CareCompass
Happy Days School
At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About Happy Days School
Happy Days School in Garland
Happy Days School has been a cornerstone of the Garland community for nearly five decades, offering a blend of academic learning through the ABEKA curriculum and engaging play-based activities. Led by Director Dee Merritt, who holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Leadership, the school is distinguished by its incredible staff retention, with some teachers serving families here for over twenty-nine years. The environment is warm and family-oriented, noted for its genuine inclusion of children with special needs and behavioral challenges. The school provides a comprehensive service that includes transportation to local GISD schools and a full meal program including breakfast, hot lunch, and snacks. Parents stay connected throughout the day via the ProCare app. The facility features a variety of activity zones, including an on-site gym for physical play and creative art galleries that showcase child-led projects and literacy development tasks.
What Parents Say
5 reviews from parents
My Kids switched to happy days a month ago and from the moment we started, they have been treated with so much care. Happy Days school is like one big family that has so much FAITH! I have a 2 toddlers, they absolutely adore the Directors and their teachers. Every morning they are greeted with Love and every evening they exit with Encouragement. My son (1yr) is talking more and he is more outgoing when it comes to learning and crafts, My 2 year old comes home daily with work she has done singing dancing, counting, and her manners have improved so much especially when it comes to sharing with friends! Definitely a proud happy days parent we are looking forward to many years with this center ❤️
After trying out several other daycares that just didn’t work out for our family, we were so blessed to find Happy Days. From the very beginning, it felt like more than just a daycare—it felt like family. The fact that it’s a faith-based environment was a huge plus for us, and we immediately saw how much love and care they pour into each child. Ms.. Erika, Ms. Iyanna, and Ms.Dee- the whole staff are absolutely amazing. They’re nurturing, patient, and truly dedicated to the kids’ well-being and growth. Our girls thrived there and were always excited to go in the morning. The communication, structure, and genuine care gave us so much peace of mind. The only reason we left was due to relocating to a new area that’s unfortunately too far to commute. We recommend it to anyone looking for a daycare that treats your children like their own and builds a strong, positive foundation for them.
I have nothing but praises to sing about Happy Days School here in Garland. My kids attended happy days starting back in 2022 . Special shout out to Ms Felita she is my Two year olds current teacher ! My baby is now almost fully potty trained , knows how to sit at the table an eat and drink from a small cup NOT A SIPPY and she is TALKING AN SINGING ALL DAY ! The after school program is also wonderful my 6 year old began prek with Ms amber & she was very hands on with him ! He has a speech delay an Ms Amber gave him the confidence he needed to keep trying and learning ! I appreciate Ms Kristie & Ms Dee for leading such an amazing staff ! I highly recommended Happy Days for child care !
Happy days is an excellent school that took our daughter in when she had some challenges that other schools did not want to deal with. When she was a year old, she would have breath holding spells frequently and the other school we had her at kicked her out because they “ couldn’t handle it and didn’t want the liability”. At the time , which we were most desperate, Happy Days understood the challenge, and took us in without question. For that, we are forever grateful. The management team and teaching staff, love our daughter and they treat me and my wife, as well as my daughter with respect. I partly credit them with helping my daughter through her breath holding spells which she no longer has. Our daughter also has good language skills and good social skills for her age all of which come from Happy Days. If we have another child, we will definitely be bringing her/him to Happy Days.
All my kids have attended Happy Days and it has been such an amazing experience the teachers here go above and beyond for them to learn everyday something new. I've noticed my Prek daughter is more knowledgeable and aware of things my daughter that goes to public school hasn't even started learning comes to show how much effort they add in to the lessons. I love happy days and any one that asks me for a daycare/school i recommend Happy Days!!!
Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
No safety concerns, legal issues, or major news incidents were found for this facility. The school is a licensed Child Care Center (License #301066) with a 4-star Texas Rising Star certification and national accreditation (NAC). State records through Texas HHS are available for individual deficiency tracking, though no specific violations were highlighted in available reports.
Parent Reputation
The school has a generally positive reputation among parents, specifically regarding its inclusive care for children with special needs such as Down Syndrome and behavioral challenges. Parents frequently mention the longevity of the staff, some of whom have been employed there for 29 years, and appreciate the use of the ProCare app for communication. A single mention on a local forum noted a negative experience from several years ago, but recent sentiment remains favorable.
Staff Insights
Employee reviews are mixed, with an overall rating of approximately 2.7 to 3.2 stars on Indeed. While some staff highlight a busy and rewarding environment, a 2022 review from an assistant teacher described the atmosphere as 'draining' and cited management concerns involving directors. Conversely, the facility maintains high staff retention, with multiple teachers having tenures exceeding 20 years.
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