Buswell, Emily A.

Emmie (and Joe) are kind and nurturing childcare providers with an engaging play-based approach that includes activities and outings inside the home and throughout the community. Emmie provides organic meals and snacks, and a wide spectrum of toys and costumes (and on and on) in her home which she has converted into a childcare center. She sends comforting texts through the day so that I know my child is being cared for and engaging and gives detailed updates when we pick her up. Emmie has 35 years of childcare experience and it absolutely shows. We are extremely grateful to her and Joe and so glad we found them.

If you don’t feel like reading the whole diatribe, here’s the gist: not recommended.

The Good
Emmie and Joe are very hard workers and completely dedicated to their business. They take the kids on multiple outings per week, and my child was always happy to go there. Plus, with all outings, food, and diapers included for $400/week (as of 2015), it’s the best child-care value in Cambridge.

The Bad
This may sound like hyperbole, but after more than a year of interactions with Emily, I’m confident that she’s not a good person.

She’s controlling, passive-aggressive, and extremely rigid with both the kids and the parents. If a parent flakes out on something—forgets to apply sunscreen, accidentally brings the wrong attire—punishing the parent becomes her mission. She’ll send the child home with a sunburn or make the child sit out of activities rather than providing supplies that she has on hand. She will not allow anything—your kid’s doctor’s visits, her own contagious flu (seriously), common sense—to interfere with the running of a tight ship.

And if you pull your child out before they’re due to go to kindergarten—because you’re moving away, for example—she will take it very personally. There’s usually a nasty email to ALL of the parents (I have seen many), followed by the stink-eye during drop-offs and pick-ups for the remainder of your child’s time there.

My kid liked going there, but if I had it to do over again, I would steer clear. Every parent I’ve spoken to has had similar issues with Emily. Not worth the stress and trouble.