Tinker Tree was a lifesaver! Our son attended from 6 months to almost 5 years old. Our baby never slept, and we were new parents with two crazy careers. The Tinker staff was always kind, understanding, and made sure that my son was loved. Go to Tinker for the quality of the care, and ignore aesthetics. When he was 18 months old, he was allowed to help "feed" the babies. This practice is the epitome of the Tinker methodology. Did my toddler actually feed a baby? No. But everyone, even a toddler, wants to feel that they make a difference. Letting my son stand next to the staff member while she fed the baby made him feel like a big kid. How do I know? The look on his face is priceless. He is now a teen, and I see the same look on his face every time he volunteers as a scout. And, my son wasn't easy. He is precocious! In retrospect, his tendencies started early. But yet the staff managed to keep him learning and engaged. Without any extra help, he tested into the NYC Gifted Program. I credit Tinker's whole-life approach to caring for children. They keep children engaged with walks, making their own toys, and reading stories. They save movies for extreme weather days. It wasn't until we moved and experienced other programs that we fully appreciated the creativity and dedication of the Tinker team.