Deerfield CDC

We did not have a good experience here. We feel that the director and staff at Deerfield CDC treats their job like they’re babysitting your kids. Don’t expect to get all that great stuff you read on their website (
); we didn’t feel any family or community connection here. The director, Kristine, is not friendly; she is harsh and abrasive. My child was afraid of her.
I want to share our experience here… I wish more parent write reviews because the parents I’ve talked to didn’t have good things to say about this place.
This is what I see when I’m there at drop-​off and pick-​up…
On our first day, none of the staff came up to greet me or my child. They didn’t even introduce my child to the other children. That should have been the first red flag and I should have just walked out with my child that day and forget my deposit.
In my opinion, they have too many kids compare to the number of staff. Most of the time, it’s the director and 2 staff (a total of 3 adults), while 1 staff is inside the office and only 2 adults are watching all the kids. And that’s all they are doing… they are sitting back and looking around. They aren’t interacting in «enriching» activities like how the website describes.
I think this allow room for bullying behaviors that the staff don’t see because there’s too many kids to manage. If you have a kinder or very small child that is sensitive, avoid this place.
I also noticed how most of the kids aren’t happy there. I think it’s because the kids have to fend for themselves in that environment.
The staff turn-​around is high. Two or three staffs left while we were there for a small period of time. We were not notified of new staff or provided with their credentials or experience level.
I don’t think they sanitize properly there. My child and another child developed a skin infection (red rashes that never quite go away) while they were there.
All of these issues are unfortunate because Deerfield CDC is in a great location, right next to the elementary school and middle school, so parents feel that it’s convenient and safe for their child to walk from school to CDC. In my opinion, that’s the only good thing about this CDC. After my experience there, I don’t think it’s worth it. I rather deal with the inconvenience of taking half an hour out of my work day and pickup my child from school and drop off at another after-​school program. Or even pay a little more and have my child picked up by another after-​school program where the director and staff cares about my child’s development.
I understand if parents feel they have no other options and if they have to send their child to Deerfield CDC, than really look at the staff and other kids when you’re picking up your child at the end of the day. For example, did any of the staff (or even the director) introduce themselves to you and do they even know your name? Do they smile at you and the children and act like a trained professional? Are they interacting with the children or distracted by constantly looking at their cell phones, busy with paperwork, setting up snack or lunch or talking among themselves? Is your child happy when you pick them up? And if your child tells you every day that they don’t want to go there, then really listen to them and find out why.

CDC Deerfield is an AMAZING center. We have only been going for a couple months but my kids love it there! The staff is very friendly and helpful, shouts out to Ms. Kristine, Ms. Erika, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Steven, and Ms. Denise! If I missed anyone I apologize, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you! Anyway, the activities are fun and interactive. The spring camp was awesome, we can’t wait for summer! It is such a great experience my kids get to share with others and I highly recommend this center to families that expect a safe, fun, learning center for their kids.

Deerfield CDC is a wonderful place for kids to grow, learn, and have fun. The greatest gift is the confidence the leaders give me when leaving me daughter in their care while I am at work. She loves going, always has an exciting answer to my daily question of how was your day. Thank you all of you for being so kind, caring and encouraging to our kids.