Childrens Lighthouse

I have never been more unhappy with a daycare than with children's lighthouse. It is not a school, but a babysitting service. The long post below must be the owner because no one would put all this information in there, especially knowing this much about the business. They tell you their ratios for my 16 month old, they call them toddlers, is one to four, but this is not true becasue not all of them are there at one given time. When all toddlers are there, it is a one to six ratio. The food is not good, but cold and it is on the floor all day long in their classroom. The owner is not honest. When I questioned them about the biting of my son, they seemed concerned for just that moment, but they do nothing about it. This is place is money hungry and concerned only about the bottom line. Stay away from here. Teacher turnover is high. The owner treats her dogs better than the children at this place. Go somewhere else. Learning is a joke here and not what the owner states in her long post b... Read more

My daughter and I feel very welcome at Children's Lighthouse and I love the curriculum. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming on a daily ...

This is a great school. My child has attended this school for just over two years. I interviewed over twelve schools prior to selecting this one. The food seems fine. I have eaten it on days I have volunteered and it was hot and fresh. YES! The school does request you to volunteer - Get involved with your child. I think they ask you to volunteer 20 hours a year - Not a month! As far as fees go they do have a supply fee. I think it is about $200 for the year. It pays for the books that your child uses every day. The pages are taken out and your child will use them and they are sent home. I assume it pays for the arts and crafts and other items you use in the class. They usually have a safety week and they have police, fire, helicopters, fire trucks, smokey the bear. They have a fall festival, many different days for parents to come and participate with the child. They do have extra classes that you can pay for such as Playball, Spanish, computer class, dance, gym, and mu... Read more

We are not happy at this daycare. they are a baby barn and that is it. If you look on their website they state that they were listed as best for Families in 2008. This magazine went out of business in 2007. This just goes to show how dishonest they really are. This place is expensive and you pay for each and everything at this daycare. they are not worth the money. Find another daycare, but avoid this one at all costs.

I have withdrawn my children from this daycare. I was told as a parent you have to volunteer at this daycare. Who has time to volunteer now days since parents are busy between work and home and running errands. I don't buy into this volunteer stuff. Besides, I don't want other people volunteering in my children''s classroom. I don't know them or their history. So, if you have about 20 hours a month to volunteer and can afford to pay high rates, then this is your place. No thanks. No recommended.

I have had 2 children at Children's Lighthouse for the last 2 years and have wonderful things to say about the care recieved. My children have developed wonderful relationships with the teachers. In my opinion, the teachers really make this place shine. Our boys have had absolutely positive experiences and always look forward to going to "school". The facility is first rate and I would highly recommend this daycare and do so when given the chance. A. Green

I would not recommend this daycare. As a grandmother, I have not been happy at this daycare. Constant changes all the time. I told my son and daughter-in-law to go someplace else that has better care. We thought they were a Christian school, but they are not. They say that they teach from a Christian curriculum, but I found out that you have to purchase this separately if you want this done. They are not a Christian school. Only spinning it. Another parent told me to look at their inspection reports over the last year. I was concerned about one where a child ate something on the school playground and didn't report it. Really bad. Go somewhere else.

My husband and I tried to tour this school, but were told that they only give tours between 12:30-2:30. I found this very interesting. This is when the children are sleeping and you cannot see what is really going on at this daycare. Makes you wonder why they only want tours when the children are sleeping. Don't know much about this school, but would not recommend this place.

A horrible place! I am not happy at this school and gave my withdrawal notice yesterday. I will take my child out by Friday this week. I haven't found another school closer, but I am looking. An overpriced babysitting service. They charge you for everything at this school beyond the tuition. Food isn't that great and usually cold when served. Nutrition is not something they are not intersted in at this daycare. The only reason I chose them is because they are the only school close to my work. I will drive 10 miles even with the gas prices to put my child in a decent place. I am also annoyed that they charged my card for the supply charge that I was not informed about when I enrolled. Communication is a problem here. Director and owner seem to be hiding something all the time when I come to them with a problem. I have real concern about the quality of this place. Go somewhere else as I do not recommend this place at all.

