Frog Pond Early Learning Center

Hours

Hours change without the licence record changing. Call before you plan a drop-off around these times.

From Google

Recent parent reviews

• ★★★★★

  Our experience at Frog Pond spanned from March 2022 to July 2025. I ultimately withdrew my youngest child after a pattern of alarming teaching turnover, poor communication between the school administration and parents, and failure to adhere to the nature-based education philosophy that drew our family to Frog Pond in the first place. Specifically, I made the decision to seek childcare elsewhere after the owner of Frog Pond condescendingly told me it was “strange” that I wanted to know the names of the teachers caring for my child after several teachers rapidly rotated through the classroom with no introduction, sometimes lasting only days or weeks. Good faith efforts to proactively address issues with school administration across several years were consistently met with condescension and no changes were ever made. The long-term teachers were wonderful and treated my children with respect, although most were pushed out by the end of our tenure at Frog Pond. Although Frog Pond holds incredible promise and we miss the time spent outdoors, it did not justify the classroom uncertainty and attitude the school administration holds towards parents. I hope that one day Frog Pond can once again find its path forward.

  Elizabeth FusickJul 15, 2026
• ★★★★★

  Our family was also part of this classroom and I wanted to share a different perspective. There were definitely challenging behaviors in the classroom, including aggression, biting, throwing, and running. As a parent, it was concerning and emotional to hear about. I also heard comments from former staff that made me uncomfortable, especially when a child was spoken about as if they were the problem instead of a child who was still learning important skills. I spoke with the director about my concerns, and that conversation changed my perspective. She explained the Conscious Discipline approach and shared something that stayed with me: all children are valuable, all behavior is a form of communication. She also asked me how I would feel if the child being discussed were my own. That gave me pause. I realized that while safety is absolutely the responsibility of the adults, children should not be shamed or written off because they are struggling. They need adults who can keep everyone safe while also teaching children the appropriate skills. I almost pulled my child, but after speaking with the director, I left feeling hopeful. I felt that Frog Pond was trying to support children through challenging moments instead of giving up on them. That matters to me. Our experience was not perfect, and I know every family’s experience is their own. But I did see leadership working from a place of compassion, inclusion, and commitment to children even when the situation was difficult.

  MudPuddleExplorerJul 9, 2026
• ★★★★★

  This grandmother highly recommends Frog Pond. Our grandson was 1.7 years old when he began there. He's now 5.5 years old and leaving for kindergarten. The caring attention he's received throughout the years has equipped him with so many skills. He's eager to learn about the world. He not only speaks up for himself but jumps in to help others. Learning about feelings and how they affect his thoughts and actions is a gift. Learning about empathy is so very important. All the time they spend outdoors in nature is so valuable. All children should have this opportunity. It is sad to leave Frog Pond but, we know he is ready for the next chapter. Thank you to Ms. Evelyn for everything!

  Janice ScarboroughJun 29, 2026
• ★★★★★

  We were at Frog Pond from October 2025 to April 2026. While the idea is great, something is not right at Frog Pond. Teachers leave left and right. We pulled our kids after we received multiple reports from other teachers and parents that my son was being mistreated/abused by teachers in the Frogs classroom. The director doesn’t address concerns well/at all. Of course, there were elements we loved. Outdoor play. Some of the teachers (especially in the Tadpoles class) were amazing. Nature walks. But the facility is falling apart, the teachers and director are always fighting, rumors fly constantly about how money is being spent, and “professionals” we were told had extensive experience with behavior management were frauds with no accountability from the director. I would run as far away from this place as you can. As someone who wanted Frog Pond to be wonderful and ignored multiple red flags for months in pursuit of a “natural childcare option”, this is not a place I would ever recommend placing children. Whether your child has perfect behavior or problem behavior, no one benefits from being in a classroom where children are yelled at, held down, pinched, etc. and nothing is communicated to parents.

  Anneliese and Louis HatcherJun 11, 2026
• ★★★★★

  Uneven experience. Our child loved the animals and the outdoor education amd many of the longstanding teachers were truly wonderful. The mud kitchen, the walks through Huntley Meadows, outdoor yoga... all lovely. Our child still misses "my frog pond". The idea behind FP is special. Unfortunately FP has changed a lot over just the last few years. ( I know families who were there pre-covid who had a much more positive experience.) The communication from the current management was very poor. There were many (5 in one year) instances where a teacher left and was replaced without parents being informed ( leaving kids wondering where their beloved teacher had gone and parents wondering who or even what the name of the person now in the classroom was). We never knew when our kid was going to move up a class, giving no time to prepare the transitions. By our last year, the emphasis on outdoor education had severely declined, with the older kids inside most of the day, even on nice days. Many of the longstanding teachers we loved have left or been let go. I know that turnover is an issue across early chilhood education, but when parents raised concerns about the turnover and lack of communication, and asked for a prents council or some way to improve communication, we were told it is a private business, so we have no say. Again, the idea behind behind FP is wonderful, but families should go in aware that there are challenges.

  elizabeth tateJul 12, 2025
• ★★★★★

  We had a truly mixed experience at Frog Pond and I want to share both the wonderful and disappointing aspects of this school so other parents can make an informed decision. The Positives: The heart of this school lies in its nature-based curriculum, and it really shines here. Our children spend their days outdoors, exploring, learning through play, and connecting with the natural world—something that’s becoming increasingly rare in early education. It’s a breath of fresh air (literally and figuratively), and we love the values it instills in our kids. The teachers—especially the long-standing ones—are the true gems of this school. They are warm, nurturing, and clearly passionate about early childhood education. You can tell they love what they do and care deeply about the children they work with. It’s reassuring to drop your child off with people who feel like extended family. Another charming element is the presence of animals on the premises, which adds so much joy to the kids’ days and is a great learning opportunity. The Negatives: Unfortunately, the administration tells a very different story. In our experience, the administrative staff are consistently rude, dismissive, and condescending to parents. Feedback is rarely taken seriously, and there is little to no accountability from leadership when problems arise. There is also a troubling pattern of high staff turnover, including the sudden and unexplained termination of beloved, long-term staff—some with 20+ years at the school. This has created instability and a sense of unease among both staff and parents. Visually, the campus is showing its age. While the philosophy emphasizes rustic, natural elements, there’s a difference between intentional simplicity and neglect. Basic upkeep and repairs are often lacking, which doesn’t match the high tuition price point. And lastly, one of the more frustrating elements is the expectation that parents “volunteer” large amounts of time and labor—not optional, and often physical work—despite already paying premium tuition. It feels like a bait-and-switch, and it places undue pressure on working families. ⸻ In Summary: If you’re looking for a beautiful, nature-forward education for your child and are lucky enough to land in a classroom with one of the veteran teachers, this school may be a great fit. But be prepared to deal with a difficult administration, unclear policies, and questionable treatment of staff. We truly wish the leadership reflected the same values the teachers and children bring to life every day.

  Lashelle CoenenJul 11, 2025

Reviews shown verbatim as published on Google Maps.