Welcome Place Child Care

Recommends

Thrilled Mom 1.

Joined 5 months ago

I totally agree with hoosierdad and My2MyWholeWorld. I could not have picked a better place for my child. I looked at several day cares during my search and Welcome Place has exceeded my expectations. The administration and staff are wonderful. I love that Meredith and Laura seem to know every child's name and make a point to say hello and interact with them when they pass in the hallway.

My child has been in almost in every room and we have not had a bad experience in any. I cannot comment on the experience that Ralph M.had other than to say that I have only wonderful things to say about Welcome Place. I have been pleased that any questions or concerns I have had have been answered and dealt with in a professional manner.

I love that the staff find ways to challenge my child in ways that have made him excel and excited to learn. I have every confidence my child will be ready for kindergarten when we leave Welcome Place.

Ralph M.

Joined 8 months ago

Lost Faith. My wife and I have lost faith in the administration at Welcome Place. Aside from it being an obvious safety concern, not having an administrator in the office when people come in is pretty frustrating as a parent. The office staff is whishy-washy (at best) and seldom are prepared to give you a straight answer about any legitimate concern you have. Frequently during the day the phone just rings when you try to call, which isn't surprising given the lack of presence in the office. They also have very little loyalty for families currently enrolled there, and Meredith in particular seems unapologetic when she makes blatant errors in judgement.

There are some very good staff members who seem to genuinely care about your child, but as with anywhere, they are outnumbered with several warm bodies who sit in rocking chairs and do very little throughout the day. I also see very little actual instruction going on when I visit the upper grades. My child can sing "Jesus loves me" though... so I guess that's a good thing. We're currently looking for a different day care and will not be returning to Welcome Place.

Recommends

hoosierdad

Joined 2 years ago

Honest Review. I'm a dad of two with one child still at Welcome Place. This place has turned around sense my first child went here. As 'My2WorldMy Whole World' states, everything has or is being updated, painted, replaced.

The administration and staff has turned around for the better in the last couple of years. Especially recently getting rid of some real depressing 'teachers' (Thank you!). The new teachers are much more friendly and academically goal oriented along with strong Christian values.

We have been to other child cares and this is by far the

the best we have seen.

Doesn't Recommend

zero00

Joined 2 years ago

Another dissapointed.... I have enjoyed seeing the wonderful staff with their welcoming faces each morning in the past. However, I can see even the happiest teachers at welcome place slowly getting more frustrated each day. It is obvious to parents that many of the great teachers there use what little materials they have to teach the children and allow them to make their own observations and explore. My rating is not because of the teachers at welcome place, but mostly because of the administration. I can tell that the staff is very unhappy with the administration and the lack of consistency as well as other parents. I have noticed a great increase with the turn-over at welcome place which would concern any parent. Constantly seeing new teachers who do not seem to be trained, but rather thrown into a room as an extra body worries me. I miss the safe, upbeat, and happy welcome place! I hope appropriate changes are made in the near future because I believe this daycare has potential.

Doesn't Recommend

ANNOY

Joined 3 years ago

DOWNHILL. Wow, I am sad to see this preschool that used to be so WONDERFUL suddenly slip downhill! This process began about 2 years ago and I am not sure why! When my older child attended preschool here years ago the staff was consistent and really seemed to LOVE what they did with the children, You could tell because everything was so hands on, people smiled each time I was in the building, and the same smiling faces were there day and night and were happy to tell me what fun my child had that day. Now with my second child to attend the preschool I don't know who the teacher is going to be at the end of the day, sometimes it is just some lady they throw in the room who has to put a sticker with my child's name on their shirt just to know who he/she is! The administration is never accessible for me to vent frustration, ask questions, or even pay my bill but instead I have to drop a check in a little jewelry box and hope they get it! I see some of the teachers are not happy as I have lingered outside the door and heard frustration with them about limited supplies, not getting help in their rooms, and sometimes having way too many kids to be safely left with at the end of the day!

