We are currently looking for Child Care in the area.. We would like to get your opinion on the Good, Bad and the Ugly. Thanks
RE Little Stepping Stones II. We used them fo 2 years with a special needs child and they were fabulous.
Let me preface my response by saying that you can't compare daycare here with daycare in the Northeast. So if your last daycare was anywhere north of Virginia, some of the centers down here may come as a bit of a shock. There are certainly daycares similar to those found up north, but they're certainly not the norm, and not located near my house. That being said, we're happy with Little Stepping Stones II. We had also checked out Cleveland Childcare off of Old Drugstore Road, and found it to be comparable, but I read very mixed reviews about the management and decided to steer clear. At LSS they provide all meals and snacks, and the price is very reasonable. The teacher in my son's classroom (big 2's) sincerely cares about the children and is very friendly. We're not thrilled with their efforts with potty training (my son goes at home but they more often than not don't even try to put him on the potty at school), but he is definitely learning academically. He knows his alphabet, colors, some shapes, and can count to ten. Just make sure you look early, as many daycares have a waiting list.
http://ncchildcaresearch.dhhs.state.nc.us/search.asp Do a search on 4042, with terms like DHHS, child care, childcare, daycare, etc to pull up previous threads on this topic. My advice - DROP IN! Do not schedule appointments. First call to see if they have openings and what their rates are, do this after you have received reports from the link I provided above and selected the daycares you are interested in. Then drop in to interview/tour the facility. After you have chosen one, drop in again for some stay and play. Stay away from unlicensed in-home daycares. Personally I would stay away from in-home altogether, as they generally only have one adult. Centers are more expensive, but at least you have accountability and more than one set of eyes - for the kids AND the adults that are in charge of the kids.
My son goes to Cleveland Childcare. Previously he went to Little Stepping Stones II. I would say the ONLY negative about LSS II is that my son did not get what I thought he should have academically out of there. They were good to him and great with the care and making sure that I knew he was safe. I would have preferred to have him a little more ready for kind. though. At either place, your child will be cared for! K
Ok so I am a building blocks parent and love it. The one closest to you is on Winston Rd. DS has been going there since he was 15 months old. I moved him to center 3 when he was 3 because we live closer to this area. All teachers are first aid and cpr certified, any teacher that works in the infant/crawlers room are also have to go to a SIDS class and do drills every so often. Lead teachers either have a 2 year or currently going to school to get degree. My son is now in the preschool program and can write, do basic math and has a head full of learnings (LOL). The teachers are great and would recommend them to anyone! GL
I second Building Blocks (Winston Rd) as it was the center that I chose after I followed my own instructions in my previous post.
I thought I commented on this last week but we use Riverwood Child Development Center (even though that might not qualify as 40/42). They are great.
^& that's a little too far. How about Churches? Any churches have any care programs? So far we are looking at LSS. We liked what we saw on a drop in visit some time ago.
I agree with this. In-home daycare was not for me, I was terrified to leave him somewhere like that. You just never know. Some folks love it, but I am entirely too paranoid and un-trusting.
My son is at LLS II and I love it. Miss Heather and Miss Jennifer are amazing! My son has learned a whole lot since he started there a year ago - he is in the Tod II class getting ready to move to the Little 2's. His teachers have all been so great!
