Happy Days Child Development Center

Funny how life sometimes brings you full circle. Over 20 years ago I worked at Happy Days as a teachers aide. I remember it as being a great place to work with happy and healthy children who were cared for and nourished. I left to pursue a Paramedic Career, otherwise would have loved to continue to work there with the children. Now all these years later I am a Mommy and am back at Happy Days hoping that my 2 y/​o daughter can attend knowing what an amazing school and environment it is. And knowing she will be well cared for, and about.
I had the pleasure of meeting some of the staff today and the director Ms. Marmen. Everyone was so nice and I left with a great feeling. Definitely a place I would feel comfortable leaving my daughter knowing she would be happy when I dropped her off and also when I picked her up.

I signed up my daughter when she was 3 months old because I was going back to work after maternity leave. It was a terrifying thought to leave my precious newborn baby with strangers and since I also work in the Child Development industry I had very high standards. After the first day I knew I chose the right place for her. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Ms. Meena, Ms. Flor, and Ms. Michelle in room 3. They are warm, loving, fun, full of energy, and so excited to be at Happy Days with their kiddos every day. The best feeling a parent can have is knowing that their child is safe, happy, and loved and that is exactly how I feel when leaving her at Happy Days with her teachers. Any child in their care is lucky and loved as their own. My daughter never even cried once when I dropped her off and got excited every morning to see her teachers and friends at Happy Days.
Happy days was diligent on informing me of any issues, concerns and all of the GOOD things that happened each day. Ms. Marmen and Ms. Susy also took the time to call and follow up with any questions, concerns, or to inform me about Claire’s day. We chose to have access to the classroom webcam which is a great option for grandparents who live far away to be able to check in with their grand-​baby during the day! We also loved the theme days and holiday celebrations!
Unfortunately we just had to relocate to Oregon which meant leaving her teachers but they took the time to make her a precious photo collage that we have hung in her new bedroom! We are going to miss Ms. Meena, Ms. Flor and Ms. Michelle but I know that any child that gets to join room 3 since we left is going to love them and thrive!

We moved our little one from a different pre-​school in the neighborhood to here two months back. In two months, my daughter has learned to drink milk from glass, vision test here detected her lazy eye early so we can start working on it (huge benefit!), and the best thing is she is eating a lot many soups and things. We like this school, teachers are caring and professional. She cries at dropoff, but gets better in no time when we leave. Webcam helps too ! Good school, good teachers, great service, good rates, all good things !

We put our son in Happy Days april this year. Prior to this, he used to go to a home based day care. We are very happy that we decided to move him here, as we clearly see that he is less tired in the evenings when he gets back from day care. Ability to see him on a webcam is a real boon. He always used to cry in the mornings when we drop him (he still does to an extent), but very soon we are able to see that he gets adjusted and starts playing.
Just walking into Happy days the first time, we could feel the positive energy. Ms. Marmon and all the staff in room 3, Ms. Meena, Ms. Flor, Ms. Michelle (and others who sometimes come in as substitutes) are all very friendly and very caring. They also have a kitchen and provide food for the kids. Another wonderful thing, is that they provide a daily report which will tell you how long the baby slept, what all he/​she ate, how much etc.
They also celebrate every festival/​significant traditions of all faith, which is great for the kids to learn about culture. On the whole, a great place to put your kid — highly recommended. one suggestion, if you are considering putting your kid here, start early and make sure that you have your name in the waitlist.

I love this place! My 2 children have been attending Happy Days in Santa Clara for the past 2 years and I can only say positive things about it. All of the teachers are so loving and kind to the children and they clearly love what they do. My kids have been in all of the rooms, from infant to K and have thrived in each one. They have learned so much thanks to their teacher’s patience and dedication. The office is always so helpful, both with the kids when they are sick or get a bump, and with answering questions and facilitating parent’s needs. And I can’t forget to mention the meals– they are so nutritious and tasty and my kids eat everything they are given (not the case at home!!). I have another baby now and I wouldn’t even think of sending him anywhere else!

My Son had been going to Happy Days School for almost 2+ years. No Complains. The Director of the School «Miss Mermen» is so cool!!! I love her positive look and the way she sounds positive all the time. Miss Susy is so accommodative at all times with any questions or concerns. Miss Alba and Miss Ha did a very good job in taking care of my son. Everyday I go in the morning to drop my son, I see smiles on all teachers, esp Miss Mirsada, the way she hugs all kids when parents drop them at morning, really gives a relief that their kids are taken care of well. There also one more teacher Miss Mithra who is always responsible with kids. Miss Evelyn at Room 8 and I don’t want to miss any of the teachers there. All Teachers are 100% the BEST.
This is my story. I enrolled my son in this day care because I was living 5 miles near by. I later started working in Palo Alto, so it was hard for me to commute. Hence I enrolled my son in other day care in Palo Alto, where he was crying and missing all teachers from Happy Days. I didn’t even think for a Day. Immediately I called Miss Susy and Miss Mermen and asked them whether I can come back and enroll my son back again to Happy Days. They were immediately accommodative and told, they are very happy to welcome my son back. Guess what the relief it is for any mom ?
I learnt a lesson. I never want to pull my son out of this school until the school says your son is graduated from all the rooms they really have :)
So Finally I moved my home closer to this School.

