Description:
Ground Zero Foundation was created 12 years ago by two parents concerned about the rising costs of early childhood programs and it's impact on future quality programming.
Ground Zero Foundation acquired the early childhood program, Academy for Creative Enrichment (ACE) one year ago. ACE has existed since 12/90. It's curriculum is a Theme Dramatic curriculum. It has proven to be very successful based on numerous successful alum.
Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns, as the provider may have already addressed some or all issues. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Date | Type | Regulation Code | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-12-06 | Non Compliance | 45U - Hazardous Materials | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: Send a copy of the completed lead risk assessment. | |||
| 2019-12-06 | Non Compliance | 40U - Child Files | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: All child files must be complete. Send the current health appraisal with immunizations for two children. | |||
| 2019-12-06 | Non Compliance | 30U - Personnel Files | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: All staff files must be complete. Send four references for one staff member. Send the health appraisal with TB for one staff member. | |||
| 2019-12-06 | Non Compliance | 38U - Parents Right to Know | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: Send the completed Parent Right to Know log. | |||
| 2018-05-18 | Non Compliance | 22N - General qualifications | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: Staff #1 had been left alone with the children in the infant classroom and had not yet been fingerprinted. Staff #1’s date of hire is May 4, 2018, and has an appointment to be fingerprinted on May 21, 2018. During the visit, a qualified staff member was placed with Staff #1 in the infant classroom. | |||
| 2018-05-18 | Non Compliance | 30N - Ratios, group size, and supervision | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: Staff #1 was left alone with children in the infant classroom and is not a qualified to be left alone with children. Staff #1 is currently enrolled in TECE 1, but has not yet completed the course work. During the visit, a qualified a staff member was placed with Staff #1 in the infant classroom. | |||
| 2017-12-15 | Non Compliance | 20N - Personnel files | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: Send updated CPR/First Aid for eight staff members. Send the annual safe sleep policy for eight staff members. Send updated professional development plans for nine staff members. Send the annual child abuse and neglect for seven staff members. Send staff orientation record for two staff members. Send a job description for three staff members. Send references for one staff member. Send the declaration and drug/alcohol statement for four staff members. Send the adult abuse registry for four staff members. Send the health appraisal with TB results for two staff members. Send service letters for two staff members. | |||
| 2017-08-30 | Non Compliance | 30N - Ratios, group size, and supervision | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: On August 21, 2017, two school-age children were involved in an incident that included inappropriate sexual contact while in the auditorium of the center. The staff member who was present stated she had been aware of the children hanging around each other and stated the children tried to go to the locker room together, but the staff member did not see the incident occur. Additional, a child went to the locker room unattended. Ensure children are supervised at all times. Administrator stated she would comply. | |||
| 2017-05-19 | Non Compliance | 42N - Sleeping accommodations | Corrected |
| Corrective Action: A staff member in the infant classroom did not follow the safe sleep practices and placed a three-month-old infant into the crib on her stomach. The administrator has reviewed safe sleep practices with the staff member and the staff member has received a verbal warning. | |||
If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.
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Hours of operation only apply if you are not purchase of care. You will be charged a late fee after 10 hours.
The facility has bugs in them. The director and staff are very rude and all she does is nickel and dime all those that are getting help from social services. Kids are often unsupervised and no water fountain available. They drink sink water.
As a child who attended who now sends their own child , I defiantly appreciate how much time and effort all the teachers and the owner puts in to make it an amazing experience. I attended at the same time as BROOKE ROGERS who made the previous review and there was no MRSA. BROOKE ROGERS has not stepped foot on the property since she left over 15 years ago. I can not speak to her experience with bullying but as someone who was personally bullied by BROOKE ROGERS( who was 4 years older than me) on a daily basis I find it sad. Currently my daughter just moved into the twaddler room and it is reassuring that the same teacher I had , she has as well. I can go about my day knowing that my daughter is receiving the best education and care there is. It is an older facility but you can see that the owner is always making renovations.
Facility s dirty, run down, and has minimal updates over the last 15 years. I attended this summer camp under its previous name, Creative Learning Academy, which was changed in part because of the health department coming in as there were children in the pool with MRSA that as uncovered. Other reviews are correct in that the ownership is rude and has mostly family working for her. Favoritism is a huge issue here. I was bullied my camp counselors, who made me run around a dumpster as punishment and was told I had to tell a lifeguard I had a crush on them. I made lifelong friends there, but this camp really needs to have their issues addressed. Their Google reviews are all friends or relatives of the owner. There has been a sewage with only a piece of cardboard over top by the locker rooms for over ten years at this point.
I was referred to the ACE facility by a good friend of the family. My experience with the summer camp was not great. The most disturbing thing about this provider is that they are requesting that checks be written to a non profit organization by the name of the Ground Zero Foundation while advertising as the Academy for Creative Enrichment and charging tuition around $260/wk including field trips. After a bit of research online I found that they have had their exempt status revoked by the IRS due to not filing appropriately.
With regard to the Director, she is rude and unprofessional. My correspondence with Jennifer Porter was abrupt and abrasive. Her book keeping needs improvement also as she personally locks accounts awaiting payment for the upcoming week on Thursday mornings when account is paid through Friday the week prior. This affects the children directly because they are denied access to the camp snack store on Thursdays as a result when they in fact have available funds for use through Friday.
The facility is run down but has character; my daughter just notified me of a sewer in the arts and crafts area that has a foul odor yesterday. There is definitely a conduct issue with regard to favoritism due to the fact that the majority of the staff is related and their children attend the school. The staff that is not related lacks professionalism also with regard to social interaction with children and parents. They have denied my daughter the ability to return to her cubby for additional water bottles and rushed her through bathroom breaks several times. My mother was scolded during pick up for having the door code even though she was on the approved pickup list and provided ID upon entry.
Overall it was a pretty negative experience however my daughter has enjoyed the pool, field trips, and interaction with children at the camp during her weekly themed events. We will likely not return for summer camp next year because we just weren't treated like the family that is running round the place. It comes down to the vision of the center being compromised by the people around the owner. Her staff will ultimately lead to the facility's demise.
I have been a parent for over 5 yrs and am nothing but satisfied. My neighbors referred me. Their children attended more than 10 years ago and they had the same teachers. That speaks volumes.! I love the structure and routine my children receive and the academics are unbelievable. My oldest eas more than prepared to attend private school. In fact, he was placed in advanced classes in lieu of skipping a grade. Previous reviews sound like ‘sour grapes’. Ask parents who have been there longer than a minute and look at how long the teachers have been there. Don’t settle for ordinary.
The center's curriculum is amazing and creative. The teachers do fun academic creative activities with the kids. I respect the low turnover rate and the fact that adults who attended when they were children have their children attend. I think it speaks volumes that alumni return. My children have learned so much with the ACE curriculum. The theme areas are amazing and full of fun academic activities. Thank you ACE!!
I have to agree with that review. The owner's nephew's girlfriend is the Infant teacher, but she does not any childcare certificates. Why does the state licensing office let unqualified people work there?
This was one if the worst centers I have ever worked at. The director us rude , unprofessional, refused to pay me for my training hours, paid me late on purpose.. as a center , very very disorganized. The director is just plain rude . The center is dirty and run down . Most of the people who work there are related.i would not send my child to this center .