For the most part the teachers are nice, they just do not supervise the children properly nor clean them properly after diaper changes. The director and owner are both dishonest and only care about keeping the rooms full and the profit coming. They do not address the issues they have (biting, behavior problems). They cannot maintain competent staff. The turnover in that place is crazy. They move the children from room to room all the time to boost profits and will move a child to a new room without telling the parents. This is scary. They also never tell you about the new teachers so you will not know from one day to the next who is caring for your child. My child was bitten so badly (because of lack of supervision) that the skin was bruised for several months. The leadership at this place does not like for the staff or the parents to ask too many questions. So if you are the kind of parent that wants to pay what equates to a mortgage payment for most people and not ask many questi... Read more

This is a very interesting day care. What I mean by this is they (especially the director and asst directors) seem very professionial and caring. They seem to want to do the right things for the children except for when it comes to having to do something special or out of the ordinary. If your child is on medication or under any doctors orders I would not take your child here. They have "decided/forgotten" on certain days to follow my child's doctors orders. When you talk with the director make sure you read between the lines. You should also ask before taking your child there if there are any of the other "teachers" children in your child's class and find out who they are. You will find out your children will tell you those children are not very friendly but it doesn't matter because they cannot afford to not have that teacher there. When I found out my child was in a class that was yelling at the students I made the mistake of informing the director and once I made that state... Read more

The staff has always gone out of there way to make us feel so warm and welcome- each and everyday! The teachers always keep me informed about what has gone on in my daughter's day, and I like knowing that when I miss her or want to see what is going on, I can log onto the internet and watch. The fact that I drop her off happy and she comes home happy, and telling me all the things that she learned, is just more proof that this is a FABULOUS school!!

I enrolled my 4 year old daughter and 2 year old son at Children's Lighthouse in August of 2007. They are by far the best childcare center I've seen in awhile. Management is extremely friendly, anytime I've had a concern they've handled it in a timely and professional manner. I've made it a point to meet each teacher in the center as a way of familiarizing myself and my children with them. My children have been blessed with wonderful teachers who genuinly care about them. When my son first started his speech was a little behind due to health issues. He speaks very clear now, knows his colors, shapes and numbers and is potty trained. My daughter can't wait to get to school in the morning, she's so eager and ready to learn and I know part of that is because of the attention and care she receives from her teachers. The facility is clean, the teachers go through a background check, and I'm able to log on from the internet to check on my kids if I need to. The owner, director and a... Read more

We stumbled across Children's Lighthouse about 1 1/2 years ago, and couldn't be more pleased with the facility and care my daughter receives there! We had my daughter in another child care facility, but were unpleased due to lack of attention, lack of cleanliness and lack of security. After we had such a bad experience with the first center, we had a hard time trusting another. I choose to take a tour at Children's Lighthouse because it was close to work. My first impression of the center was the security. No one can just walk in off the street. Everyone entering the building has a pass code, or has to be let in my management. At the previous center anyone could walk in. The second was how bright and clean the facility was. It made a very good first impression! During the tour, the center director made me feel very comfortable and answered any questions I had. I was so impressed with the facility and the teachers that I enrolled my child that day. At the time my child was ... Read more

I recommend that you find an other daycare, especially since it is WAY overpriced for the horrible care they provide. It was really good at first, but quickly went down hill as they filled up. We had more problems and are still working through the problems we had this center, as my child is now in therapy to catch them up for the interaction they missed out on at this center from the staff. I did not realize that my child was starting to exhibit development and social interaction delays until I moved my child to a center who actually cared about my daughter and not my money (this place and actually told me the truth about my daughter instead of letting guess or find the marks on her in the evening...what a difference). I would suspect that the teachers just let the kids run around and chase each other all day without many rules based on what happened when my child (and a friends too) were moved to a center that had some structure and required that the kids do things like sit with a gr... Read more

This daycare is rated 2 1/2 stars. They did not live up to their promises they told us in our tour and it has been a disappointment. The rates are very high and there were hidden charges we were not told about. I am very unhappy with the teachers in general. They seem to have a turnover. All in all, not a good experience.

