Affordable Childcare Learning Center, LLC

"My child was enrolled at Affordable childcare for about 5 months. I met with Nikki and first impression was she seemed very transparent and emotionally involved in her business. She was willing to work with me and actually came recommended by a good friend of mine. As a mother I shared my anxieties that all parents have about their child being nurtured, safe and educated and so on. She assured me that my child would be fine. The first day I came to get my child after working ten hours, my child had a busted lip. It was so badly busted I was furious and thought the worse. Now someone wrote a incident report. The person wrote their signature in print. There was white out on the document and a few spelling errors that made me believe a child filled it out. So I confront the staff on shift. I got three DIFFERENT accounts of what happened. Two of which came from 2 people that were not present during the incident. I continued to bring my child there against my better judgement thinking “maybe im over reacting, lets give them a chance to get it together..I know my child can be very rambunctious”. Day 2, another incident where my child is injured again. Rebusted his lip. Again fraudulent looking incident report was presented. However there wasnt 3 people telling me a story just the staff that were present. Fast forward, as the time went on, it became clear that the staff had very poor communication amongst themselves. Once they called me while at work stating my son had an accident only to tell me he wet his pants and needed clothes. So I leave work to enter the classroom where the two staff in the class ask why I was there. I told them I had received a call to bring my child clothing and then they said “oh i dont know why she told you that we have extra clothes here” then goes rummaging through some extra clothes and pulls out a pair of sweats. :/ But it gets worst. Everyday, apparently my child was having a hard time following directions and hitting other kids. But staff took it upon themselves to conceal this information. Until I would speak to one lady in particular who always had a laundry list of my childs behavior issues for the week. She said my child was hitting her and teachers all week, although NO ONE said anything to me or wrote up a report! So eventually a social worker comes in to observe my son. Again, none of this was brought to my attention that a social worker was even on call for the center. The worker makes some observations and and had some professional opinions about my sons behavior. But thats another story. I felt completely bamboozled by it all. I felt betrayed and I was livid. And to top it off, I was told NOT to bring my child back UNTIL there was a meeting with the social worker, myself and the owner. Overall i will say this, I was rooting for this daycare because it is Black owned and I do really like the owner. This post is not to bash but to share my experience. I think the daycare can use a lot of work when dealing with communication within staff and especially with parents. Period. Also my child is a toddler so im sure the experience is different for older kids. Theres only one teacher for the little ones that went to college for early childhood education and I spoke with her and even she agrees they need work. The other staff are certified however; they do not have formal education period and it shows. All im saying is do your research. I learned a lot from this experience."

"Loving and professional childcare center that goes the extra mile to serve you. Like an inclusive family. Licensed by the state with qualified staff and consultants. Infant, toddler, preschool and school-age care, open from 5:30 am to 8 pm. Very culturally diverse and competent. They will even drop off and pick up school-age children to and from their schools in Hartford if their school bus doesn't stop on Barbour Street. Low prices include breakfast, morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack all served on site. Teachers help with potty training as well. Progressive and stimulating lesson plans with intentional teaching, health-conscious hot meals for lunch, nurturing teachers with continuous professional development, and experienced administrative staff who are understanding and always accommodate family needs whether its personal, about C4K, DSS, curriculum, or payments. Very well organized and ideally located for the neighborhood with a branch of the Hartford Library conveniently located in our plaza for easy access to age-appropriate and relevant literature. And it's only been open for 8 months! Imagine where they'll be in a year and beyond. An early start in education and exposure to diversity promises a better future for our city, nation, and world. Peace"

"I appreciate this business because the owner of the daycare wasn't afraid to allow the teen program to come in in the summer and work. I learned responsibility and other morals caring for the up keep of the building. I could have been getting in trouble around the community but through the Our Piece of The Pie program I was allowed to go to work everyday for the summer and sanitize cots, doing landscaping around the building. This job taught me great work skills for my future. I've actually consider going to college when I get older for Early Childcare Development."

"My son is a VERY hyperactive kid, the gentle, kindness and understanding that my child was embraced with will forever be heartfelt. I appreciate his teacher Ms.Campbel for being so kind and patient with him and helpful as he gets ready to enter grade school.. Very convenient location. Close to home, work and school. Cant wait for graduation! we will miss it here. looking forward to the summer & after school program."

"Very beauty daycare most definitely needed in our community. The staff is young and vibrate. I have witness the staff deal with special needs kids in a very loving and equal way. The director is very hands on with the children and they love to see her everyday. I’m very excited for the daycare to phase into their 2nd and 3rd shift in the future."