Kindercare NoVa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It don't understand why anyone would pay for "kindergarten prep" at kindercare. In our FCPS school there is nothing to prepare for. If a kid is able recognize letters and numbers, to speak clearly, get along with others, follow easy directions and hold a pencil, I would consider them prepared. No need for academic prep. What a load of hooey.

To clarify, at Kindercare Clarendon, the exposure to letters and numbers is done through Phonics and Math classes (which each cost an additional $125/mo). The only kids who get this exposure are the ones who sign up and they are pulled out from the bigger class for 30 minutes each day. So the recognition of letters and numbers that you reference above will not necessarily happen outside of the paid supplemental classes. This is what PP meant by "kindergarten prep"- nothing fancy or particularly academic, but as you note this is an important building block for starting Kindergarten.

Assuming the person doing the teaching is qualified. lol

I have a kid currently in the 4s. The center has changed a lot since last year -- I think the curriculum has improved immensely since the mass departure last year of most long term kids. There are still a lot of kids in my 4 yo's class who have been there since they were 2 or younger. There hasn't been any turn over in the teachers in over 6 or 7 months that I can tell -- the teachers are the same as when DD was moved into the three's a year ago. Same with the 2's and the one's. They focus on recognizing letters and numbers pretty proactively without added phonics and math. For example, my 4 yo has flashcards that get sent home with sight words and she ha a lot of worksheets related to tracing letters and numbers that she does on a daily basis. The construction next door is almost complete. There haven't been any roaches for a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It don't understand why anyone would pay for "kindergarten prep" at kindercare. In our FCPS school there is nothing to prepare for. If a kid is able recognize letters and numbers, to speak clearly, get along with others, follow easy directions and hold a pencil, I would consider them prepared. No need for academic prep. What a load of hooey.

To clarify, at Kindercare Clarendon, the exposure to letters and numbers is done through Phonics and Math classes (which each cost an additional $125/mo). The only kids who get this exposure are the ones who sign up and they are pulled out from the bigger class for 30 minutes each day. So the recognition of letters and numbers that you reference above will not necessarily happen outside of the paid supplemental classes. This is what PP meant by "kindergarten prep"- nothing fancy or particularly academic, but as you note this is an important building block for starting Kindergarten.

Assuming the person doing the teaching is qualified. lol

I have a kid currently in the 4s. The center has changed a lot since last year -- I think the curriculum has improved immensely since the mass departure last year of most long term kids. There are still a lot of kids in my 4 yo's class who have been there since they were 2 or younger. There hasn't been any turn over in the teachers in over 6 or 7 months that I can tell -- the teachers are the same as when DD was moved into the three's a year ago. Same with the 2's and the one's. They focus on recognizing letters and numbers pretty proactively without added phonics and math. For example, my 4 yo has flashcards that get sent home with sight words and she ha a lot of worksheets related to tracing letters and numbers that she does on a daily basis. The construction next door is almost complete. There haven't been any roaches for a while.

They why are they still spraying for roaches?

[Anonymous]

Our child was in the 4s class until recently. We really loved the teachers and thought it was great. We didn't pay extra for phonics/math classes but our DS got the flash cards, intro to the alphabet, and practiced writing letters every day. They do a lot of craft projects as well and put up pictures of the kids in the classroom. The 4s teacher, Mr. A, is really great with the kids. My DS loved going there and was sad to leave - he got into Montessori at his sister's school so we moved him.

[Anonymous]

I would not be pleased at all with flashcards and worksheets for 4 year olds. That is not developmentally appropriate and shows a complete ignorance for how kids should be learning at that age. Also much easier for the teachers to do flashcards and worksheets than more labor-intensive things like art projects, nature walks, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not be pleased at all with flashcards and worksheets for 4 year olds. That is not developmentally appropriate and shows a complete ignorance for how kids should be learning at that age. Also much easier for the teachers to do flashcards and worksheets than more labor-intensive things like art projects, nature walks, etc.

There you go getting all technical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not be pleased at all with flashcards and worksheets for 4 year olds. That is not developmentally appropriate and shows a complete ignorance for how kids should be learning at that age. Also much easier for the teachers to do flashcards and worksheets than more labor-intensive things like art projects, nature walks, etc.

There you go getting all technical.