Yes the building is ran down and the toys are all second hand but those issues I could deal with. But when it comes to safety for my child I get a little cranky. Have you seen the playground? That is a death trap waiting to happen with the mulch plastic sticking up just waiting to grab a little ankle, splintered wood, broken swings hanging by chains, and popping up nails all over the place! Maybe they will work on that over the winter but I really hope they work on keeping some of the few good teachers left(because I have seen the highest turnover rate in the past 6 months of wonderful teachers leave this preschool) that really go above and beyond to make sure the children are prepared for grade school, who work with little supply and still manage to let my child do art every day! Props to you teachers, I think you will know if I am talking to you.

Recommends

Debroah Miller

Joined 3 years ago

Grandmom Loves to Pick up Kids at Welcome Place. I love to see my grandchildren happy and playing when I pick them up at daycare. The oldest calls me in the evening to tell me about her day. (The youngest is too small to tell me, but he is always smiling when I get there.) I am impressed by the quality daycare and the involvement of the staff.

Recommends

My2MyWholeWorld

Joined 3 years ago

Completely satisfied. We looked at eight or more childcare facilities before we were lucky enough to find and get into Welcome Place. I would not let my children attend a child care provider unless it was a five star and this is truly a five star environment.

The past administrator did a good job, but sense the new one started, the place has turned completely around. In the short time she has been there I have seen new carpet, paint, ceilings and a new roof go on the building. Not to mention new cribs & bouncers that came just in time for my second child.

The staff is great too. Very loving, caring and always appear sincerely happy. The Christian values that are taught are evident at every meal when our daughter reminds us to pray.

I would guess the low rating is from a past disgruntled employee as she references daily activities of the staff. Anyone who rates a place two stars and still lets their children attend there, well, that speaks for itself.

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Mom with one

Joined 3 years ago

Great Place. I have a child who goes to the Welcome Place and I love it. My son has a special medical issue and I trust the staff to look after him if he needs any sort of assistance. The director and the teachers make sure that any new caregiver for my child know of his medical issue and how to care correctly for him. I think that speaks for the care and safety of the children at Welcome Place.

The Christian based program is evidenced when you come into the building and see the affection that is displayed by the staff towards the children. I also see it at home when my child talks to me about prayers and Bible stories.

The administration has changed and I have seen positive results. It is very common for me to see the director in the hallway talking to staff, families or to the children.

This is a child care facility that I have recommended to many of my friends.

Recommends

LoveMy3

Joined 3 years ago

Loving my Three and WP!. Welcome Place has been one of the best environments for my kids. We came from a more private setting with my first 2 and so I was nervous in the beginning, however all those feelings melted away when I saw the terrific care my, now 3 receive.

I have been very happy with the director/administrator and the positive changes that have been taking place. The staff love my kids and want the best for them. Any concerns I have had were addressed and always received with a listening ear. The christian values that are continuing to be nurtured in my kids while they are away from me is a great source of encouragement.

And sure, it is an older building but with the fresh coat of paint and new carpeting it has definitely made a difference. Toys are always a struggle, even in my house, they get broken easily or dirty but they are cleaned continuously at Welcome Place - it would be hard pressed to change over that amount of toys on a continuous basis, the cost would be outrageous. I see new toys all the time popping up all over the building.

Doesn't Recommend

LovingMotherofTwo

Joined 3 years ago

Love the teachers, want better administration. I have to agree with the first reviewer as far as the new administration. I've had my two children in this daycare for many years and we were sad to see the former director retire. It seems likes some things get overlooked with the new administration/director, but I guess when younger people with different or less experience take over, then changes do present themselves. She seems that she cares, but it takes her a while to get some things taken care of.

Yes, the teachers are very caring, especially the older ones. I do agree with the second reviewer about the teachers who have been there long enough to remember my kids' names and still show interest in their lives, but things like snacks and new toys have been left on the back burner. Also, it does seem like other important supplies run out easily, when there should always be a constant supply.

As far as the safety and cleanliness of the place, it could use work. There was a time recently when one of my children got hurt and I didn't think the proper safety precautions were taken. The first reviewer is right about the lack of hazard bags when children bleed, but I suppose the budget has to be used accordingly. Some toys do need to be replaced as well.