Ivy Prep Early Learning Academy - Bayside — Attraction in New York

STAY AWAY from this place: Ivy Prep Early Learning Academy of Bayside Ivy Prep Early Learning Academy. Staff are very RUDE and UNPROFESSIONAL!

We started to use this daycare in the beginning of September 2016 and decided to switch to Ivy League Early Learning Center of Bayside due to proximity to my work. Everything seemed ok in the beginning but four weeks in, I had an issue with the daycare as my child was complaining that one of the teachers (Ms. Martha) has hit her. Initially the daycare did seem very concern with this allegation and claimed that they did an investigation and that it was a misunderstanding. But ultimately I did not feel like they took my concerns very seriously as they did not immediately honor my request to remove my daughter from Ms Martha’s supervision and to this day my daughter continues to adamantly claim that Ms. Martha has hit her (she’s 3 years old but this is the first time she has ever mentioned anyone laying a finger on her). Needlessly to say as a parent, I was not comfortable with the situation and ultimately decided to take my child out of their care and that was when they showed their true colors…the staff immediately became RUDE, UNPROFESSIONAL and straight out DISRESPECTFUL to me.

Of course as I was left with no choice but to take my child out of their facility, I expected a full refund of my deposit and unused days. I am not paying for a service where my child claims she’s being mistreated. I received one voicemail stating that my deposit will be refunded and will take 2 weeks. This was fine but there was no mention of my unused days. So I called again and had to leave numerous messages at the office as no one was returning my calls nor answering my questions. I was basically given the run-around. I was told that only the executive director Sharon can approve refunds. After a week of this, I was finally able to get a staff member to speak with me and they tell me this: the staff members were instructed not to speak with me and that it is not their policy to refund unused days and then she HUNG UP on me! How rude/ crazy is that? She HUNG UP on me….This is not how I expect to be treated, even as an ex-clients of any daycare/ service industry. I am very disgusted at this place and do not want any other parents to go through what I’ve been through with this place. It is also not a parent’s “policy” to pay for mistreatment of their child!!

This is a terrible place. Their staff members and their senior director do not treat their parents with respect. Please stay away from this place at all cost. I honestly rather pay more and go to a place where I can...

They tried charging us $120 for being “late” when we got there at 3:20pm because they decided to close at 3pm that Friday and closed the school and completely closed the school that Thursday and only notified parents at 6am leaving the parents to completely cancel their plans after the hurricane storm where the highways and cars got flooded. All They care about is money. Christina the woman who runs it is the fakest hater I’ve ever met. I picked up my 1 year old almost daily with his diaper full and both boys were always starving. They give two snacks a day and one little meal. No protein. The most basic lunch that could possibly be served. I couldn’t pack them their own lunches. I had to take my son out after hearing that his best friend from class came home with bruises on her legs and they were under investigation. When I called to pick up his 2 new diapers bags and the extra clothes and diaper cream I had left christina had the audacity to tell me that they tossed it or donated it. So unprofessional and there’s a special Ed of adults upstairs and I’ve seen two of the special Ed guys in the school. One of them even brought my kids down for me one time which is unacceptable. And God forbid you’re 5 min late she charged us $60. It’s honestly disgusting the way this woman acts just because my husband and I are in shape? Can a grown up be this obnoxious. Just decide to be healthy and go workout as well and you can reach the same results instead of going for our pockets smh. May God bless and protect the children in that school. Read the contract well!!!!! If I could I’d give 0 stars. And the cameras don’t work! Make sure you feed your child a big breakfast and dinner like we had to. So sad what happened to them...

I’ve had both my children at Ivy Prep since 2016, each started when they were just 10 months old. I cannot say enough about the security that I have knowing that my children are well taken care of while I’m off at work. Their tuition is competitive and their staff are very knowledgeable and helpful, particularly Ms. Christina (the assistant director) who was a major draw in my signing on with IP as she helped guide me through the daycare waters and has consistently, over the past 4 years, acted as a lookout, advocate, and manager of my most precious “belongings.” Any staff member who doesn’t meet this standard doesn’t last long at Ivy Prep. While there have been one or two small mishaps, in the grand scheme, I am confident that I made the best choice for my childcare needs. 2 out 3 snacks are fresh fruit; my kids have enjoyed the cooked lunches without many complaints (maybe 1 the whole time!); the kids even make cute “gifts”/ art projects during all holidays that I keep as mementos of their growth; I receive photos (through an app or via email) throughout the day of my child’s activities in real-time, so I know she’s smiling much of the time. As a person who works in a school, I cannot pick up and drop off my daughter at the same time that she starts (pre-k) so being in a daycare facility helps with early drop-off and late pick-up; the options they offer are very convenient for PD days as well. For improvement, I would only argue that the administrative leadership make their pay more competitive, as I have seen a couple of teachers (great ones) leave for higher paying jobs. Small business owners have it tough these days, but I think quality employees are...