Just Like Home Day Care

I moved to the State of Florida in April, coming from St. Louis, MO. I learned of Just Like Home Early Learning Academy from close family, but at the time Ms. Fuller did not have any openings. After a month or so I was having so many issues with O2B Kids South Creek Location, I knew it wasn't nothing but the Grace of God that Ms. Fuller had an opening. My daughter has been in this center for less than 60 days and she is excelling so much! Her vocabulary is expanding every single day. She's excited to go to school. Ms. Fuller has been nothing but kind and thorough. She is assertive and about her business, but I have never been disrespected or talked down too by her. She truly loves what she does, and it shows in the bonds that she builds with the children. My daughter walks around the house on the weekends sing-singing "Misha, Misha Misha" No communication problems at all, very responsive to any and every question I always have. And the best part? She's located so close to my home that I get to walk my daughter to school every morning increasing our bond. I couldn't be happier with Just Like Home ELA

I kept my son at home up until he turned two. Naturally, he was used to having constant one-on-one attention and her every whim tended to get met quickly—yes, he was a little spoiled. I was really nervous about putting him into daycare, not knowing how he’d adjust to being around other children, sharing toys, following a routine, or not being the center of the universe 24/7. But I can honestly say enrolling him in this daycare was the best decision we’ve made. The teachers are incredibly patient, nurturing, and experienced with children who are transitioning from home care. They didn’t try to “discipline” him into a box, but rather gently guided him into learning independence and social skills. We noticed a big change in him. If you’re a parent of a toddler who’s had the luxury of being doted on at home, and you’re worried about daycare being a rough transition, I highly recommend this place. They meet your child where they are and help them grow—lovingly and patiently.

Good childcare is hard to find, but superb childcare is a rare gem! Just Like Home is just that and I’m so glad I have my daughter here! I’ve experienced large care providers, small providers, in-home care, at home care, you name it. But I can honestly say I couldn’t be more grateful for the quality of education, the attentiveness and genuine care of Mrs. Yamisha and her staff, and the creativity in the program. I love that it’s in her home but it really feels like I’m sending her to a trusted family member who loves my baby like her own. It was so hard to find someone who not only provides a food program but also takes care to treat eat child uniquely based on their needs. That was such a relief because my daughter has like 3 crazy allergies that can be easy to miss. I love that her child to teacher ratio is a good and manageable balance, keeping her with the same 10 little people and teacher all day! That is a win, especially when so many providers crowd or shuffle kids around. And if all of that wasn’t enough, we’ve made it through a whole pandemic together with ZERO infections!! She was flexible and understanding when everything happened and has done everything she can to keep families safe. I write this with a full and grateful heart knowing that her program is the BEST that I’ve experienced!

As a Pediatric RN and mother, I feel it’s important to share my experience with Just Like Home Early Learning Center, despite typically avoiding lengthy reviews. My primary concern is the well-being of children, which has prompted me to detail my observations and concerns. I first learned about Just Like Home through a community Facebook page, and its proximity was appealing as I was preparing for major surgery. When I contacted Mrs. Yamisha Fuller to schedule a visit, she requested that I come after hours and without my child to focus on paperwork. I found this unusual, as I preferred to observe the environment and interactions between the children and staff. During my visit, I noticed a bar stocked with liquor in a room accessible to children. Mrs. Fuller explained that a gate normally prevents access but had been removed for cleaning and not replaced. I hope this review addresses that concern. We discussed the sign-in/sign-out process, which Mrs. Fuller described as a system where staff sign in and out children, while parents sign a book to confirm accuracy. However, I later discovered that parents are supposed to sign the book only once a month, not daily, which raised concerns about accurate record-keeping. Additionally, app notifications for check-ins were inconsistent, and Mrs. Fuller indicated that these were not guaranteed but a sometimes courtesy. My son was in the process of potty training as he would be turning 3. Although Mrs. Fuller assured me that he would be taken to the restroom regularly, I found that his pull-up was often soaking wet at pickup, and there was an instance of dried poop on him. When I inquired, Mrs. Fuller said he had pooped twice that day, which did not explain the condition he was in. Once he turned 3 years old she added an extra $20 a week to the tuition for him not being fully potty trained. Which would have been okay with me, if I didn't pick him up soaking wet almost everyday. Communication was a challenge. When I asked for clarification on a couple of questions via the app, Mrs. Fuller suggested that if I had so many concerns, the school might not be the right fit for us, making me feel like a burden for seeking clarification. This was week one, day 3. I was so taken aback that I thought I had done something wrong. Parents are not allowed beyond the door for, and there is a two-week trial period, which I understood to apply to both parties. When I decided to withdraw my son after a week and a half, Mrs. Fuller insisted on a 30-day notice as per the contract. She later clarified that the two-week policy was for her benefit in case of behavioral issues (remember this sentence). There were several concerns regarding my son’s care and the classroom environment. Mrs. Fuller expressed worries about my son’s development and behavior that did not align with our observations or his pediatrician's advice. She mentioned he was not meeting developmental milestones, which was contradicted by professionals such as he pediatrician and educational professionals. He speaks English and Spanish, knows his ABC'S, numbers, shapes and colors at 2 years of age. I also found it troubling that Mrs. Fuller reported my son hitting other students, a behavior he had never exhibited before. Despite her policy stating that a child with behavioral issues would be dismissed, he was not, and I was not informed about these alleged issues even though she stated he had been hitting since day one. I never formally met his teacher and she was uninterested in introducing herself when I tried to meet her. My son was so sad and somber in this program. It broke my heart and for the first time in my life I felt like a bad mother for putting him in that environment. In summary, while I can’t speak for others’ experiences, my time with Just Like Home was marked by inconsistencies and concerns. I urge prospective parents to carefully review all paperwork, ask thorough questions, and trust their instincts. I have re-enrolled him in his old school and he is so much happier.

My daughter has been attending for the last several months and we’ve noticed a leap in her development. Miss Aria & Miss Fuller are kind and attentive. The curriculum is well planned and easy to follow along with at home. The mixture of open play and guided learning really works for us. Would definitely recommend.