tulsa day care questions?

[mermaid]

hi. im new, and im not sure if this is the right place.
but i was wondering if anyone has any experience with the "first lutheran early learning center" and 11th and utica?
i visited and it seems like an okay place, but a friend of mine said her friends daughter when there for a while. and there was talk of teachers abusing the kids and the nutrition was terrible. but it seemed okay to me. a little dirty, but most of the kids seemed happy.
just curious.

[RecycleMichael]

http://www.okdhs.org/

This gives you reports on every licensed day care and all rules, costs, etc.

[inteller]

"a little dirty, but most of the kids seemed happy"

hahaha, that is a great quote.

[safetyguy]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

http://www.okdhs.org/

This gives you reports on every licensed day care and all rules, costs, etc.

The website helps explain a few things regarding the daycare that our daughter goes to! I just wish that certain daycares didn't have a waiting list to get into!

[jackbristow]

quote:Originally posted by mermaid

hi. im new, and im not sure if this is the right place.
but i was wondering if anyone has any experience with the "first lutheran early learning center" and 11th and utica?
i visited and it seems like an okay place, but a friend of mine said her friends daughter when there for a while. and there was talk of teachers abusing the kids and the nutrition was terrible. but it seemed okay to me. a little dirty, but most of the kids seemed happy.
just curious.

Finding a good daycare is tough, especially when you don't have any idea where to look.  I don't know anything about the place you mentioned, but DHS can be a big help.  As can this website: www.ccrctulsa.org.

We ended up finding an in-home place that our 2 year old has loved since the first week we put him there.  He started at age 1.  The people there are great, and we feel very lucky for being referred to them during our search using the websites mentioned and speaking to people at those groups.

Another thing that is good to do it to talk to your neighbors, co-workers, people at church, etc. anyone you trust who has been around the area longer and might know something or be able to refer you to someone.

Good Luck!

[safetyguy]

From experience, the daycares that have webcams can become very addictive and you aren't able to work because you are watching how your kid is being treated and how many text messages the staff can send while they are supposed to be feeding your child. It's great.

(all of this sarcastic, but true...)

[rrh]

I am not sure who your friend is or why they would say that about the First Lutheran ELC.  My two-year has been going there since he was 8 weeks old and I could not imagine him being anywhere else.  The teachers are wonderful - they are certified - gifted at their jobs - and they love those children.  Believe me, it is much easier to drop your child off when they run to their teacher in the morning and give them hugs.  As for the nutrition - I get a sheet every day that tells me exactly what was served and how much of it my guy ate.  The kids get a hot breakfast every morning.  A lunch that has all of the food groups in it and a snack after they get up from their naps.

The Director was on maternity leave and there were "issues" with her replacement but she is back and things could not be better.  I would recommend them to anyone looking for a childcare center.  If you want your child(ren) to have an amazing learning experience you need to give First Lutheran another look.

[mommy0902]

My child has attended First Lutheran ELC for nearly 3 years now.  I'm a little suspicious of who your friend is.  Here's why.  Since the day I walked in the door the director and teachers have done nothing but give excellent care to my son.  You will always have your issues, but I have never had abuse or cleanliness issues.  Were the children dirty? If so did they just come in from the outdoors?  As far as the facility goes, everyday that I come in to pick up my child the janitor is there cleaning.  It is a daycare. Abuse?  Thats the first I have heard of that.  Did this parent report her concerns?  As far as I can tell there have been no complaints. I know most of the parents and have not heard these rumors.  The director did go on maternity leave last summer and we were happy to have her back.  Also all the teachers are either in school or already have some sort of accredidation or degree in early childhood.  I would highly recommend this daycare and am upset to see this post.

[RecycleMichael]

Mommy...

Didn't you used to work at this day care center?

[hvt1274]

Finding a child care faciliy is a difficult process and the First Lutheran facility does care for my child and has since my now 4 year old was 4 months old.  It is my first hand opinion that these licensed care-givers do provide quaility care and meet the dietary needs of the children under their care. Although no sushi or lemon pepper chicken appear on the menu, the breakfasts and lunches may be simple but appetizing to the little folks and adequately contain items proportional to the food pyramid.  The facility also accommodate for food allergies, should you discover one.

Discipline at this facility has never been physical. Timeouts are exercised when appropriate and parents are informed daily of any behaviorial changes. Additionally, I would be hesitant to take to heart information provided by a friend of a friend.  

Although there are no webcams at this facility, parent are welcome to come and check in on their children at anytime.
I hope this information has been helpful and good luck with your child care provider search.

[rrh]

Recycle Michael -

I can answer your question - yes, Mommy did work at the center.  I think that adds weight to her statement.  Because she worked there she probably knows better than anyone all of the ins and outs - and yet, when she left for a better opportunity she didn't hesitate to leave her child in their care.

As an aside - she wanted to respond to you personally - and hopes to be able to soon - but she is having difficulty getting logged on to the site.

[Proudmommy]

My child has been going to First Lutheran Early Learning Center since she was an infant. I went and visited alot of daycares before I picked this one. This daycare is awesome, they welcome you to come visit you child whenever you would like, they have healthy and hot meals, they had some issue when a new director had stepped in but everything has returned to the way it should be. I wouldnt take my child out of this day care. She loves the teachers and loves to go to school everyday. Almost all of the teachers are certified, the incorporate sign language and/or spanish for the other children. I love the daycare so much when I was offered a position to work there i took it. SO i can speak as a teacher and a parent, I wouldnt take my daughter anywhere else and now I get to be right there with her.[] We have had of the employees there start out as parents and decide to work there, even if I did decided not to work there I would still drive from where I live to take her to this daycare...

[mommy0902]

Recycle Michael yes I did work there, do I know you?

I was a teacher at FLELC and when I left, there was no question as to wether my child would stay.  I could have sent him to a number of more convenient centers, but the staff at FLELC is who loves him.

[RecycleMichael]

I don't believe we have ever met.

I just do a lot of research on Tulsa and Tulsans. I was extra curious when I saw three new posters all talking about a particular business. I didn't mean to be accusatory.

I think full disclosure is usually a good idea. It can be tricky, especially with screen names.

Your employment there does give you a different perspective and gives all of us a different perspective of you and your comments.

[cjm]

My two year old daughter has been attending First Lutheran since she was six weeks old and I'm very bothered by the post regarding abuse and poor nutrition.  I for one have always been very impressed with the attentive and caring staff.  Many of the teachers are  moms to students attending the daycare which for me speaks volumes.  In regards to the nutrition food at a daycare or school may not always be exaclty as one would make at home but First Lutheran does strive to serve hot meals that are balanced and appealing to a broad range of children.  Lastly, I would hope that this friend or anyone else who suspects child abuse would first report it to police and dhs rather than speculating and spreading gossip neither of which does anything to help protect the children.