Bethel Kids Care

My daughter started at The Children’s Ark Learning Academy after being kicked out of another child care facility for behavioral issues. She was in the process of being evaluated by CDS, but we were shocked that the other school was not willing to have CDS come into the center to evaluate her. That was a huge red flag, but we didn’t realize it at the time. We were in a pinch and reached out to TCALA to see if they had any availability. The director, Amanda, promptly got back to us with all of the information we needed- already a huge improvement over other centers we tried to get in contact with. Amanda gave me a tour of the facility on short notice and also allowed for my daughter to come in on an additional tour with me where she could sit in with the class and the teacher to get a feel for it. She was diagnosed with ADHD by CDS and change is a huge deal, we were so thankful that they accommodated our extra needs. I was very straightforward with Amanda about why we were switching schools and the issues my daughter was having. She understood and explained they had have many kiddos through the school who have had services by CDS and that they were welcome in the school any time. She also understood that it might not be a perfect fit and that we would see how the first few weeks went. When I tell you that my daughter is a different child here, that is an understatement! What a difference educated and caring childcare professionals have made on our lives! My daughter was having 3-5 incidents per week at her last school and now, at The Children’s Ark Learning Academy, I would say maybe 3 incidents ALL YEAR. The teachers there, and especially Amanda who intervenes if things get a little hairy, are so amazing with my daughter. An important note is that, while she did qualify for services through CDS, they are so short staffed that CDS did not get a provider into her classroom. All of my daughters improvements have been because of TCALA. They truly love her there and it’s evident that she feels that, too. I’m so sad that she is headed off to Kindergarten in the fall and we won’t get to see Amanda and her amazing staff every day, but we’re so lucky that they offer “big kid” care over school and summer vacations! Some other great highlights about TCALA: the hours 7am-5:30pm is a godsend for working parents; the food: breakfast, lunch, and a snack every day included (or formula for babies!); the gym: a full size indoor gym to play on rainy days and get the wiggles out; outdoor play: they go outside every day (sometimes multiple times!) as long as weather permits and they have awesome playgrounds separated by age to keep the littles safe; the rates: not only are they on market with other schools that provide fewer hours and no food, they offer CCAP and help you understand the paperwork needed; the app: they use an app to keep you apprised of the kiddos day, post meals eaten, post pictures of fun activities they might be doing, and have access to communicate directly with the teacher; security: door code is needed to enter the school and every room has security cameras for the director to access. Another huge benefit that deserves its own shout out: acceptance! The school is run by a church and also has a multicultural center so the kiddos come from many backgrounds. I was cautious because we are a two-mom family and that is not always welcome at religiously affiliated centers. I was candid with Amanda when I asked and she let me know that without a shadow of a doubt that ALL families are accepted and embraced at TCALA. We got two special crafts for Mother’s Day- one for each of my daughters mothers, and two special crafts on Father’s Day for each of us, too. Not only that, but some kiddos were confused about that and the teachers explained in very pre-k language that, some kids have two moms and no dads, just like our daughter. I could go on for days and days about how amazing our experience with TCALA has been. Thank you thank you thank you to The Children’s Ark Learning Academy!!

Our son has been going here for years, this daycare has been nothing but good to us, when inflammation really took off , the director Amanda Pulos has always made us feel comfortable, and help us figure out whatever hardship we went through. All the teachers have been nothing but amazing to us, and made us feel like family. We love this center and don’t ever want to leave.

My daughter has been coming to this Learning Center for a few months now and the teachers are very catering to the children and to my child, especially since she has been the newer student there. The teachers seek out individual needs that the children have consistently everyday and attend to them individually, helping the student or child feel safe and comfortable in their own element. All of the teachers take care of the children as if they were their own. This Center also keeps you updated on every detailed activity every child is doing everyday with an app called hi Mama which is the best! They let you know what your child is doing throughout the whole day so you as a parent will never have to worry and it's very rewarding to see what your child has accomplished throughout the day while you are at work. Me as a parent, I feel assured my child is getting the proper care she needs at Bethel Kids Care.

My niece has attended this daycare since she was one and is now in the pre k room. She absolutely loves it there and her teachers. They have helped in teaching her so much including potty training. Could not have done it without them. Love that they have a lot of outside time, they treat her like family from what I have seen. She has loved all her teachers especially Miss Alicia, Miss Missa, Miss Shannon and Miss Amanda. She even cried for Miss Alicia when we left one day. That speaks volumes. They do not take tons of vacation days/weeks off like some other daycare's do. We appreciate everything they do to keep her safe and always loved and learning.

We removed our child from this daycare for several reasons. Amanda and her sister are the ones who run the center in Westbrook. They are very rough with some of the children and for all I know all of them especially the children who are smart and require more personalized attention. I have seen bruises on my daughter several times and now that I've seen other reviewers complaining of the same thing the facts all seem to come together and the abuse quite apparent. When changing my daughters diaper they wiped her so hard she had a very nasty rash and it was obviously caused by wiping way to hard. Obviously by an impatient non caring provider. I'm not sure who was responsible but that's besides the point. She has had a busted lip and scratches to her face before too. I understand things happen but their were just to many instances where this has happened. Every time I brought these issues up Amanda would say she looked at the video footage and found nothing. Well that's obviously a lie as it DID happen while in their care. They also close their doors due to non existing inclimate weather. We have our daughter in a great daycare now and these issues have disappeared altogether. I would strongly urge you take some of these positive reviews with a grain of salt. Edit: Your response is laughable. I see you changed the name of your daycare. Was it because you had received so MANY negative reviews? Damage control? You have also changed your response to my review for a fourth time. Every edit you make your response it becomes more and more obvious you're a mad person which you and I and many more already know. These futile attempts at discrediting my review is petty. People see right past it. I hope you get help. But I really hope those children you are entrusted with are safe. Good luck to you, I hope you find help. Sincerely.