Annoyed/amazed by daycare response to Mem Day flooding

[Anonymous]

Yes, 4 rooms are STILL closed and have no realistic timeline for reopening. The director announces the closures week by week, but anyone that looks at the untouched space would guess that the amount of work that needs to be done will surely estimate it taking a few weeks to complete. The director finally acknowledged today that the impacted rooms will be closed until late July, but I'm not holding my breath. The closed rooms include an infant, two toddler (12-24 m), and one 2-3 yr room. I recommend you keep your child at your current provider and not jump at any open slots at Center -- and we know there will be many, especially in the 12-24 m rooms. Those parents are likely trying to get a spot
at your daycare!

[Anonymous]

Having been to 4 daycares/ preschools with my 2 children over the course of 3 years I will say that this has been the only one I have been unhappy with. Some of the teachers are great, but it seams everyclass has one that is always on her cell phone, or sitting down and never moving. This leak was just the icing on the cake for us. So glad we kept our son on other waitlists.

[Anonymous]

We're moving our child to a new daycare. For the small fortune we pay for this place, I expect a lot more than what we receive. Sad to go, interested to see how a new place operates by comparison. Agree with 12:00.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know whether work actually started last week? So ready for this mess to be over...speaking of which, FBC parents of kids who have returned, are things mostly back to "normal" or does this situation seem like it's having a lasting impact?

[Anonymous]

13:25: as of last Thursday work had not started. All the water rooms were untouched and looked exactly as they did the day everyone left. Regarding the rest of the Center, I'd say that everyone else is operating as business as usual. The gym has new mats and the only thing missing are the kids from the 4 closed rooms. I'd strongly suggest that you plan on alternative care for the rest of July due to the slow progress. I'm actually worried the incredibly snail like pace of the repairs will push the reopening of the rooms in to August.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 14:06, that's helpful - and not surprising! And good advice re: July. My husband and I have been thinking of starting a betting pool on July vs. August. My money is on August. Though I am beginning to worry that even that is optimistic!

Glad to hear that things are more or less back to normal. Though I hope the director is being a little more pleasant and professional after all of this.

Thanks,

13:35

[Anonymous]

Hey, 13:35: glad I could help. If you don't have another child at the Center, you may actually think things are happening! I really wouldn't bet on July unless you want to lose $ -- go with August and still hold your breath. No, Director is still the same. If this mess doesn't change her attitude, nothing will! At least the kids don't notice, so that's one positive thing!

[Anonymous]

We were in one of the closed toddler rooms and were flying by the seat of our pants for the past month, working out coverage with the help of other parents, vacation time, and backup care. Luckily the center found a spot for us that opened up in one of the other rooms. Now that we're not directly inconvenienced by the closure, I have room to feel a lot of sympathy for the director. Dealing with the irate parents, the teachers thrown out of work, the lost tuition, the church, the contractors and DC inspectors must be draining.
I still recommend the center to people who are looking for a good daycare in NW near work. When the repairs are finished the rooms will be better than ever.

[Anonymous]

The vinyl curtains are up and the mold specialist vans were in the parking lot today. Progress, yay!

[Anonymous]

Actually the mold specialists have been there since late last week. Sneaking peaks does not mean that they were not working. They are methodically working their way up. There was damage on the B level although it did not effect classrooms directly.

I agree with the poster who has sympathy for the director. Her attitude towards parents might be a reflection of the parent's attitude towards her. I was one a small handful of parents who when we found out what happened approached her to offer our help in whatever capacity needed as opposed to demanding things.

[Anonymous]

15:13 and 18:26, glad others have had different/better experiences with the director. We were relatively new to the center when this happened and were a bit taken aback by her attitude. Though, I totally agree that her attitude is likely impacted by those of aggressive parents. Still, it seemed that her hostility was generalized to FBC parents more broadly and not very professional though this may have just been my experience/observation (fwiw, we did bring in cleaning supplies and had communicated to her our desire to help so I don't think we fell into the demanding camp). Whatever the case, things definitely got intense very quickly, making an unfortunate situation much worse than I think it had to be.

I'm hopeful that the center will fully re-open soon and there will be a good plan for pro-active communication going forward! I think the previously mentioned parent/center meeting will be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Any new updates about when the affected classrooms are expected to reopen? Does anyone have an idea about how many openings will be available in the 12-24 month classroom?

thanks!

[Anonymous]

No updates on the reopening of the closed rooms, but I think it's safe to assume they won't reopen until early August. They are still getting rid of the mold, so the drywall, carpet, and reinspection still need to happen. From what I'm hearing, it's sounding like at least 4 of the families in one of the two 12-24 month rooms are leaving/have left. However, I'm not sure if the director knows this yet.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any updates on when the closed room will re-open? Would really appreciate any info!

Thanks,

Mom of a still (!!) displaced baby

[Anonymous]

Iknow we left the center - 12-14 month room, and a 10 month old in a room reopened left because of the directors attitude too.