February 2023 by Chanel Spaulding
I love the Executive Director Hannah. Her professionalism and execution was immaculate. My children were in preschool and already in a classroom. However, I was seeking back up care just in case their classroom closed because I was anticipating starting a new job job. Hannah got my application processed expeditiously and my children were set. Yesterday, my children's classroom was canceled and although I was working from home for the day, I decided to give the back up care a shot. I felt like this would be the perfect opportunity to see how they would adjust being in a different classroom and I would be able to be hands on since it was a work from home day for me. It was horrible. Not because my children didn't adjust well (which I anticipated because it was there first time in a new classroom all year) but because of the reception of the teachers, one in particular, Nikki. As soon as we walked in, I could literally feel the energy. It was like " ohh boy, we have kids that are not ours in our classroom." I stayed for about 10 to 15 minutes to introduce myself to the teachers, brief them about my children, and ensure they began their breakfast comfortably. I left about 8:45am. By 11:10am I got a phone call about my children riddled about them having a rough day: crying in the classroom and afraid to go into the bathroom. Before the 3rd complaint could occur, I happily volunteered to pick up my children whom were picked up with 8 minutes after the phone call. When I got there, Nikki attempted to ask me strategies on how to " deal with my children." ( not her exact words, yet said in so many words.) Her question confirmed my suspicion about my initial thoughts when we first entered her classroom: my children were not apart of her regulars in the classroom. I honestly chose to not dignify her question with a realistic response because I'm assuming as a preschool teacher, she is educated. I am educated as well, as I am in my internship for counseling. One thing, I know for sure based on my own education and watching other educators work with children is knowing that the first day for preschoolers can be unpredictable and the importance of building a rapport with children so they can feel comfortable. Also, her questions were not worth an answer because my children would never go back to that classroom. I am in the process of finding another form of back up care or asking a family member to watch them when the classroom closes because I will never allow my children to stay in spaces where they are not welcomed warmly nor feel as if they are a nuisance.I have worked with the MUSA program for over 15 years with my children. My oldest children went there for summer camp for a few years when they were younger and we all enjoyed it.The teachers, the staff, etc. It was awesome. It was the hundreds of dollars I paid because of the interns who were doing their best to ensure they created a great experience for the kids in our community and my children experiencing those experiences with their friends in the community. This is my first time experiencing this with MUSA and honestly, I am disheartened by it. These are my youngest and last children and unfortunately they will not be able to have the same experiences that their older siblings had at MUSA. However, I'm sure that we will find something that will meet needs when the time comes. As a mother, I felt that this was a necessary review because we must make sure that we place our children in spaces where they feel welcomed. As an AA mother, it is even more important that we NEVER keep our children in spaces that they do not feel welcomed because our children will feel as if they deserve this behavior when they do not.
