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April 2024 by Gerard Atkinson
Amazing staff, I know my children are in good hands, very nurturing and loving environment where kids are also learning developmental skills.
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April 2024 by Channa Shelton
If you don't have the "typical child" like if they require anything like a special diet.. This is NOT THE PLACE FOR YOUR CHILD.. My daughter started at this center the Tuesday following Easter Monday. Tuesday I called to check on her and was told she was given milk with lunch . I immediately informed staff she could not have milk due to her medical condition. I spoke with Taylor who told me to get a Drs note. I requested it from her primary . The following day I called and was informed again she was given milk. I requested to speak with Penny the director.. I was told she has to be given milk. ALL children are given milk it's the states policy...unless documentation is received .. I let Penny know I requested the Drs note.. she stated Drs notes are not allowed I have to pick up the milk allergy form from the center.. I stated the form was dropped of to her Dr and can the Drs note be used just for now. I was informed no.. I asked Penny... I informed Penny milk will make my daughter sick will you still give it her.. her response .. Yes... so I called the state .. and was informed a Drs note is over the facility form... so why was I told it's not accepted... Then I was informed .. the facility just does not have to add my daughter to the lunch program..that easy .. I called other centers and was told .. until proper forms are able to received they would just give her something else.. juice maybe water... Why was I put through this .. who knows ... This center definantly does not put the children and their health first.... .... AND TO ADDRESS YOUR RESPONSE ...the daycare proceeded to give my daughter milk when advised it would make her sick... no time was allowed to get the form the center provides ... and when a doctor note was presented ... you gave it back stating it was not accepted .. we are not going come online to go back and forth... had you been considerate enough to put my child's safety and wellbeing before your state stipend we would not be here... as per the state my daughter did not have to be added to the lunch program... but you Penny did not care about her health and proceeded to give her milk... as I was put threw way more than I should have been... and was not told the truth by you Penny...
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April 2024 by james antonides
This has been the absolute greatest childcare and Pre-K for our child. Everyone is so attentive and supportive of our child’s growth
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April 2024 by Laura Reagan
I LOVE the staff and teachers at FirstSteps! My daughter has been going there almost a year now and I am very picky about who I let watch her and I trust she’s in good hands at FirstSteps. Everyone is friendly and they treat you like family, and the tuition is reasonable too. They keep me informed and call me immediately if my daughter is sick or hurt. They are always doing fun things for the kids too and have an Instagram account where we can see what the kids are doing during the day. Ms. Cierra is absolutely amazing she is my favorite teacher and I can tell how much she cares about my daughter and all the other kids! Definitely recommend FirstSteps!!!
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April 2024 by Cory Krites
I cannot speak highly enough of First Steps Child Care! From the moment we enrolled my daughter almost four years ago, we knew our child was in the best hands possible. We have since enrolled a second child, and have a third on the wait list. The staff is incredibly caring, attentive, and professional. They create a nurturing environment where children thrive.The facilities are top-notch, with clean and spacious rooms filled with engaging toys and activities. It's evident that safety is a priority here, which provides peace of mind for parents like me.Communication is excellent; we receive daily updates about our child's activities, meals, and developmental milestones. The staff genuinely cares about each child's well-being and development, and it shows in every interaction.The curriculum is well-rounded and designed to stimulate creativity, curiosity, and learning. Our child comes home happy and excited to share what they've learned each day.I wholeheartedly recommend First Steps Child Care to any parent looking for a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for their child. They truly go above and beyond, and we couldn't be happier with our experience!
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April 2024 by Kayla Jeffcoat
Hands down a great daycare, I’ve had no problems with the staff or the atmosphere. My second oldest daughter went here as a baby til 1 and My son attends their PreK program/after school care and has been at this daycare since he was 2. They provide documents if you need them and follows doctors recommendations on health forms when it comes to allergies, special milk and medications. I recommend them to anyone that needs childcare?
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April 2024 by Dallas Cotton
I am so glad I went against the reviews for this daycare! They made my first daycare experience great! My child loved her teachers and everyone was so nice there! We will definitely miss this daycare.
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November 2023 by Ashley Jordan
I see all these negative reviews. I will say as a former employee that this daycare is very well taken care of. All the staff is very nice! They all follow the rules and regulations that go with working and owning a daycare. They all care about the children that go here. My son is in one of the Pre-K classes. He loves his teachers and I have yet to have a problem! Penny Sweat is a very kind, and gentle person! Give this place a chance! It really is a great place to take your kids. ❤️
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November 2023 by Caitlin R.
My son (2yo) was not changed within the 2 hour window the facility said is their policy. They said if they notice he is dirty they will change him sooner. At least 3x I changed him myself when I picked him up and his poop was dried onto his bottom and he screamed in pain when I changed him at the facility because the sores on his butt and genitals were so red and some were bleeding. They finally started a paper tracker of when the 2yo babies are being changed. Stared about a week or two ago (late October 2023). A staff member told me it wasn't just my son and it happened more than one time that he wasn't changed within the 2hr window. I called the facility to tell Ms.Penny, the director, that my son won't be returning and she said I signed a legally binding contract to give two weeks and still pay. When I said that my son being neglected nulls that she said it's my opinion and expects the money from me. She was very rude on the phone and hung up on me.At least 2 times when I dropped off my son they brought him and other children into the kitchen so the one person working there early in the morning could mix the disinfectant bottles for the day (their information of what she was doing). After the second time this was corrected to my knowledge.When I went to pick up my son's belongings and medical records, it was all left in a plastic grocery bag at the front desk unattended. This included his physical from the doctor and his immunization records.I wish I had never taken my son to this facility but it was the only one in the area at the time that had an opening. I do not recommend.
