Showing from 1 to 8 of 8 comment(s) received.
I wouldn't recommend this place for your little ones. The teachers are top-notch, but the director Clara leaves much to be desired. The higher-ups are no better. If you try to address concerns, they may dismiss you or try to shift the blame onto you. Their customer service is practically nonexistent.
According to Joseph Wright at the corporate headquarters, they have a policy of exclusion where they will actually lock you out of the center if your payment is just 2 days late. They expect payment by Monday, and if by Wednesday you still owe even a single cent, your access code won't work to open the door. You'll receive a message saying entry is denied, and the door will stay shut. No other daycare in the area treats families in such a manner. They're literally turning people away right at the entrance. I've personally been locked out despite having a zero balance, and Clara insisted she couldn't do anything about it, although corporate confirmed she does have access.
Every morning when you drop off your children, you're likely to witness Clara and her not-so-great hairstyle getting into arguments in the lobby with someone, be it the teachers, staff, or even the older kids waiting for the bus. It's not a pleasant atmosphere to leave your little ones in.
My kids adore their teachers and feel at ease with them, but it's disheartening. So as soon as I find another center with availability, I'll be taking my children out of this place.
Big shoutout to Miss Teresa and Miss Darla! You guys are absolutely fantastic! My son adores them both - and so do I! I have complete faith in them, individuals who not only enjoy their work but truly love all the children and treat them like their own! We collaborate closely, they keep me informed nearly every day about his development, and vice versa, which is incredibly important. I am truly thankful for these remarkable women looking after him! We adore COA!
Our little lad has been attending COA for 'bout 3 months now and it was quite nerve-wracking for my missus and I, bein' new parents an' all. But the folks at the daycare 'ave been absolutely lovely. Whenever our boy ain't feelin' right, they rings us up right quick, and we's truly grateful for the excellent care!
Our kin has been with COA (Wilmington) for o'er 7 years now. At the beginning of our search for a playgroup, we visited several other locales, but they didn't meet our needs. We were in need of security, devoted educators, and the assurance that our little ones would be well looked after. Our quest came to an end when we set foot in COA. The staff is absolutely top-notch! Miss Clara and Miss Adrienne are always ready to address any concerns we may have and collaborate with us to find a solution. They never fail to welcome you in the morning with a cheerful grin - and bid you a cozy goodnight as the day comes to a close. Miss Nikki and Miss Kyla always make it a point to fill me in on my son's day and the activities they're engaging in within the classroom. And when we depart for the day, my son absolutely MUST give Miss Adrienne a tight embrace and bid farewell to Mr. Jason. It's not merely a place where my son spends his days, it's more akin to a family! Many thanks for everything! Laura P.
I simply adore COA and I can't help but suggest it to everyone! The team is unfailingly kind and attentive. They treat my little one as if he were their own. Mr. Jason is just fantastic, he really listens to the kids and consistently imparts lessons of respect and values. I'm always welcomed with a smile, and when any problems arise, Adrienne or Clara handle it promptly and effectively. They're top-notch! Thank you for all your hard work. :)
My twin daughters have been going to this preschool for nearly a year, and we absolutely adore it! This is the second CHILDREN OF AMERICA location we've tried; the first was when they were babies at the Hockessin branch, and we adored that one too!
This establishment is absolutely dreadful, I must say. After relocating my little one from the Chestnut Hill location in Philadelphia, which we adored, I had high hopes for a similar experience here. Alas, I was sorely mistaken. My child spent 3 months at this location before I swiftly made the decision to remove her. Despite their claims of consistent curriculum across all COA locations, I can confirm that this is simply not the case. The educational standards in the class here were nowhere near the excellence my daughter had experienced in Philadelphia. She is quite advanced for her age, reading at a 3rd grade level by age 4. While I understand that such levels are not typical for most children, the Philadelphia location nurtured and supported her capabilities. In contrast, the Wilmington location had her engaged in basic, remedial tasks with no focus on writing skills whatsoever. In addition to the subpar educational quality, there were numerous billing errors occurring consistently during my time there. Out of the 12 weeks enrolled, I could count on one hand the number of times the billing was accurate without needing corrections. I had to scrutinize my bills vigilantly. Ms. Clara was particularly frustrating to deal with. Rectifying issues took an eternity, she confused responsibilities regarding my account, and it took weeks to fix the front door code. Instead of addressing these matters promptly, she made irrelevant sarcastic remarks. Perhaps if she dedicated more attention to her duties, things would have run smoother. The co-director, whose name escapes me, also had her fair share of problems. I recall a situation where she provided me with information only to later deny having done so. The school was even suspended from the Delaware Stars program due to compliance failures and incidents reported by the program related to child safety concerns, yet they failed to acknowledge these issues openly. Despite being removed from the program, they still proudly displayed the Delaware Stars sign in the lobby. It was after reading the Delaware Stars reports that I knew I had to swiftly remove my child from this environment. As if all this wasn't enough, on my child's last day, a staff member had the audacity to interrogate her on why she was leaving. She bravely expressed that she was not receiving a satisfactory education, but questioning a child in such a manner is highly inappropriate. The list of grievances could go on and on. I shall simply bid farewell with a hearty "good riddance" to this place.
I must say, I was rather dissatisfied with the way the school was run this year. Every time I went to pick up my child, she seemed terribly hungry. I called the school to voice my concerns, but they never mentioned that she wasn't eating. Despite paying in cash every week without any assistance, I decided to enroll her in the summer camp. They provided me with a schedule of trips she would go on, but it changed weekly and she missed out on most of them. On the final week, the plan was to visit the zoo. I had informed them that I intended to join the school trip, so I didn't mind buying my own tickets and arranging transportation. However, when I arrived at the zoo after purchasing tickets and parking in advance, the school informed me that my daughter couldn't go because only school-age children were allowed on the trip. Interestingly, when we arrived, I saw children her age attending. For the last week of attendance, I told the school not to charge me since she wouldn't be present, yet they still did. Moreover, they mentioned they were going to reimburse parents for canceled trips, but I am still awaiting my refund. The director, Andrea, instructed me to email her my receipts for the zoo tickets and parking, promising reimbursement for the inconvenience. However, I have now been informed that I will not be reimbursed. I requested Andrea's supervisor to contact me, but no one has returned my call. I even tried reaching out to the CEO, Ted Hochenberry, but received no response either. Considering the considerable amount they charge each week, the school's disorganization is quite disappointing. I am relieved that my child is no longer attending there. The only thing prompt about them is deducting funds from your account on time.
