Annoyed/amazed by daycare response to Mem Day flooding

[Anonymous]

Well it looks like the kids are out of the rooms for at least another week. I'll be amazed if anyone is back in the classrooms before early mid-September. I agree with PP that the fact that this mess has taken upwards of 12 jumbled and bumbled weeks to clean up is amazing and astounding. Why getting those rooms open and trying to restore the reputation of the Center isn't the #1 priority is mind boggling. They have lost a substantial amount of income and will continue to do so until the rooms re-open. I can bet that these costs are going to be passed to parents in the form of a 2012 tuition increase.

[Anonymous]

Because they refuse to articulate what - exactly - is taking so long, I have absolutely no confidence that the next issue won't be handled in the same ridiculous manner as this. Fortunately this situation is only continuing to affect a relatively small group of families but who knows about next time? And given that their original strategies for dealing with the problem - both the insufficient cleanup and moving babies to a floor they're not allowed to be on - put the kids at some measure of risk, we can't wait to get the heck out of this place!

[Anonymous]

I was also amazed by the email today that didn't give any update on the progress, but rather asked for parent assistance to clean the closed rooms and/or purchase cleaning supplies. Really? The rooms have been closed for 12+ weeks and you have the nerve to ask the parents, like me, that are scambling to find childcare to donate their time to clean up the rooms and bring cleaning supplies?! What planet are they living on that this request is acceptable and rational?

[Anonymous]

I feel very sorry for all of the displaced children, parents & teachers- but people, puuh-leez--- this "flood" happened Memorial Day Weekend and we are nearing Labor Day weekend?! Don't hold your breath. Actively seek long term solutions now.

[Anonymous]

Totally agree with you 22:20 - believe me, we're on a bunch of waitlists and trying to rearrange our budget to see if we can afford a nanny (unfortunately, not likely). If you know of any good infant options anywhere please share! Would LOVE to put this place behind us but other options have been hard to come by.

[Anonymous]

We were supposed to start September 1st but have decided to go with another daycare option in Arlington. Too many uncertainties here. I hope they can get their act together soon.

Are they seriously asking parents to foot the bill for the clean-up? Don't they have insurance to cover these costs?

[Anonymous]

I don't know, I have mixed feelings about them asking for help w/clean up supplies. On the one hand I feel like the Center and the families coming together around the best solution (simply cleaning the carpet not being it) is what should have happened from the outset. However, the Center has handled everything abysmally from the outset (in my opinion) and hasn't even given parents the courtesy of adequate communication, they have time and again projected dates for re-opening that never happen and haven't offered a legitimate apology (indeed the director seems more interested in sharing how hard this has been on her). So, I have to agree, it takes some nerve to be asking parents for time and money.

[Anonymous]

I found the fact that they are asking me for 10 bucks for the "Fun Friday" to be a bit much. Just provide decent child care, given all that you have put parents and kids through, and stop asking me for more money.

[Anonymous]

They asked you for money for the "Fun Friday"??? I assume the Fun Fridays were supposed to be part of the outreach or whatever to displaced parents. And I thought it was supposed to be something the pastor was generously ponying up for? From my perspective that event demonstrated such poor judgement, planning and understanding of what families are dealing with. Really, we can bring our kids in from 7:30 - 1? Great. Then what? Leave work and come move them back to their alternate arrangement? Thanks. And putting the babies in the basement on hard floors with the loud music and "big kids" running around, yelling and having fun (as they should)? Totally age-appropriate and safe

I cannot believe they're asking you to pay. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they're not the same thing. The school had some party last Friday that they asked for $10 for. Who knows? The communication is so poor I can't tell what's going on anymore.

They closed early today after the earthquake claiming that DCPS was closing early. A quick visit to the DCPS site proved that claim false. Just another example of poor/less than truthful communication.

[Anonymous]

This thread has been going on for months, goodness gracious I would not be happy to be the owner of this place can someone clue this person in???? Clients please be the bearer of the bad news; it should help things get resovled more promptly.

Elizabeth Sweet

[Anonymous]

I don't suppose anyone has any info on whether they're actually going to be able to reopen on Monday as was the latest claim?

Willing to bet a sizable sum on no way.

[Anonymous]

Well, the ceiling was put back together as of Monday night and the security guard said the painters were supposed to finish up and the carpet people were supposed to come in ASAP -- but I've heard that before. I wouldn't count on the classrooms opening on Monday. I'm sure the reinspection isn't going to happen this week. I'd be surprised if it opened late next week -- and next week is only a 4-day week. Yeah, I'm guessing first full week of September and shaking my head as I write that. I still can't believe how terribly this has been handled by the Director and Church. I'm sure the Center will blame the 'earthquake' for any additional delays. There is always someone else to blame except themselves.

[Anonymous]

22:41: if you had children at the Center or were on the waitlist I can see your interest in the situation, but you apparently don't, so your interest seems like it's based on trying to acquire some clients for your facility. Please troll elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Is anyone guessing if the Center will open this week? I was sadly not surprised by the email on Thursday talked about the Center opening on Tuesday and then the follow-up email on Friday projecting Wednesday. Egads! It's maddening and I would have appreciated a good faith update over the weekend if people were truly at the Center cleaning up the classrooms. The email silence leads me to believe work likely was not done. **Sigh**