Child care agency · Grand Forks, ND · reviewed since 2023
iHow 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%49+26.7Reliability 24%29+7Value 14%25+3.5Replies to reviews 7%73+5.2Momentum penalty36−6.4Experts Score= 36Grade D: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.36SCORE
DGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#36 of 36 after school careiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 0%
4.6★★★★★26 Google reviews · 4 photos
88%five-star reviews
3.83★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
15%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate El Way Child Care and Learning Center 4.6 out of 5 based on 26 reviews, with the owner responding to 15 percent of feedback. Parents frequently praise the facility's cleanliness, secure playground, and staff who provide consistent communication and supportive care for infants and toddlers. However, low-star reviews indicate that staff sometimes fail to follow specific medical instructions or coordinate effectively, leading to defensive responses when families provide feedback.
Google rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 26 reviews (88% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 26 Google reviews (14 with written comments, 1 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 15% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 26, 2026.
Service: After School Care serving Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.
Score profile vs other after school care
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: replies to reviews and satisfaction; weakest: value.
This companyAfter School Care median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-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.El Way Child Care and Learning Center: 49/100 on this factor. Category median: 82.C
49
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow 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.El Way Child Care and Learning Center: 29/100 on this factor. Category median: 79.D
29
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle 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.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 87.–
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ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.El Way Child Care and Learning Center: 25/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.D
25
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises 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.El Way Child Care and Learning Center: 36/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.D
36
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow 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.El Way Child Care and Learning Center: 73/100 on this factor. Category median: 73.B
73
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
26 Google reviews we collected
4.6of 5
5 stars2388%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars14%
1 star28%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 14 written reviews
93%praise
Praise1493%
Complaints17%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
67%fair
Great price133%
Reasonable133%
Overpriced133%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
5topics
Staff & attitude533%
Communication427%
Honesty & trust320%
Would recommend213%
Speed & response17%
What customers talk about
We read 14 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Clean, friendly staff, in daycare therapy, play ground, and a gym!”
“They’re very supportive and excellent at communicating with the families about events and activities.”
“Genuinely wouldn’t want my son to go anywhere else.”
“I would definitely recommend 1000 times over.”
“After having toured multiple daycares, I immediately knew El Way was different upon seeing it.”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
SSaNoah6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
Genuinely wouldn’t want my son to go anywhere else. I worked from home until my son was 18 months, & he never left my side. Sending him to daycare was really hard, as we couldn’t trust just anybody. After having toured multiple daycares, I immediately knew El Way was different upon seeing it. The women who work…
JJeana2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
Our three children attend El Way Child Care and Learning Center and our family adores their center. They have wonderful, kind, and caring teachers! Not only have our kids thrived under their care, but they have also given them the tools to feel confident to move on to grade school. We are truly so grateful for their fun, safe, and clean environment 🤩
Great price
TTalia8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
My son has been there since they opened. Clean, friendly staff, in daycare therapy, play ground, and a gym!! I trust them and love it. Best daycare in grand forks!!
AAmanda4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
El Way is an amazing center! My daughter adores the faculty there. They’re very supportive and excellent at communicating with the families about events and activities.
Reasonable price
SSara10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★
I am very disappointed with this daycare. Despite clearly communicating instructions that were important to our child’s by his doctor, staff failed to follow them. Even though we provided all necessary supplies, one staff member claimed an item had run out while it was still available. Communication and coordination…
DDestiny2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
I absolutely love this daycare for my son, he always has so much fun and does so many different projects, my son has amazing teachers that show him so much TLC, the directors are awesome and so understanding and easy to work with, I was so worried to allow my son to go to any daycare but I’m so glad I picked this one.
Genuinely wouldn’t want my son to go anywhere else. I worked from home until my son was 18 months, & he never left my side. Sending him to daycare was really hard, as we couldn’t trust just anybody. After having toured multiple daycares, I immediately knew El Way was different upon seeing it. The women who work there feel like aunties. I feel comfortable that they will not only provide excellent care for my child, but that they are actually invested in his wellbeing. I know his teachers love him, and that means everything to me.
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Jeana Kvale2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jeana has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Our three children attend El Way Child Care and Learning Center and our family adores their center. They have wonderful, kind, and caring teachers! Not only have our kids thrived under their care, but they have also given them the tools to feel confident to move on to grade school. We are truly so grateful for their fun, safe, and clean environment 🤩
Price assessment: Great price
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Talia Lund8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Talia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My son has been there since they opened. Clean, friendly staff, in daycare therapy, play ground, and a gym!! I trust them and love it. Best daycare in grand forks!!
A
Amanda Asbury4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Amanda has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
El Way is an amazing center! My daughter adores the faculty there. They’re very supportive and excellent at communicating with the families about events and activities.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
S
Sara Haile10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Sara has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I am very disappointed with this daycare. Despite clearly communicating instructions that were important to our child’s by his doctor, staff failed to follow them. Even though we provided all necessary supplies, one staff member claimed an item had run out while it was still available. Communication and coordination between staff seem very poor, and the staff are defensive when feedback is given. It shows a clear lack of accountability and deflection. It was hard to trust that our child was receiving proper care. Ultimately, I had to withdraw my son, and I cannot recommend this daycare to other parents. I hope the management takes these concerns seriously and makes meaningful improvements.
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Destiny Falcon2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Destiny has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I absolutely love this daycare for my son, he always has so much fun and does so many different projects, my son has amazing teachers that show him so much TLC, the directors are awesome and so understanding and easy to work with, I was so worried to allow my son to go to any daycare but I’m so glad I picked this one.
Response from the owner · 2 years ago
We are so glad you are part of our family ! Thank you for letting us love your little one ❤️
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Taylor Grams2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Taylor has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My handsome redheaded bubba boy here has been going to Elway he has a very special connection with Mrs Ashlii Taya is awesome and the meal provider lady so amazing the kids really love her and love her food. I pray blessing over them all.
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Becky Brunnemer2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Becky has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
