Infant room at National Science Foundation Bright Horizons

[Anonymous]

To the 07/29/2011 09:22 Poster writing about your son,

Thank you very much for your posting – I’m sure it’s hard to talk about things like this, but your post really helps other parents.

I have children in another Bright Horizons Center and I have a question about your experience. Has the teacher involved been actually fired, or was she simply shipped off to another Bright Horizons location? My experience at my own center is that problem teachers are sometimes "reassigned" to other Centers.

I've never known if Bright Horizons was truthful about that (i.e., saying a teacher was reassigned because Management doesn’t want to admit to firing them), or whether it’s really how they handle discipline.

Whenever I hear of a teacher or administrator being moved to other facility, I’m always suspicious that they’ve done something wrong. Just curious if you know the details in your own case.

And by the way, I am looking to move my younger child out of Bright Horizons altogether in part due to what I’ve heard about from NSF and the similarly spooky (but much less extreme) incidents from my own center. I would not recommend Bright Horizons to incoming parents.

Thanks again for your information, and I wish the best to your family.

[Anonymous]

7/29 poster here...

The teacher in question had already changed centers - but it was something planned well before this incident happened. I have been told by the management staff that, since then, the teacher is "no longer associated with Bright Horizons" -- which could be that the teacher was permitted to resign rather than be fired, but regardless, isn't with BH anymore.

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for your reply,

-8/01 13:30

[Anonymous]

I am not the 7/29 poster, but I was also at NSF until last week. The teacher in question was actually fired from BH, before being able to relocate to the other center as planned.

From what I've discovered, if they say they wish the person well in future endeavors, it generally means they are no longer with BH. Otherwise, they are reassigned.

As for NSF - my own experience for 5 years had been quite good. But I couldn't keep my child there while at the same time wondering what was really happening when I wasn't present. SOme of the teachers really are fabulous, but some are not qualified to be teaching at the levels they are teaching at. And all the best teachers at that center will be leaving pretty soon, if they havne't already.

[Anonymous]

Wow! If I’m reading that right, Bright Horizons hired a CONVICTED FELON to be a daycare teacher?? Granted, 2nd degree assault is a little less serious than murder, but still, would anyone want someone convicted of assault to look after your baby? And that teacher was fired for being rough with children.. Gee, what a surprise!

Does anyone know the details of this case?

This seems to be the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard of – and a parent’s absolute nightmare. Bright Horizons should be fined pretty heavily for doing that, but I don’t know if the state is able to do that.

[Anonymous]

The person was fired for getting into a physical altercation with another teacher, in front of children.

It didn't come up on the background check because not all of the background checks were completed. Had they all been completed, as required by GSA, Arlington Co, and Virginia, then the conviction would have been caught.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow! If I’m reading that right, Bright Horizons hired a CONVICTED FELON to be a daycare teacher?? Granted, 2nd degree assault is a little less serious than murder, but still, would anyone want someone convicted of assault to look after your baby? And that teacher was fired for being rough with children.. Gee, what a surprise!


THAT must have been an interesting job interview:


DIRECTOR: Why are you interested in working for our child care center?

APPLICANT: I've gotten tired of beating up adults, so I'd like to start beating up little kids instead.

DIRECTOR: Great! Your hired!

[Anonymous]

From 16:56 The violation cited was not part of the original complaint but was found during the course of the investigation. Staff A disclosed information on their Sworn Disclosure Statement (SDS), regarding a conviction of 2nd degree assault in Maryland. The staff person listed the convictions as required by law, but the facility did not perform due diligence to ensure the eligibility of employment. The staff person was employed for 5 months, (Dates of Employment: 11/20/ 2009 - 03/23/2010) and was subsequently terminated for roughly handling a child in care, in addition to other issues.
Violations:
Standard #: 22VAC15-51-50-AC-2
Complaint related: No
Description: Staff A was allowed to continue employment with a potential Barrier Crime having been disclosed. Evidence: Staff A's Sworn Disclosure Statement (SDS) revealed a conviction of a second degree Assault charge in Maryland. Assault convictions are reason for denying employment in Virginia. Due to the fact that convictions in other states are not reflected on Virginia background searches, the center failed to perform due diligence in verifying that Staff A was actually eligible for employment. The facility administration had knowledge that the staff member potentially had a Barrier crime, and allowed the employee to continue working.
Action to be Taken: Any time something is disclosed on a Sworn Disclosure Statement, the center will contact DSS for further guidance on employment eligibility. Staff persons will not be allowed to work until the issue is resolved.


INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd take my child out for this violation alone.

[Anonymous]

My BH facility (downtown) just announced the abrupt departure of one of the teachers (unfortunately, this has become commonplace this year) and she is being replaced by a teacher from the NSF facility. How can I find out if this teacher is the subject of any of these violations? Fortunately, this is not in my kid's room although the teachers do move around.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe the convict admitted to the conviction and the daycare hired her anyway??? WTF?