As a new grandmother the thought of putting my precious grandson in day care was a bit overwhelming. My daughter had him in a child care home setting at first but she felt his needs were more advanced and wanted to give him more structure and learning opportunities. Our experience in home day care was a pleasant one so the thought of uprooting him and putting him in the hands of new strangers was difficult. We chose to have access to the camera in his room so that we could watch his day to day activities and feel more comfortable with those that cared for him. My only problem is that I have waited too long to post this review! We only have wonderful and amazing words to describe this school. Everyone from his teachers to the administrative staff are so kind and caring and loving. It amazes me that these people can care for each and every child in that room as if it were their own. My grandson blows kisses and gives hugs to all the teachers. He is kept meticulously clean and I don’t see him ever turning away a meal that has been provided for him. He has a birthday next week and he will be turning 2 and will go into another classroom. We have no concerns about this transition but feel that the next group of teachers will also give him the love that he has so become used to in the infant classroom. Happy Days thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being such a great second home to my grandson.
Fondly,
Cynthia Guglielmo (Nico’s Grandma) :)

It’s the second year we send our eldest to Happy days and next year we plan to send her younger sister there as well. Both the infant class (with adorable Miss Yolanda and her amazing team) and the toddler class (Miss Alba and her wonderful team) are doing their work with love, passion, professionalism and dedication which made me a huge fan.
Their didactic techniques are positive, playful and always done with a smile. They make every effort to keep the parents involved and aware to their child’s development and progress which is truly appreciated!
The only downside I found is that sometimes my daughter doesn’t want to come home… she’d rather stay with her friends at class…
So if you’re looking for good daycare for your child, you definitely should check out Happy days!

We are still at Happy Days and still very happy with it! My daughter is in her 4^th classroom now (she just turned 4) and we are very pleased with all if the teachers she’s had, including the current teachers. Never had any serious problems here, not a high turn-​around at all. Lots of familiar, friendly faces everywhere you turn. They recently updated the menu with more organic, vegetarian and healthful options which makes me VERY happy. No complaints!

Currently, I am a second time parent to this place.
In 2008, we moved from Pennsylvania to California and I started looking for a day care for my then 2.5 year old. I visited Happy Days and got such a warm feeling about the place. The director, Ms. Marmen is such a happy person, she won my daughter’s heart and I had to pull her out of that place when I was ready to go back home after my tour. Needless to say that she went to this place until she was ready to go to Kindergarten. All the teachers are so warm yet they taught her very good discipline in her work and food habits. The food they provide is freshly cooked and delicious (I can say that as my daughter refused to eat any soups made by me for a while).
I referred this place to few of my friends and two of them ended up enrolling their kids to this place, same as me, during their first visit and tour.
Here I am with my second child. I DID NOT VISIT ANY OTHER DAY CARE. I showed up at Happy Days to check if they had spot available and was so surprised to see all the same teachers after 5 years. My second daughter is now going to 2 – 3 Transition room and is loving it.
Want add few more points:
— They offer internet viewing. It is not very clear but you can still spot your child for the most part and see that your child actually is not «crying». Initially, when they start new, knowing that the child has settled down after morning melt down is so comforting.
— The teachers make sure that child eats some minimum amount of food. I have seen them feeding my daughter by distracting her (there were initial days when she would refuse to eat)
— They are always open to answer any questions they you may have at the end of the day.
— They celebrate most festivals and have kids perform. This provides a good venue for parents to socialize plus kids to take part in some performance.
OVERALL, I just love this place and I am glad I found it for both my daughters.

We love Happy Days! Our oldest son started there when he was 2 years old and went there until he started kindergarten. I think it was harder for me and my husband sending him to day care since he was our first child but the staff are all so warm and friendly we were quickly put at ease. I am so impressed at how he grew socially and academically. He was more than ready for kindergarten. He was doing many of the same things he is doing in kindergarten now. He was even reading! Now our younger son is going there as well. He has been there for about 8 months now and we are seeing him grow socially and seeing some improvement in his speech ability. I am so glad we found a place that is so good at fostering growth in all areas.

