Hello parents looking into Black Belt America! Before you sign on for this after-school program, I have a few questions! Are you a single parent looking for a reliable after-school program so that you may work? Are your children considered special needs in a non-physical manner such as Autism? Do you like it when you pay someone to watch your child and they are able to complete that task, be it a good or bad day your child is having (within reason, of course)? If so, then please keep looking elsewhere. This company are one of the most ableist, uncaring companies I've ever met. I had explained multiple times to her teacher for the class that my daughter is Autistic and that sometimes she's reading the wrong social cues from other students. The teacher's response was "It doesn't matter." My child is 7 and will not fit into their "perfect little soldier" mold. So, what did they do but push my child's buttons until she became "unbearable" with a tantrum or two that 7 year old's can get (especially when they're hot and tired) and then call me to come pick her up? For $125 a week, no refunds on the times that I had to leave work early to pick up my child because she was "such a distraction and too much to handle." The only good thing I can say about this place was their system of security and that fact that they were nice enough after a very long and heated argument to refund me the rest of the cost of Spring Break that I had paid in advance for my child. The childish moves that I will condemn them for, however, is the line "If your child acts out tomorrow (this was Tuesday for Spring Break week) you will have to come pick her up and we will deny you service for the rest of the week." I would find this acceptable if my child was causing property damage and hitting other children, but for a simple tantrum because she's hot, sweaty, and being picked on by staff and students alike? Unacceptable!
Children will have fits and tantrums. I have seen other children display behavior that my daughter has (hitting each other with their uniform, having fits and tantrums, not listening or keeping still during class) yet I have never seen these children be pulled aside or disciplined. Unless you fit their mold of an abled, higher-wage family and have on-call butlers/maids/sitters/family that can pick them up at the drop of a hat, please don't send your child here!
PS It really upsets the teachers if you call their balls that they use for training and playing purposes "stupid." they sent my child home after calling one such ball stupid. I thought inanimate objects had no feelings. read more