I'm the op with a kid in the 4s. I was responding to the criticism that you only get exposed to letters and numbers at kindercare if you do the extra enrichment . The kids are provided many different things to work with-- blank paper, art supplies, pictures to color, and worksheets. They do this during their free play time. They are exposed to letters and numbers during circle time. I actually work as an elementary school teacher and can vouch that it us developmentally appropriate. They have cooking class and daily art projects, the kids seem happy .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not be pleased at all with flashcards and worksheets for 4 year olds. That is not developmentally appropriate and shows a complete ignorance for how kids should be learning at that age. Also much easier for the teachers to do flashcards and worksheets than more labor-intensive things like art projects, nature walks, etc.

There you go getting all technical.

I'm the op with a kid in the 4s. I was responding to the criticism that you only get exposed to letters and numbers at kindercare if you do the extra enrichment . The kids are provided many different things to work with-- blank paper, art supplies, pictures to color, and worksheets. They do this during their free play time. They are exposed to letters and numbers during circle time. I actually work as an elementary school teacher and can vouch that it us developmentally appropriate. They have cooking class and daily art projects, the kids seem happy .

I think your typos say it all. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not be pleased at all with flashcards and worksheets for 4 year olds. That is not developmentally appropriate and shows a complete ignorance for how kids should be learning at that age. Also much easier for the teachers to do flashcards and worksheets than more labor-intensive things like art projects, nature walks, etc.

There you go getting all technical.

I'm the op with a kid in the 4s. I was responding to the criticism that you only get exposed to letters and numbers at kindercare if you do the extra enrichment . The kids are provided many different things to work with-- blank paper, art supplies, pictures to color, and worksheets. They do this during their free play time. They are exposed to letters and numbers during circle time. I actually work as an elementary school teacher and can vouch that it us developmentally appropriate. They have cooking class and daily art projects, the kids seem happy .

I think your typos say it all. Thanks!

You are an elementary teacher? I think we may have a bigger problem. Where do you teach?

[Anonymous]

Based on staff interviews, observations and record review, the staff supervising children in the Toddler classroom did not ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 stated on 11/1/2018 that she knew what allergies child #1 had (peanuts and pistachios). Staff #2 acknowledged on 11/1/2018 that she had "chocolate with peanuts and chocolate with peanuts and almond candy in her bag" which was located in a cabinet in the classroom. She handed out candy to multiple staff at approximately 11:15 when she needed "some energy". Staff #2 gave 4 of the 5 teachers (1, 3, 4, 5) several pieces of bite size candy with chocolate and peanuts. In addition, Staff #2 was seen by 2 teachers in the Toddler classroom with a bag of pistachios in her pocket. Staff #2 confirmed that she did have a bag of pistachios in her pocket. Staff #4 reminded Staff #2 that they were not to have them in the classroom and Staff #2 responded that "it was too late as she had already eaten some? 2. Child #1 has allergies to cashews, peanuts, pistachio nuts, eggs and sesame according to the center "Allergy and Dietary Preference" list. The additional allergy action form also states that Child #1 is allergic to egg, peanuts, cashews and pistachio (signed 12/8/2017 by the parent). 3. During staff interviews, staff #1, Staff #3, Staff #4, Staff #5 and Staff #6 stated that they did not remind Staff #2 that Child #1 has the documented allergy. Staff stated that they put the candy in their pockets. Staff #1 and Staff #6 stated they saw Staff #5 eat the candy in the classroom. 4. At 11:10, Staff #3 stated she changed Child #1's diaper and did not observe hives. However, at approximately 11:30, children were sitting at the classroom table eating lunch and Staff # 3 noticed Child #1 had splotches around his eye area. During this time, the staff was trying to reach the parent and spoke to Child #1's father. He stated that Child #1's Mom was on the way. She arrived within 2-4 minutes. As she came into the classroom, Child #1 started vomiting. The parent called the allergist but was on hold. Child #1 then started coughing and Staff #8 determined based the allergy action plan description, that the Epi-pen should be administered as the child had multiple symptoms of a major allergic reaction and was possible going into an anaphylaxis reaction. 5. Later in the day, Staff #3 found 2 open candy wrappers buried in the puzzle bin. 6. Staff #8 stated that the parent called the following day. The parent stated that the clothes she was getting ready to wash for her son from the day before had a candy wrapper mixed into the vomit. Mom took a picture and sent it to the center showing a piece of wrapper from a candy wrapper that has peanuts. 7. When Staff #8 questioned the teachers in the classroom on 10/26/2018, they admitted to seeing the candy being handed out by staff #2 which contained the peanut allergen.


Plan of Correction: Staff #1 and Staff#2 were terminated due to failure to follow the center's rules and policies. All the other teachers involved in the situation received a verbal warning for not complying with Center regulations and not notifying management about the situation.
NOVEMBER 2018