Lsu Child Care Center

The only reason I don't give this place a single star is because there are some wonderful teachers there. We have no issues with them whatsoever. Even some of the administrators are great. However, the executive director makes it unbearable, sometimes even for the teachers and other staff. Our child spent two years there ending in August 2023. One of the biggest problems is that they've begun slowly adding more closure days every year. They tried adding them all at once and had a mass exodus of students/parents. They are closed during all 14 of the LSU holidays, of course. In addition, last year they were closed an additional 12 days for "professional development." This year I think it's 14. They tried to make it 28 days (in addition to holidays) all at once, but at the same time they tried to increase tuition. That didn't fly so they're doing it incrementally. Meanwhile, parents are expected to find (and pay!) sitters or someone else to keep their children on the days they're closed. The executive director is a professor from the School of Education at LSU who is mostly interested in having a nice multi-cultural cross-section of students for her research papers. She admitted as much to my husband. The kids are not allowed to celebrate any holidays, not even secular ones. That means no Independence Day, no Mardi Gras, no Halloween, no Thanksgiving. Nothing. The only things they're allowed to celebrate are "Friendship Day" (what they've renamed Valentine's Day) and the seasons (they have spring and fall picnics). When confronted about this, Dr. DiCarlo responded that this was the "industry standard." What?! The food is horrible and it's served on black plastic plates. Imagine trying to get a picky toddler to eat from that. It's prepared at the Student Union and brought over in a van. They refuse to serve any pork or beef. I won't comment further on that except to say that yes, your assumptions for the reasons are probably correct (as confirmed to us by the ED when we asked). The PAC (Parent Auxiliary Council) asked for them to add more fresh produce to the menu. Their response was to add things like "roasted bell peppers with cream cheese" or "steamed carrots with southwest bean dip" to the menu--for toddlers!!! And it was so bad, even the adults wouldn't eat it. They claim to be "Reggio Emilia inspired," but no school in Reggio-Emilia would ever allow this (I know because I have family there). There's little to no discipline. They're not allowed to tell the kids no. They won't even give them time out. If a child misbehaves, they're only allowed to "redirect" or remove them from the situation. And lastly, I have to wonder about where the money is going. We paid over $12k per year. They get a free building, free lawn care, and free utilities from LSU. Plus, their executive director is a professor and is, thus, paid directly by LSU. We also had to pay for lots of extras plus diapers, blankets, sheets, etc. And yet, they say they can't afford to pay their teachers and subs competitively. Why? Are their funds that mismanaged? It's gotten so bad that the LSU Faculty Senate has gotten involved, but nothing has changed, mostly because the administration seems to be set on becoming independent from LSU (while still getting free stuff and a salary from them). If that's not enough to warn you off then nothing will, so I'll stop here. Don't make the same mistake we did. Stay away.

Clean, professionally managed daycare. Sometimes teacher turnover is high but is never understaffed. Long wait list. So apply early.

Very caring and wonderful teachers who strive to guide children’s education and development.