Tutor Time- Thoughts or opinions?

[puffkin]

My son has been in private daycare since 3 months. He is now 2 1/2. Even though it was private, she ran it very similar to a "center", it was just smaller. She just gave us notice that she is closing her business so now we are looking for another arrangement. We had been planning to move him to more of a pre-school setting next year when he turned 3, so now we just have to do it sooner.

After getting over the shock of the prices of the "centers" I think I have settled on Tutor Time. I know it is a chain but we don't really have any others around here and I don't know anyone who sends there kids there. I was not impressed with The Goddard School or KinderCare/Mulberry (lots of those in this area) and all the academies and church programs are full right now. Does anyone have any thoughts or first hand experience with Tutor Time? My son will be be in the Prepper room until March, and then he would move to the pre-school room.

 

[TwoGirlsandDisney]

I worked at Tutor Time for a few years before starting my own family. The one I worked out was great. Some are corporate owned and some are privately owned/franchised. Check to see which one yours is. There are good points to each one. Corporate has to follow their guidelines, private has a little more freedom with some things. Mine was private, so I can't say how the corporate ones are. I am sure they all have to follow the basics.

 

[puffkin]

I worked at Tutor Time for a few years before starting my own family. The one I worked out was great. Some are corporate owned and some are privately owned/franchised. Check to see which one yours is. There are good points to each one. Corporate has to follow their guidelines, private has a little more freedom with some things. Mine was private, so I can't say how the corporate ones are. I am sure they all have to follow the basics.

I believe this one is private.

 

[Think_Tink_Think]

The little boy i baby-sit just turned 3 in July and he's been going to Tutor Time for about a year and half. He and his parents both seems to love it.

 

[cinderwannabe]

The thing with this question is that every TT is going to be different and you can not base one on another. I worked at a TT and my daughter attended from 9 months until kindergarten and it was great. My friend worked at a TT down the road and it was HORRIBLE! A local news channel actually did a story on it because so many people complained.

The things you should take note of:
First off...womens intuition! How did yo feel walking around?
Was it clean?
Do they use all personal supplies?
How were the child to staff ratios?
Do they have an open door policy?
DO they have cameras?
How it the staff turnover?
In your opinion was the staff loving and nurturing?

ALso remember that they need to respect your methods of parenting. If you want to supply a certain type of food for your child to eat are they going to allow the child to eat it? If you want diapers changed every hour and 1/2 are they going to do it?

Good luck and go with your gut!

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

My oldest daughter started at Tutor Time and then the center changed their name. I loved the center. I started my youngest daughter at a different center due to money issues, but eventually transferred her over to the center too. Like someone has said, they are all going to be different, but the ones my children have went to I love.

 

[Bren's Mom]

One center may be great, another not so great...even if they're the same 'chain'. Just like a restaurant. Contact your state's childcare licensing bureau/dept. Ask them about the number of complaints/nature of the complaints, etc. Results from their last inspection. That should give you a good idea of whether the particular center you're looking at is well run.

Good luck!