Gateway Early Learning Center

My son was in this daycare for about 6 months when he was three and during his time there he came home with bruises under his arms that were the shape of fingertips,. They looked like someone had picked him up very forcefully under his arms like they were raising him up. He said it was his teacher. I spoke to Josh in the office and he said he would review the tapes. One week later my child was suspended from their care because he ran away from them and wouldn’t come out from fear. They said he was a safety issue. CPS was called and investigated and I was told the bruises were from a backpack. My child did not have or wear a backpack at 3. Completely ridiculous. Later, my friend’s daughter in kindergarten was dropped off by Gateway at the wrong elementary school and they just left her there. Also, the same time we went there, a child was left in a hot bus unattended. Beware.

I have had a second experience with Gateway Early Learning Center, and I really want to update my review.
Since my first review, we have welcomed a new baby boy into our family. I initially did not want to put him in a center-​based day care. However, after he came home from his well-​researched, well-​interviewed, meticulously chosen in-​home provider with a minor-​but-​could-​have-​been-​major injury at 9 weeks old, I immediately pulled him from the situation and began a marathon tour of daycare centers.
I was terrified. It had taken me months to choose his first provider, and I was now in a position that forced me to find care for him virtually overnight. I toured center after center in Burleson, Crowley, and south Fort Worth. Most big and fancy on the outside, but all the same– 11:2 ratio in the infant rooms, none of the rooms being particularly attractive, and none of the workers seeming particularly engaged with the kids, at least from my «outsider» point of view.
Finally, I called Gateway. I don’t live in Cleburne, but I work there. The idea of having my baby close was appealing. I hadn’t had any real exposure to their infant program during my older son’s stint at the center, so I was unsure what to expect. I was so, so pleasantly surprised.
First, the room was bright and inviting, and didn’t smell like old diapers. An anomaly, I assure you, after the other centers I had visited. There was one worker, and only 4 (yes, 4!) happy, content babies in the room. I. was. floored. There was none of the chaos that I saw at some of the other centers. After asking a few questions, I found out that the most enrollment they typically have in their infant room is 8 babies, to 2 teachers. And often, there aren’t even 8 babies. He has been one of a class of 5 or 6 for most of the 10 months he has been in the center. You just don’t find ratios like that. I enrolled on the spot.
After having my son in the infant program for most of his first year, I can say these things: The teachers care. They all do. The lead infant teacher is spectacular and I had a high level of comfort with her very quickly. My son smiles and reaches for his teachers. Almost the entire staff knows his name. When I pick him up, he is usually happy, fed, and clean. I don’t get the vibe that he is «just surviving» while there. He has also been very rarely sick– another pleasant surprise!
This center has an open-​door policy, and they have been very supportive of my coming on my lunch break to nurse my son. Even in the infant room, my son comes home with art projects. I have the most adorable handprints, footprints, ornaments and keepsakes for his memory box. How they manage this, I don’t know, but somehow they pull it off. :)
We’ve had only a few issues– minor, and quickly resolved. The director and regional manager are both extremely professional, they get things done, and they do abide by your wishes. I have peace of mind with my son at this center, and I am very grateful.
So while I stand beside my previous review as true for my older son’s experience 2 years ago… a lot has changed at the center since then. I couldn’t be happier with my experience there, and I can and do recommend them to anyone looking for a good day care.

We have been taking our daughter to Gateway Early Learning Center since they opened the facility. She is now in Kindergarten but they made arrangements to pick her up after school even though it was not part of their route. I am now in the process of registering my 3 month old because they have people who care enough about kids that they would go out of their way to accomodate working parents. That is the kind of care I value! Thank you Gateway!
Elvira Allen