Bidwell Academy For Young Children

To each their own when it comes to communicating with your own children and using discipline. However, parenting is very different than early childhood education. Out of all the places that I have observed and visited I was disappointed with the teaching strategies and interactions with young children at Bidwell Academy. Shaming children, telling them to suck it up when they fall, punishing children by embarrassment. It was frustrating to watch. I feel like they picked an employee to be the scapegoat and were a very cliquey staff. The place has a lot of potential and looks nice for parents– but they definitely don’t want anyone coming in to rock the boat or advocate for utilizing more supportive child development practices.
Then again, maybe that’s what parents want to see? They are definitely all about the parents and adult needs. Maybe that’s why they continue to do it.
Again– every family needs to find the childcare that works for them. So if that works for you and your kid– then by all means go for it. Chico has a lot of different choices and this place seems to be where the higher income families go.

I called this place to schedule a showing when looking for childcare providers. I left three messages and no one ever called me back. I was looking forward to this place hopefully working out, because it was within walking distance of my home and it has some pretty stellar support in the community. But if I cannot even get in touch with a place for an interview, it’s going to pretty hard to enroll there.

This is a great & clean place to leave your child! Very friendly, knowledgeable staff that cares about your Childs education & wellbeing.
Everyday is full of sensory tables, painting, singing, storybooks, outside play time with well kept equipment, nice green grass and a garden.
Each month we receive a calendar that highlights what topic the class will be learning about. (this month it’s the Human Body!) it also lists events such as sharing day, bike day, maybe even the occasional PJ & movie day. They take a few field trips throughout the year and put on a very adorable Christmas show where the kids sing for the parents.
All of the food is made onsite and is included in the affordable monthly tuition, each meal is nutritious with each food group.
I would highly recommend this Preschool! My 4 year old daughter loves this school & loves to tell me all about her exciting day :)

What a wonderful place this is! My older son went through Bidwell Academy and came out of the program beyond prepared for Kindergarten. He knew his letters, his numbers, the sounds of letters, how to share, and how to work out problems using words versus tears or violence.
The staff is well trained, well educated, and most importantly, incredibly loving and gives each child the attention he or she deserves and needs. They serve lunch each day, which is a bonus for the busy parent! They take a few field trips each year, cook, paint, play, read, and have a great time every day.
Now my younger son is going through the program and will graduate (yes, they have an adorable graduation ceremony) this year. I am thankful every day that we chose this program for our kids. I will miss it terribly when we move on to Kindergarten next year!