I am in desperate need of a child care. There are two child cares that I can go for. It is either Kindercare at Wilhite Drive (behind Big K-Mart) or La Petite Academy. They both charge almost the same. Kindercare has a better reputation, although the one in Wilhite Drive is not. When I checked the center today around 5pm, there were not many children left (most already have been picked up) and the room smelled like urine. I am not sure if this is normal considering that I have never had to deal with child cares until now. The toddler room seemed to be clean but small. And the whole center looks old (building wise). I have a friend who used to work there six years ago. She said she had lice three times and the whole management was awful. I hope they have a new management now. And the charge is $154 a week with UK discount.
Earlier, I went to La Petite Academy in the morning. There was no toddler in the room because it was too early. The room looked a mess. The carpet and furnitures look new, but I saw crumps and pieces of paper on the floor. I guess they clean the room in the morning? The staff/teacher was not very friendly. And the charge is $164 per week.
I am very nervous about choosing the best between the two. I kind of like the Kindercare at Wilhite Drive because it is close to my husband's work, and it gives me easier access to enroll my toddler in to UK Kindercare, which I heard the best child care in Lexington. My son has been taken cared by my sister at my home, and he always gets attention from anyone in the house. Therefore, it will be hard for him to be in a place where there is only one person to take care of six kids. It will be a learning experience for him, though. Please help me decide.
Hi E.!
I have a wonderful care giver who takes children in her home. She owned and operated a daycare for 20 or so years. She is looking for a new 2 year old (one of her girls graduated). I don't want to give her name out over the net (I haven't talked to her), but email me and I'll be happy to give you more details. (the location would work for you too).
A.
____@____.com
E.,
I found myself in a similar predictament last year. I work for UK and lost my sitter during the first week of classes. I was also considering the Kindercare on Wilhite while on the waiting list for the UK Kindercare. There is a better option!! The Central Baptist Church Child Care Center (CBCCC)is just a little bit farther down the street from the Wilhite Kindercare and I would argue that it is probably the absolute best center you will find in Lexington. Not only is the environment clean, and the staff friendly, but all of the teachers are young and excited and genuinely care for your children. CBCCC is like a part of our family now--we have truly made some life-long friends there that continue to care for our children in our home anytime we need a sitter. CBCCC also provided many opportunities for the families to get together which also contributed to our sense of belonging and a strong feeling of community.
CBCCC is located across from the mall just south of New Circle. Since they are not-for-profit, the cost is minimal compared to many other centers. I happily made the drive from Georgetown to CBCCC and back to UK everyday because of the wonderful care my two boys received while they were there. We would still be going there, but my older son just turned five and has to go to kindergarten. My two-year-old just got accepted to the UK Kindercare after an almost 12-month wait. I still think CBCCC is the best!!
Please, please, please avoid UK Kindercare at all costs!!! As a UK employee, my wife and I were thrilled when our 3 year old son finally got a spot at the Woodland Kindercare for UK employees. That was my only reason for keeping him at the sub-par facility at Wilhite.
Two weeks in, my wife dropped him off and had to run back in because she forgot his backpack in the car. What she witnessed was one of the older ladies backhanding our son across the back of his head. She promptly took our son from the facility after raising all sorts of Cain. The UK Kindercare refused to fire the worker saying she had been "a loyal employee for over 20 years." All I can say that I was lucky it was not me that witnessed one of their employees smacking my child as I am usually the one dropping him off. My wife has much more restraint than I.
In my humble opinion, allowing a employee that hits the children is barely a step above allowing an employee with sexual criminal background. It is a shame that Kindercare on Woodland is allowed to operate behind the shield of UK for quality. Also, many of our stories get lost in transition as many of the parents are hospital residents that are only in town for a few years before we move on.
My suggestion is neither. They both are just a money market and they are not worried about the children. I have had several friends that have gone to Kindercare and both pulled their kids after a short period of time. La Petite Academy has not had the best reputation either. My advise would be to find someone to come into your home or theirs. The cost is actually about the same if not cheaper. Another choice would be National Academy of Man o War. A great place with great teachers. Good Luck. Let me know what you think.
S.
Are these the only choices you are considering? My sister has had great success with The National Academy off of Man-O-War and my best friend loved having her twins at Kids-R-Kids in Beaumont. You might want to look into them.
Don't settle on a place you are not sure about. These are your kids and you should feel completely safe leaving them with the people you choose.
I understand the desperation and that price can be a deciding factor as I was a single mom until my son was 4, and thus always had him in daycare - including some time spent at a Kindercare. It has been my experience that most daycares smell like stale urine, that lice is always a problem (they only like clean hair and hey, lets face it - if you're spending over $150/wk to send ur kid to daycare, you probably care enough to make sure their hair is clean), that fights, bites, hits, spitting, and uninvolved staff are normal. Daycares are not healthy environments for children in general, but Kindercare is a half-way decent franchise. La Petite in Lexington, on the other hand, has of late had a pedophile stalker that likes to stand outside the playground and masturbate. My advice is do everything in your power to find in-home care. It's cheaper as a rule, operate with less children, the children tend to be much better taken care of, and the caregiver can give your child much more individualized attention.
