The behavior of the new leadership reflects a clear departure from child-centered care and raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the children enrolled. My child's personal details were posted on social media. Continue reading for more details.
Rivergreen Childcare was a beloved part of our family's life for 8 years. Both of my children began in the infant room and graduated from Pre-K here. They also attended summer camps and school breaks at the facility. During those years, we loved the warm, dedicated teachers and the leadership from former directors who clearly had a heart for children and their families.
Unfortunately, when Rivergreen transitioned from private ownership to corporate management under Chroma, everything we once valued began to change. The leadership shift was immediately apparent--many of the long-standing teachers left, and the previous director departed as well. What followed was a dramatic decline in the environment and culture of care.
The new director's approach was, in her own words, "business first"--a philosophy that quickly became evident in her interactions. During her first week, I witnessed a troubling incident involving my 5-year-old child during a moment of distress that any young child might experience. Rather than offering compassion or attempting to de-escalate the situation privately, my child was left lying on the floor of the public foyer, crying, while the director stood over her and chastised her in full view. There was no empathy, no discretion, and certainly no child-centered response.
What was even more concerning was the lack of transparency. The account I received from the director contradicted the teacher's version of events--details I only received after insisting on a first-hand report. In that same conversation, the director asked me point-blank, "Is she going to be a problem?"
This was just the first of several interactions that made it clear the new leadership lacks the empathy, professionalism, and child development understanding necessary to foster a safe, supportive environment. Despite eight years of loyalty, I made the difficult decision to withdraw my children from the center within two weeks of the new director's arrival. If that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what does.
While the teachers themselves remain kind and capable, a facility without strong, compassionate leadership is not a place I can recommend. As a parent, I expect a childcare environment where children come first--not corporate priorities.
In addition, I am deeply concerned that personal and sensitive details regarding my child's behavior were publicly disclosed on social media, as seen in the response issued by the facility. While no name was used, the context and timing of the post clearly identify my child to anyone familiar with our situation--constituting a breach of confidentiality and a violation of my child's right to privacy and dignity. According to Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, child care programs must comply with Rule 591-1-1-.11 (Confidentiality), which explicitly states: "Information concerning the child or the child's family shall not be made available to anyone other than the parents or legal guardian, the center's employees or designated consultants, the Child Care Licensing Division, or other designated authorities unless the parents or legal guardians grant written permission." read more
