Great Beginnings Child Care and Pre School

Ann Norman

Joined 3 years ago

My three children went there for preschool many years ago (18 years???!!!!!) and had a good experience. The staff at that time truly cared about the children and did their best for them. The lessons were useful--songs (Rock'n Robin was one), learning the alphabet, and a weekly theme, like nutrition or the night sky.They had alot of toys and ran around outside. The day was not overly regimented. My kids liked their teacher. In the summer, there was a little wading pool outside. Parties were really done special, like Christmas (with a visit from Santa), and Graduation, and probably Halloween, but I can't really remember.

Recommends

Mary C.

Joined 1 year ago

The best daycare!. This was my children's third daycare. The first I left because I did not like the way the center was run and the second because it was near my husband's job but he switched jobs. Great Beginnings was amazing for the three years my children attended. I had an infant when we started and my oldest was school aged when we left because of a layoff in our family. I never had a problem with unchanged diapers, kids not being fed, trouble with other kids that wasn't taken care of, etc. I also did not find their rates to be low. They were in the middle of my experience. Of course I was paying out of my own pocket, I did not get any subsidies. I sent my kids breakfast, lunch and snack everyday and the staff was great about letting them eat it and if they didn't finish something it came home that day. They do an amazing pre-school grad party/ceremony for the kids going off to kindergarten that they work on all year. We still watch the DVD they provided. The smaller kids are broken into small groups by ages and kept in separate rooms. The child to staff ratio is strictly enforced based on state regulations. My kids made great friends and loved their teachers. If our job situations changed and I needed a daycare again I would cross my fingers and hope they had availability for my kids. To the naysayers, trust me I'm sure you are the type of parents the staff is glad have left and they will have no trouble replacing your child's spot because they do a tremendous job. The director is a wonderful and kind woman who has many years of experience.

Recommends

2mommy11

Joined 2 years ago

Happy kids and happy parents! Great place for kids.. I am writing this first to say that our experience with Great Beginnings has been a very good one; and secondly, to completely and utterly disagree with the previous reviewer.

Both of my children attend Great Beginnings and I can

Doesn't Recommend

holllucky

Joined 2 years ago

awful. At first i was a little nervous about GB because of their low rates. But when I visited and spent some time they were flexible and welcoming. I loved my son's infant room and had no problems. However, when he switched to his 12-18 month room I was disappointed. The room had no sun, no windows. The lead teacher was more concerned about chatting than taking care of the kids. Her staff was good but she did not set a good example. She was unable to answer any of my questions regarding the curriculum. I talked to the director who had me meet with the head teacher. She was very impressive and helpful but this did not filter down. Additionally, it seemed that at least every other day they would ask me what my son should eat for breakfast even though we sent him food every day and told them. Then i noticed him coming home with a soaked diaper. My babysitter also noticed. We mentioned it and then it happened again. i was told that they had changed it but not written it down and was informed that they don't write everything down despite the fact that they provide a daily diary and tell you they are writing it down. I was informed that they do it only as a courtesy and it's not always complete. When i had finally had enough of soaked diapers I went directly to the director who told me we shouldn't stay there anymore since we were unhappy. Some of the staff are great but the director is one of the most awful, selfish, money grubbing people i have ever met. I think they take advantage of the people that are forced there by the low rates and don't want to make any trouble. Thankfully I had another option and pulled my child out immediately. I feel guilty every day for sending my son there as long as i did. If i could rate this place no stars I would. Besides these things, they never cleaned his cup, they kept giving him a pacifier when he was not to have one except for naps and they blamed his wet diaper on him peeing some when he struggled to poop. I just can't warn people enough away from this place.

Recommends

surfgirl142

Joined 5 years ago

Thank you. Great beginnings was my escape. I was one of the first kids that attended Great Beginnings, and I think that because I attended it, I hae been made a more well rounded child. To this day, I think of the great times I had going to movies, field trips to the zoo, and just tie dying shirts and having the parade during the 4th of July. Without it, I think I would be a completely different person.

So I just wanted to say thanks, and if I ever live in Pittsburgh again, I know where to send my kids for pre-school and above

-Leah

Doesn't Recommend

luv2ride5

Joined 5 years ago

I was fooled!. I have toured of few daycares , I found this one to be nice, the toys are updated , There is a few playgrounds for the children, The furniture is new and nice. The staff seemed nice. So I regisstered my child. After months of attending full time , I noticed thatt he staff wasn't what I thought it was. I think some are harsh, I walked in on a staff member being disrespectful to one of the children. My child also was bit a few times and 2 of the times I never recieved a notice and the staff didn't even know that my child was bit. Also the amount of children that are in on room are just to many. The baby room is always full and to me it doesn't seem like there is enough help to really give those babies what they need.I have also witness staff not washing there hands after wiping a runny nose.