Forrestal Academy
Open today 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Description provided by the business.Daycare and early learning center serving infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. Social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development is fostered through discovery, embracing nature, and natural learning initiatives. Infants and toddlers participate in baby sign language, yoga, storytime, technology, music, art, dramatic play, fitness and wellness, songs, outdoor exploration, sensory activities, dramatic play, and social interaction. Preschool children work on self-expression, hands-on activities, nature-inspired themes, science, practicing healthy habits and good citizenship, participate in daily fitness, and family-style meals. Children have access to two-acre campus with turf, playgrounds, computer lab, and on-site water park.
Openings Now
Forrestal Academy is now enrolling for one or more spaces.
Location Info
14016 Boren St
Huntersville, NC 28078
(Gilead Road)
| Monday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Military Assistance
- Offers Military Subsidies/Benefits
Financial Aid
- Free Meals
- Scholarships
- Sibling Discount
Languages Spoken
- English
- Spanish
- American Sign Language
Location Details
- Offers camp programs.
- Offers summer care programs.
- Staff are CPR certified.
- Staff are first aid certified.
- Health screenings are available at this location.
- Outdoor play space is available.
- Formula is provided.
- Meals are provided.
Programs Offered
Preschool Program
Licensing
Forrestal Academy is a licensed child care center.
Type
Licensed Child Care Center
Identifier
60003576
Capacity
195
Issued
10/21
Parent Reviews
I’m writing this review as a concerned parent after my six-month-old daughter spent one month in the infant classroom (“Baby Birds”). I want to share my honest experience to help other parents find the best environment for their children. First, the positives: the campus is beautiful, clean, and well-maintained. I also appreciated the organic baby food program, splash pad, and biometric fingerprint entry system, which is a great feature. However, I did notice that at times multiple individuals may enter behind one another without scanning, which somewhat defeats the purpose of controlled access. Beyond the surface, my experience raised several concerns—especially given the cost of tuition. On my daughter’s second day, her bottle was mistakenly given to another baby. This is extremely concerning, not only from a care standpoint but also due to the risk of cross-contamination and illnesses such as RSV. The following day, I attempted to provide pre-portioned formula and water as a backup, but was told this was not allowed due to state law. While I understand policies exist for safety, this left me uneasy given the previous incident. I also observed what appeared to be a lack of attentiveness regarding illness. I overheard a parent expressing concern about their baby being sick, and on a separate occasion noticed a baby with visible symptoms (such as a runny nose on their clothing). This made me question how illness is being managed and whether precautions are taken to limit spread among infants. I also observed staff stepping over babies on the floor rather than walking around them. Books were kept in a cabinet behind the front desk and not accessible in the classroom, and I did not observe babies being read to or engaged in developmentally appropriate activities. On one occasion, I saw a baby playing with a small plastic storage container, which raised safety concerns. Additionally, babies appeared to spend extended time (30+ minutes) in container seats, which felt excessive. The school offers camera access with a clear view of the classroom, but it is limited to 30 minutes per parent and does not include audio. From what I consistently observed, the routine seemed to focus on feeding, changing, and placing babies on the floor for independent play. The environment felt rushed at times—more focused on managing the babies than nurturing and engaging them. I also had a small but telling experience where my daughter was changed out of her outfit before I could even leave the parking lot, and I was told staff did not have time to put outfits like that back on. I would recommend sending infants in simple clothing like sleepers. Lastly, there is no online billing portal. Payments are automatically withdrawn weekly using bank information, and statements are not issued until the end of the month, which lacked clarity. Due to my concerns, I ultimately withdrew my daughter before the required two-week notice period. This may be a good fit for families seeking a clean, basic daycare environment. However, for those looking for a more enriching, nurturing experience—especially at this price point—it may fall short. I do believe there is potential, but the level of care and engagement did not align with my expectations. I am looking for a place where my child is not only cared for, but truly nurtured and supported in her development.
Forrestal Academy provides a caring, nurturing, educational environment for children! They have a chef who makes fantastic food every day for the children, that is far above other centers. They also have cameras in the classrooms and on the playgrounds that parents get access to. The freshwater spray zone is awesome during the summer! The admin is supportive, and quick to answer questions. The teachers are fabulous! They are engaged with the children and provide them with fun educational activities to fill their days.