Kalina Pre-School & Kindgarten

I honestly can't say enough good things about the health and safety vibes at Kalina. With such a tiny student body and that insane 2:1 student-to-teacher ratio, I never worry about my kid getting lost in the shuffle or picking up every single bug that goes around. The place always smells clean without being over-the-top chemical-y, and since the staff-to-child ratio is so good, they actually notice right away if a kid starts looking even a little bit under the weather. It’s such a relief compared to those massive centers where germs just spread like wildfire. They’ve been around forever and really seem to have their health protocols down to a science—it feels like a second home where wellness is actually a priority, not just a line in a handbook.

To be honest, I've been pretty frustrated with the health situation at Kalina lately. It feels like every other week there’s a new bug going around the classroom and the communication from the office is super hit or miss. The building is older and it definitely shows in some of the classrooms—I've noticed dust buildup and it just doesn't feel as deep-cleaned as it should be for a bunch of toddlers. Plus, the student-to-teacher ratio seems way too high; it's hard for them to keep an eye on handwashing and runny noses when they are spread so thin. I really wanted to love this place for the location, but the constant revolving door of colds and the lack of a strict sick-policy enforcement is making it tough to stay.