Our Experience with New Edge Learning Center: A Cautionary Tale…read more
As a first-time mom, I was understandably anxious about finding the right daycare for my daughter. After meeting Adeeba, the director at New Edge Learning Center, I initially felt reassured. She encouraged me to ask questions and emphasized the importance of advocating for my child--a sentiment I took to heart. However, our actual experience turned out to be far from the supportive environment she promised.
The Issues We Faced:
1. Dismissal of Medical Advice
My daughter has sensitive skin, and her pediatricians at Annapolis Pediatrics, a highly regarded practice, recommended using Aquaphor to manage occasional breakouts caused by weather changes or teething. Adeeba repeatedly dismissed their professional advice, insisting my daughter had Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) despite multiple doctors explicitly stating otherwise.
She also claimed Annapolis Pediatrics was unreliable, stating she frequently called the health department on them. This forced us to make unnecessary doctor visits, consult a dermatologist, and repeatedly adjust our schedules to meet Adeeba's arbitrary demands, even when supported by medical documentation.
2. Neglect of Basic Needs
On one occasion, my daughter went without food for hours. I only discovered this oversight through the Brightwheel app and had to contact the daycare myself to address it. The response was minimal--an acknowledgment of the "mistake."
Additionally, diaper changes during nap times were skipped, leading to severe diaper rash. Adeeba's justification was that babies were sleeping, further highlighting her prioritization of convenience over care.
3. Unreasonable Policies and Inconsistencies
Adeeba enforced rigid policies, such as requiring a 72-hour notice for early drop-offs, yet failed to provide consistent communication about these rules. When I sought clarification or tried to plan ahead, my messages often went unanswered.
The most hurtful inconsistency was leaving my 18-month-old daughter in the infant room while her peers transitioned to the toddler room. Despite our repeated inquiries, Adeeba provided conflicting responses about when she would move up. Watching my daughter stand at the door, longing to join her friends, was heartbreaking. Adeeba's dismissive attitude, claiming, "She can make new friends," only added insult to injury.
4. How My Daughter Was Removed
The final incident came on December 20th. I arrived to pick up my daughter, who was dressed in Christmas pajamas, looking forward to a festive day with her friends. Instead, Adeeba had isolated her in an empty room with baby toys, taking her anger at us out on an innocent 18-month-old child.
When I arrived, Adeeba cornered me at the door with my daughter in my arms. She coldly stated, "This isn't working out; you don't listen," and admitted to giving away my daughter's spot in the toddler room. Her tone was harsh and confrontational, with no regard for the emotional distress this caused.
Adeeba snapped her fingers at a teacher, who handed me my daughter's belongings--all packed up, signaling a premeditated decision to remove us from the daycare. This abrupt dismissal, just days before the holidays, left us scrambling for childcare and deeply hurt by how Adeeba handled the situation.
Final Reflections:
My daughter's teachers were wonderful and played a significant role in her growth, but Adeeba's unprofessional behavior overshadowed everything. Her refusal to respect medical advice from Annapolis Pediatrics, her inability to communicate effectively, and her retaliatory actions against my daughter were unacceptable.
We are now enrolled in a daycare that values communication, care, and professionalism. I hope this review serves as a warning to other parents. Adeeba's claim of running a "business" came at the cost of empathy and the well-being of my child.
Check them out for yourself. I wish I had
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