Lisa’s Little Ladybugs Day Care

My son started here in the beginning of September 2014. My first impression was not good, but I still thought this place was worth trying. This is because on the first day of school, Lisa (owner) immediately seemed overly stressed out and on edge for being only 7am. I thought I would cut her some slack since it was also the first day of school for her kids. Any mother can be stressed with four kids in that situation.
For the first three months, I always asked the normal questions on how my son’s day went, his activities and so on. I was always told he was a good boy. He even came home with little craft projects. I thought great, I found a good fit for my son. The only thing I was ever told was how he wasn’t too talkative with her at first, but that he was opening up more as time went on.
After four and a half months, I learned that I should have trusted my first impression and gut instinct. I cannot stress enough how important that is after this whole experience.
On December 3, 2014, I received a text that my son was having a bad day, was upset and not doing well around other kids. She suggested that he might do well in a setting with less kids. I was in shock for many reasons. Prior to that day, I was literally never told of even one behavior issue or bad day. I even questioned this, and if there were issues prior to that day. She said «I am not sure I just know when I sit him at the table with the other kids he just starts screaming and he bites and pushes and hits whenever any one is near him». I’m not under an illusion that my kid is perfect, but this issue was only sprung on me that day. I called on my lunch break and Lisa really sounded stressed out and overwhelmed.
I asked if things had changed since she took on a new infant, and if things were too stressful. I was told things should fine now, because of her new assistant. That was the first time I was told that she apparently had an assistant named Amanda. I did ask to make sure I meet her as I would never just let someone I’ve never met be allowed to watch my son. I finally got to meet her the following Monday. I was ok after seeing how she interacted with my son for a bit. I was also told she went through the full background check.
I made it clear that I want to know about any issues she may have with my son going forward. I felt caught off guard that apparently my son didn’t like being around so many kids. He never had this issue in any previous child care environments. After making sure to keep abreast of things on a daily basis, I thought things were fine as only issues arose of a typical three year old.
Fast forward to January 5^th, I got another text message. I was told he is having a bad day, screaming, frustrated and he started hitting his head on a gate. I was immediately worried and concerned. Never in three years has my son ever acted out like that. I started questioning everything. I was told that her youngest son and the infant there was also very crabby, so it was an overly stressful day. This was when I started to realize something was really wrong. I flat out asked when I picked up my son if she was too stressed out and overworked. This is when she admitted point blank she did not want to run a daycare but that certain obligations made it so she had to. She also admitted she wished that she didn’t have to care for so many kids. I questioned why she did, since it’s her own business. I was told that the money was needed as her husband changed jobs.
January 8^th, I received a text message «one of our pipes froze, we have space heaters, heating guy will be out first thing this morning. If you want to keep your child home I understand, I won’t charge you, otherwise dress your child very warm. Sorry for the inconvenience». It was about 10 degrees that day, so I did not hesitate to keep my son home. I received a text at 3:22pm that the heat was finally on. To me, this was yet another big red flag as I didn’t think it was right to still be open.
On January 13 I received another text that my son just had another meltdown, and started to harm himself and the other kids. She also said he tried putting his face into a wall. I was worried and immediately called to make sure things were ok. My son never acted out like this before, ever. When I picked him up, his nose was obviously red from a bloody nose. She reassured me she wanted him there, and she wasn’t sure why he had this meltdown. The next day, my son had another red nose, and was obviously bloody earlier. I asked what happened and she couldn’t answer.
Luckily I just found a new daycare amongst all of this. I was going to make the switch and before I could tell her, Lisa sent a text that she didn’t want to care for my son anymore. That’s fine because she let me out of the contract. This was a bad situation and I’m upset my son had to suffer.
In my experience, Lisa is too overwhelmed to run a registered home daycare. If you’re looking for child care, please keep looking.