First Steps Learning Academy in Freeport, Florida provides a structured learning environment with daily activities focused on child development and education. The facility features security measures including camera monitoring and a double-entry system, while offering regular updates to parents about their children’s daily activities and progress. The center maintains a welcoming atmosphere where children participate in various seasonal programs and celebrations throughout the year, from holiday events to graduation ceremonies.
Day Care Information
Address
1588 FL-20, Freeport, FL 32439
Phone
Reviews
48 Reviews
Day Care Features
Does this day care accept infants?
Yes
Multiple reviews mention infants attending the daycare, and one specifically praises the infant building.
Reviews:
Author: Brittany Bishop Rating: 2/5 Date: 11/27/2023, 9:50:06 PM Review: I want to start by saying that the infant building was wonderful when my son was there & things were going very well when he was first transitioned to the 2/3 year old building. However, once the center started having staffing issues little issues here and there would pop up. I was usually able to address them with his main teacher. I do love the fact you get access to the camera's and daily reports on what your kiddo is up to. What finally made us withdraw was when my 2 year old was picked up with an injury. When I attempted to address this injury with staff, they claimed they hadn't even noticed it (a black eye) and didn't know what happened. When I sat down with the director/owner, she was patronizing and told me that perhaps her school wasn't a great fit for us if we expected eyes on the children 24/7 or all injuries noticed by the staff. My issue wasn't the fact my son got hurt or that no one knew how he got hurt (annoying, but understandable). My issue was the black eye not being seen until I pointed it out and the owner trying to tell me her staff not noticing such an injury was okay. The black eye took 2 weeks to heal, it wasn't minor. I don't believe this was abuse, however supervision concerns overall. I hope the staffing issues have since resolved! ----- Author: savannah wooldridge Rating: 5/5 Date: 11/20/2023, 11:35:55 PM Review: My two children love this place! Naturally, first starting out at a new place, there are days with tears and a handful of melt downs at drop off, but they quickly adapted and LOVE this place. My two year talks about her “best friends” (her teachers) constantly at home. I receive plenty of pictures throughout the day of all of the kids seemingly having a blast, also several pictures of them doing work at their desks, and the kids participating in collective circle time. I get notifications of my child’s diapers being changed frequently, and every time she has a water or meal break. Whenever I pick my infant or my toddler up from their respective classes, I never notice any kids being excluded or upset or “off by themselves”. Everyone is seemingly watched out for and taken care of. Some of these reviews shock me, because I recommend this place to anyone asking about daycares and have NEVER had an experience like the ones in the negative reviews. We love our FSLA family, and will continue bringing our children here until our kids are in school. I would like to make particular mention of Ms. Kenna (my two year olds teacher) and Ms. Erica Crystal (my infants teacher)! They are EXCELLENT!!!
Does this day care follow a specific curriculum?
Yes
One review mentions a VPK curriculum, but there is no other information on special learning curriculum options.
Reviews:
Author: Kylie Johnson (Yates) Rating: 5/5 Date: 11/28/2023, 1:33:17 PM Review: Ms. "Kenna" is so sweet with our little guy. It is obvious she genuinely cares and connects with all of the kids. We feel so blessed to have Ms. McKenna watching our little man. üíï _______________________________________ This is a great daycare! My oldest learned so much in VPK, the curriculum worked so well for him and Ms. Jackie is wonderful. My kids know all of the personnel there and feel a personal connection with most of them. Our youngest is in the 2 year old class with Ms. McKenna and we adore her. She is so good with this chaotic age. For parents- there is a double safety feature going in so your kids are secure at the school. You get updates throughout the day about what they are working on, what they eat, bathroom breaks, etc. I love blowing my kids mind by talking to them about the books they read that day at school. The school also has cute programs for the holidays including a fun trunk or treat, a holiday/Christmas program, VPK graduation, mothers day/fathers day, etc. They also have plenty of celebrations throughout the year for the kiddos which makes for a really fun year.
Does this day care have monitoring cameras?
Yes
Several reviews mention the availability of monitoring cameras, while one negative review states the cameras hardly ever work.
