If I could give this daycare 0 stars, I would…read more
My 9-month-old attended the Belle Isle location, and I only lasted a month. I enrolled because I was in a bind and needed childcare quickly, but there were red flags from the beginning.
When I first called, I was told they had a spot, only to be called back while I was on my way to tour and told they didn't. Two days later, I called again as a prospective parent and was told they did have a spot for a 9-month-old. That was my first red flag.
The infant room was dull and lacked stimulation, toys were reportedly cleaned only once a week, infants received no snacks, and they had no outdoor time. Most concerning, my daughter was frequently picked up red-faced and exhausted from crying.
One day, I found her sitting next to a teacher, bawling and reaching to be held, while the teacher sat there emotionless and did nothing to comfort her. As a mother, that was heartbreaking to witness.
There were also cleanliness and illness concerns. One day the daycare smelled strongly of cleaning chemicals, with a mop bucket directly outside the infant room. Another morning, 9 babies were crammed into the tiny room, many crying and screaming. I also saw visibly sick children with extremely runny noses. My daughter, who had never been sick before attending, became sick shortly afterward and passed it to me.
The bottle situation was another major issue. They don't allow glass bottles, which I understand, but I offered multiple alternatives because I was uncomfortable with my baby's milk being heated in plastic. I provided silicone sleeves for her glass bottles and eventually purchased shatterproof glass bottles completely covered in silicone. Rather than working with me on a solution, I was told she could not return unless she had plastic bottles. They also did not consistently ensure she finished her milk or refrigerate leftover milk.
Communication was difficult because her teacher did not speak English, making it challenging to communicate my daughter's routine, preferences, and needs.
There is also a $300 deposit that is refundable only with two weeks' notice, in addition to a $150 registration fee. I ultimately lost my deposit because I couldn't bring myself to keep my daughter there another week. That cost was worth it for my daughter's well-being.
What also stood out to me was how little concern they showed when I informed them I was unenrolling my daughter. The response was simply "OK!" There was no concern and no acknowledgment of my daughter's departure.
Overall, my experience felt very transactional. I did not feel my daughter was receiving the warmth, empathy, attentiveness, and individualized care I expect from a daycare.
I know everyone's experience is different, and based on the other reviews, I may be in the minority. But as a mom, you know your child, and you know when something doesn't feel right. This place simply wasn't a good fit for my daughter, and I'm glad I trusted my instincts and pulled her out.
