Information Find out what our families are saying...

I had just left law enforcement to start a new business of my own when my son was born. We held on as long as we could financially with my very latina (by that I mean "passionate" about our son:) wife staying at home. 18 months and the bank accounts needed a "refill" and it was time to make a change. With my (legal) background I ask a lot of questions. Sadly, I think most people are lying. I look for the gaps in stories and I am suspect of everyone. Admittedly so, I was perhaps too skeptical, but that is what makes my experience that much more impressive. Needless to say, I can be a little hard to please and from a father's perspective I wanted nothing but the best for my family (security, compassion, education, and comfort). A big piece of this was also my wife's emotional transition - which I will comment on in a moment.

When we looked around for area schools, we read reviews, yelp, google, talked to friends, called a dozen places, and eventually visited our top (3). This was literally the biggest decision I have made as a father, in my opinion. Please understand, I have seen first-hand the worst of the worst scenarios in child care. So imagine the opposite... and that in a nutshell is Rick and his team at Primrose DTC, specifically Ashley and Dana and the incredible teachers in the Toddler groups! A few highlights are as follows:

• The school building is always clean. Spotless, in fact.
• The hardwood floors, the color palette, lobby, design, and feel is more like a nice house, rather than a school. It is where you would have wanted to go as a kid. It is a really nice layout. Everything was handpicked with child care in mind (outlets, door with pinch-free hinges, etc).
• All the doors are coded with security badge scanners and finger print identification (AWESOME, I KNOW!)
• I have never walked in and NOT seen someone attentively watching the lobby/front.
• The welcome packet, literally, explains everything. Snow days, payment, policy, etc. Proper paperwork and documentation is the key to ANY good business. Rick and his team go one step further and actually explain everything in great detail.
• Even during a snow storm, Rick has a shovel in hand making the grounds safe. I have seen him do this each times it snows. We all know he doesn't have to, he wants to. It is so refreshing to see owners take pride in their facilities.
• They have a pediatric nurse on staff every day. She will even answer individual medical questions about your child. When there is a "bug" going around, the school promulgates memos that hang in each room explaining symptoms, what to look for and recommendations on how to treat the little guys/gals. So nice for an idiot like me :)
• The rates are extremely competitive with like situated schools/number of days, and includes meals and snacks.
• EVERYDAY my son gets a written report that includes his diaper changes, amount he eats (oh, BTW only nutritious food is served from an insanely clean kitchen), his attitude, what activities he enjoyed, issues (good and bad), how long he napped, and who was his teacher that day. This again is a big plus! Proper documentation. No surprises. Nothing is word of mouth.
• They use current technology (tablets) for attendance - taken very frequently - and for parents to check their kids in and out with a unique PIN#. Very cool!
• Every teacher my son has spent time with has a certification or a degree in childhood education, development, speech and language, and other specialties. You know, professionals. The kind of people you want around your kids if you cannot be.
• I couldn't find any complaints... anywhere. Now I know why.

As I mentioned, my wife was very emotional about going back to work. The staff totally understood and for the first week called her every day (sometimes more than once) with updates. They took photos of him enjoying the day and emailed them to both of us. They ALWAYS pick up the phone and physically check on your child if you ask them to. They went above and beyond to make sure that she felt good about where our son was. He had a few rough days, but what made it easier is that they told us BEFORE hand it was going to happen and take about 4 weeks to adjust. Like clockwork, both mom and kiddo settled in as scheduled and we are in a wonderful routine. I don't think there is anything unique about my experience. I think they have great leadership, incredible staff, a good business model, and it shows.

Take the tour before making a decision and see for yourself. Even though it is a franchise, Rick is taking personal ownership and accountability over his "small" business and he willing to provide his personal story which is key to understanding the "why" behind his motivations.

- Joseph