[Anonymous]

As a BH employee, I must say that BH hiring process is not like a previous poster explained. We do not take on this field because it is easy. Nothing about our job is easy. We have many people to report to, NAEYC, directors, GSA, parents, licensing, and the state. BH is very strict as far as policies. The directors are very quick to write up anyone who does not operate according to licensing, state, or the companies rules. Many teachers have an associates degree or above, along with years of experience. I will admit that you will have some bad teachers out the bunch, but you will have bad employees at any company you work for. If you believe that you are concerned regarding your child's care at a center, talk with other parents, see how they feel about the teachers, or management. If everyone is concerned, there may be a problem. Talk to the teachers. Set up a conference, and ask questions and give comments to the teacher. File a complaint if you have to, with the director. We are watching your children and you should never feel concerned. What happens at one bright horizons, does not happen at every bright horizons. I am a teacher at bright horizons and I hate the company with a passion, but I love my kids in the class, I love my parents and I love what I do. I wish the company respected us a little bit more, paid us more, and appreciates us, but I continue every day, caring for the kids because the parents treat us with respect, they appreciate us, and the children smile every day when they see us and cry when they leave us. I am sorry for venting but the point of my post is this... It is not always the teachers, but sometimes it's management. They are so quick to the point the fingers at us and not themselves. Can you get mad at the person convicted of a crime for applying at a job that works with children or at management for hiring them? Can you get mad at teachers leaving a center or at management for not appreciating their great teachers, thus seeking other employment? By the way, I do not hit or spank my child, so to one of the previous posters, shame on you for judging us. I do not give a hit, smack, or pop to my child or anyone else, at all.

[Anonymous]

holy cow, this is really terrifying. those poor kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a BH employee, I must say that BH hiring process is not like a previous poster explained. We do not take on this field because it is easy. Nothing about our job is easy. We have many people to report to, NAEYC, directors, GSA, parents, licensing, and the state. BH is very strict as far as policies. The directors are very quick to write up anyone who does not operate according to licensing, state, or the companies rules. Many teachers have an associates degree or above, along with years of experience. I will admit that you will have some bad teachers out the bunch, but you will have bad employees at any company you work for. If you believe that you are concerned regarding your child's care at a center, talk with other parents, see how they feel about the teachers, or management. If everyone is concerned, there may be a problem. Talk to the teachers. Set up a conference, and ask questions and give comments to the teacher. File a complaint if you have to, with the director. We are watching your children and you should never feel concerned. What happens at one bright horizons, does not happen at every bright horizons. I am a teacher at bright horizons and I hate the company with a passion, but I love my kids in the class, I love my parents and I love what I do. I wish the company respected us a little bit more, paid us more, and appreciates us, but I continue every day, caring for the kids because the parents treat us with respect, they appreciate us, and the children smile every day when they see us and cry when they leave us. I am sorry for venting but the point of my post is this... It is not always the teachers, but sometimes it's management. They are so quick to the point the fingers at us and not themselves. Can you get mad at the person convicted of a crime for applying at a job that works with children or at management for hiring them? Can you get mad at teachers leaving a center or at management for not appreciating their great teachers, thus seeking other employment? By the way, I do not hit or spank my child, so to one of the previous posters, shame on you for judging us. I do not give a hit, smack, or pop to my child or anyone else, at all.

Thank you! While I do hate to read about what happened at this center, it is refreshing to hear your story. My daughter attends a BH, and we love it, and we love her teachers...and it makes me cringe when people make sweeping statements that all BHs are crappy or mismanaged or dangerous or whatever. Again, I am not trying AT ALL to downplay what happened at NSF, and I can see you are not either. BTW, I saw at my center today that they are hiring a new director for NSF. The job ad was posted on a bulletin board. Maybe there is hope??!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Maybe there is hope??!!

Doubtful. I'm not sure its a great sign when you fire a new CD after only being there a few months.

[Anonymous]

To this poster:

"My BH facility (downtown) just announced the abrupt departure of one of the teachers (unfortunately, this has become commonplace this year) and she is being replaced by a teacher from the NSF facility. How can I find out if this teacher is the subject of any of these violations? Fortunately, this is not in my kid's room although the teachers do move around. "

The reports I've read do not list the teachers by name, but you may be able to call the licensing people and ask for more information on a specific person involved with the center. I don't have that number handy, but I'm sure someone does. Also, you should know that a lot of great teachers are at NSF, and many are leaving - partly, I think, because the situation there is such a mess and they are looking for more stability. So hopefully the teacher coming to your center is in that category.


To the PP who comented that it may not be a great sign to fire a new Director after only a few months - in this case, it is. Also, she hasn't been fired, just reassigned somewhere. She may have skills, but this center needs more than a newbie manager. The Director who is leaving was not a good fit for the center to begin with (didn't work well with the staff or parents) and she just didn't have the experience or know how to manage all the problems. They've called in a team of experienced managers who will be running the center and then transitioning the new hire. These folks are supposed to be there through December I think. From what little I've seen of them (we're leaving the center next week) they seem to fit well with the teachers, parents, and children as well as have a good understanding of basic paperwork requirements.