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October 2023 by Michelle Rose
Penny Sweat, I really don't know how you can run a business with how rude and unprofessional you are. Took a chance, enrolled my son in your pre-kindergarten program despite all the bad reviews and I regret it. I should have listened to the negative review's others have left. Called in for some information, she told me she will NOT give me the information I requested, and I do not need it.Her childcare center doesn't have new equipment or toys either, they are very outdated. The bathroom needs A LOT of work done to it, the toilet seats do not fit on the toilets and part of the rim of the toilet shows on the front of it. They only have one bathroom for both girls and boys. They use the bathroom together, which I do not approve of girls should go with girls and boys should go with boys.I agree with the other post about this place not being up to date with the technology. You have nowhere to review your payments you make to her. There is no app for communication that you can share with family to see what the children have learned or what is coming up in the weeks or months ahead. I don't know many childcare centers that do not have a website either.I do have to say, Jackie is probably one of the best employees she has. Very friendly when you speak to her, and she answers your questions with professionalism.
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October 2023 by Casey Ferris
I am writing to express my profound disappointment and utter disbelief in the manner in which my recent interaction with First Steps Daycare has been handled. The events that have transpired have left me feeling not only deceived but also appalled by the lack of professionalism and concern for the well-being of the children entrusted to your care.As the President of the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce, I have had the privilege of working closely with various local businesses, and I must emphasize that I have never encountered such a disheartening and unprofessional experience as I have with First Steps Daycare. This situation not only reflects poorly on your establishment but also undermines the trust that the community places in businesses such as yours.I had made the careful decision to enroll my daughter in the "Private Pre-K" class at First Steps Daycare based on information I received during our initial discussions. We don't qualify for NC Pre K, and I was ENSURED the 'other' class they had would be the SAME curriculum as the NC Pre-K, she would be with all her friends and that this program would provide her with the educational advancement and curriculum needed to ensure her growth and development at this crucial stage of her early education. I had inquired extensively about the curriculum, the necessary school supplies, and the nature of the class to ensure a seamless transition for my daughter. I made sure several times it was NOT the same 'daycare' class, as I wanted her to further advance her learning. I do understand that they have NO control over NC PRE-K.Imagine my shock when, on what was meant to be Her first day of school, I discovered that she was placed in the same DAYCARE class she had been a part of for the last year and a half! Doing the SAME THINGS she's been doing since she was three! Not a PRE K class, but a DAYCARE room. The same room she had been in for the last year. I had asked them FOUR times to make SURE and each time the staff was super confused but the DIRECTOR ensured me it was a "PRIVATE PRE K CLASS THAT FOLLOWED THE SAME CIRRICULUM AS NC PRE K"My daughter, had to witness EVERY OTHER CHILD that had been in her class excitedly meet their teachers for their first day of school, while she was relegated to a class with the 3 year olds - a situation she had already outgrown.Furthermore, my attempt to address this issue with the director was met with shocking unprofessionalism. Clearly I am upset, especially now two days AFTER the school year starts with EVERY other ACTUAL pre k FULL.... Instead of acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the impact it had on my family, the director responded with callousness and outright hostility.I went to pick up my daughter mid day the next day and did not even try to speak to the "President and director" because I did NOT want to escalate the situation at a daycare, and every time I had tried to speak with her she was hostile and downright mean.SHE stopped ME and confronted me about the situation. I kept trying to get out of her office when she KEPT telling ME that I had misunderstood - Finally, in an attempt to diffuse the situation I said "well, there was clearly a misunderstanding" I then asked "what IS the process to unenroll, as I do want to find something that is a more structured educational class vs. daycare" and she told me it was typically a two week process, but that I could "unenroll Her right now"!!!This woman and her entire staff MISLED me for MONTHS and then she had the nerve to kick my 4 year old out of daycare THAT DAY?The fact that I am now left with no suitable option for my daughter's education is a reflection of the negligence that runs rampant in your institution.I strongly encourage parents to look elsewhere for their childcare needs, and im sorry I didn't sooner after looking into them further.If you need any further proof, just take a look at the OWNERS response below (she finally figured out how) and her response to all the n
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October 2023 by Brianna Towne
Owner and staff extremely rude and unprofessional... I would never leave my child in their care, if they can be cruel to parents I can't imagine how the children are being treated behind closed doors.
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September 2023 by Julie E.
I would like to state that the owner (Penny Sweat) of First steps child care in Hope Mills NC is very unprofessional and rude. Some of the staff there are very snobby and do not pay attention to all the kids. They pick and choose what children to work with. I asked if they had a website or an app they used for communication or posting of what our kids did that day and Penny told me I should look for a different school. Her school is not up to date when it comes to technology (as we know this is the future for our children). Most daycares/schools communicate through a website or an app, not by posting in the school. I believe the reason she doesn't have a website or an app is because it will show she doesn't do what she states she does for our kids. PLEASE pick a different place for your child unless you want them to be around disrespectful adults and be behind in technology.
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September 2023 by Tatyana Lee
My kids currently go here and they have been absolutely great
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September 2023 by kay love
Love the pens the job and the chains
