Children'S Harbor - Suffolk

We have been using children’s harbor for childcare since my kids were infants, they are now 3, 5, and 7. We have never had any issues with the facility, they communicate effectively and the staff genuinely love the kiddos. They assist with potty training, follow a curriculum that teaches the children and make sure the children are always safe. I always recommended other families to children’s harbor as well.

This center declined significantly after leadership turnover a few months ago. Communication and conflict resolution were poor, concerns were routinely deflected to corporate, and accountability was lacking. There were times illnesses impacted multiple classrooms with minimal proactive communication. Center closed on at least two occasions due to mishandling of cleaning supplies, causing evacuation and emergency pickups. An injury to the head/neck/face was grossly mishandled, and the final straw was the center mismanaging the inoperable HVAC system matter—with children photographed indoors wearing coats and hats. Corporate cited budget constraints and leadership advised that the hvac issues were ongoing. The matter seemed avoidable as it was known by corporate and instead of resolving it prior to it impacting our experiences, CHS chose to open for a couple hours, collect the tuition, and call parents for immediate pick up. If you can't provide a decent environment for the kids, close your doors until resolved and prorate the tuition. Despite a few caring teachers, ongoing leadership, safety, and operational failures ultimately forced me to withdraw my child. I don't blame the interim site level leadership as much as I do the "professionals" at "corporate". After speaking with "corporate/Ghent location", it was evident that there is a broader issue. I knew in that moment after the conversation that I'd rather suffer through the child care crisis and take a leave of absence from my employment than to continue to delay the inevitable with this organization. Parents should ask detailed questions before enrolling.

My kids have been going here since they were 8 weeks old and now they are 4 and 5. I can’t say enough about the staff, they are all so kind and compassionate and love the kids like their very own. They are all so knowledgeable and patient and I truly love them all!

I’ve been very happy with my child’s experience at Children’s Harbor. The teachers and staff genuinely care about the kids, and it shows in the way they interact with them daily. I’ve noticed a lot of negative reviews, but I think it’s important to direct any concerns about tuition to corporate rather than blaming one specific center. The reality is that childcare as an industry is already struggling with staffing and fair wages, so let’s give these hardworking teachers a little grace. You get what you give—if you take the time to build relationships with the staff and treat them like human beings, you’ll find that they are much more receptive and willing to work with you. If you constantly nitpick and complain about minor issues, it’s only natural that the response may not always be what you want. It’s also important to remember that these teachers and staff spend more time with our kids during the week than we do. They play a huge role in our children’s development, and they deserve respect and appreciation for the care they provide. Anytime I’ve had a concern, I never reacted impulsively. Instead, I approached the teacher or director for a face-to-face, respectful conversation, and more often than not, things were resolved quickly and amicably. Communication goes a long way, and I’ve always felt heard here. I’ve recommended this center to many parents and will continue to do so. If you want a positive experience, take the time to engage with the staff and appreciate the hard work they put into caring for our children every day.

A week before Christmas they issue a letter informing some parents that fees are going up $50 a week (a 17% increase) in less than 45 days. Fees are now over $1,500 a month for shared childcare. Meanwhile facilities haven't improved and teachers haven't received wage increases. Merry Christmas from their CEO and Board.