I do believe there are requirements by the state as to who can be a director of a childcare facility, she must meet these requirements. As a parent, I would want to know the background of everyone involved in my child cares, esp. the director and assistant director. Have they held an open house night for you parents, a meet and greet night of some sort? This would hopefully include the pastor and board members for the daycare.
When the center first opened, there was an open house. Prior to this there was a meeting with the Pastor and Director. Tara was the Director, and she gave us all her background, as did Pastor Bill. Since then, there have been no open houses to my knowledge. When the new Director came on board I was told that she "met & exceeded the minimum qualifications" for the position, and that is about it. In regard to the shoe policy: I tried to enforce that policy with my daughter, but after the first few weeks of seeing the majority of kids wearing flip flops and sandals, I got tired of argueing with my daughter about it so I asked her teachers as well as the Director. I was told that as long as she wore shoes, they didn't care if they were open toed or not. Same with the pillow--my daughter will occasionally take a pillow and I guarentee it will not fit in her mat, but they never say anything about it. One thing I asked about most recently is the blankets going home every Friday for cleaning: how are we supposed to take it home if they are rolled up in their mats in the closet that we aren't allowed into?
LJN...good to hear Sounds like to me the director has found out or heard about this discussion....funny how that all of a sudden you receive the information, but I'm glad to hear you got the information you were missing when your child first started the center. It's a shame it wasn't done before the word was put out! Maybe if they know about this discussion then things will get corrected!
Open Arms I have been lurking on this discussion watching everything. I was already in the works of pulling my child out and this is only confirming my decision. I loved the first director but Wendy is another story. I have had teachers in my childs room not even knowing me or my child and my child has medical issues. this teacher didn't even know my child had medicene which is required for her issues, The pastor said to someone that he didn't care if my child was happy because we are a problem family. we are a problem because we bring up the issues tht are going on. There is little to no education just babysitting in my childs room. The people are just phony & fake. I am so disappointed in what I thought would be a good school.
It seems a shame that people above the director are unable to see or refuse to see all these issues.....it's a shame!
I suggest parents write the Pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He can make changes. Send him a e-mail at: william.beyer@earthlink.net
For anyone in need of another center, Kids R Kids is great. My son graduated from their preschool program this year. He started there right after they opened in late 2005. They have video cameras for internet viewing.
micmin21 - that sounds awful! I am sorry you have had those experiences at Open Arms. Do you mind sharing which class your child is in?
Please do not take this wrong at all!! but sometimes you get what you pay for. I know all schools should take care of a child the same way. I pay $800 a month for my 4 year old in Fuquay but the quality is above and beyond to me. Again do not take that wrong! LOL
No offense, but a lot of folks can't afford $800 a month for daycare. A lot of mom's would do just as well to stay at home for that kind of money. You do the best you can and that's all you can do.
I agree, and it is tough for us! I stayed home the first year with my daughter and trying to justify spending that much money was HARD! We have to work hard for that money and I only have one child too so that helps! There is NO WAY I could have 2 in that center! I would owe my center more than I take home if I had 2!
Have any of yall tried Carolina Child Dev. Center in Clayton? I know people that have had their children there and or worked there and liked it! Or if you are all about the church daycares there is a 5 star Lutheren center in Garner that has really good reviews too.
I am a Building Blocks parent myself and absolutley love them. I started my ds at center 1 on Winston Rd and moved to center 3 in Archer Lodge. Great experience so far with both locations..
Has anyone heard of Polenta Elementary operating a child care center out of the school? It is on the DCD website. It has a 4 star license!
Polenta's is before/after school care as well as a preschool type deal, from what I understand--they have to be 4 to attend if I recall correctly. As for contacting the Pastor with our concerns: it seems to do no good. I've tried that route already, as have a few parents of former students at Open Arms. I have greatly appreciated the input from this group, it has helped me so much. I am going to start a very intense search for a new place. I think that is what is best since the people at this place who are capable of improving and correcting the errors aren't willing to do so.
