Children First of Cleveland

While the facilities appear adequate and the initial interactions were promising, significant issues have emerged, particularly regarding administration and their handling of children with disabilities and trauma. From the outset, the administrative staff exhibited a lack of emotional intelligence, which is crucial in a childcare setting. Interactions often felt transactional and impersonal, with little effort made to understand or address individual concerns. This detachment is particularly troubling when dealing with the unique needs of children with disabilities, who require a more sensitive and empathetic approach. The center's communication regarding our child’s needs and progress has been inadequate. We have frequently encountered delays in receiving updates and responses to our inquiries. Meetings to discuss our child's progress or concerns were often scheduled with little notice and then rescheduled multiple times, causing significant inconvenience. This level of disorganization is unacceptable and raises serious concerns about the center's ability to provide consistent care. The most troubling aspect of our experience is the center’s approach to children with disabilities and traumas. After funding was processed, we noticed a marked decline in the quality of support and attention our child received. It seemed as though once financial commitments were secured, the center's interest in genuinely supporting our child waned. This neglect is particularly disheartening and points to a systemic issue within the center’s management. In conclusion, while Children First of Cleveland may initially present itself as a suitable choice for childcare, our experience has revealed significant flaws in their administration and their handling of children with disabilities and trauma. Parents seeking a nurturing and responsive environment for their children would be wise to look elsewhere.

I can't say enough good things about Children First. Our son has been going to daycare full time for a year and I have seen such a positive impact on his growth and development. The staff really get to know the kids and everyone has such a warm, positive attitude. Our son had significant feeding issues when he started daycare. Children First went above and beyond to help us find a plan that would work to meet his needs. This was no small feat, and we couldn't have done it without the resources and deep knowledge of the child care system provided by Children First.

My son has been going to this daycare a little over 6 months & I absolutely love this place. He has grown so much. They are always very communicative & I truly feel at peace while I’m at work knowing that he is in the best hands. I love the curriculum & that they are so involved with the kids. This isn’t a hole in the wall center that’s just throwing a screen at them all day & telling them to be quiet.

Teachers were amazing!!! The facility is clean and organized. Very safe as well! My daughter was learning so much here. Everything was amazing except for the director. She gave me fake vibes when we met like she was putting on a facade so i let it slide since it was only based on feelings. My daughter had been attending this school since May and i felt like she kept finding reasons to kick my child out. First it was because she was only going part time which i asked for when i first started since the voucher i had only approved me for part time. I also expressed to her that it is against my religion to get my daughter vaccinated she seemed to have no problem with it until last week. They’re so unorganized as far as management my daughter has been there for 3 months without them having her medical form. So when i gave it to them they immediately kicked her out. And said they dont except exemptions. The worst part about it is when i went to pick her up the last day no one knew that she was being withdrawn due to being unvaccinated. Even the director assistant asked me why i was withdrawing her. Teachers didn’t know either so there was no communication. Its okay that they dont accept it i just wish she didnt make me go through all of this due to her not communicating properly.

Although I have no idea what metrics are used in creating the five star rating system, I do question a five star rating for Children's First of Cleveland. This center is not suitable for children with special needs. Regardless of some of the kindhearted teachers, the center leadership is unwilling to properly train staff to appropriately interact and engage kiddos with special needs. The center is unwilling to implement strategies from various service providing agencies to create a positive experience for ALL children. Although they speak about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, they DO NOT practice it as it relates to children with special needs.