My daughter Ariyah (currently aged 2 and a half years old) has been a member of the Glassboro Child Development Centers family for a little over a year now, and I have been given the honor of writing a testimony as Parent, on behalf of the Preschool Site. I will do my best to give an honest review for prospective parents, as I would hope others before me have as well.
Prior to Ari’s enrollment at GCDC Preschool, she had never been in any care programs, as I was not working. As an immigrant with few family members and friends in this country to rely on, I had no option but to enroll her in a daycare full-time when I was able to start working. As any first-time parent can imagine, I terrified of the idea of leaving my precious 18-month-old in the care of strangers, especially with the differences in culture (we have Zimbabwean and Jamaican heritage). I was initially referred to GCDC Preschool by a trusted mentor of mine, who is a Glassboro homeowner and is familiar with the daycare. To be honest, I was not sold, but this was solely based off being anxious and avoidant haha.
Ironically, after a chance meeting with the Site Director, Ms. Amy, the teachers & children of Toddler 1 (the class Ari started in), at the Glassboro Library for their weekly Story Time, I took a leap of faith and signed up for a tour of the Preschool.
From my very first interactions with the staff at GCDC Preschool, I felt extremely welcomed, understood and comfortable. Mrs. Betsy Lovell was extremely thorough throughout the tour and enrollment process, making sure to answer my 101 questions and concerns with patience and grace. In this year alone, I have watched Ariyah develop exponentially in so many ways, from the expected shapes, numbers and colours to different motor skills, even emotional regulation and intelligence too! The classrooms are vibrant & engaging, and my daughter is always happy to head to school to play with her friends. The teachers and class assistants are always ready to give advice and updates on daily ongoings & individual progress with detail and genuine care for my daughter’s progression. The overall communication with the Preschool is excellent and always conveys transparency when incidents occur (as they always do with toddlers).
From day zero to date, I am extremely grateful for the diligence, inclusion and overall care we have experienced from the staff at GCDC Preschool. From class parties to spirit weeks and other family friendly events GCDC hosts, we are constantly reminded how important being an active member of our child’s milestones is but with laughter, fun and memories that we can always cherish. I have the confidence to focus on personal ambitions and goals knowing that my daughter is safe and deeply cared for by her family at daycare. All in all, I would 100% recommend this daycare to prospective parents and I hope you get to experience the level of care and intention my family has.
