The University of Scranton Early Learning Center

"I am writing this review as a concerned parent with the hope this will get the needed attention regarding the well being of our children. I believe many people have forgetten or push off the pandemic we all just recently experienced but we sure did not. Me and my partner have spoken to almost everyone that we can possibly speak to regarding our concerns; we spoke to the Director, the assistant director, head teachers, asst. teachers, part time helpers, you name it. Despite all of our efforts, our concerns are not being taken seriously which is why I am here writing this review. Health guidelines are NOT being followed. As per the Director, teachers are to ask parents to wash their children's hands when dropping off; but since we enrolled, I have not once been asked or heard other parents being asked to wash their child's hands. I have walked in on several occasions seeing kids with runny noses (as expected for this age group) but many go unnoticed. My partner pointed out a child who was spreading mucus across his face, the teacher wiped his nose from behind and that was it! She didn't know how severe it was because she never actually looked at his face. My partner advised her so she wiped more thoroughly but did not wash the face nor the hand that was used to spread the mucus. We see kids wipping boogers off with their hands, which is typical behavior, but the teachers unknowingly grab their hands and sit them down to play or EAT and spread more germs while grabbing more kids to sit them down. There's no awareness of germs. Since our kid enrolled, we have picked him up and his face covered in DRY mucus and not one person thought to clean him up. Even with us bring this up to all his teachers and the staff, it's been only a handful of times that he didn't have a dirty face. And its always "oh I left at this time" or "I told the teacher who he stood with after i left" but no matter who it is, no one does it. I get it that not all teacher's stay all day but as a daycare, all staff should be well trained enough to know hey this kids face is full of boogers let me clean it. It even happened with his HEAD teacher that stood late one time it was unbelievable. Our kid has been sick since November, and still is NOW. He will get sick, stay home, get better, go back to school and BOOM sick again. We have taken him to the doctor 3X THIS MONTH. Last month, he had 3 viruses at the same time(Rhinovirus, RSV, & Covid) & needed a nebulizer (and he is not asthmatic). We've got an email recently that teachers too were getting sick and to think with all this they would be more attentive with health guidelines. Staff are all nice and seem to care when we speak to them but we see no difference and we are concerned and in need of some kind of assistance on this matter as our kid is still enrolled and we rather not move him because he is already settled and comfortable. Over all, its a good school; the classrooms are great, I love the activities that they do, the app is very informative and updated, our kid has a great bond with his teachers, they are very kind people here but health & hand washing is not being taken serious and that's the issue for us. We hope this review can get us the help we desperately are looking for."

"We love Bright Horizon at the University of Scranton (both of our children are at the center now)! The center has the highest possible certification of quality and the price is reasonable. The programming is great, the facilities are modern and teachers are well trained. Communication with teachers is aided by a good app that provides real time access on meals, sleep, notes and a few photos. Meals are included by a University caterer from day 1 (infants have Gerber food from 6 months). Children go outdoors regularly as much as permitted by the state. The photo is of our older child building a tiny snowman in a playground for children 0-3. Safety practices are thoughtfully followed. The center was closed from March to August 2020 for Covid restrictions and made an effort communicate to both parents and children through teachers. We missed the center a lot. All staff members and children age 2+ always wear masks and complete daily screening. One of our children had a fever for a total of two hours in the early afternoon - the center caught it and encouraged us to quickly get a COVID test at pediatrician's. We were back the next day. Teachers have been vaccinated. There has not been a COVID case at the center. If I understand correctly, as the state relaxed occupancy restrictions there have been openings at the center without a waiting period, which was not the case before the pandemic. As a parent, this is a great opportunity. On a personal level, we never had a better teacher that Tina in the infant room. She is extremely knowledgeable educating parents as well as children in a gentle way. She is extremely mindful of safety educating us on safe length of strings, hoodies for infants and food protocols. She sings to children all the time and takes professional level photos. All the children at the center have outdoors time. Both our children love the center. Our 2 year old talks about her friends all the time, the activities they do. The center helped with potty training, music and reading. Before pandemic I could see children play in their rooms and now I see them in their playground as well as brief videos. They are social and happy. The structure that the center provides is enriching and calm. I couldn't imagine a better day care center and care about it no less than about my job."

"Starting a new daycare during a pandemic was not something I imagined we would have to do but due to relocating we had to find a new place for our two kids. We found bright horizons and are so glad we did. The director and teachers were so accommodating to a crazy mom who was already worried how her kids would adjust to a new place. They let us meet the teachers outside the week before they were starting which made the transition the first day a little easier. The constant pictures and daily reports are amazing so we know what is going on with the kids class. Definitely recommend!"

"My son started here a month ago and so far we are having an amazing experience! He has adjusted so well already and seems to really enjoy the various music, art, reading, and outdoor play activities he gets to engage in. As a mom, I super appreciate how thoughtful and communicative the administrative Director and teachers are."

"my son has been going here for three years and i love the care and education he gets. its great how the kids are more in a classroom setting than other daycare centers we looked at. the staff really cares about the children and wants to see them succeed."