Elco Child Care Center Llc - Myerstown PA Child Care Center

A bit of backstory: our oldest son was enrolled here years ago when he was only a year old. At the time, he would come home with bites from another child. The teachers didn’t know who was biting him (out of a group of 5-6 children in his age group), and on his final day of school, asked if we knew of ways to get a child to stop biting. We decided to pull him out and find another daycare option.
Fast forward to this year: our oldest has just started kindergarten, and our youngest will turn four in December. They were both enrolled here beginning Monday after deciding to give the center another try. Our oldest took the bus to kindergarten in the mornings and spent the afternoon at the center. Our youngest was here all day. During drop-off on Monday, our youngest was scared because he didn’t know any of the teachers or children (he has met the director previously, but she wasn’t around at drop off). We were told that we had to leave him at the door and could not enter to help him calm down before we left. We could hear him screaming from across the street. My wife emailed the director and she said that he quickly settled down and seemed to be doing fine. At the end of the day, I spoke with the director in the parking lot, and she said the boys did well, but seemed very concerned that my youngest crawled under a table when a teacher told him he couldn’t do something. I didn’t think this was a big deal but found it odd that this seemed to be a problem for the staff. I can’t imagine he’s the only child to ever act out in a situation like this.
Day two (Tuesday): my wife spoke with the director at pick up. She seemed concerned about the boy’s behavior. Our youngest had another rough drop off, saying that he was scared to go inside (again, it’s the second day and he doesn’t really know anyone yet). The director told my wife that my oldest hid behind a curtain/blind because he was upset by a teacher correcting him, and that the state doesn’t allow them to leave a child unattended (he’s in the same room). They also used public shaming to get him to come out by telling him that all the other children were watching him. We were asked to talk to the boys about their behavior during the day, which we have done. They understand that they should be listening to their teachers, but again, they’re in an unfamiliar environment and need time to adjust. However, there’s nothing I can do in the moment when these things happen at daycare, and I expect that their care providers should be capable of handling these situations.
Day three (Wednesday): again, my wife was told she was not allowed to enter the building to help my youngest transition, and that she had to drop him and walk away. I was informed that he kept trying to get out the door and wouldn’t listen (he’s three and surrounded by people he doesn’t really know yet), so they restrained him. When they did this, he began kicking the teacher. They called my wife and told her that the teachers couldn’t control him and that he was expelled. We’ve decided to pull my oldest out from the center as well, so we are currently looking for other daycare options.
I’ve been informed that the center has violated Pennsylvania Code 3270.23 – Parent Access and Participation, by not allowing my wife into the center to help our youngest transition into his day. You can find this policy through a link on the daycare's website.
We’ve asked through email why we were denied access to the center when our youngest was upset at drop-off but have yet to receive an answer. It is an understatement to say that I am disappointed by the lack of professionalism with the staff of ELCO Child Care Center. I would expect the staff to be better able to handle situations like this without the use of public shaming/bullying/physical restraint to deal with an upset child. I understand that it can be difficult to find a reliable and affordable daycare and that your options may be limited, but I would advise avoiding this center if possible.

I picked my son up early one day, during naptime. The staff looked at me like I didn't have the right to be there and were incredibly rude - asking why I was there so early. Another staff member was also in the middle of threatening a child who wasn't sleeping that he wouldn't receive afternoon snack. Absolutely disgraceful. I pulled my son out the next day and managed to find another daycare that's slightly further, but much more pleasant.

The other reviews are spot on. For your child's sake look else where for your daycare needs.

Owners are like Jekyll and Hyde. Nice enough to get your tuition, but as soon as they're alone with the children are demeaning and rude, and control by fear. We were fooled for over a year before our son came home and said director was punishing bad kids by "whacking" (director's term to avoid calling it hitting) them. When we went in to speak with said director because our son started acting out, she proceeded to scream at us uncontrollably, called us rude and our son evil, and through clenched teeth and with her fist raised, threatened to hit my husband. No rational discussion to be had. And most disturbing was that her display was in front of all the kids, with no regard for them. It was very telling. Don't be fooled. Stay away.

The owners have a disparaging and demeaning behavior towards their customers. They are about money not children. Not accomodating or flexible. Rigid demands. Displayed unprofessional behavior in front of children and other parents. Insensative to the feelings and needs of the children attending their facility. You will walk on egg shells around the owners.