My child is in the infant room. I transferred from a nearby daycare after issue after issue. My husband and I have been extremely happy with this facility. So far the teachers in the infant room have gone above and beyond. At this facility there seems to be more consistency in the staff and whoever is present when I go in is always very knowledgeable about my child's day. My child is always happy and I am feel very relaxed during the day knowing he is in good hands. The administration is very inviting and created several opportunities during the holiday for the parents to come in and spend time with their little ones. I feel as though the staff and administration are easy to talk to if I do have a problem. Lighthouse has relieved alot of my stress and bad feelings about having my precious baby in daycare. The cost is too high, but not very far off from other facilities in the Southside area. I am not happy with how much childcare costs, but for what I was recieving at the other daycar... Read more

I have just put in my withdrawal notice at this place. They don't tell you the truth. I was told that the toddler ratio was 1:4 when I toured. To my surprise after I enrolled my child, the teachers told me it was a 1:6 ratio. The teachers told me that they tell all new parents it is a 1:4 ratio because not all children are there everyday. It has consistently been a 1:6 ratio. I am paying all this money for nothing better, actually worse. I am putting my child back in his old school where they had a good program and good food. I should have never taken my child out of his old school only because I thought the ratios were better at this place. Don't go here. It is terrible.

I originally enrolled my daughter at the Children's Lighthouse because it was rated an A according to the First Coast News report. I was impressed with the initial tour, and being in the educational field, I asked all the educational and professional questions I could think of. From the "tour" I felt confident and confortable and immediately enrolled my daughter-b/c the director said they had limited availability and the spots go quickly. I paid $1000 in total to enroll my daughter in their infant room( You pay $375.00 to reserve your spot and then $700 for a months tuition in advance). For the price, I expected my child to have her own crib, without it being utilized by other infants and for her to remain in the infant room at all times. Within the first week that was not so. My daughter was moved from one room to another without my knowledge or permission. One day, I found my daughter in another room- in another crib, cying at the top of her lungs. When I brought this to the... Read more

I had to call Department of Children because the playground was not safe. The inspector told me after she inspected that they had other problems also. Too many hazards on this playground. They say that their playground is safe but it is not. They didn't follow instructions when told to do so whne to notify me. I am disappointed in this daycare. I would not recommend this day care to anyone.

This school is unprofessional. My daughter told me that they have just a couple of minutes to eat and will take her plate away before she is done. Food is usaully cold and not appealing. I am told the rates are going up and they are already expensive. For the price of this daycare, it is not worth it. I looked at their inspection reports and they are not very good. I am looking at other places to take my daughter.

This school is frightening. My child was bitten many times before the director did anything about it. She didn't seem to know what she was doing. I most often would find the bite mark on her back or stomach when I would bathe her at night. I would ask about it the next morning and they always had an excuse or would accuse me that I did not know what I was talking about. I finally took my child out and to another school up the road and what a great difference it has been over Lightouse. Do not ever go to this school. They are only interested in the money. They don't let you pay by check.

My grandchild was physically mishandled by another teacher at this daycare. Department of Children and Families investigated tham and they were found guilty of mishandling my grandchild. I would never recommend this daycare ever.

We took my child out of another day care to place him at Lighthouse even though it was a little more expensive than the other school. Everyone from the director to the teachers to the kitchen staff is friendly, professional, and prompt to address any concerns or matters. The teacher's were quick to introduce themselves on my child's first day and when he moved up an age group. The teachers get down on my child's level to work with him and get him actively engaged in something on those off days where he doesn't want me to leave. The rooms are bright, clean, cheerful and age-appropriate. I noticed that my child's learning accelerated once we switched him to this school. Children's Lighthouse is a wonderful place to have your child cared for by excellent teachers. I would highly recommend the school to any one looking for a loving, nurturing environment for their little ones.