Pros:
Opens early, stays open late. (the only reason we're still there)
Provides meals/snacks (although not the healthiest options - goldfish at 8:30am?)
Most of the teachers and the cook are generally friendly.
Has a preschool curriculum that involves crafts, early learning, etc. (it isn't all unstructured play)
Provides options for older children who are out of school during breaks.
Cons:
-The annual "tuition increase" - parents are told that it's to cover pay increases/building repairs, but the teacher turnover is ridiculous and the building hasn't noticably changed in the last 4 years.
-They try to make parenting decisions. i.e. "your child needs ___, so this is what we're going to do." The parent that objects is a "problem."
-Children are lumped into groups and expected to mature/behave at the same level. (ie potty training is enforced in the 2yo room, regardless of the child being ready-see next point.)
-Children are moved up to the next room well before their birthday. It's not uncommon to have several 20mos in the 2 year old room, several 2s in the 3s. 3s in the 4s.)
-The school is on "lockdown" from 9-3, which sounds great except they only lock the daycare doors, not the church doors. Parents have to call to be let in, but anyone can get in through the church. Big safety concern for me.
-Discipline is dealt with by exclusion rather than the method that works best for each individual child. Often children are disciplined for not conforming, yet they are acting age-appropriate or have a basic need not met (hunger, sleep).
Overall, if Crawfordsville had other 6am-6pm center options, we'd be there instead.
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