Brass Ring Learning Centers Inc

I am writing this because I wish I had seen an honest review on Brass Ring Learning Center, West Mifflin when looking for quality care for my child. We used this facility for 2 1/2 years with few issues until starting Pre-k room. During our last year, there were several times I had that mother's intuition, but my child couldn't communicate well, and how do you really know? You ask questions, get the right answers and think you are being that overly cautious mom. It wasn't until a fellow mom had a big issue that several of us started talking. Once we compared stories, we knew we weren't crazy. Upon sharing it on the internet, the stories I got back from people over the last 7 years were hard for me to even grasp that this facility was still in business and I was angry at myself for not realizing what was happening to many of these children sooner.

You won't see any dings from the state on this place. They know how to look perfect when it comes down to business. The director and owner are both extremely unprofessional with how they act, spreading gossip or talking terribly about you and your child to other parents or teachers, which I have witnessed. There was a facebook post ridiculing a parent on what was sent for lunch, as the director referred to them as dumb*ss and dumbtard. Several staff members could be seen constantly on cell phones all day or observed through facebook posts. Getting enough to drink was a problem as well, where kids were so thirsty at pick up, gulping down water and they aren't allowed drinks during lunch to make sure food is eaten first. The daycare told some parents they provided milk and others they didn't. I was notified not to bring milk and ran into it being expired for 2 weeks. The director blamed the owner and I dismissed it, but that wasn't the only occasion. Obviously kids aren't drinking enough milk if it doesn't need replaced. Some children expressed to parents they were not allowed to go to the bathroom while outside or at bus stop and had accidents. The staff's elementary school daughter has been seen carrying around infants. A child whose mother we knew asked myself and my husband on a different occasion to help clean them up, which we did in front of a staff member who had no issues with this. A staff member was telling my child the police would come and take him to jail if he didn't listen. They made a 3 y/o who loves impersonating police suddenly be deathly afraid of them, screaming in tears when mentioning police or jail. I again dismissed thinking I was crazy until other parents confirmed- "Oh, that is why my child must be talking about jail suddenly or said your child was going to jail." It took us months for him to be ok with police again.

I am so thankful a mom had a major issue with her child being made to clean up her own poop accident. If not for that, I wouldn't have started to question all of my little intuition moments and get confirmation there were major issues going on. I truly thought this daycare would finally get its ding it had coming for a long time from many many parents, but yet again- nothing can be proven and it is the law that they are not allowed to help your child clean themselves. It may be the law, but in my opionion, it is disgraceful that they are so proud of themselves for following the rules and leaving a 3 y/o to bag up her own feces and send it home to her mom. The director may say the story is all twisted, but I choose to believe that 3 y/o and the pictures of bagged up poop and wipes sent home with her. There were many reviews posted on the daycare's business page which were immediately removed and promptly replaced with raving reviews. Parents witnessed the director asking other parents for good reviews to post online in light of events going on. You can't always believe reviews you see, but rest assured.. this one is real and honest. Parents- be very careful when choosing a daycare to take care of your most important creations. You just don't know what could be going on behind closed doors.

My daughter has been attending Brass Ring for 2 years since she was a baby. We cannot express how happy we are with the center as a whole. The teachers are very attentive to Abby's needs and have gone the extra mile when we had a family emergency. We just found out we are expecting our second child and we have already reserved our space. Thank You for being a part of our extended family!

Review: On October 23, 2015, I paid to reserve a space for my child in the infant program at Brass Rings. I had to pay the registration fee of $25 and the amount for the first two weeks that my child would be there in attendance. Two weeks for my child would cost $224 ($28 for eight half-days) so I paid $249 total. Unfortunately, my family's financial situation changed so I immediately contacted Brass Rings on February 8th, to let them know that my child would no longer be attending day care. The registration fee was stated as non-refundable in the registration packet so I knew I would only be entitled to receive the $224 back. Upon talking to the director, I was told that I would not be getting a refund since they had to turn away parents wanting to enroll their children. I never received any phone calls from Brass Rings expressing any concern as to when my child would start so I'm not sure why I am being denied a refund for services and care no longer being provided. I figured I would have been called if there were any problems or issues with my child's delayed start. The director spoke to the owner about the issue and they responded that my child could attend day care for the weeks paid but they would have to figure out when my child could attend. I told the director that I do not feel comfortable having my child in that sort of temporary care with caregivers who my child and I would not be building any sort of relationship with. I wouldn't want my child to have to adjust to new surroundings and strangers. My family shouldn't be denied a refund due to the company not enrolling other children/families into the program.Desired Settlement: I would like to be refunded the $224 for the two weeks paid for daycare services that I will not be receiving.

Business

Response:

To Whom It May Concern regarding case number [redacted], March 10, 2016Tiara [redacted] came to tour our facility on October 23, 2015. She toured our Infant Room and hadexpressed her desire to enroll her expected child the end of January beginning of February for four halfdays per week. She was unable to give us a firm date of when she would like to start her child. At thattime Ms. [redacted] was informed by the Director that we have a $25.00 registration fee that is nonrefundableas well as a deposit equaling two weeks of enrollment to hold her child’s space for futureenrollment and it was verbally disseminated to her that these were both non-refundable. This twoweek deposit would be applied to their account as payment for the first 2 weeks the child attended. Thishas been Brass Ring Learning Centers, Inc. policy since 1992. We had to implement these policies due toparents wanting to enroll their children and never showing up but we have saved spaces for thesechildren and have turned other families away. It is the parent’s responsibility to call the center toinform us of when they are going to start their child.On February 8, 2016 Ms. [redacted] called to inform us that she would not be sending her child. Ms.[redacted] spoke with Miss [redacted] stating that she would not need care for her daughter that they had familyfinancial issue arise and asked if she could be refunded the two weeks. Miss [redacted] stated that it is anon-refundable deposit and at the time Ms. [redacted] asked if she could then bring her daughter for the twoweeks. Miss [redacted] explained that she would ask the President of the company and get back to her.Miss [redacted] called Ms. [redacted] back on Friday February 12, 2016 to inform her that she could bring herdaughter in for the two weeks asked for a half of day. At that time Ms. [redacted] changed her mind andstated that she didn’t want to do that and she just wanted their money back because of financial issues.Miss [redacted] explained again that it is a non-refundable deposit and that she would let the President ofthe company know her concerns. Ms. [redacted] wanted the President of the company to call her to discussthis.During the week of February 22, 2016 Miss [redacted] the president of the company called and left amessage on Ms. [redacted]’s voicemail. There was no return phone call from Ms. [redacted]. On March 9, 2016 Ms.[redacted] called the center and said she hasn’t heard from the president of the company. Miss [redacted]informed her that she would let Miss [redacted] know she called and have her call her back as soon as shecould. On March 10, 2016 Miss [redacted] called Ms. [redacted] at 11:05am and left a message for her to call back sothey could discuss her concerns. Ms. [redacted] returned her call at 12:16pm on March 10, 2016 and Miss [redacted]discussed the policy and explained to her that she could bring her daughter for the two weeks that wereapplied to her account. Ms. [redacted] refused this option because it was too much trouble to drag all thestuff around. She then threatened Miss [redacted] with legal action.Thank you ye much for your time,PresidentBrass Ring Learning Center, Inc.