Small World Day Care LLC 315 Walnut Street, Vandergrift, PA 15690

"My son has special needs. He has behaviors as a result. We are considered walkers living in a 1 mile radius of his elementary school. This daycare is the only local daycare, we are forced to utilize its services as a result. I was informed two weeks before school starts, he can’t walk with the group of school agers as he is a “runner” and it’s not safe. As per state regulations this center is required to accept a reasonable accommodation under the ADA laws. I found and offered to purchase a back pack with a tether on a website that sells safety devices for children with Autism. It is dignified and for older children. The owner said “ no, because it doesn’t look good” I guess having a child with a disability is not in style. This denial forced me to enroll my child in to a private school so that he could have transportation ( husband and I work full time with no family support near us). His therapist recommended keeping him in public school for services a private school doesn’t provide such as behavioral specialists. I had no choice given the situation I was being faced with change schools or quit my job. I decided to keep peace despite the fact I knew this was a failure to accept a reasonable accommodation for a child with a disability (a state and federal regulation). I should have then sought a new provider and pursued a grievance through the ADA. Instead I allowed them to have their way. I picked my son up last evening, I am informed he bit a caregiver and he is now suspended 2 days pending my call to the director who isn’t available until Monday. This was told to me on Thursday three hours after the incident. As any concerned parent, I asked what perpetuated this behavior, this isn’t his normal and how did he manage to bite an adult he is 5 and a half years old! The worker said she didn’t know, I am a nurse I know well how people get bit, they are holding on to a patient/person. I proceed home and my son tells me “I was squeezed”. I immediately called the center and demand to talk with the owner or director and I am told they are on vacation to call back Monday I said this is unacceptable !! I get a call a half hour later from a worker informing me that she knew a little about what happened and proceeds to tell me a fellow coworker sat him on to her lap and held him there for a there minute time out because he was running around the room and slammed a door! So she physically restrained him, he bites her and he is kicked out?! He has a behavior plan that speaks to a time out chair not restrained in a person’s lap this is also a violation of a state regulation. I still sit more than 24 hours after this ordeal with no phone call from the director or owner to explain. My 5 year had to tell me! How can a business in the human service industry treat a child and mother with such a lack of respect and dignity? Please know state regulations and be the voice for your child!"

"From the 1st day of school the staff at Small World put all of our fears to rest. This was the first day of Pre-school for my child and I was quite nervous as most parents are. However, Small World showed me that they are beyond qualified and they have my full trust and confidence."