PSA / complaint about Kinderhaus

[jl1984]

Hi,

I just wanted to post some information to warn other parents who are considering Kinderhaus as a daycare option. We're expecting a first child and wanted to consider Kinderhaus in Chevy Chase. I've read good things (including on this site), downloaded the application form for the waitlist and send it in with the check. No acknowledgment, though within about two weeks I did see they cashed the check.

As it turns out that is the only confirmation I have that the place actually exists! I'd like to tour it and/or get some basic info about what I can expect from the waitlist. My husband has called repeatedly, and I've been using the on-line email contact form. (No email address provided.) Absolutely zero replies. The phone just rings and there's no answering machine. He did reach someone at the Cleveland Park location who said she was busy and couldn't help.

I'm considering dropping by in person, but honestly I don't think I even want to consider it anymore, given the bad experience that I've had. I wouldn't order takeout from a place that didn't answer my calls; not sure why I would entrust my baby to them. This is a warning to others that their administration seems unbelievably bad; I've had a much better experience with the other daycares I've reached out to. And if you use Kinderhaus, or know people there. . .tell them they seriously need to answer their phone! Or call people after they've accepted their money!

[Anonymous]

Why would you send in money to a place you haven't even reached by phone yet?

[Anonymous]

Wow. Your headline is quite misleading and really not something you need to warn others about. I sent two kids through kinderhaus and the experience was amazing. Great teachers, great care and a highly nurturing environment. Cant speak to the speed at which they returned your call but I would be dismayed if their primary focus was on building the wait list as opposed to caring for existing students. You sound sort of narcissistic.

[Anonymous]

There is no excuse for a business not returning a call within 24 hours. I would not even consider sending my child there.

[Anonymous]

This was my experience with every daycare I applied to. High demand and it took multiple calls to get through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no excuse for a business not returning a call within 24 hours. I would not even consider sending my child there.

Then don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was my experience with every daycare I applied to. High demand and it took multiple calls to get through.

+1. In my experience, they get so many calls that they really only return them when they have spots to offer. But agreed--why on earth would you put a deposit down for a place you hadn't yet toured?

[Anonymous]

If I were the Director, I’d be reviewing emails right now to figure out who you are to be sure that I never admitted you to my program. Your first thought was to come to DCUM and blast this school? I’m a Director and about 80% of my time is spent counseling staff, training, observing, loving on kiddos, or chatting with my families. We only have so much time and energy to share and so adding yet another family to the wait list is not always a priority. Please consider giving your post another tile OP or deleting it all together.

[Anonymous]

I paid $ to be on their waitlist and I never heard from them, ever. (By contrast, I did hear from one 3 years later to ask if I wanted a spot in their 3s program). You’d think eventually I’d make my way to the top of the list and be called as a courtesy. I agree that it sounds like a scam and the AG should investigate these so-called waiting lists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were the Director, I’d be reviewing emails right now to figure out who you are to be sure that I never admitted you to my program. Your first thought was to come to DCUM and blast this school? I’m a Director and about 80% of my time is spent counseling staff, training, observing, loving on kiddos, or chatting with my families. We only have so much time and energy to share and so adding yet another family to the wait list is not always a priority. Please consider giving your post another tile OP or deleting it all together.

Seriously? If you are soooo busy, hire staff to manage basic admin since you cannot manage your time. I agree about these fees, they are a scam. If a family has no chance, be upfront. Don’t just take their money and never call them back. Nothing wrong with OP’s title. It’s a PSA and a complaint. Not a warning etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were the Director, I’d be reviewing emails right now to figure out who you are to be sure that I never admitted you to my program. Your first thought was to come to DCUM and blast this school? I’m a Director and about 80% of my time is spent counseling staff, training, observing, loving on kiddos, or chatting with my families. We only have so much time and energy to share and so adding yet another family to the wait list is not always a priority. Please consider giving your post another tile OP or deleting it all together.

As the director of a daycare, you (or at least someone there) SHOULD be giving some priority to adding people to your waitlist. This helps to keep enrollment for future dates. I am an Assistant Director of a daycare with 140 kids, and no, I'm not sitting in my office either all day as we do have other things to do/take care of, but you either hire an admin/admissions person, or you do take the time to call people back. It may not always be in the timely manner a perspective parent would want (ie- right away), but it should be at least within 48 hours of them calling. Especially if they want to join your waitlist and potentially send their child(ren) to your center. There is no excuse for NEVER calling someone back. Your center runs on families enrolling their kids. You don't have families, you don't have a job. You might want to re-think your admissions process; or hire someone who cares enough to call people back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was my experience with every daycare I applied to. High demand and it took multiple calls to get through.

+1. In my experience, they get so many calls that they really only return them when they have spots to offer. But agreed--why on earth would you put a deposit down for a place you hadn't yet toured?

This.

In general, yes you would expect a business with half-decent customer service to call you back. That, however, has not been my experience with the vast majority of child care centers that are in high demand. You have to chase after them, and not the other way around. They often did not go by order on the wait list, it would seem, but to an extent prioritized people who were politely persistent.

I did take a tour of Kinderhaus and found the director to be a bit scatterbrained but very well-meaning, polite, and caring for the children. I did not send my kids there because parking is a nightmare and the facilities are really (really) small and run-down.

More significantly, I would never have send in a waiting list form and check without touring first.

[Anonymous]

I'm a former Kinderhaus parent here (CP one) and loved it. Just had to write in a positive review about them. Loving teachers and Director.

[Anonymous]

There is no excuse for not returning a call within 24 hours short of a fire burning the building down. I would view this as a huge red flag. That's just poor management. Demand your money back and move on. You would have to be crazy to trust your child to that kind of business.

[Anonymous]

I would note though... on the website: "If no space is available for your child's age group, your child's name is put on a waiting list and the Director or Assistant Director will call you as space becomes available."

I might not agree that is the way to run a business (should call back everyone, perhaps), they are saying they will call you "as space becomes available".