Inspire Early Education Walpole North, Massachusetts – Child Care School

We are having a great experience. We are a new family this year, so I cannot speak to how the center has changed over the years. I know that corporate ownership has introduced some unpopular changes. I went through that same process at our last daycare center, and it was frustrating.

But the individuals who interact with my child each day are wonderful, from the directors to the lead teachers to the assistants. My child struggled with the transition to his new school and every single teacher and staff member has gone above and beyond to make him feel comfortable and welcome.

I won't mention them by name for privacy reasons, but you know who you are and we appreciate you.

We have had a great experience at Inspire Walpole North so far! Our son started one month ago and his transition was so smooth, thanks to his fantastic teachers. In his first two weeks, he was a little sad at drop-off and overwhelmed being dropped into a combined room with lots of kids he didn't know. His teachers picked up on this right away, one of his teachers noted to me that she got in early that day so she could be there when he did. I even saw them start to separate the combined rooms a little earlier, them noting to me that he seemed more comfortable that way. Now, he runs in without looking back! He loves his teachers, he clearly looks up to them based on how much he talks about them at home. And I can tell that they truly care about him as well, which makes me feel confident and happy leaving him there each day.

There is great communication from the teachers, including occasional pictures and updates of the activities they're doing in the app. Our son seems happy, is making friends, and learning.

We came from two home daycares and I am loving the events being held for the school overall - trick-or-treating, one soon for Thanksgiving desserts, etc. It helps us feel connected to the community and able to start meeting other families. There is a regular newsletter that lays these events out so we can stay aware.

Lunch and snacks are included, and so far I have been very satisfied by the variety and nutrition offered by the meals!

I have heard that right before we started, the school transitioned companies. I can't speak to the before/after, but I have seen management be responsive to feedback, such as bringing back "Bye Bye Treats" after there were complaints from them taking it away.

We are very happy with our time here so far!

We’ve loved our time at Inspire. The teachers are supportive, communicative and welcoming. My kids love their teachers and we feel comfortable leaving our kids here. We know that they are cared for and are always amazed to hear about all the fun activities they do. We highly recommend to anyone looking for a great place for your kids to learn and play.

The teachers at this school are some of the BEST! We’ve had nothing but great things to say about Amanda, Tatiana, Izabella, Jayme, Nicole, and so many others. I feel confident when I drop my child off each day that she will have a great day and be well cared for.

They are kind, considerate and very well staffed.

The only truly positive thing I can say about this center is in praise of the incredible teachers and assistants. Their patience, dedication, and genuine care for the children are the only constants that have remained through all the recent transitions—from Sunshine, to Kids & Co., and now Inspire.

Sadly, since the change in ownership, many things have declined:

Constant Changes, No Communication: There are weekly changes to staffing, schedules, room arrangements, and policies—often with zero communication to families. Children are frequently moved between rooms just to meet ratios, and parents are left in the dark.

Tuition Up, Support Down: Tuition has increased, yet teachers haven’t received raises, and many have had their hours cut. Many great educators have left due to a lack of support and respect from corporate leadership. Those who remain are doing their best with very little.

Loss of Community: The new “Inspire” branding suggests purpose and growth, but the experience feels more like a cost-cutting operation. What used to be a warm, community-focused school now feels like rooms full of strangers.

Discontinued Snacks Without Notice or Refund: The afternoon snack—something many kids looked forward to, especially those picked up later in the day—was suddenly stopped. There was no notice, no explanation, and no credit or reimbursement for parents. Yet again, no communication.

Serious Professionalism Concerns: Most concerning, just last week I passed an office that clearly smelled of marijuana. This is entirely inappropriate and unprofessional in any workplace—especially one entrusted with caring for young children.

There is still so much potential here, mostly thanks to the remarkable teachers who continue to give their all. But right now, Inspire is falling short—for families, for children, and especially for the educators who deserve SO much better.

Everyday at pickup you see the assistant teachers sitting around looking at their phones while the main teachers are burdened with monitoring the children.

It is said that most of these new assistant teachers are friends of the new director which reeks of cronyism.

I’m a parent who’s been with this school since it was originally Sunshine on the Common, and I’ve witnessed every change from Sunshine to Kids & Company, and now to Inspire. Let me start by saying this: the few remaining teachers from the original Sunshine era are absolute saints. They are the only reason this place is still standing. Their dedication, compassion, and patience through all the diabolical, heinous, and frankly sickening changes this corporate company has put them through is beyond admirable.

Now, let’s talk about the real problem: corporate management. Inspire (and Kids & Company before it) does not care about children, families, or staff only money. They’ve raised tuition again and again without improving anything. The teachers who are already underpaid and overworked have to buy their own supplies out of pocket while corporate sits back collecting checks. These incredible teachers have begged for help, and every single time they get nothing but fake promises and zero follow-through.

The building itself is falling apart. There’s trash littering the playground, paint peeling off the walls, classrooms that haven’t been updated in years, and management that clearly doesn’t care. I’ve personally walked by the office to the smell of marijuana and fried food while management lounges around, ignoring their struggling staff who are scrambling just to meet ratios. It’s disgraceful.

They’ve lost so many amazing teachers because of the toxic corporate culture, replacing them with unqualified people who simply don’t care. Many parents, myself included, have reached out to corporate trying to advocate for the teachers and the kids, only to be ignored, brushed off, or basically told to “pay your tuition and be quiet.” So maybe this review will finally open their eyes and they will do something about it.

This school used to be a warm, nurturing place. Now it’s a corporate dump run by people who have no business ruining a once perfect school. The teachers deserve better, the kids deserve better, and this community deserves better.

Sincerely,
Another completely uninspired parent.

The only truly positive thing I can say about this center is in praise of the incredible teachers and assistants. Their patience, dedication, and genuine care for the children are the only constants that have remained through all the recent transitions—from Sunshine, to Kids & Co., and now Inspire.

Sadly, since the change in ownership, many things have declined:

Constant Changes, No Communication: There are weekly changes to staffing, schedules, room arrangements, and policies—often with zero communication to families. Children are frequently moved between rooms just to meet ratios, and parents are left in the dark.

Tuition Up, Support Down: Tuition has increased, yet teachers haven’t received raises, and many have had their hours cut. Many great educators have left due to a lack of support and respect from corporate leadership. Those who remain are doing their best with very little.

Loss of Community: The new “Inspire” branding suggests purpose and growth, but the experience feels more like a cost-cutting operation. What used to be a warm, community-focused school now feels like rooms full of strangers.

Discontinued Snacks Without Notice or Refund: The afternoon snack—something many kids looked forward to, especially those picked up later in the day—was suddenly stopped. There was no notice, no explanation, and no credit or reimbursement for parents. Yet again, no communication.

Serious Professionalism Concerns: Most concerning, just last week I passed an office that clearly smelled of marijuana. This is entirely inappropriate and unprofessional in any workplace—especially one entrusted with caring for young children.

There is still so much potential here, mostly thanks to the remarkable teachers who continue to give their all. But right now, Inspire is falling short—for families, for children, and especially for the educators who deserve SO much better.