Especially for Children

We sent our baby to EFC, Eagan for about 5 months and decided to leave because it was not the best fit for us. While the staff was generally friendly and accommodating to our specific needs but there were more negatives than positives. She was not sleeping well, not eating well, was getting sick often and they always seemed to have staffing issues. The toys/baby gear were very outdated and there didn't seem to be a big focus on a scheduled curriculum. It was very evident that the teachers worked REALLY hard but often seemed to be mismanaged and chaotic. My mom gut told me this was not a great for baby so moved to a new center and she is now thriving, learning and so happy to be there. Sorry, but I do not recommend.

After few months at this daycare my daughter was still crying every morning before going there. I asked the teachers, the managers, all they repeated the same: She did great, she just cried few minutes after you left!. I keep going to that daycare with the hope that everything was just about her. The kids didn't play with her so she was playing by herself at the playground.... After 10 months I decided that it was not normal (my daughter cried every single morning) the kids still didn't play with her, the teachers keep telling me that all was fine and the managers not taking any action.
Finally I changed daycare and after the second week my daughter was smiling, have many friends and play with them. I see that she loves her group and the teachers and also they love her. Also this daycare is less expensive!
I lost my time and my daughter's time at Especially for Children. I don't recommend this daycare for new kids as it could be an awful experience.

Our family just started at Especially For Children in Eagan and we are very happy that we picked this child care center. We had toured a few centers in Eagan but this one had so much to offer the children. Our kids are Preschool and Prek age so we were looking for something that would interest both age groups. We found it here. I was delighted to hear that they have a new Spanish program, are teaching Sign Language, provide a soccer program for kids ages 3 - 5 years of age (available in the summer), and an exercise class at NO EXTRA COST! The staff are welcoming and had us feeling like part of the Especially For Children Family as soon as we walked in the door. Thank you.

We started here almost a year ago and love it! Wonderful and caring staff. They will be undergoing renovations in the next few months, and I am excited to see how it improves an already great daycare center.

Awesome daycare! The teachers here are great, they are so patient and flexible. My little guy loves it and I don't feel worried that he is happy during the day.

My son went here for a few months. It was close to my work so we decided to move him to a center closer to home for a few reasons... I'm torn in my review. I don't like the center, but I loved the teachers in the infant room. The teachers are kind and caring and I have a special place in my heart for them since they raised my baby the last few months. However, I think they have too much on their plate so often times babies are unhappy. I visited over lunch every day so I got to observe a lot. I went at different times too. There were some days, I felt if I wasn't there I'm not sure my son would have been happy at all or fed on time. That is again no slam to the ladies, they work their butts off but that's just the reality with a 1:4 ratio. I learned to except it and I think that's just the way things are, there were more good days than bad so that kept me coming back and there were many moments that made me smile when I did see kids being read or sang to. The teachers definately try their best and I can't say enough good things about them...
The biggest complaint I have is that the facilities are nothing to brag about. classrooms are small with many children packed in. The bouncy seats, toys, high chairs, etc are all ancient. The playground is small, and when it's cold or raining there is nowhere for the children to retreat to. If you are a new parent I would highly suggest finding a place with large facilities so your child has room to run around as the grow. Here in MN that is very importatnt seeing that it's cold most the year! We are at a new daycare now with an indoor gym and I think it's going to be a godsend this winter!
Overall, they do a good job but I wasn't wow'd so I gave them a 3 star.