When my son first started here, he was in diapers. I received daily, a form that listed his daily activities, meals, nap times, & a section which listed "wet/poop diapers". Once he transitioned to potty training I asked Ms. Vanessa (The owner) if the potty training process was something they assisted with & she assured me they do. (I didn't want to just assume they'd assist with something so personal, or obligate them to something so important, without confirming for sure first with management) She assured it was something they'd gladly assist with. Following our conversation, the entire bathroom section was actually taken off of the form completely. When asked about the discrepancy in communication regarding his potty training, I was simply told "he doesn't go for us". No explanation as to why the section was removed off of his sheet, or why they haven't mentioned to me at all that he wasn't going for them. He goes perfectly fine at home & with grandparents by the way; so this was odd.
He has also came home countless times with unexplainable scratches/bruises & I have never once, ever received a documented incident report on any. Not to mention staff's explanation is always that he was playing with another kid & accidently got hurt. I'm sure that happens occasionally, but definitely not every occasion.
Fridays you have to pack & send a lunch. At pick up Friday his lunch box was missing his container. I asked staff for it & was told it was in the dish washer. I advised them I'd leave his lunchbox in his cubby & get everything the following Monday. Come Monday, still no container. Tuesday, still no container. So I asked again for it, now it had "melted"; they offered me another childs container as a replacement.
Lastly, transportation is provided by the center to transport children ages 2-6 from one location to the other (they have 2 locations). Their van doesn't have boosters or car seats for any of the children. I wasn't allowed to provide my own, due to lack of space in the only 2 row van they use. They transport 10-15 children, twice daily, placing the smaller kids in the back row & the older kids in the front.
For a while it just seemed like every day there was one issue after another. Something small here & there was to be expected; things happen in life & life itself is unexpected for the most part. When I addressed Ms. Vanessa in person she insisted I was being disrespectful to her staff, advised me to take my son out, told me not even to drop him off; right then & there, not to bring him back, & made the remark "that's why your daughter is how she is". Very rude, unprofessional, & completely an uncalled for comment. My response to her was "I paid for care until Friday & that'll be his last day". but being as he already had unexplainable marks on his face from the day prior, I took my son out of there right then & there. After about a half hour; I let things die down & called Ms. Vanessa again to try to reconcile things. Yet again, she insisted I was disrespectful, & once again made the remark about my daughter. At that point, she became every b***h that I could think of. It takes a lot to bring me out of character, but I don't play when it comes to my kids. The first time she said it, I let it slide but once she repeated it again; yup, I lost it.
The problem with this staff is that they become very careless & uninformative once a relationship is established with you. & once you voice your concerns they flip the situation on you as if you're the problem. When I speak, I mean what I say & say what I mean; especially with concerns that involve my kids. I may speak firmly in what I'm saying because what I'm saying is genuine & real; but I don't have to yell NOR use profanity to get my point across. I don't have to belittle or disrespect anyone, for them to comprehend my perspective. Unfortunately, Ms. Vanessa (the "owner") couldn't differentiate my sincerely concerned tone, from "disrespect" & she was unwilling to come to any form of understanding.
May I add, my sister also sent her daughter here. Who continuously had diaper rashes & her clothes were stained numerous times because they refused to put on her bib or use the change of clothes provided. When she addressed Vanessa with her concerns she told her not to bring her daughter back & called the police on her who advised her she wasn't allowed to return. ALSO, my friend who worked 3-11p would pick her kids up after work & staff would take long answering the door because they were asleep (she confirmed they were in fact asleep because she asked her 7 year old son who attends there) Since, they've stopped providing care past 6pm but that staff member still works there. I should have took warning from their experiences but once again, I figured everyone's experience is different, they seem nice, let me give them a chance of my own.
I wouldn't recommend this center to my absolute worst enemy. read more