Follow Up: Brookhaven United Methodist Child Center

katgracenugget

Hello! You ladies helped me a couple weeks ago with suggesting childcare in and around Brookhaven. Today we toured Brookhaven UMC and we really liked it but then my husband ran into to someone whose wife works there. This man told my husband to stay away for UMC, that the facility is not good and the kids are not getting the development and teaching they require to be ready for kindergarten. He said no one speaks english (I find that hard to believe since we met all the teachers) and all the kids are behind. Also, he said the director is a flake.

It is very possible that this person and his wife are down on the place due to personal reasons. I wanted to see if anyone on this board has sent their children there or know of anyone else who has and what you have heard. Thanks!

andrea922

If it is so crappy then why does his wife work there? The whole thing sounds sketchy, but I have no experience there except to say that I doubt the waiting lists would be so long there if it was so horrible.

I won't even touch the not speaking English comment, since that is a whole other topic.

katgracenugget

yes, honestly, these people are...dour, i guess is the right word. And yes, there were indian women working there but they spoke perfect english and that doesn't bother me one bit. why would it? these people are also sort of rednecks so maybe they have issues with it.

I found a parents' accociation on facebook so I've asked for reviews there as well. Even though I don't really trust what these people say, I feel obligated to check it out.

NozzeFS

A friend of a friend has a child there and loves it. Says the teachers are very interactive and actually play with the kids. They don't use TV as a babysitter. Driving past the church every day, I see the teachers always out in the yard playing. The only negative I have is they only do it in nice weather - never when it is chilly out.  The length of time some of the teachers have stayed is amazing..and there are several that are lifelong church members there.  Just seems odd they'd bash it if she was working there.

 Also when I went on my tour, I talked to some moms who were doing drop off and they all seemed very happy. If you find out anymore during your due diligence..let us know!

doctryan

Our neighbors send their children there and have loved it.  I will add that the children's grandmother works in the 3 - 4 year old room and might slant their view a bit.  When we have compared notes in the past my neighbor has commented that our schools seems to be getting kids to do things like recognized letters and numbers earlier than BUMC.  But I don't think it is a huge difference.  Their oldest went to public pre-k this year and did not have an issue.  Also, he speaks English just fine.

And was the not speaking English thing supposed to an issue?  There are teachers at my kid's school that speak Spanish to each other and I like the exposure it gives.  JMO.

snansley

We use another daycare but are on the waiting list at BUMC.  I like that my son's teacher speaks both spanish and english to him.  I think the early exposure is good.  I haven't really looked at at the pre-school curriculm at our daycare.  Right now I am happy that he is well cared for and clearly loved by the teachers and the kids all seem pretty happy.  I think you have to go with your gut.

katgracenugget

doctryan:

And was the not speaking English thing supposed to an issue?  There are teachers at my kid's school that speak Spanish to each other and I like the exposure it gives.  JMO.

I agree. I don't see that as a negative at all. It may be that this person is resentful of other people coming in that she thinks are "foreign," etc. Who knows? This is a very distant acquaintance so, like I said, I am not putting too much stock into it.

Thanks all for your responses!

andrea922

Yeah, I feel like the not speaking English comment just is racist and I would not listen to their opinion based on that at all.

lindzed

The only negative thing I have to say is that I've been on the waiting list since I was 3 months pregnant and my son is close to turning 2.  I loved the place and have only heard wonderful reviews.  I just wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you becuase getting in seems to be very difficult.

 

yellowtulips80

Um, I used to work there years and years ago.  I personally know the director.  She is NOT a flake.  If she read that she would laugh about it. 

The women who work there that you are talking about speak Bengali and good English.  They have been working there for eons and are amazing with the kids.  All that stuff that person is telling you is total crap.

katgracenugget

yellowtulips80:

Um, I used to work there years and years ago.  I personally know the director.  She is NOT a flake.  If she read that she would laugh about it. 

The women who work there that you are talking about speak Bengali and good English.  They have been working there for eons and are amazing with the kids.  All that stuff that person is telling you is total crap.

Yes, I figured as much. Thanks!