KidzCity

I’ve been bringing my nephew to both the current and previous Kidz City locations for the greater part of the last year almost and grateful that we have a location such as this to rely on when needed. Amanda has always been very caring and fun and Jacen (my nephew) absolutely loves her and the staff. It’s hard to find anywhere reliable and intuitive for the kids and Kidz City certainly meets the benchmark in my opinion!

I write this review with a heavy heart as I truly like Amanda personally, however, if I were another parent considering KidzCity, I would want to know the entire truth about what goes on there. They get a 0 for safety and a 0 for communication with parents.
My daughter first found out about Kidz City when she attended a birthday party there when she was 5. At the time it was located at DeSoto and Ventura in the complex of the Target shopping center. We subsequently took our daughter there to play several times for an hour or two. I had no problems during those visits. This week my daughter, now age 6 asked to go to Kidz City as she was bored on the days she was not attending her Art Camp this summer. I called and spoke to Amanda. She informed me that she had moved locations. I drove this morning to the new address of KidzCity which is now in Amanda’s home. She kindly showed us around and showed us the backyard where there is a gated swimming pool. My daughter got excited and was disappointed that she didn’t bring her swimming suit because she wanted to swim. I was glad she didn’t as I had concerns about who would be watching the children and what their water safety/​CPR etc training was. I went to work after signing my daughter in and giving Amanda my cell, my husbands cell and our office number. I was busy seeing patients all day, but kept my cell phone on my person all day. I got a text at 2:27 pm from Amanda asking when I would be picking my daughter up stating «We are at the library, when will you be picking up _​_​_​so we will be sure to be back» I was in shock. I had not authorized my daughter to go off premises. When I texted back I asked if they walk or drove there. Amanda replied that it was so hot she felt bad for the kids and they drove over. I was shocked that she didn’t contact me for permission. She stated that she should have asked my permission to drive her. She should have had my permission to take her away from the location Period! When I picked her up, my daughter then informs me that she was not in a car seat (she is 6 years old! And a car seat is required by law!) and was «belted in like you and dad do». When I asked her who drove she said that Amanda’s son drove. I asked her how old he was. She replied 17. I asked are you sure? She said «Yes mom, He is a teenager and has braces.» I asked her where Amanda sat in the car. She told me that Amanda didn’t go in the car with them. I was in complete shock. As a Licensed Child Care Provider and a former Social Worker I thought Amanda would have more common sense than to a) take my child away from the child care center without my permission b) put my child in a vehicle without a car seat which is against the law c) send my child with a novice teenage driver. Nothing happened, thank goodness, however, something could have. I trusted Amanda with my daughter and am deeply concerned about her ability to use proper judgment in her care for children. She apologized and would not let me pay for the visit even after I tried to several times. I almost didn’t post this review because I felt sorry for her. However, if something ever happened to a child under her care I would never be able to forgive myself.