DCO Early Child Care

My kids have been going here for years. I have 4 kiddos total, my oldest is 9 and she had special needs. She had been kicked out of several daycares because they didnt know how to handle her, but DCO never gave up on her and they showed her so much love. That was 5 or 4 years ago now. My 2nd oldest started as an infant and stayed here until she was 2 and the only reason we left was because she got into the school preschool 10 mins from our house. It was very hard to leave because we loved everyone so much. Now my youngest twins go here and have only been here for 2 months and you can tell its their second home. The infant teachers are amazing and do an amazing job! My 2nd daughter had dyellen and rhonda they went above and beyond for my addilee. My twins have miss alex and miss gabby, my twins love them so so much you can tell. I worked in childcare for 5 years and specialized in early childhood development in college, I have seen a lot of daycares and I will say DCO is one of the top notch most professional daycare and I would compare it to the Cox learning center. I always suggest DCO when anyone asks, nothing else compares. Some pluses that no one thinks about: - they have a artificial playground, which means your kids arent coming home covered in dirt and mud ;) - they have a splash pad so water play in the summer is super fun! - they have a small drive through you can use when its raining - they are wheelchair friendly - they have several trees and covered shade things so your little ones wont get overheated outside - they have teachers and staff who have worked at DCO for years, not just months. The people who worked there 7 years ago when my older kids were here, are still here! Thats a great sign. - teachers are happy to come into work. Staff treat everyone with respect 🙌 - they have a security door code for each parent and sign in tablets so your kids are always safe and secure. - they have apps where you can message the staff to check on your kiddos and they also keep you informed throughout the day and even send you pictures sometimes. 100% would recommend DCO over any other daycare in Springfield. Its worth it 🥰

As we approach our moving date I am very sad to be leaving DCO. This daycare has truly been a blessing to our son and our family. Not only do they reinforce the things we are doing at home, like potty training, but they set individualized goals for each student as well. The staff are AMAZING and they truly care for the children. I have not one complaint, anything I have ever had issues with they have resolved immediately. My son knows sign language, how to eat with a spoon, and they even practice teeth brushing after nap! And don't get me started on the price...very affordable. Last, the diversity. My son is around so many kids that look like him. Not only are the students diverse in ethnicity but so are the teachers. They as also diverse in ability. My son sees students with various abilities levels, like kids with cerebral palsy or kids that are on the spectrum. I can't say enough good things about this daycare. Thank you for caring for my son like you do!

Director Jennete is extremely unprofessional. I reported them to state because there is a teacher named Ashley who constantly has a horrible attitude and is constantly yelling. My son is autistic with a language disorder as well as a sensitivity to sound which they’ve know since I toured. After seeing a teacher speak to child in a horrible manner multiple times I told them I was reporting to state. The next day my child was “kicked out” for behavioral issues…. The only behaviors they had on file for him were from the day I reported the teacher and they were from that teacher and the next morning when he was “kicked out” From another teacher. I never received any behavior documents before he was kicked out nor did I have any interventions with the staff there to avoid behaviors. I talked to the administrator above Jennete (which they wouldn’t give me the admins number until I called after asking multiple times.) and was told they’d like to still work with us and find a solution so my child could stay. I told them absolutely not. They treated my autistic child disgustingly and did him a disservice. If they are so short staffed they shouldn’t be working with children they don’t have “time” for but presenting to the public that they work with special needs children. The administrator was kind. And there were kind teachers (not very many. But a couple.) having a bad apple of a director causes problems.

I remember this place from when I was a little boy! Lots of great kids and adults with so much childhood nostalgias. My favorite nostalgias are the 2002 Fridge Phonics, the 2009 SpongeBob & Dora 24 Piece Puzzles and the Dr. Seuss' ABC & Hop On Pop VHSs. It was fun, good memories! I'm currently a high school student. R.I.P. DCO 2007-2009

Excellent with my sweet boy, so glad we chose DCO