Description: Ms. Maria Metzger is a Licensed Family Day Home in Vienna VA, with a maximum capacity of 12 children. The home-based daycare service helps with children in the age range of 0 years 2 months to 12 years 11 months. The provider does not participate in a subsidized child care program.
Our son attended Metzger for 2 years and we had a positive experience to say the least. He is now in elementary school and I truly believe that the strong foundation he received at Metzger Academy has allowed him to thrive. Featuring home cooked meals, Chinese and Spanish instruction, soccer, ballet, and light academics their home environment offers the best of both worlds . Each year we received a binder detailing our son's progress in art and academics. When love for your child and career jockey for prime attention, it's hard to make a decision as to where one's children are when they are out of your care. Questions range from "Will they get the love and attention I would give them?" to "What can child care give my little one that I can't? Or can it even do so?" are part of the decision making process. Metzger made the decision easy. I hope you allow them to do so, too.
They provide nurturing care for all of their charges and I highly recommend them.
My child had a great experience at the Metzger academy. Most of the children are fluent in Spanish and they have Chinese and Spanish classes all week. They also have Ballet and soccer. Home made organic food. The children love staff. Friendly and flexible staff ready to help with anything you and your child need. Maria runs a wonderful little school full of activities and we totally recommend Metzger Academy
While interviewing with the Metzger Academy for my infant child to attend, I brought up the negative reviews. The Academy was more then willing to discuss the post and the events in question. The Academy also provided me with four years of inspection statements illustrating great quality child care, educational programs, supportive staffing, and a well-rounded experience. In sum the inspection statements, including the year the disgruntled parent seems to have attended, shows a wonderful (and clean) atmosphere of children dancing, playing with toys, eating organic home-cooked lunches, and international academics. The reports all state that children and staff interactions were observed to be warm and caring. The understaffing comment also has been inaccurate based on my observation. There is typically a 3:1 ratio (children to staff). The Metzger Academy is where I chose to enroll my infant and I have never regretted the decision.
My infant was there for 3 months (age 5-8 mos), and the house was unclean, unsafe, constantly rotating staff or understaffed, and at times, more children than their legal limit.
During those 3 months my infant had constant diaper rash, contracted conjunctivitis twice and HFMD (Hand Foot Mouth Disease). After discussing these illnesses with four parents, all of their kids had the same illnesses about the same time. None of this was reported to us, a state regulation.
My final issue was when Maria moved my son to a basement nap room. The room had 3 two-year olds, no video monitors in use and doors closed. When I shared my discomfort, Maria told me to take it or leave it. I left it.
1.5+ yrs at our new daycare and my son hashad one ear infection and diaper rash cleared within a week. They've had the same 3 full-time staff since we started. I find it delusional the difference between what Metzger claims to offer and what she actually provides for her sky-high rate--a filthy child-mill.