. As a first-time parent, I was extremely anxious about putting our child in daycare, and Beth and her team supported me through the transition just as much as they supported my son. Before long, he was thriving—loving the social interactions with his teachers and friends, even as a baby. Many times at pickup, he would try to invite me into the indoor playground so he could keep playing instead of going home! Nanook fosters a warm, friendly, and genuinely supportive community, and we feel incredibly grateful to have them as such an important part of our child’s life.

Our son has been attending Nanook since shortly after they opened in the Gonic Mill building and we just love our experience so far! The center itself is stunning with big open classrooms with tall ceilings, a variety of activities for the kids to explore, great outdoor space and a very caring staff who love the kids and have their best interests at the forefront of their minds. We feel so confident leaving our son there everyday, and he loves being there. We love the photo updates we receive during the day and seeing the fun things the classrooms are doing. We know we made a great choice moving our son to Nanook!