




Chestnut Square Academy
At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About Chestnut Square Academy
Chestnut Square Academy in Downtown McKinney
Chestnut Square Academy is a licensed childcare center located in the heart of historic Downtown McKinney. The program serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years old, utilizing a blend of Creative Curriculum and HighScope pedagogies. Director Tracie Williams leads a team focused on bridge-building between school and home, offering a supportive environment that includes breakfast and lunch in a peanut-free facility. The facility stands out for its diverse range of activities, including "splash days," bubble truck visits, and educational field walks to the downtown square. Parents frequently cite the strong communication, including daily photo updates and tracking of meals and activities. The campus features dedicated indoor classrooms and a large outdoor play area equipped with climbing structures, slides, and space for active discovery.
What Parents Say
5 reviews from parents
CSA has been an exceptional place of learning for both of my kids. The staff is caring and dedicated all while providing a nurturing environment where children excel. I have watched my soon to be 5 year old grow and thrive so much since enrolling. The curriculum has been engaging and fosters both academic and social development. CSA has definitely prepared my now kindergarterner for success. I can't wait to see what's to come. I Highly recommend!
Our child has attended CSA for about a year and a half now and we highly recommend it. We started him out as part-time but he loved it so much we transitioned to full-time after a few months. The teachers here truly do care about these kids and it shows. They go above and beyond and make sure they are healthy, happy, and learning. They follow an excellent curriculum and also set up extra activities like splash days, park days, trips to the downtown square, bubble truck, holiday activities, weekly stretch and grow, the list goes on. Our son has learned good manners and healthy habits (washing hands, always saying please/thank you) and we could not be happier. We love the strong communication between the school and parents; they send pictures/videos and meal updates throughout the day as well as upcoming events and reminders. He has also made some great friends here with other kids.
I absolutely love CSA. We have been with them a little over a year now. My son is almost 3 and is so well spoken. He tells me about his day. I love all the teachers here. They truly do care about the kids! I love getting pictures and videos throughout the day and updates on what he ate throughout the day. They always are very clear on communicating with the parents and planning events that involve everybody. My son loves it there so much it's hard to get him to leave some days lol!! I'm so glad I chose CSA and I'm so thankful for all the staff!
From the moment our girl joined the infant center in January of 2023 we have seen her growth and development bloom! She is now 2.5 yo and thanks to the programs offered by CSA she loves counting, her ABC's, and will speak in (mostly) complete sentences. The staff always ensures the children are clean and wiped down after playing outdoors and before pick up time with fresh diaper for the ride home (they are supper thoughtful!). The meals provided always change and exposes the children to many different foods, making it easy at home to make one meal for dinner and include the child. Chestnut Square Academy offers programs and activities that have had a positive impact in our toddler. She looks forward to going to school every day and seeing her friends and teachers. Any time we have had a comment or a concern, the director and/or the assistant director would reach out to us, listened to us, and work with us or provide updates as needed. They send updates about our girl throughout the day and pictures on what is going on that day (whether is an activity or play time). They allow parents to be involved and volunteer when needed during field walks or center events. They have done an amazing job with Mother's, Father's, Thanksgiving, and Winter events that encourage involvement of extended family members. We could not be more happy with the staff at Chestnut Square Academy!!!
If you want to feel like your child is being watched by a group of loving family members, take them here. There is so many great things to say about CSA I feel I could never list them all. My son comes home everyday with new words and good habits. They have also taught us some invaluable lessons on patients and consistency. Tracies team is always trying to stay on the same page as the parents so, as she says, there is no disconnect from school to home. And the activities. There are SO many and they change every day, week, and month. They also have a nice sized backyard which my toddler loves taking advantage of as well as slides, jungle gym, and small climbing tower. Cleanliness is their #2 priority next to safety (though Tracie makes no sacrifices for either). My son started happily washing his hands after being there for only a week, when previously he would kick and scream. A month ago, at 20 months he suprised my husband and I by counting his stacking cups not only in English but also in Spanish and french! She also has been very accommodating to my having a temporary disability after getting into a major accident, something most schools would not think twice about. If have any questions I would just call and ask for a tour, I'm sure you will be smitten once you see the location and meet the time (and did I mention it is so cute and super clean!)
Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
No major safety incidents or news-related closures were found. City of McKinney food inspection records from 2021 to 2023 show minor non-critical violations, including a requirement to renew a health permit (2021), a damaged sink seal (2022), and improper food storage (eggs above ready-to-eat food) which was noted in June 2023. State licensing records identify it as a licensed child care center participating in the Texas Workforce Commission Child Care Services program.
Parent Reputation
Chestnut Square Academy has a limited online presence for parent feedback, with major platforms like Daycare.com, Winnie, and Childcarecenter.us reporting no parent reviews. Marketing materials describe the facility as providing a supportive and innovative environment focused on early childhood development in the historic Downtown McKinney area. The academy maintains an active Facebook presence under the name 'Chestnut Square Academy - McKinney Childcare Network.'
Staff Insights
Employee reviews are currently unavailable from major sources like Glassdoor or Indeed. Job postings from early 2024 and 2026 for assistant teacher positions indicate a pay range between $13.00 and $16.50 per hour. Staff requirements include a high school diploma, clear background check, and current CPR/First Aid certification.
