Doodle Bugs! Children'S Centers

Since starting daycare in Lancaster in September, our family has felt so grateful for the care and support our little one receives each day. Every morning, she’s genuinely happy and excited to go, which gives us so much peace of mind as parents. The entire morning and evening team work so beautifully together, and no matter who we see, someone always knows an update or something sweet to share. It’s such a comfort to feel that everyone really knows and cares for her. We also appreciate the front desk team, who always welcome us with a warm smile and encouraging words that start and end our day on a positive note. This community truly makes us smile every day, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience

We love Doodle Bugs and all of the staff at the Lancaster location. We’ve had my daughter enrolled two days a week for about to years now. My daughter comes home every day telling me about her fun filled days and how much she LOVES her teachers and friends. Miss Bri is her favorite! It’s reassuring as a mom that my daughter is showed loved and taken care of here. I love the updates they’ll give you throughout their days. The communication at doodle bugs is really top notch! We are so appreciative of everything they have taught my daughter the last two year!

Doodlebugs seemed like a suitable place, but for a child who struggles with sensory issues, it is too loud and overwhelming. We toured the facility prior to the start of the summer program but were unaware of how loud the gym would be. The director was aware of the issues with our son, and we thought that her special education background would be helpful for him. Unfortunately, as we watched the cameras each day, he struggled with the loud and chaotic room. He had an accident for the first time in 6 months. Instead of talking to us, they threw away his clothes and we had to ask them to retrieve the clothes from the garbage. Their curriculum was light; it was mostly just a bunch of kids running around screaming and playing. They are basically babysitting. After 4 days of new severe meltdowns (which had not happened in a year,) we pulled him out of Doodlebugs. Buyer beware, even for the short 8 weeks of summer we signed up for, there is a 4-week withdraw notice. So, for the 4 days he attended, our total charges were over $1800. They were about as unsympathetic as they could be. Since I do not have childcare now and am unable to work this summer, I plan to complain to everyone that will listen (AG, OCFS, BBB.) It might be in their contract and legal but it sure is not ethical or reasonable, especially when it is clearly not in the child’s best interest to stay there.

The DoodleBugs Lancaster center is really well run. We’ve had our kids in 4 other centers throughout our daycare journey and this center/organization has been our favorite. The front desk staff and management are always available and greeting you as you come and go. The center has a huge play area inside and a few options outside for kids to play. Overall it’s a great choice for working families and/or parents looking for help.

I want to start off my saying this daycare is VERY hit or miss with the teachers. The teachers my son had, were fantastic. However I believe the issue came with communication and when the sub teachers came in and out toward the end of the day. I’ll keep it sort and sweet - multiple times my son was picked up with direct scratches and marks to his face, often times bleeding. No one could ever tell me why, no bumps & bruises sheet was given to me. I confronted the director respectfully and calmly and although she had a polite response, the issue continued to happen. There were other complaints I received from both staff and previous workers that so many things were swept under the rug. Which would make sense as to why I never had bumps & bruises sheets. The experience was so bad I actually decided to become a stay at home mom after this. I felt so uneasy about leaving him there everyday. One day I picked him up and he had underwear full of dried up poop that he was in clearly for more than 2+ hours. Idk, I guess just do your research. They bribe parents to win a basket if they leave a review on google, so beware of good reviews. I would never speak bad about a daycare as I know things happen, and it’s hard. I 100% understand that, but it was too many times he came home with marks with unexplained answers for me. And multiple CPS allegations that yes, were found not true. But how much do we really trust the system to begin with to protect our loved little ones?! Even with the cameras I seen some things I wish I didn’t. Choose your child’s daycare wisely.