YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center | Rochester

"Honestly I don't even want to leave any stars and here's why. No COVID protocols are being followed here. I saw staff changing diapers and they didn't wash hands! Gross! Do not let the photo deceive you because upon inspection of the place, the floors everywhere including the hallways were very sticky which means that either the floors are not being cleaned on a regular basis or, staff is not using the correct cleaner to wash the floors and then they are to be rinsed after the cleaning so there's no soap residue left leaving a sticky unclean, unfinished feel when you walk. The rugs and carpet areas in all three preschool rooms had a mixture of paper scraps, glitter and food crumbs left over from lunch! This is UNACCEPTABLE especially when parents are entrusting their children to you to care for them and those children are doing nap time and story time on that floor! The bathrooms were not clean and there was urine around the toilet, also a health violation. If you are feeding kids at any point of the day, you are required to wear gloves! Now, ethics and professionalism the two women who have been gaining up on one particular teacher and harassing them just because they're doing what needs to be done is not okay. Taking away their livelihood by taking their job away because of jealousy that families and all the kids like them is wrong! This has all been reported and documented as this place is like a baby dumping warehouse and not a peaceful and joyful learning center. Most of the staff and people they claim are teachers aren't even licensed! I do not recommend this place at all. Your child deserves so much better. While 100 some bucks a week would be a nice price for childcare this place is a disaster."

"This is from an employment standpoint. I’d email Kayla and wait 2-3 weeks for a response. When I said if I don’t get a response I was looking for a different job she said she doesn’t think it’ll work out and made it sound like MY schedule didn’t work (I have college classes like 1-3 times a month in the evening). She said it was fine when I told her then 2 1/2 weeks later used it as an excuse. Everyone else seemed very nice."

"My son was asked to leave here because he required too much “one on one attention” later found out from one of their employees that they would call my son racial slurs between themselves to describe him. Apparently he was soooo bad when in reality they just were not capable. They would make the preschoolers have a rest period of three hours and my son was not a napper therefore they expected him to stay quiet for three hours which is completely excessive. Any time that I would walk into the place his teacher never greeted me warmly whether I was picking him up or dropping him off. They never could stabilize their staffing and keep anybody there long enough so he would cry every day that I would drop him off because most of the time I was dropping them off with a random stranger. The first couple years they were open it was always new staff coming and quitting some of the staff that they had that were good or that were people that I knew told me why they quit and how horrible of a place it was to work for. I definitely would not recommend this place . Update: my son is thriving in kindergarten and his teacher is messaging me constantly praising me about what a respectful kid he is, he’s very empathetic toward his friends feelings, and doing everything he should be doing and my son has not cried not one single day about going to school like he did daycare. I’m glad I followed my mom instinct and removed him from there and not had him tested."

"My 2 year old had a scar on her face so bad there’s still a mark on her face. We brushed it off until another incident report and another, all pointing towards one ‘friend’ who’s aggressive and hits other kids unprovoked. The ‘management’ is putting it on my child saying English isn’t her first language maybe finding it difficult to comprehend teacher’s directions or say NO to other friend!! Contrary to the teacher who adored my daughter, calling her an eager listener who promptly followed all directions! No solid assurance on whether the aggressive ‘friend’ will be dealt with and offered to put my child in isolation! How are these centers surviving who charge a bomb and have such irresponsible and racist people? Absolutely disgusted!"

"Both my kids go here and I can't say enough about Kayla and the rest of the staff. 2 years ago as a first time mom of a preemie, I was scared to death leaving my baby with strangers. Though as a transplant to Minnesota, we had no choice. Kayla welcomed my daughter with open arms and made me feel like I was leaving my daughter with family. I have got to see how much they have helped my tiny peanut development into an amazing toddler. And now, I am beyond excited that my son gets to be there as well. 100% would and have recommended to anyone who will listen."