Sandbox Early Childhood Learning Center, Tucson AZ

As a mom and Developmental Psychologist PhD with expertise in child development, I have incredibly high expectations for my son's childcare. Finding quality care for your child is no easy feat, and I researched for weeks in search of a facility that offered developmentally appropriate curriculum, warm and supportive teacher-student relationships that facilitate healthy attachments to other adults, and a facility that strongly abided by state regulated health and safety codes. I also toured several facilities during the process and quickly weeded out programs that didn't fit my criteria.

This brings me to the Sandbox. They came highly recommended to me by a friend and for good reason. I immediately got the gut feeling that the Sandbox was the right choice for my son at the start of my tour. I knew they were highly ranked on Quality First and have a stellar health record by the state, but I quickly learned on my tour that the kids are super happy, the teachers are warm and kind, and the directors are understanding and supportive. Upon enrolling my son, who is a NICU baby born at the height of the pandemic, his teachers (Ms. Ashley and Ms. Glenda) were so patient with his transition and tears and showed him so much love and care. 10 months later- they extend the same love and care and I am so grateful that I can leave my son in their arms while I work from home. His teachers are also moms and treat the children as their own, while also offering positive redirection to curb negative behaviors (I have a climber/monkey kid) and understanding that kids are kids and meeting them where they are developmentally. Further, my son also LOVES his teachers and has built strong relationships with both of them, and it's clear to me that they serve as a secure, home base for him when his parents aren't around.

The Sandbox is more intimate and smaller than some other facilities I toured, and as a result, teachers from other rooms know my son from popping into his room and/or interacting on the playground. This helps in the transition between rooms as kids age out of one room to the next, and as transition is hard for my little guy, this is an unexpected plus I hadn't considered while looking for a daycare facility.

Further, my son learns SOO much at daycare and we often refer to it as school at home. His daily schedule includes music, art, science, and playing outside 2x a day. Mind you, my child is just about to be 20 months and has a fun, full day of activities- which is way more than I can offer him at home. His teachers also facilitate best practices in social and emotional learning with the kids, which is a challenge for toddlers. However, my son has little friends at school and says their names at home.

A true testament of quality care is your child at pickup- is your kid stressed and unhappy? Or laughing smiling and running around? My little guy is always happy and chatty at the end of the day, and it signals to me as a parent that his needs were well met throughout the day and that he is getting the quality care that I searched long and hard for.

On top of his daily activities, the Sandbox also offers parties/events at park for holidays like Halloween, where my son can see his teachers and friends outside of school. And beyond the daily quality care and events outside of school, the Sandbox has demonstrated to me that they care about the local community through teddy bear drives for children involved in severe car accidents and clothing drives for those who need it most.

Again, I am so happy with my experience at the Sandbox and I am currently on the waitlist for the baby room for my second child. I highly recommend touring the Sandbox and getting on the waitlist ASAP if you are looking for quality care for your child.

The Sandbox is more than a day care or preschool, it's a community of caring teachers. We started sending our daughter to the Sandbox three years ago and there hasn't been a single day when she did not want to go to school. That says it all. She brings home art and sings songs from school every day. They learn through play and she could write her full name and knew all the letters of the alphabet by age 3. We get daily emails with photos and videos telling us about the curriculum and activities that occurred. The Sandbox has made our lives easier in so many ways and I am extremely grateful for everything that they do!

I worked there 7 years and I loooved working there and I felt like family. I attended baby showers for the owner's daughters, babysit their grandchildren and was invited to a birthday party for the owner. The Covid pandemic came and The Sandbox showed their true colors. Attendance was down and there were layoffs. I was laid off in a text message. I didn't know how to apply for unemployment and there was no communication or response from owner. I lost my work family I adored
I no longer love and respect them. The feeling is now pity. The owner comes into my new job, doesn't buy anything, and stares at me. This place is horrible. How do you think they treat non verbal children? They used to stalk my social media until I figured out how to block them.h
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Both of our children attended Sandbox. We love Sandbox so much that we continue to send our kids there even when we moved to Oro Valley. We love that they prioritize the individuality of each child to make them curious, safe, and excited to learn! Many teachers have been there for a long time, which helps them see through our kids long-term goals.

My son has been going to Sandbox all year and I absolutely love everything about the school. I feel that he is more then ready to start kindergarten with everything that they have taught him. He learns so much every single day and is always telling me all of the fun things they do during the day. I really love that the school focuses on teaching through play. There are so many fun opportunities that the children have at the school from music, art, introduction to literacy and mathematics skills, a STEM Lab and helping the children to develop their social emotional skills. They work really hard on helping children “get out of their shell” so to speak and be ready socially for kindergarten. I would HIGHLY recommend this school to anyone looking for high quality childcare for their young ones.

Don’t know how to express how happy is my son at the Sandbox; he went before to another private daycare - School and it was so draining and tired; after that we took a break and tried again a couple months later and everything changed; he loved it from day 1! He started with Ms. Ashley and Ms. Glenda who are sooo loving and caring and now he is with Ms. Shalonda and Ms. Caitlin who are AMAZING!
Everyone! All the office team, owners, everybody there are such an amazing team and staff; every single penny is worth it when you see how happy is your kid there.
Thank you Sandbox

7/11/22
The staff, including Ms. Jennifer, take excellent care of their students, who are engaged, well - cared for, and encouraged to use their individual skills to grow!

Amazing school and caring staff. My kids loved going there. Clean and safe school. Highly recommend it!