Parent Voices
We love Donna and the Cherry Ridge Daycare staff. Their thoughtful, respectful, and understanding approach to childcare has been a life changer for our family. We brought our daughter to Cherry Ridge Daycare when she was four months old and just learning to turn over from her back to her tummy. From then it’s been a wonderful journey of seeing our kiddo discover the world around her through touch, sound, speech, wobbling and walking, running and hiking, singing, and now even jumping and beginning to climb.
I had no idea how much I would learn through observation and I owe it to Ms. Donna’s passionate appreciation of child development. It’s been really great for our daughter and has helped me and my husband approach parenting with extra tools and a whole bunch of joy.
Sincerely, Kristen Power
We are delighted to offer our heartfelt recommendation for Donna, whose expertise in the Pikler Philosophy and decades of caregiving have profoundly impacted our son Kinley's development. Donna's commitment to creating a nurturing natural environment has allowed Kinley to flourish at every stage of his growth. Her beautiful outdoor space has given Kinley the gift of a deep connection with nature, fostering an intimate understanding of the plants, trees, and animals, alongside their relationship to the changing seasons.
Under Donna's care, Kinley has also thrived socially, developing meaningful relationships with his peers. Through play and collaboration, he has learned the invaluable skills of cooperation and coexistence, all within a community that values empathy and individuality. Donna's holistic approach to childcare, combining decades of experience with a profound respect for nature and interpersonal development, has nurtured Kinley into a compassionate, curious individual.
We cannot express enough gratitude for Donna's positive influence on our son's life and highly recommend her to any family seeking a caregiver who truly understands the importance of fostering a child's development in harmony with the natural world.
Warmest regards,
Sarah + Cole Bendinelli
When we joined Donna's program, we were coming out of the pandemic, far from family, and filled with uncertainty. From the very beginning, Donna created a nurturing, intentional, and deeply safe environment—not just for our child, but for us as parents, too.
Her daycare is more than just a space—it’s a safe nest she’s lovingly built for every child and family who enters. It held our son with gentle structure and care, and it held us with quiet support and steady guidance.
Donna’s passion for early childhood development, especially through the Pikler method, shines in everything she does. She’s always learning, growing, and generously sharing her knowledge with others. Her commitment to creating a calm, beautiful environment where children feel secure and free to explore is truly extraordinary.
As a parent with high anxiety, I felt genuine peace knowing our son was in her care. Daycares like this are rare. What Donna has created is more than a program—it’s a gift. We feel incredibly lucky to have found her.
Extremely Grateful, Jennifer Salazar