Reviews:
Author: Lacey Hammett Rating: 2/5 Date: 3/29/2024, 7:22:35 PM Review: Communication and ethical standards are not up to par. I had a walkthrough on Monday and was very rushed into paying the $100 application fee ($200 in total) that same day. On the walkthrough, I had told the teacher that we would be using a voucher, not a problem. The next day when I am filling out the paperwork for my littles to start, I noticed there was no voucher area in the payments section. I got an email that afternoon saying that my registration forms have been cancelled by the other party (FSLA). So they canceled my application AFTER I PAID? Weird, red flag. I contacted them and was told that they do not accept the voucher and this is the first time they are hearing of this. I was then told that they could pull the audio on the cameras to play back to ensure I did not speak of the voucher. Wednesday I received I call and voicemail from FSLA. I could hear a child’s voice(s) in the background with no one on the line talking (an adult I am meaning). This raises high alerts for me as a parent, red flag. Thursday I called back with no return. Friday I called and Brittney (director and owner) reached out to let me know the $200 was nonrefundable and that they have pulled the clips from when we were there and ensured us we never said anything about using the voucher. I find that a little odd, but hey, I love a good video evidence proof, so like I told Brittney, I would also like to listen to the audio. She was extremely rude and said she had reported me to the ELC. I will gladly stand up for what is right and how I was treated is in no way how a business should be ran. My children NEVER went to this school, and I NEVER filled out the registration forms. BBB is being contacted to see how I can resolve getting the money back for simply having them email me (their registration fee that should ethically be given back). I will go whichever route is also needed to listen to the audio. Read the fine print, always. ----- Author: Adrienne Outler Rating: 1/5 Date: 10/18/2023, 4:05:14 PM Review: Horrible. Your child will fend for themselves. Not enough teachers to children ratio. The cameras hardly ever work. They don’t actually teach, when I would check the camera I would see the teacher call them together to take a picture and send them on their way & then send the notification that they completed a lesson. Horrible. Other times I would check the cameras and my son would be getting bullied by other kids and there wouldn’t be a teacher in sight to help. I put in the 30 days notice right after that. Every time my husband picked up our son he was covered in dirt or snot , they don’t even have the time to wipe a runny nose. He was always thirsty & hungry when he was picked up like they literally never check on the children’s well being. Another time my husband picked up our son and he was in a separate classroom sitting in the dark by himself. Somebody seriously needs to check in on this “school”. For the love of god don’t send your children here.
Working Hours
- Monday6AM-6PM
- Tuesday6AM-6PM
- Wednesday6AM-6PM
- Thursday6AM-6PM
- Friday6AM-6PM
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed
Latest Reviews
They withhold information about your child but they call you to pick them up for no reason. I wouldn't recommend this established
We have been going to First Steps for a year and they are so patient and kind! My son loves his teachers and looks forward to going to school in the mornings.
The teachers are wonderful and caring and the facility is set up for learning and fun! We are thankful for First Steps Learning Academy!
This place is AMAZING! The teachers are very involved with the children. My little boy LOVES coming to school to "play and learn with Ms. Jackie and my best friends".
Communication and ethical standards are not up to par. I had a walkthrough on Monday and was very rushed into paying the $100 application fee ($200 in total) that same day. On the walkthrough, I had told the teacher that we would be using a voucher, not a problem. The next day when I am filling out the paperwork for my littles to start, I noticed there was no voucher area in the payments section. I got an email that afternoon saying that my registration forms have been cancelled by the other party (FSLA). So they canceled my application AFTER I PAID? Weird, red flag. I contacted them and was told that they do not accept the voucher and this is the first time they are hearing of this. I was then told that they could pull the audio on the cameras to play back to ensure I did not speak of the voucher. Wednesday I received I call and voicemail from FSLA. I could hear a child’s voice(s) in the background with no one on the line talking (an adult I am meaning). This raises high alerts for me as a parent, red flag. Thursday I called back with no return. Friday I called and Brittney (director and owner) reached out to let me know the $200 was nonrefundable and that they have pulled the clips from when we were there and ensured us we never said anything about using the voucher. I find that a little odd, but hey, I love a good video evidence proof, so like I told Brittney, I would also like to listen to the audio. She was extremely rude and said she had reported me to the ELC. I will gladly stand up for what is right and how I was treated is in no way how a business should be ran. My children NEVER went to this school, and I NEVER filled out the registration forms. BBB is being contacted to see how I can resolve getting the money back for simply having them email me (their registration fee that should ethically be given back). I will go whichever route is also needed to listen to the audio. Read the fine print, always.
Miss Ashley is the best teacher there
We love how our little one is not only being taken care of but also they do activities with him to help him with his development as a baby! We’re happy with our overall experience with FSLA.
My kids love it!
We have been apart of the daycare family for 4 years now! We love the teachers and the quick responses from them and Mrs. Brittney. My children absolutely adore Ms. Ashlee and Ms. Jackie! My son is new there, and has settled in very well with Ms. Renee. We love how ALL of the teachers have loved and still love our children throughout the years!