Butcher, Joyce dba Country Loving Daycare - Richfield UT Licensed Family Child Care

I am a single mother who has, unfortunately, lost two children prior to my son. He is my world and I am always concerned for his safety and well being. That being said, I was extremely sketchy when I had to start leaving him at daycare for my work. I worked long hours and wouldn't see him for 10..sometimes 12 hours at a time. It was very important to me that I found someone who would take into account and respect my concerns as a mother given my past tragedies. Joyce was courteous to me and let me bring my son over to see what he thought of the place before deciding on whether I wanted him there or not. I had heard stories on both sides on her being the best or the worst place. I let my son decide. I will not take him to anyone whom he does not feel comfortable being left with. Every time I called or messaged Joyce, she sent me updates on my son with pictures per my request (because I didn't know her and pictures speak a thousand words). My son loves that place! She has always worked with my schedule even on the crazy days that would suddenly come up and she ALWAYS let me know what was going on with him. Sure, she has a good deal of children in her care, but I have never seen my son left unattended by her, her older kids or helpers. When he was sick, she gave him his medicine as prescribed. She treated him as if he was one of her own and he has become really close to the family as I have grown to care for them as well. My only concern has only ever been her staircase--and not because it is not properly sealed off from little ones because it is--but because I know that my kid can be clumsy so she showed me how she has taught him to go up and down the stairs carefully and never without an adult by his side. She lets him practice his independence and makes me feel included in his life as he goes there. I trust her explicitly and have had a completely positive experience with her. She genuinely cares for the kids she cares for and she has always respected my rights as my son's mother.

I feel your pain. I was referred to her & thought I'd give her a try. But I wish I never did. She always told me what I needed to do, & my daughter begged me to find someone else. I thought there wasn't anyone that was gonna work with my schedule. Then it got to the point where I was getting fed up of her & her daughters bullcrap it came down to her ripping my daughter out of my arms & she LOCKED IN A ROOM! After I left for work she kept blowing up my phone & I still have those to this day. I wish to this day that I took my kids with me when I was late for work. My daughter begged & begged & begged me to find a new daycare, THEY ARE MEAN! I've heard so many mean stories about them. IF YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO BE SAFE, TAKE THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE

Joyce keeps her home clean and does provide decent service, however I would not recommend her to anyone who doesn't need a full-time care services or doesn't have a routine schedule. Joyce did not disclose information with me, went back on what we agreed on, and disrespected my role as a parent to make the decisions what's best for my family. In all, I found she cared more about her money than me or my child.

First, she didn't tell me how she normally operates. She didn't tell me that I'm supposed to buy slots in advance. It didn't matter whether or not she watched the child, you'd pay for the slot you signed up for. Because I was going to school and only needed my LO in part time, she decided I didn't need to know this because she was giving me 'such a great deal.' (which was the exact same price as all other day cares I talked to, so it really wasn't that great.)

When I interviewed her, I told her that my husband works as a guard at the prison and that I only needed her 2-3 rotating days a week if/when he was switched to work days (At the time, he was working nights). She said that was fine. When he was switched a month and a half later, I asked again. She said it was fine. A few weeks after my husband switched she said she needed me to put my LO back in all week because she wasn't handling the switch well. When further asked, she only said that LO was a little whiny. I told her that it was a big decision and that I would talk to my husband. Just a couple days later she messaged me, not asking, but TELLING me that LO would be in daycare 5 days a week. Where as I was willing to work something out with her prior to this, she had tried to take my decision away from me. Deciding that MY CHILD should be watched when it wasn't necessary because she normally charged 500 per month per child and she wasn't getting that from us. We fired her because we feel it is our right to make that decision and we will not be bullied into doing what we don't feel is right for our child.

One other thing that concerned me while I was working with her. One day I came to pick up LO and the woman there asked who my child was, which was no concern to me since I was relatively new and hadn't seen this helper before. The woman than apologized and said that she was a new-hire working her first day and had been left alone with 25 kids. First off, it perturbs me that Joyce was willing to leave a person she hadn't been working with for more than a couple hours alone with the children. Secondly, Joyce is only supposed to have 16 children in her home at one time, she was almost ten over her limit? Sure, the woman could have been exaggerating, but there's no way for me to know that.

As a conclusion, if you know that you need your kid in daycare full-time go for it. If you have a schedule like a prison guard, don't do it.