FDA WOW parents: Please post an update from today's parent meeting

[Anonymous]

What was discussed?

Do you feel that your concerns are being appropriately addressed?

Can you share concrete steps that are being taken?

Many thanks in advance, from a future FDAer still debating about accepting a spot there

[Anonymous]

I attended the meeting. I don't have time to give much feedback now, but I have to say that CCLC took full responsibility for what has occurred, and seem committed to working through all the problems. I and many other parents were able to air our concerns freely. I think they are going to write up minutes for the meeting. Hopefully some other parents will weigh in, as well.

[Anonymous]

You could ask to be included in the e-mail list. You could receive the minutes and be apprised of future meetings as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended the meeting. I don't have time to give much feedback now, but I have to say that CCLC took full responsibility for what has occurred, and seem committed to working through all the problems. I and many other parents were able to air our concerns freely. I think they are going to write up minutes for the meeting. Hopefully some other parents will weigh in, as well.

Well, what has occured. Inquiring minds want to know.

[Anonymous]

CCLC stated they are 100% committed to making this center live up to what was promised and what their other centers are like.

Many parents expressed concerns and what stuck out to me is that there are concerns across the center-the issues are not in one or two rooms in particular (although there are certainly some rooms that seem to have more concerns than others). There are concerns about quality of the curriculum, qualilty of the staff, quality control issues regarding allergies, lack of communication and these were identified in multiple classrooms. I left feeling more concerned, actually, b/c it seems to be a true center issue and not focused in one or two areas.

As far as concrete plans CCLC stated there will be a back to school night and that they are committed to holding meetings like the one today on a regular basis at least until some issues get corrected. They did express committment, but the problems are wide-spread and it remains to be seen whether the changes that need to be made can be fully implemented and if the right people are there to do so.

[Anonymous]

Excellent summary, 13:50. I was also there and agree.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, if I were in the OP shoes, I would ask CCLC to hold the spot you have been given but that you are not ready to start in April, that you want some more time to see if issues have been addressed. I think from the meeting today that CCLC would likely be open to allowing that and parents did ask them to consider things along those lines for students already in the center.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Thanks to all who provided a summary of the meeting.

I would ask to be put on the email list but I haven't received the official offer letter yet for the spot so I'm not in CCLC's system, although I'd need to give more than a few weeks of notice to my current provider.

I will likely ask them to hold the spot for us as I'd like to see the issues be a bit more resolved before transitioning there.

13:53: What kind of things were the parents asking for students already at the center? They already have spots so I'm not sure what you mean. Were parents talking about removing their child temporarily until things change and then asking to come back in a few months?

[Anonymous]

OP yes, one parent asked if they would consider allowing current parents to take their kids out while the issues are resolved and hold the spot at a reduced rate. CCLC didn't really answer that. Another parent, in response to CCLC stating they are committed to correcting the issues, asked if they would give parents back their money if the issues are not corrected. CCLC said yes to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP yes, one parent asked if they would consider allowing current parents to take their kids out while the issues are resolved and hold the spot at a reduced rate. CCLC didn't really answer that. Another parent, in response to CCLC stating they are committed to correcting the issues, asked if they would give parents back their money if the issues are not corrected. CCLC said yes to that.

I really don't know how this would work, frankly (taking one's child out temporarily). Who is to say when the issues are "resolved"? That can be a subjective judgment. The systemic problems will take a while to resolve i.e. parent morale, etc.

Truth be told, I don't know that CCLC has an obligation to keep our spots. I mean, if one wants out, then get out, kwim? There's a waitlist, and I'm sure they won't have a problem replacing any kids who decide to leave.

[Anonymous]

Temporarily taking a child out of a center could be very confusing for the child and could add to transitioning anxiety.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, the only way to know if a center has resolved issues is to call the Maryland department of childcare licensing, tell them the issues, and see if they will do a surprise visit.
I agree with PP, taking a child in/out of different daycare situations only confuses them and ultimately it's the child that should be at the center of everyone's focus. If you are upset with the center, look for another daycare and remove them. Hopefully you can do what other parents have said they would do / are doing and can put them back in the daycare they were previously at.
If you have multiple complaints- it is up to you as a parent to insure the safety and stability of your child. Do remember that CCLC is for-profit. It's a business. You should get your money back if the service was not as advertised. But don't expect for them to bend over backwards to hold your child's spot while they resolve issues to your liking.

[Anonymous]

I don't think CCLC is under any obligation to hold the spots or give people money back, but I also think they might be willing to work with the OP who wants some more time to decide what to do and that it's at least worth asking about. The problems are systemic, many of them are serious issues (citing parent morale as the systemic issue made me chuckle-parent morale may be the 5th or 6th issue here, certainly not the main issue), and it was evident that CCLC is aware of them. Not all classrooms are full right now and there is not a waiting list for all rooms so CCLC may be able to work with OP.

[Anonymous]

OP here again.

From those who have summarized the issues, what would you say are the top 3 systemic problems at the center? The one that concerns me most from the other thread is the lack of engaged teachers.

Did you get the sense that the director is empowered to make decisions about holding/saving a spot or would that be more appropriate to ask for from the regional director or quality assurance staff that CCLC have brought on-site? I would certainly like to ask and at least explore the option because, as others have said, transitioning a child more than once is much more disruptive.

[Anonymous]

The top 3 issues that were identified, IMO were: quality of staff, quality of curriculum and quality assurance (several parents expressed concerns about allergies), including issues with quality assurance due to frequent staff changes in rooms. Maybe others can weigh in with their rankings.

I would address the question about holding a spot with the corporate folks who were brought in.