Riverwood Early Learning

One line sums up this daycare nicely. There is nothing scholarly about this academy!
We were drawn in by the great location in regards to our home and the bright brand new building they are located in. Sadly it was just a matter of time before things started to turn south. Our son was promptly labeled as the ‘problem child’ of his 2 year old class. We were scolded and criticized for normal 2 year old behavior. We don’t feel that putting play dough in your mouth is something to be concerned about. However, the owner of the daycare did suggest that because our son tried to eat glitter (once) that he has a vitamin deficiency from not getting proper nutrition at home! How ridiculous!
Things got better when the 2 year old teacher was mysteriously no longer at the daycare. Reasoning behind her absence was hush hush, so we assumed that Young Scholars came to their senses and decided to get rid of this sub par teacher. The replacement teacher was fantastic! Our son responded to her and surprisingly never was the problem child again. At least while he was in this classroom. (This fantastic teacher was also mysteriously fired a short time after as well)
Soon our son turned 3 and moved to the 3 year old class. Teachers in this room ended up being worse than our first 2 year old teacher. Here we go with the problem child again! We were called in for several ‘conferences’ during business hours where we had to leave our jobs to sit and listen about how terrible our child is and we are not doing a good enough job at home with directions assigned to us by the teachers. We were forced to sign ‘behavioral contracts’ which specified if our son’s bad behavior continued we would be excused from the school!
Eventually the 3 year old teachers (personal friends of the owner) complained enough to the owner who then decided to send our son to the 4K room. This decision was made with no consideration of what we his parents thought or felt. This was just a mess. Our 3 year old son was then expected to perform and behave like the other children in the 4K class who were nearing 5, some already 5 and reading books, etc. Well when a 3 year old does not feel like he fits in, he gets pretty frustrated and acts out because he is not able to express these feelings properly.
Teachers in this 4K classroom displayed an exemplary status of un-​professionalism. Our son was labeled the ‘problem child’ once again and communication with the teachers became a struggle. When we tried to get details about our son’s day to help work on reinforcing the positive things he did, we were met with extreme rudeness and were reminded that there were «19 other children in the classroom» and they just don’t have time to write down every single good or bad thing he did, nor do they have time to spend time with him individually to help catch him up to the other children.
Some common phrases used by these teachers to instill control and discipline into our son: «You will do what I say, because I am the boss!» «If you are bad, you will get a naughty note sent home.» The director also threatened to call mom or dad at work to tell us that he is being naughty on a regular basis. Clearly, these are things that should NOT be said to a 3 year old struggling to fit into a new class where he has no friends and are quite advanced than he is!
We were ‘assigned’ flashcards to work on at home because our 3 year old was ‘behind’ and was unable to recognize and write upper and lower case letters! Isn’t this the entire curriculum for a 4K class? We asked why this was not taught in the 3 year old class that he just left and were reminded that they «had not gotten to that part yet.» Why is the teaching supposed to all be done at home? Not very scholarly!
The owner and director of this daycare have no business running a daycare. They should go back to their original careers which I hope they were much better at. Teachers that are hired are personal friends or family and clearly not qualified teachers for children. They automatically put all blame on the child or parents. No accountability is EVER taken by the teachers, director or owner.
After doing some research we learned that they have a 2 star Young Star rating from the State of Wisconsin. This basically says that they provide an environment that is safe for the children. We were very relieved that our son would not lose a finger in a drop side crib, but we feel given the price of tuition that perhaps some education and development would be nice to have since we are unable to spend the day with our son due to work.
We found a 5 star rated daycare to switch our son to. Can I say what a difference! Teachers understand that all children are at different levels, they spend time with him individually when needed and foster an environment that he can flourish in with other children that are close to his age.
We couldn’t be happier for leaving Young Scholars.