Kids Kastle Child Care Infant-Preschool

We came to Michelle’s daycare Kids Kastle after my daughter was asked to leave our previous infant care center at the age of 12 months for biting. She was going through a phase but the daycare didn’t want to or couldn’t deal with it. Michelle didn’t have a full-time spot at the time for our daughter, but she was extremely sympathetic to our situation, and offered to have her come part time when she had availability and was more than happy to work with her on her behavior issues. She explained to us that her approach when kids go through phases like that is to work with them to help them through it, using different techniques from talking to the child, separating them when needed and giving them one-on-one attention. Eventually she had a spot available for us and we were thrilled to have our daughter go to Kids Kastle full-time up until recently when Covid hit.

Michelle has always been an extremely calm and patient presence for her daycare kids, and treats them with respect and love. She is a compassionate listener and has a great ability to meet them at their level and explain things to them in a way that they can hear, understand and agree with. She has helped our daughter through multiple phases of challenging behavior with patience and love and ultimately sets an example for how kids can be heard without having to act out. I am extremely grateful to have found her and been able to have her influence on my child’s growth.

We were so fortunate to be a part of the Kids Kastle family and have Michelle, Cheyenne, and the rest of the Kids Kastle staff care for our youngest son. He started there at 6 months old and they provided a safe, nurturing, and loving environment for him. We were in a bind and out of child care unexpectedly, and Michelle welcomed us with open arms. I went from being stressed out returning to work with an infant, to being completely at ease knowing that we had found the best possible place for him. He was so happy there and they helped shape him into the wonderful boy he is now. We were so sad when our time ended there. They are the absolute best and you would be lucky to have your child be a part of their program!

Kids Kastle didn't have space for my son when we needed it. However, the owner Michelle was super kind to share her knowledge when I was questioning the merits of a different care facility that we were about to start. She spent at least 30 minutes on the phone with me validating my concerns and giving me advice for my search. Further the next day, she gave me a lead that landed us an infant spot at a different center that same day. I'm so thankful for her help and her genuine interest in the well being of my son even though he doesn't go to Kids Kastle.

Kids Kastle Child Care is absolutely amazing. I had not heard of Kids Kastle or Michelle prior to the summer of 2016, when I found her school online. Our son, then about 18 months, had been in a very small in-home daycare which was closing for a two week vacation, so I was seeking a safe place for me to send him as a “drop-in” for a few days while my husband was traveling and I needed to attend meetings for work. Our whole family loved Kids Kastle so much that our son stayed with Cheyenne and Michelle for three full years, and we are all appreciative for the time he was able to spend there.

Michelle is more than an owner. She goes above and beyond every day to ensure that your child is comfortable and loved. She is a seasoned caregiver, educator, mother, grandmother, and friend. The school is run with a planned, age-appropriate curriculum for each child, and Michelle and her team focus on projects and play that is fun, yet doubles as an educational opportunity. She is candid about your child’s development, and is knowledgeable and in-sync with each child’s personality and needs. Each morning, whatever she is cooking for lunch, fills the air with scents of homemade goodness and she will often teach utilizing culinary themes and food.

We recently moved our son from Kids Kastle to public TK, and it is clear that he gained an advantage through all of his experiences there. The transition has been smooth, as he was very well-prepared for his next step in early childhood education. He has self-confidence to run into class, just as he happily ran into Michelle’s care each day. He certainly started his educational path right, with the respect, confidence, and intelligence he gathered while at Kids Kastle.

Kids Kastle will always be a special place for us. I cannot thank Michelle and her team enough for always going the extra mile for our son and keeping him safe (and me worry-free) as we went off to work. I would recommend Michelle's program without reservation to anyone who is considering childcare in the Walnut Creek area.

We were so fortunate to have Michelle, Cheyenne, and the rest of the Kids Kastle team take care of our son from the time he was ten months to 2.5 years old. We moved out of state and were so sorry to leave Kids Kastle behind. It is a special place where each child is loved and supported fully, so that he/she can grow and learn. We only hope to find such a wonderful place in the future!

I am beyond thankful and grateful that our daughter over two years at kids castle. For the record, I had never heard of Kids Kastle or Michelle prior to finding the school online.

Michelle was clearly born to be an educator and caregiver. Watching her work magic with the different children's personalities is like observing a musician in the middle of a great performance. Michelle really understands the essence of each child. She's so attuned to the needs of all the children and adopts the curriculum accordingly to maximize learning. E.g. For about a week, my daughter kept asking for pie, for some reason. Michelle granted her wish on baking day and the class made an apple pie, with each kid taking turns measuring, putting in ingredients and stirring. Last year, a noteworthy learning unit involved the school growing caterpillars into butterflies, then releasing them.

Because of excellent, planned curriculum and focused attention at the school, my daughter learned to read simple words before age 5. She's 5 1/2 and currently reading at a strong Level 1. We recently moved her from Kids Kastle to a public TK. We literally had our last day on a Tuesday and first day at the new school on Wednesday and the transition was seamless. My daughter is still initially shy in new situations (personality), but there's a strong confidence and sense of self that I know is due to Kids Kastle. Not only has our daughter started on her education path in the best possible way, I have also grown as a parent. Michelle helped me see my daughter's personality through a different lens, which helps me allow her to be her full, expressive self.

Kids Kastle is thoroughly cleaned daily and we missed very few days due to illnesses in comparison to the corporate daycare we first used.

Your baby darling is going to spend a good number of hours with other people. I felt very secure while at work, knowing mine was in the best hands possible. If you're able to get a spot with the new academy and have Michelle and Cheyenne (infant care) in your life.congratulations in advance.

Kids Kastle is a truly special place. Michelle and her staff are hands down the best there is. My husband and I moved here about 7 months ago from the East Coast, where we had our toddler daughter in another daycare, so we have experience before in the daycare industry, and something to compare to. But there's really no comparing her previous daycare to Kids Kastle. Kids Kastle goes above and beyond all of our expectations and then some. Michelle's organization and attention to detail, combined with her warm, hands on, inclusive teaching style and encouragement of parent involvement makes us proud to be a part of the Kids Kastle family. If I could give her and her staff ten stars, I would! Search no more and send your child here (or at least get on the waitlist!).

Michelle is a wonderful child care provider. She has taken care of our daughter since she was six months old up until she was ready for Pre-K. My daughter has learned so much from being there and I could not thank Michelle enough for it! Michelle has a fantastic and interactive program that all the kids can enjoy and experience. I will forever be grateful to have found her!

Our son attended Kids Kastle for the summer, between preschool and pre-K. From the first day—from the first visit even—Michelle made us feel like we were a part of her family. Our son enjoyed his best summer yet, as evidenced by his happy disposition and eagerness to attend each day. The Kids Kastle teachers are amazing, and it’s easy to see how much they enjoy each child’s personality. We were most impressed with their ability to balance a child’s individual needs and abilities with those of the group. Highly recommended!