This email comes long overdue…..the beginning of the school year has definitely been busier than usual!  Please forward this email on to the owner of Young Scholars for me as I want her to be aware of what a difference you have made for our family.

After parenting 2 children over the course of the past 7 years, I stand firm that to date choosing a daycare provider to watch over your most prized possessions is the most difficult decision I have had to make.  For our second child, we were fortunate that my mother retired and took over this duty for his first 1 1/2 years of life.  Last year, after countless searches we landed at Young Scholars one day a week.  We had an amazing experience and hoped to return in the fall.  However, given financial constraints, we were forced to explore other options.

I enrolled at another area center after a tour and classroom observation.  When dropping off my son for his first day, I was shocked to see that they opened the front door to let fresh air in through the screened door.  I had been told that all doors were always locked as safety is a top priority of mine.  My son was obviously distraught to be separated from his parents and handed to strangers on his first day.  No one reached out for him or tried to comfort him.  When I called later to check on him I was told that I should have just left instead of picking him up and trying to talk to him to calm him. Although difficult to leave, I have gotten used to these separations because although upset initially, my children  generally calm within a few minutes.  I picked up my child because no one made an effort with him.  Unfortunately, his first day of school was also my first day of work.  I was forced to leave him in an environment which I severely questioned.

Needless to say I got to work and called your facility.  Ms. Kristen informed me that you had a place for my son in the Shakespeare classroom.  Since I was looking for part-time care I wasn’t completely sure which days of the week I would need since our previous plans were now up in the air.  Ms. Kristen informed me that my son could start as early as the next morning and that I could work out the days and let her know.

I picked my son up from the other center and decided to drop in at Young Scholars (unexpected) to drop off his belongings.  I was amazed that when I arrived everyone welcomed my son so warmly and were already working to create a welcome sign for him.  Never in a million years did I expect the time, energy, and love that would be put into ensuring that my son’s first day was a success, especially given the short notice.  I didn’t expect a sign or the genuine warmhearted “hellos” and” welcome backs” we received given our last minute return.

To say that walking into Young Scholars that day and everyday since then has felt like coming home is an understatement.  I don’t know that I will ever be able to find the right words to express how it felt to know that my son was in good hands, safe, and loved.  Ms. Nicole & Ms. Kristen, we wholeheartedly thank you for finding a place for our child, providing a seamless transition, and all that you do to make Young Scholars a home away from home.

With Gratitude,

-The S. Family