Beginners First Academy is a loving, quality, Grow NJ Kids childcare center in Atlantic County. Children are well cared for and happy there.

Both of my children attended Beginner First Academy (BFA) from infancy to Kindergarten, and several years of summer camp after that. Erica, Erica, and all their staff do an amazing job keeping everything running smoothly in an environment that should be pure chaos but instead is a warm, open, and fun environment. They're always attentive to whatever needs or concerns you might have (every new parent has them!). One of my biggest reasons for choosing BFA in the first place is the cleanliness. My kids were frequently the last to get picked up, and everyday I would see the building being cleaned so it would be ready for the next day. They send constant updates throughout the day of what's going on with your children that include pictures. And they really do care about your kids! Obviously they let you know immediately of anything major going on with your child, but they'll even notice something minor like your child just seeming down or not acting like themselves that day and let you know. When your child inevitably needs medication during the day, no big deal, bring it in and they'll notify you via the app when it's administered. How about a stain on a special outfit? No big deal, tide pen comes out and outfit is washed before you even know anything happened. How about their favorite stuffy getting a little rip? No bid deal, sewn right up, tears over. There are always different special days going on for the kids and families to enjoy. One of my favorites during summer camp is Around The World, where each group decorates their room as a different country and at the end of the week all the kids, and their families, visit each country and sample the appropriate food for each locale. BFA has left an indelible mark on my children's lives that will last their lifetime. This year my oldest is going into fifth grade, and still to this day he'll randomly talk about the good times he had there, the snacks and food that he liked there (and how it's better than my food), and how he still wants to go there. And anytime we drive by he still yells out "BFA!" read more

[WB] Scored LOW on HEALTH and SAFETY. Treatment of workers is poor and high layoff. Only two teachers who have been there for over 3 years. Management pays workers minimum wage, and practices in shady behavior such as making staff meetings considered "Training" to avoid paying overtime. Management doesn't care if teachers are in ratio, and often have to many kids for teachers to safely handle. Management also does nothing with children who cause harm to other children and staff members, so be prepared for your child to get bitten on a regular basis. Staff are not allowed to tell you if children have misbehaved as it looks bad for the company. Management also refuses to plan out days and does everything last minute, leading to kids and teachers to have hardships. Management also forces employees to sign a contract to not bad mouth the company during or after their employment. The staff cook also doesn't hand out correct portions and some kids are left with barely any food. Management can't even be bothered to get decent amount of supplies for children and teachers as wipes and paper towels are constantly out. Management also doesn't listen to staff when the kids safety is in jeopardy as they have been aware of rust forming on the outside playground and they did not do anything. MANAGEMENT ALSO SPENDS A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME DELETEING ANY AND ALL NEGATIVE REVIEWS. Management has denied a kid and his parents service before because of his special needs. Teachers aren't even given free childcare at this Daycare. Parents, as someone who has seen this happen for the last year. Forced to be silent. Please go elsewhere. I loved those children dearly and hated when they were unable to do things because I couldn't afford to buy supplies for them. This Daycare is held together by sticks and tape, and the only reason it is afloat is because the owner practices in horrible business practices. read more

Really sad that a couple disgruntled employees who write fake reviews drive the stars down for this incredible establishment. This child care center is TOP NOTCH. Erica W. and Erica S. have really gone above and beyond in making sure they have a top tier learning institution that is still affordable for parents. They are continually looking for ways to improve, to further their education, to train their employees to be better. They follow all of the safety rules and regulations and MORE. This place has become a second home for my children - something that I thought would never be possible when we set out looking for a child care center. But these women care about each and every child as if they were their own, and their employees. I hope you look past the review of former employees that were clearly not a good fit for this school (or any for that matter) and choose BFA, because I promise you it will be the best decision you ever made for your little ones. read more

If I could leave 0 stars, I would. The owner/director and assistant director do nothing but bad mouth families and terrorize their employees. The teacher turnover is so high, there are only 3 teachers that have been there for over 2 years, and they did not even go to college for early childhood education. NONE of the teachers working there have a background in ECE, actually. One of the main things that sold me on the center was that they brushed the childrens' teeth daily and they served healthy food for breakfast, lunch and snack. In reality, the childrens' teeth do NOT get brushed EVER and they are served pasta for lunch at least 2-3 times per week. The classrooms and bathrooms are not cleaned daily, no matter what you are told. The toys are not taken and bleached after they have been in the mouths of infants and toddlers. The final straw for my family was that the assistant director wanted to me to commit fraud with my CCR&R card by swiping him in and out, even on days he was not there, so that they daycare could make more money off of my family and child. If they are willing to go above and beyond to lie to the State of NJ, they WILL lie to you about your child and their wellbeing. Do yourself and your little ones a favor and DO NOT send them to BFA. There are MANY more centers that are WAY better. read more

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This is the worst of the worst in New Jersey. I tried to leave a review on Facebook last year, and the owners friends called me a liar and harassed me so bad that I deleted the post. Here is the deal, my child was sick the entire time she went there, they pretended she ate food while she was there but she did not which resulted in her needing Pediasure prescribed by the pediatrician. Even with the diagnosis and medical note, they still only gave it to her half of the time, and sometimes only half of the amount. Teachers come and go, and some were almost to the point of being abusive. When I started voicing my opinion they started taking it out on my child. I heard them call her names and talk down to her several times which only made her speech delay worse. If you are not friends or family of the horrible owner Erica Slotter then please believe that your child is not receiving proper care. If a teacher called out or she was over ratio, they would go around and take Children's temperatures and look for any reason to send them home. Because my daughter was living with ear infections and a sensitive skin issue, they preyed upon her when needed and had me unnecessarily pick her up at least 2 dozen times. Both CHOP urgent care and her pediatrician told me to get her out of there because anyone who knew anything about children at all knew she did not need to be seen by the doctor!! Bringing my daughter here caused both my daughter and myself so much stress and heartache. When we started going to Discovery Learning Center I realized what a real childcare center was like that cared about the children and families that attended there. This place should be shut down, but it is under an umbrella of the state with its Head Start program that is run by people who also do not care about children, and just needed somewhere else in South Jersey to put funding into. When your child is not eating and you have a meeting with them and they still say you cannot bring in any food, there is a huge problem!! I was going to school and on welfare and in a financial hardship, which is the only reason my child attended there so long. BEWARE!! Your children are not safe here!! read more