Forrestal Academy Inc

I’m writing this review as a concerned parent after my six-month-old daughter spent one month in the infant classroom (“Baby Birds”). I want to share my honest experience to help other parents find the best environment for their children. First, the positives: the campus is beautiful, clean, and well-maintained. I also appreciated the organic baby food program, splash pad, and biometric fingerprint entry system, which is a great feature. However, I did notice that at times multiple individuals may enter behind one another without scanning, which somewhat defeats the purpose of controlled access. Beyond the surface, my experience raised several concerns—especially given the cost of tuition. On my daughter’s second day, her bottle was mistakenly given to another baby. This is extremely concerning, not only from a care standpoint but also due to the risk of cross-contamination and illnesses such as RSV. The following day, I attempted to provide pre-portioned formula and water as a backup, but was told this was not allowed due to state law. While I understand policies exist for safety, this left me uneasy given the previous incident. I also observed what appeared to be a lack of attentiveness regarding illness. I overheard a parent expressing concern about their baby being sick, and on a separate occasion noticed a baby with visible symptoms (such as a runny nose on their clothing). This made me question how illness is being managed and whether precautions are taken to limit spread among infants. I also observed staff stepping over babies on the floor rather than walking around them. Books were kept in a cabinet behind the front desk and not accessible in the classroom, and I did not observe babies being read to or engaged in developmentally appropriate activities. On one occasion, I saw a baby playing with a small plastic storage container, which raised safety concerns. Additionally, babies appeared to spend extended time (30+ minutes) in container seats, which felt excessive. The school offers camera access with a clear view of the classroom, but it is limited to 30 minutes per parent and does not include audio. From what I consistently observed, the routine seemed to focus on feeding, changing, and placing babies on the floor for independent play. The environment felt rushed at times—more focused on managing the babies than nurturing and engaging them. I also had a small but telling experience where my daughter was changed out of her outfit before I could even leave the parking lot, and I was told staff did not have time to put outfits like that back on. I would recommend sending infants in simple clothing like sleepers. Lastly, there is no online billing portal. Payments are automatically withdrawn weekly using bank information, and statements are not issued until the end of the month, which lacked clarity. Due to my concerns, I ultimately withdrew my daughter before the required two-week notice period. This may be a good fit for families seeking a clean, basic daycare environment. However, for those looking for a more enriching, nurturing experience—especially at this price point—it may fall short. I do believe there is potential, but the level of care and engagement did not align with my expectations. I am looking for a place where my child is not only cared for, but truly nurtured and supported in her development.

Since coming to Forrestal, we have been pleased with the amount of support and communication we get from the teachers and administration. The initial transition was challenging for our 1 year old, however there were multiple factors in play (moving from New England, new school, transitioning from bottle/breastmilk). Our little one now loves going to Forrestal and thoroughly enjoys her teachers and friends there! We are very happy with our care, the administrative team and of course, her wonderful teachers!

Our child has been attending Forrestal Academy for about a year and we love it! Every morning he is excited to go to school and he sometimes asks to go on the weekends. He comes home and talks about the activities he does in art, the books and things he learns during circle time, and all the fun he has with friends on the playground. He loves all the fresh food that is prepared by the chef! Anytime we have had questions or concerns, the admin or teachers have been great to communicate with us and help our son. My husband and I feel confident when we drop him off that he is well taken care of and in a clean and safe environment to thrive. The camera access is a bonus to be able to check in on him throughout the day. We recommend Forrestal Academy for daycare/preschool in the Huntersville area.

Forrestal Academy is a great place for your child to be nurtured while you are at work. My husband and I are new to the area, and recently enrolled our daughter. In a month, she has learned to sit on her own, smiles BIG when she sees her teachers and the other children, and even has the opportunity to try fresh purees made in house. The staff at Forrestal is kind, helpful, and informative, and we know Ellie is safe and well looked after. We highly recommend this facility to parents looking for a daycare option for their children.

Our kids have been going to Forrestal Academy for a year now and I could not be happier with the love and care they have received. My kids LOVE going to school everyday and have formed very strong bonds with their teachers. Every morning and afternoon their teachers take the time to talk with me and discuss not only their growth and development, but also share positive notes about their days. They do more than just watch your kids here, this is a school that actually utilizes age appropriate lesson plans and really helps facilitate your child’s growth not only intellectually but emotionally as well. The whole staff truly cares about building a safe and happy environment and they do a great job at it. They have camera access that is very easy to use and even includes the outside areas. I cannot say enough good things about Forrestal and feel very fortunate that my kids are able to attend this school for the years to come.