Description: Thank you for selecting Building Blocks as a caregiver for your child We are a center that serves infants, toddlers, Pre-School and Before and After Care for school age children. We also provide a Tot-Drop service during our regular operating hours and Saturdays upon reservations. We provide breakfast, Lunch and two snacks. Our basic philosophy is to strive to create and maintain a nurturing and safe environment in which your child is free to explore their surroundings. It is our belief that learning extends way beyond our classrooms. With this in mind, we encourage our families to join us by taking active roles in there child's development We encourage all of our parents/guardians to participate in our center's programs and take part in our Parent's Committee. We encourage our families to get involved!
I am completely utterly disgusted with this School. I choose this school because of their hours they work for my schedule. I toured the place over a year ago before placing my children in. Then Again December 2015. At this point I was comfortable and decided to put both of my children in the school. Paid the $214 Registration Fee and was on my way.$100 for Each Child + 7% for using my debit card. The teachers that I saw when I went to the tour made me feel comfortable however once my children actually started I still to this day have not seen those same teachers. Maybe it was students coming home for Christmas break but either way false advertising. The lady who was in the class room with my daughter was not even licensed she told me she got the gig because she was someones grandmother. My daughter is very bubbly and she would come home crying. she was not happy I sent multiple family members to the school to check on her through out the day and they had the same complaints. this lady would be on her phone she was not watching the kids she walked out of the room had her whole back to the room none of the kids were engaged. she left cleaning agents on the table that the kids were putting in their mouths it was a disaster. Then they started putting my daughter in the baby baby room and said that they were putting her in the toddler room where she belongs. I only found out that they were doing the bait and switch on me because I had family members going to check on her. My Sons Teacher during the Trial day would not let him go to the bathroom and as a result he peed on himself. My son was so afraid to tell the teacher he sat in piss the whole day because he heard how the teacher Mr. Torres yelled at the other kid. My son has come home and told me how his teacher tells the whole class to call kids a baby and tease them etc.
As if all of that is not enough they lost a whole pack of my daughters diapers, I brought them Monday and im being asked on Wednesday to bring a pack of Pull ups they have the wipes I brought but the diapers just walked away right.
Payments: Their payments are due on Fridays before the next week, Which I find odd most schools do Monday's. Now here is the kicker THEY DONT ACCEPT CHECKS, ONLY PAYMENT METHODS ACCEPTED ARE: CASH, MONEY ORDER AND , CARD WHICH CHARGES YOU 7% ON TOP OF WHAT YOUR PAYING. ( So just to give you an Idea) I paid $448 by card one morning and was charged ($480) an extra $30 per week you would get charged for paying by card which is an extra $120-$150 a month for paying by card for your child care . I explained to them that Im a single mom I dont have time to get a money order during the week I can do so over the weekend. is there anything they can do to accommodate since it is really unreasonable especially if youget paid on Friday and maybe need to cash your check ect. The Director Ms. Sharon says she will talk to the board and see what she can do. She calls me back and says I spoke to the board and there is nothing we can do. I said Ok can I have a number to reach out to the board myself and she says I dont have a number I can give you. I said ok, who is on the board, she goes myself and ms. Ophelia. So you spoke with one other person and make it seem like you spoke to a board. Ok then She tells me that the $50 Late fee ( yes for paying on monday instead of Friday ( 1 day ) is due when I pick up today or my kids cant come back tomorrow. Mind you she just called me to tell me that "the board" couldnt do anything for me.
As if thats not Enough their Security Guard Mr. Kenny is repulsive. I walked in the tuesday after the Snow storm and Im standing there with my two kids barely got both feet in the door and He goes and i quote " AYE YO SIS YOU GOING TO MAKE A PAYMENT POINTING AT ME AND CARRING ON" AND i LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID EXCUSE ME CAN YOU CALM DOWN, AND HE GOES " ITS NOT ABOUT ME CALMING DOWN ITS ABOUT YOU MAKING A PAYMENT" . Im looking at him like wow , that is the tackiest thing you can do! my kids are standing right here and your going to have words like that with me, who are you to conduct your self that way and talk to the parents that way. I told the director about that she said that she would talk to him. But ill tell you what I never once received an apology from the director or him.
My Honest opinion of this school is , there very money hungry. Not accommodating. There should be easier ways to pay your childs tution besides cash of money order, even if they set up a pay pal account which is free to them something to accomidate the working parent that dosent want to pay an extra $150 a month just to use their card to pay tuition. While a hand full of their staff are wonderful there are always going to be diamonds in the rough. Ms. Kelly Awesome teacher !!! but the majority of them are not. they dont look happy to be there and if thats the face they have when the parents are there imagine how they are when no parents are around.
I would Never in a million years recommend this school to anyone! Not even someone I dont like.
The school has potential , however there not there by far! they need to Revamp their staff or Train them in how to interact with the kids and parents. They need to revamp their policy's and the manner in which they interact with parents.
Not to mention their child to staff Ratios are often time off.
I'm giving Building Blocks 2 stars as I feel this school has potential but is horribly run! New management (who understands how to run a business and keep parents informed/happy) would make this school one of the best daycares in Montclair. My opinion, they are probably only still in business as the daycares most parents want to put their kids in have a waiting list, are more expensive and the hours aren't as good.
Positives:
Reasonably priced
Great hours (6am - 7pm)
Great location (for parent commuting to NY)
A handful of teachers are amazing with kids
Negatives:
Horrific communication between the Directors and Parents. This is my MAIN concern- here are a few examples:
1. Less than 24 hours notice of school closure
2. Change in teachers is not communicated, you think your child's teacher is out for the day until you haven't seen her for a few days and inquire.
3. No one answers the phone during operating hours. They recently got voicemail and you are lucky if your call is returned within 48 hours.
High teacher turnover
Teacher to student ratio is not always compliant
Some staff / teachers are 'rough around the edges'
I am writing about the irvington location first. The teachers are great. I have noticed that this facility is always under staffed. The owner is never around to deal with the issues that parents may have. The teachers are more so treated as slaves. The financial guy who is always flirting with me is very money hungry. Many occasions I have realized that the pre k teacher Miss Blandine reeks of alcohol. This school used to have a great reputation but now it is just horrible. My child always has rashes and consistently comes home smelling of urine and has scratches, bumps, and bruises. The tuition rate has increased and the level of care for the children has decreased enormously. I would never recommend this school to anyone. My child was there for 8 months and it was such a bad experience for myself and my child.
I recently re-located to the Montclair area from Iowa and from the moment i scheduled my tour i was made to feel welcomed. over the phone the director was very informative and warm. and once i had the tour the environment was just as welcoming and warm, i love the chidlren songs that plays throughout the halls. It's a great place fro children very clean and in addition my sons are actually learning and love to wake up every day and go! I'm grateful because i was so worried about them transitioning to a new center because they loved their previous center; but they love this one just as much i think more!!:)
My children have attended Building Blocks University for over 5 years. My children have attended other centers before Building Blocks and the service was nothing compared to Building Blocks. They teach sign language all my children learned how to write their name, everyone is pleasant and welcoming. Its just a warm environment my kids love it there and i love it. Wouldn't take them any where else. Love Building Blocks University.