The Best After School Care
We graded 36 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 2,718 Google reviews of 36 top-rated after school care nationwide. Updated November 2, 2026.
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Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Best after school care for meal preparation
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La Petite Academy on S. McCaslin BlvdHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Meal preparation”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%16Overall Experts Score 20%78Job match= 89Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.89
New Horizon AcademyHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Meal preparation”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%5Overall Experts Score 20%89Job match= 77Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.77
Oak Forest AcademyHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Meal preparation”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%5Overall Experts Score 20%72Job match= 74Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.74
The Goddard School of WestminsterHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Meal preparation”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%83Job match= 73Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.73
The Learning Experience - WestminsterHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Meal preparation”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%84Job match= 70Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.70
The Learning Experience - Arvada WestHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Meal preparation”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%79Job match= 69Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.69
The Youth Academy - SangoHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Meal preparation”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%51Job match= 64Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.76★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.64Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Meal preparation” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about meal preparation
New Horizon AcademyMy daughter has been part of New Horizons for the past 7 months, and we absolutely love it! From the very beginning, everyone has been so welcoming, caring, and kind. Her teachers, Gina and Georgia, are truly the best. They take care of my daughter with so much love, patience, and attention, which gives us such…
La Petite Academy on S. McCaslin …La Petite has been foundational to our lives for almost 5 years. We have entrusted Jodie and her exceptional staff with helping us raise our children. Jodie leads a warm, loving community that embraces diversity and inclusion. It's hard to imagine how we would have survived the early childhood years without these…
The Learning Experience - Arvada …We’ve been part of The Learning Experience family for over six years, from the beginning of the pandemic until our last day this Friday. Both of our kids started here at just four months old, so TLE has been a huge part of our lives. No daycare is perfect, and we’ve had a few hiccups over the years, but our overall…
Oak Forest AcademyAs a parent, we absolutely loved our experience at OFA! The teachers and staff truly cared about our child and always made us feel welcomed and informed. Communication was excellent, and we always knew what was happening throughout the day. The enrichment activities were engaging and thoughtfully planned, giving…
The Learning Experience - Westmin…Transferred to this daycare from a different facility we weren't satisfied with and we're so grateful we made the switch and found TLE Westminster. The women who work here take care of my children and love them like they are their own. Administration is wonderful, organized and welcoming, teachers are kind and…
The Goddard School of WestminsterWe couldn't be happier with our experience at Goddard. From the very beginning, it has felt like being part of a family. The owners are truly passionate about creating a positive, nurturing environment for both the children and their families, and it shows in everything they do. We absolutely love the teachers and…
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of after school care).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 |  Kidventure After School at Oak Forest ElementaryHouston, TX | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%99+68.5Reliability 31%96+29.5Experts Score= 98Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  Kinder Early Learning CenterHouston, TX | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%98+57.5Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  Kidventure Camps HoustonHouston, TX | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%98+62.3Reliability 28%98+27.7Replies to reviews 8%73+6Experts Score= 96Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––AB | 4.96 | — |
| 4 |  Little Smiles Bilingual DaycareWestminster, CO | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%95+65.8Reliability 31%92+28.3Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 5 |  Principrin SchoolHouston, TX | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%92+24Value 15%83+12.6Experts Score= 94Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.95 | — |
| 6 |  Kidventure After School at Travis ElementaryHouston, TX | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%95+65.8Reliability 31%91+28Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–––– | 5.00 | — |
| 7 |  Spring Branch After-School MAHouston, TX | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%95+65.8Reliability 31%92+28.3Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–––– | 5.00 | — |
| 8 |  Impact Martial ArtsOshkosh, WI | A 92How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%95+55.8Reliability 26%92+24Value 15%83+12.6Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 92Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 4.95 | — |
| 9 |  Z's Little KidsOshkosh, WI | A 91How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%92+63.7Reliability 31%88+27.1Experts Score= 91Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | — |
| 10 | New Horizon AcademyWestminster, CO | A 89How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%88+48Reliability 24%89+21.6Value 14%92+13Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 89Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.83 | — |
| 11 |  All About Kids Inc.Grand Forks, ND | A 89How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%92+54Reliability 26%92+24Value 15%83+12.6Craft & service penalty88−1.2Experts Score= 89Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAA–– | 4.97 | — |
| 12 |  The Nest Schools BroomfieldWestminster, CO | A 88How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%89+48.5Reliability 24%83+20.1Value 14%96+13.6Replies to reviews 7%81+5.7Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 88Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAA | 4.94 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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After School Care at a glance
How the 36 after school care we rated compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A1850%
- Grade B1233%
- Grade C514%
- Grade D13%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up1233%
- 4.80–4.89★514%
- 4.60–4.79★1542%
- Below 4.60★411%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality13529%
- Professionalism14531%
- Responsiveness9320%
- Punctuality10%
- Value9620%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price5733%
- Reasonable10661%
- Overpriced53%
- Not sure53%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.