Expressive Beginnings Child Care

(If I could leave a 0 stars I would) I am writing this review as a parent who truly wanted this school to work and trusted it with my child during a very vulnerable stage of her life. Unfortunately, our experience with Expressive Beginnings was deeply disappointing and, frankly, alarming. I feel obligated to share this so other families can make an informed decision. My daughter started at Expressive Beginnings in September. Initially, things seemed fine. I was picking her up early each day and had no major concerns. That changed in October when I accepted a new job with standard 8–5 hours and needed to begin using the before- and after-care program. At that time, I was under the impression the program cost $100 per week. While this was later framed as a “misunderstanding,” no one corrected this assumption for over a month — despite the school happily accepting weekly payments and issuing receipts. I even sat down with Kaylee and another staff member and openly explained our financial concerns. I was reassured, encouraged to apply for DHS assistance, and told we would be back-paid once approved. Based on those assurances, we moved forward in good faith and paid $500 over five weeks while struggling to adjust to a new biweekly pay schedule. During this same period, I began noticing troubling things while viewing the classroom cameras — which, I now believe, are marketed more as a selling point on the school than a true accountability tool. I observed: • Children running uncontrolled while teachers stood talking • Minimal engagement or redirection • My daughter (who has documented speech delays) repeatedly placed alone in a corner during emotional distress, referred to as a “cozy corner,” but without any actual guidance or emotional regulation being taught • An incident where another child hit my daughter, and staff claimed they were “trying to figure out who did it” despite it being immediately obvious Rather than support or reassurance, I was met with defensiveness. After my daughter began exhibiting behaviors completely out of character for her, we were brought into a meeting with Becky, the director, teachers, and a social worker. This meeting was intended to discuss a learning plan, but it became clear that accountability within the school was minimal. When I directly asked Becky whether she monitors the school’s own cameras, her response was a casual “no.” That answer alone spoke volumes. The after-care environment was especially concerning. One young staff member in particular appeared disengaged, frequently on her phone, visibly irritated with children, and never once introduced herself. This was raised in the meeting and dismissed. Shortly after, we were abruptly informed that we had been “paying incorrectly” and would need to pay over $700 immediately to continue care — despite never being notified earlier and despite our ongoing DHS appeal. When I attempted to explain our situation (including the fact that I was traveling weekly to Buffalo to care for my terminally ill mother), there was zero compassion. The accountant we were referred to was shockingly cold and dismissive. No payment plan. No flexibility. Just “pay or leave.” At that point, it no longer felt like a school — it felt like intimidation. Thankfully, the social worker involved showed genuine humanity and helped us transfer to a new UPK program mid-year. Within two weeks, my daughter made more speech progress than she had in nearly three months at Expressive Beginnings. Her behavior normalized. She is happy, regulated, and thriving..That contrast says everything. Final thoughts for parents: This school presents itself as nurturing, communicative, and child-centered. In reality, it feels transactional, understaffed, and emotionally cold. Leadership lacks empathy for working families, teachers appear burned out or disengaged, and financial practices are confusing at best and coercive at worst. Preschool should not feel like survival mode for children or parents. I strongly urge families to look elsewhere.

Our son has been at Expressive Beginnings for two years now and we love it. Becky and her team run an exceptional program where our son has been thriving. Thankful for all of the teachers.

My kids never started here because of horrible lack of communication. First impressions mean alot and they definitely rubbed me the wrong way. I called earlier in the week on a Monday initially to see if they had an opening for my daughter. Someone at front desk answered and said the director was out, she took my information and said she would get back to me by the end of the day. I never got a follow up call, so I called and left a voicemail. Wednesday comes, still no response. So I call and talk to someone else who says again the director isn't available and doesn't know if they will have a spot for my daughter ( I guess the director is the only one that knows this answer ). Again they take my information and yet again I don't get a call back. So now it's Friday. I call again and talk to another girl and she says the director is out and she apologizes again and says they will have someone call me back. I tell her I've been told that twice already. I just want to know if my daughter will have a spot for fall. She answers , no . So yeah, communication at this place is lacking.

Super organized, caring, beautiful experience for our toddler. My son has been at EB for just about two years now. He’s had some developmental challenges that EB really was instrumental in helping us work thru them and get our son the special attention he needed to work thru his challenges. We’re super grateful for everything they have done and the extra special care they give to give us peace of mind and give my son the best possible daycare and soon pre school experience. It’s not easy and they do it with a smile on their face always. They do so many activities I can’t list them all. Most importantly my son knows his a,b,c’s counts to 10, is 95% potty trained is caring, active and has friends all before the age of 3. All of which have been thanks to EB programs and teachers. So Thank you EB!

VERY unorganized and unprofessional