Discovery Time Learning Center (Del Ray)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump

What does bump mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump

What does bump mean?

It's an internet term meaning "to bring up somebody's post typically by posting the word "bump" on a message board"

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bump

Posting the word means it brings that thread to the top.

[Anonymous]

The center has been operating without a valid license since October. The VDSS violations that have been cited are extensive, rate high on the scale use to determine the risk rating of the violation are are repeated. A "conditional license" is good for only 6 months and then the center should be renewed with a full license good for two years. How has this center been open close to a year (maybe longer?) without meeting licensing requirements?

Why do parents continue to send their children to a center that has failed to meet the minimum standards, set by the Commonwealth of VA, for childcare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The center has been operating without a valid license since October. The VDSS violations that have been cited are extensive, rate high on the scale use to determine the risk rating of the violation are are repeated. A "conditional license" is good for only 6 months and then the center should be renewed with a full license good for two years. How has this center been open close to a year (maybe longer?) without meeting licensing requirements?

Why do parents continue to send their children to a center that has failed to meet the minimum standards, set by the Commonwealth of VA, for childcare?

I'm confused! How can this be? The had no violations at all in Feb i think it was?. How could a center operate without a license and at the same time receive a good report? This makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

There was an inspection report on March 24 and while they found a violation, it looked like a paperwork oversight by some parents. Everything else was found to be in compliance. The center appears to still be operating under a conditional license for now, with increased monitoring, because of the problems they had when they first opened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was an inspection report on March 24 and while they found a violation, it looked like a paperwork oversight by some parents. Everything else was found to be in compliance. The center appears to still be operating under a conditional license for now, with increased monitoring, because of the problems they had when they first opened.

I agree with this assessment. Under VA licensing standards if you apply for renewal you can keep on operating until DSS acts on the renewal. It looks to me like they have not acted on the renewal. The center is under an increased monitoring standard- it looks like they are having monthly inspections instead of the more typical 1-2 a year.

[Anonymous]

The conditional license and high turnover rate worries me.

[Anonymous]

We've been at Discovery since last May and overall we're happy. I actually can't imagine being any place without cameras. DH, MIL, and I watch as part of our daily routine. We love the teachers. All of the teachers knew us in the infant room and that followed to the toddler room. Love the toddler teachers and also appreciate the extra effort they put in to making sure my little one eats at school which is a challenge for us at home.

They have lost two lead teachers in the last couple of months. I'm not sure if they were let go or if they left on their own. One had been at the center since they opened and the other had been there I think since last summer. We use one teacher regularly as a sitter. I talked to her and got bits and pieces about a theft from personal belongings from a friend of one of the teachers who left when some of the staff went out to dinner over a weekend. I wondered if that had anything to do with it but I didn't want to be too intrusive. Just speculating but overall, the turnover doesn't concern me. The staff has been pretty steady since last summer and I think this is just one of those things that all day care centers go through.

[Anonymous]

We have also been at Discovery Time for nine months or so and have been reasonably satisfied. On the plus side: The cameras are amazing - they do exist at other centers, but there are not that many in the area. The location is great for families living in Del Ray. The staff really know my son and give him a warm welcome every morning. The center has lots of room and even an extra multi-purpose room for the kids to play and run around on bad weather days. The owner and director do try to address issues and seem to work very hard. My child has definitely learned a few things and is very socialized to be with other kids, share, take turns, etc. With a few exceptions, he's been happy to go every morning and is enthusiastic about the toys available and the activities they do.

On the negative side: Staff turnover may be typical, but it seems high to me and I wonder what the grounds are. The assistant teacher, who is now the lead teacher in the "Two's" after the lead left (or was let go?) in the last couple of weeks let us know during a family festival that she works 10 hour days, 5 days a week. With 16 2-year-olds I can imagine that schedule leading to burn out pretty quickly. Apparently a professional cleaner comes in a couple of times a week, but otherwise the teachers (after 10 hours) are responsible for cleaning the large rooms....needless to say the rooms often look fairly dirty first thing in the morning. I know kids get sick in daycare, but I wonder if a more rigorous cleaning arrangement might cut down on some of the spread of viruses. The owner does aspire to one day be NAEYC accredited, but I think she underestimated what it takes to open and manage a center and as a result it seems like accreditation is a very long way off (not that accreditation is absolutely needed to make a great center).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have also been at Discovery Time for nine months or so and have been reasonably satisfied. On the plus side: The cameras are amazing - they do exist at other centers, but there are not that many in the area. The location is great for families living in Del Ray. The staff really know my son and give him a warm welcome every morning. The center has lots of room and even an extra multi-purpose room for the kids to play and run around on bad weather days. The owner and director do try to address issues and seem to work very hard. My child has definitely learned a few things and is very socialized to be with other kids, share, take turns, etc. With a few exceptions, he's been happy to go every morning and is enthusiastic about the toys available and the activities they do.

On the negative side: Staff turnover may be typical, but it seems high to me and I wonder what the grounds are. The assistant teacher, who is now the lead teacher in the "Two's" after the lead left (or was let go?) in the last couple of weeks let us know during a family festival that she works 10 hour days, 5 days a week. With 16 2-year-olds I can imagine that schedule leading to burn out pretty quickly. Apparently a professional cleaner comes in a couple of times a week, but otherwise the teachers (after 10 hours) are responsible for cleaning the large rooms....needless to say the rooms often look fairly dirty first thing in the morning. I know kids get sick in daycare, but I wonder if a more rigorous cleaning arrangement might cut down on some of the spread of viruses. The owner does aspire to one day be NAEYC accredited, but I think she underestimated what it takes to open and manage a center and as a result it seems like accreditation is a very long way off (not that accreditation is absolutely needed to make a great center).

Turn over in chain centers can be almost as high as 90%. I once interviewed at a center in Woodbridge that was willing to hire me on the spot because I was willing to start the next day and they had 3 teachers quit that week. (I didn't take the job btw) Private centers are usually lower - around 50%. The low wages for daycare teachers makes it almost impossible for anyone to remain long term.

[Anonymous]

It's not the teachers being let go. High turn over is a sign of something bigger.

[Anonymous]

I'm not at this center but from 10:23 it sounds like parent culture is a problem. One, you have hired your teacher as a sitter but have made it your business to gossip about happenings amongst her colleagues. Two, you post this info on DCUM. Unacceptable, IMO.

[Anonymous]

http://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Bright-Horizons-Family-Solutions-Salaries-E6525.htm

http://www.glassdoor.com/Hourly-Pay/Costco-Wholesale-Hourly-Pay-E2590.htm

A quick search will show you that the average preschool teacher makes $13.00 to $14.00 per hour. That's $1.00 LESS than the cashiers at Costco. Of course, you'll have turnover. Have you seen the cost of rent in the DC Metro area?

Here's a reality check. No one can afford to be a preschool teacher forever.

Signed,

A former preschool teacher who couldn't live off of $900 every two weeks.

[Anonymous]

I was curious if anyone had any further updates/thoughts on Discovery Time? I visited the center earlier this week and am very interested in sending my daughters there in July. Before we confirm, though, I would love to hear from other parents.

[HarborLiving]

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