My son who is almost five has attended Noah's Ark since he was four months old. Unfortunately, our family has made a move out of town and we can no longer make the commute. I wanted to share with other families how our experience over the last four years has positively moved our lives.
I could go on and on about how great this facility is. My son loves going there and has made many friends that he talks about on a regular basis. Every time I drop him off and pick him up the kids are playing and interacting kindly and playfully with one another. The staff is always present and interactive with the children in their room. Noah's also helped us with potty trained when my son was just over two. They were ahead of our household and worked with us on how we can work together to get Nolan through the potty training stage.
The meals planned for the children there are excellent and fully balanced. They have a weekly menu just outside the office so you can see what your child will be eating. More often than not, there were times I would be picking my son up right at dinner time. They would all be sitting at the table together (teachers included) kindly chatting and asking for more! The teachers would encourage my son to finish his meal if I had time to wait for him, without penalty on my pickup time. My son eating a full dinner was more important than rushing us out the door. I was always appreciative. The children learn to pour their own milk and how to use manners and polite words when asking for more. All the food they prepare for the children is homemade. They have a staff member whose sole priority is cooking for the children every meal and snack. There were countless times where I asked what was being cooked because it smelled so amazing! The kitchen is open and in the center of the facility so any and all parents can see how the food is prepared and handled. My son eats better at daycare then he does at our home. At our own home he would often tell me, "Mom, I would like it how daycare makes it please!" As a mother this was personally frustrating because I just wanted him to eat what I made him but I was also very pleased that he enjoyed his food at daycare so much!
As with every child care, there are growing pains for everyone. I read a lot of reviews talking about incident reports. Most of our incident reports came from when my son was between 2 and 3 years old. At this age they are learning physical boundaries, how to properly communicate and how to manage their emotions. I want to reassure all parents that we were well informed when Nolan would have a rough day sharing with other children. We would have an incident report to sign and take home. If there was ever an accident on the playground or in the classroom we were also informed of this. When he was younger and I wanted more information about how his behavior was being redirected, I sat down in the office and it was thoroughly explained. They have cameras set up in every classroom and office and there is no space in the facility that is kept private or up for question.
As advertised, Noah's Ark is a Christian, Bible-based child care provider. Our son learned to pray before all meals. They say the same prayer every time and the children all chime in together. It is really a heart warming sight to see and hear. My son has brought many Christian based ideals home with him over the last couple years. If he chooses to lead prayer at home before dinner, he will lead us with his prayer he learned at daycare. Another day we were talking about his time in preschool and he expressed a concern about sharing toys with one of his friends. (As most 2-5 year old children do, because sharing toys is a crucial part of making friends.) He told me as we were talking about it, "Mommy, we should share because Jesus likes it when we share with others." It was a really sweet reminder of what he is learning and how behavior is reinforced at Noah's Ark. Another example is when our son started singing and doing a learned dance to, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands and Father Abraham with us one night before bed. Now on the flip side, my son is not always up for learning the song and dance and does not want to pray. At home we let him choose what he is comfortable with and he does not have to participate if he doesn't want to. Noah's Ark treats the children similarly, if my son does not choose to partake in the Bible learning activity they do not make him.
I would highly recommend Noah's Ark to any family. As with all new child care providers, give it time to warm up your parental worries and stresses. Ask questions and become familiar. Noah's Ark is open and honest and compassionate about the programs and facility they are providing for your child. read more