Dated Mar-​2013 Letter to Parents of Prospective Kindergartens at Happy Days, Santa Clara (UPDATED: Latest 2014 review below)
Dear Parents of Prospective Kindergartens:
I am very pleased that my children have not exhibit the fear of public speaking. I see confidence and fearlessness within them to socialize and interact with others – traits that they’ve gain from the classroom and social environment at Happy Days. I have three (3) children– one has long graduated from Happy Days, one is currently in Room #6 and will be graduating in June, and one is just starting out in Room #3. So I hope my written testimony here lends credibility and will be satisfactory in providing you an idea of what Happy Days, particularly the Kindergarten Program provides.
My daughter, Victoria who is in the Kindergarten Program in Room#6 has never had a problem socializing and making friends. My main goal was to have her start reading simple sentences. The class uses the Lippincott reading program which to my surprise was how I learned to read when I was in Kindergarten! In this case, it is true that if something is not broken, why fix it? I did not have any expectations but was literally open-​mouth shocked when Victoria started sounding out words and reading 3 – 4 letter words at home by herself. She would sound-​out the vowels, alternating between short– and long– vowels until one made sense. It was also common for her to spell out words from landmarks and signs when we are driving in the car.
If you ask my daughter, she likes her class because they have fun. I like it because they learn! One creative way the class studied about dinosaurs was to dig up «bones» in planter boxes with small shovel picks. Vicky enjoys the food activities such as baking Apple Pie and making Fruit salad which teaches the children about healthy eating. Consequently, she is more health-​conscious at home and has declined sweets on several occasions because she says they are unhealthy and will make her fat. I like that animals and music are some of the themes explored in class. Due to Ms. Jenn’s inclinations towards both, students are introduced to various musical instruments and have on occasion, played her guitar. At home, we have a NO-​PETS rule but this doesn’t bother Vicky much because Room#6 has a class pet hamster which she is able to play with every day, and she is excited whenever Ms. Jenn’s pet snake comes by for a visit.
I once explained to Vicky that the definition of paradise was a really nice, beautiful place that you want to stay there forever (I was thinking Bahamas!). She told me her paradise was Happy Days School! She wished she could go to school every day including Saturdays and Sundays too!
I’ve only given you a small glimpse of the learning possibilities at Happy Days, and even I discover something new every day when Vicky comes home and shares with me her day. I am forever thankful for my children and indebted to Ms. Marmen and all the teachers and administrators at Happy Days whom through the years, helped cared for, guided, and taught them to be happy, healthy, open-​minded, and hard-​working individuals. I’ve still got a little one in Room #3 and know and trust that he will receive the same love and dedication from Happy Days to follow in his sisters’ footsteps.
UPDATE Mar’2014 —
They’ve lost Ms. Jenn in Kindergarten room so I hope they will still keep some of the programs she had implemented like cooking, music, and baby chicks.
Happy Days has implemented a new Healthier Menu to incorporate more whole grains, lentils, brown rice, and organic ingredients and more vegetables in their hot lunch servings and snacks. I love that I do not have to pack cold lunches and now have to worry less that they are eating healthier. Big plus!
My son had received the BEST care in Room #3 with Ms. Flor, Ms. Meena, and Ms. Marta. It was difficult for him to transition over to Room #7 when he turned 2yrs old since he had grown so attached and loving to Ms. Flor. In Room #7, he has already learned his alphabet from A-​to-​Z, his shapes and colors, and sings along to songs like «Itsy Bitsy Spider» and «ABC Song». The teachers also teach him good manners (please and thank-you’s) and learning to share and learning to clean up.
Currently, he has started potty training at 28-​months in class. He is adjusting slowly at home (not as fast as his older sisters previously) but I am very pleased with the effort the teachers are making to get him trained out of diapers at school.

My son Patrick started to attend Happy Days when he was 8^th months old. We love this day care, because the teachers are excellent and all the other staff members are very friendly. They provide healthy food and they use more and more organic ingredients. The cook is a lovely lady and she knows what each child likes to eat. My son is currently already 4 years old and we have been very happy with this place for those years.

Only good things to say about this school. They transformed my 3 year old into a very mature girl within a very short period of 8 – 9 months.
Miss Mila, Mae and Paulene are really great teachers that my kid really love to go to this place day after day.
Miss Mila is very methodical and excellent in inculcating fundamental skills in children. Each child is different and they know it better and focus on specific areas. I could realize that on the progress report where the contents was very specific to my child rather than a generic statement.
The administration do put in a lot of effort to organize a variety of events.
I was so happy for the energy and involvement of each teacher during those events especially for special occasions like Diwali, Christmas, Lunar new year etc.
The director of the school miss Marman keeps a personal touch with each child and is a very charming personality. I feel the fees they charge is also very reasonable for the service they offer.
Waited for 6 months to get an admission for the pre-​K, feel very worthy for that now.