Accreditations & Licensing

The Standards We Hold Ourselves To

Licensing, accreditation, and the bar we set for every child

The Promise

What Makes Our Schools Special

Every one of our schools meets state licensing requirements, but we believe great early education goes beyond meeting standards. Our commitment is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. That belief guides everything we do.

GOING FURTHER

Accreditations and Quality Programs

Licensing provides an important foundation, and many of our schools choose to build on it through additional accreditations and quality initiatives. These programs often focus on areas such as curriculum, teacher development, and family engagement. Because each school is unique, your director can share details about the programs and recognitions offered at your location.

Standards are a Daily Practice

A standard only matters if it holds on an ordinary Tuesday. Here's how ours do.

Inspected and Accountable

Regular reviews help ensure our schools maintain high standards, and we welcome them because outside accountability is good for children.

Trained Beyond Minimum

Teachers complete required training each year, plus ongoing professional development, so growth doesn't stop at the requirement.

Curriculum Consistently Delivered

Our school curriculum guides classrooms across our family of schools, so quality of learning doesn't depend on which school you choose.

A Team Watching the Details

Behind every school, a dedicated support team works on training, resources, and quality, catching the small things before they become big ones.

How to Choose a School

Choosing care is a big decision. Here's how families usually find their fit.

Start With Your Priorities

Start with your family's needs: location, hours, ages, and the feel you want when you walk in the door. Knowing your priorities makes every other step easier.

Learn About The School

Explore programs, meet the director, and ask your questions, from daily routines to how teachers communicate. Good schools love the questions; they mean you care.

Come See It for Yourself

Nothing beats a visit. Schedule a tour, watch the classrooms in action, and trust what you see and feel. That gut feeling at drop-off matters.

Why Our Families Trust Us

"I chose this school because my nieces and nephews went to it before and they liked it. I have had my son enrolled here since 5 months old. It’s great school but it could use some improvement with updating the building especially the air conditioning. I love the pro care app I like that I can get notified about my child’s well being. I have really noticed the improvement it makes with my child being independent and learning life skills/ motor skills and being more outgoing. The teacher that my son has had so far been good. I love his teacher speak Spanish to him since we do speak Spanish only to him. Makes him feel comfortable. His toddler A class teachers are amazing and I’m grateful they are patient with him especially with his behavior he’s having. Thank you!"

"I chose Barnyard Academy because I wanted an environment that would truly support my daughter’s educational growth and development, and they exceeded my expectations. The teachers were incredibly hands-on, caring, and dedicated to preparing her for kindergarten—not only academically, but with the confidence she needed to succeed. She has now been in kindergarten for six weeks and is absolutely loving it and excelling in every area. I truly credit so much of that strong foundation to the hard work and dedication of the teachers and staff at Barnyard Academy. They go above and beyond for every child, and I am incredibly grateful for the wonderful experience my daughter had there." A very special thank you to Mrs. Jada and Chelsey! ❤️ They are incredibly caring, patient, and loving with my daughter, and you can truly see how much they care about the children. My little one feels comfortable and happy with them, which means everything to us. We are so grateful to have found Lakestone Academy and truly appreciate all the love and attention they give our daughter. I would highly recommend them to any parent looking for a caring and trustworthy daycare! ❤️"

"We chose this school because it was recommend by many and our close friends and family who have now schools age children. When enrolling, the process was extremely expensive despite the other childcare rates in the community. We were told we would get a deposit back and we never received one even after putting in a 2 week notice out our child’s termination. Our child started at 6months and stayed until she was 18months. She was sent home 1-2 per week every week for numerous reasons. She was even sent home one day at 9:35, when we arrived home, she did not have a fever that they said she did. I let the school know and they still would not let her return the next school day. The teachers were rude and inconsistent. We never had the same teacher. My child never had a stable routine which was crucial for early childhood development. When dropping off my child a teacher, Lindsey Lanier, told another teacher that they were short staffed so they would have to figure out which children needed to go home. She was unaware that I overheard her and my child was one of the 3 children sent home that day for “vommiting.” When trying to go to upper management about situations, they always defended their staff stating they would never do things like or act the way they did. My child came home with more bite marks, strath marks, and bruises than she has ever gotten while playing with others at her new daycare. All in all, I highly DO NOT recommend barnyard to any parent who truly cares about the well being of their children. It was the worst experience we have ever had."

"When we moved here and started our daycare hunt for our infant, we visited a few daycares before finding Barnyard Academy. The warm, welcoming energy and genuine care from the staff was the first thing I noticed when we walked into the building. When I asked about the weekly expense, I originally thought to myself, ""Okay, that's pretty equivalent to the other daycares."" Towards the end of the tour, I brought up the tuition amount again and she corrected me when I stated the incorrect amount---I heard 50 when she had really said 15. That pleasant correction surprised me and really did pushed our decision to enroll our son into Barnyard. Our son is now almost 2 years old and he has learned a lot. The curriculum-based classrooms was one of the essential boxes for us in a daycare facility. We're currently potty-training him and Barnyard is assisting in making sure he is learning about the potty there as well. The staff has watched our son grow from an infant to him taking his first steps to him using sign language there and at home. He used to cling onto us and/or cry whenever we dropped him off and would rush to us as soon as he saw us at pick up time. Now, overtime, he doesn't cry or cling to us as much--still happens every now and then--but most times, he's in a good mood. There have been times when we would go pick him up and he doesn't want to leave! They often have little fun events, too! Their fall festival is coming up and it's always a good time for the kids!"

"As a single mom, finding a daycare where I genuinely feel safe and confident leaving my children is incredibly important to me. I have had the most amazing experience with Barnyard Academy – Murfreesboro! Their Director, Sydney, is incredible. As a mom of four herself, she runs a very organized, clean, and well-managed daycare, and her communication is truly top-notch. You can tell how much she cares about the children, families, and staff. I feel completely safe leaving my children in their care every day. My kids absolutely ADORE their friends and teachers, and they are always excited to go to school in the morning—which means everything to me as a mom. I highly recommend Barnyard Academy in Murfreesboro, and especially want to recognize Sydney for the amazing job she does leading the center. Thank you, Barnyard, for providing my children and me with such an incredible experience! ❤️" Our son is now almost 2 years old and he has learned a lot. The curriculum-based classrooms was one of the essential boxes for us in a daycare facility. We're currently potty-training him and Barnyard is assisting in making sure he is learning about the potty there as well. The staff has watched our son grow from an infant to him taking his first steps to him using sign language there and at home. He used to cling onto us and/or cry whenever we dropped him off and would rush to us as soon as he saw us at pick up time. Now, overtime, he doesn't cry or cling to us as much--still happens every now and then--but most times, he's in a good mood. There have been times when we would go pick him up and he doesn't want to leave! They often have little fun events, too! Their fall festival is coming up and it's always a good time for the kids!"

Common Questions

Everything You Need to Know

What does "licensed" actually mean?

It means the state has verified the school meets its standards for ratios, safety, staff screening and training, and daily operations, and continues to check. Licensing is enforceable: schools that fall short face real consequences, which is exactly why it matters.

Do all of your schools follow the same standards?

State requirements vary a little from state to state, but our expectations don't. Every school in our family follows the same approach to learning, the same safety practices, and the same commitment to trained, background-checked teachers.

How do I know what quality looks like when I visit?

Watch the classrooms: engaged children, attentive teachers, clean and secure spaces, and a rhythm everyone seems to know. Our guide to choosing a school walks through exactly what to look for, and every question worth asking on a tour.

Take the First Step Today

One step closer to an exceptional education for your child, every day.

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