Barnyardfortots

Unsafe, unstructured, kids are unhappy, staff is inexperienced.

After moving from Baton Rouge to Prairieville, we were looking for a new daycare in the area. The demand was pretty high and we could only get on waiting lists at our preferred centers. We didn't have much time and we were optimistic. We came across a learning center that was brand new and just opening, Barnyard for Tots. I was hesitant to enroll our then 20-month-old in a new center being run by someone with no former experience in education, early childhood development or even working with kids in general, but we were running out of options.

I had high hopes for this center and unfortunately, I was met with much disappointment. After only two months, I'd had enough and abruptly took my son out. This establishment claims to be a 'learning center' but it is a FAR cry from a learning center. The "teachers" have no certification in early childhood development and their experience working with children is questionable. I would watch my son attentively on the camera, checking in at least hourly, only to see the same thing every time - a teacher sitting on the floor against the wall while the children ran wild. There was no structure, no activity, no learning of any sort, although I did get daily reports of structured activity and a learning curriculum, I never ONCE saw this in action and I could see the effects of this on my son.

Before I enrolled my child in this place, he had basic manners and would say 'please and thank you', was very social, loved playing with other kids, and would learn new words almost every day. After being in this center he actually digressed. He stopped saying please and thank you, did not learn new words and became anti-social and aggressive to other kids. He started getting into fights, pushing and hitting other children for no apparent reason. This was new and odd behavior for him. He also started getting nose bleeds, which had never happened before, and hasn't happened since. After checking in on the streaming video feed diligently and watching for extended periods of time, I think these things happened because of the lack of structure and the disengaged staff. I don't think he felt safe there and started fighting as a result. I also read up on nose bleeds and learned it can be caused by stress, I think this is what happened. My son was MISERABLE there and in an unsafe, unstructured environment.

I also questioned the health safety of this center. Within these two months, there were multiple outbreaks of RSV and I know for a fact that children with confirmed cases of RSV were allowed back into the center without being cleared by a doctor.

After taking my son out of this center and bringing him back to his old daycare in Baton Rouge, he made a 180 degree turnaround. He regained his social skills, started playing nicely with other kids, saying 'please and thank you' again, his nose bleeds stopped and his overall attitude improved. He seemed to be genuinely happy again, which heartbreakingly is something that he lost during his tenure at Barnyard for Tots.

I would warn any parent to be very careful about leaving their child here. I know the demand for daycare in Prairieville is very high and this may be your only option. As a new center, you can expect growing pains but to me the inexperience, lack of engagement or structure and questionable health safety practices is simply unacceptable. If you are looking for a learning center and a nurturing, safe environment for a young child, I strongly advise against Barnyard for Tots.

Very clean, well managed , location is great especially for anyone who commutes to Baton Rouge

So far, our son has only advanced since he has started here. He loves to go everyday and is talking more then any other 2 year old I know! I love that they do crafts with the kids everyday. It is sad seeing all the negative reviews but over the last 4 months we have had a great experience here.

The Only person I would trust my child with at this facility is Mrs Mary in the crawler room! Every other room I agree with the other negative reviews! There is no structure and they do not take kindly to criticism! Please don't take your child here!

We had been going to this daycare since they opened last November. We were told time and time again that there would be activities for the kids, things for them to do and most importantly a CURRICULUM! Everything we were told would happen during our tour/walk thru was a complete lie. Please do not waste your time here. Your child will only suffer! They let kids just run around in the room or they would keep them outside for hours because that was the only activity they had for them to do! The owner will not accept any constructive criticism and it should have been a red flag from the beginning that neither her or any of her staff had any credentials or experience of any sort with children or early childhood education! My child was extremely unhappy at this center and I always felt bad not only for my child but for the other kids at the school. The teachers do not care about your children at all and half the time you can't even see them on the camera. The last thing they are doing is keeping an eye on your child. My daughter was miserable at this daycare it was obvious how unhappy and how unsafe she felt. She never wanted to go there she would start crying as soon as she put her eyes on the building while we were still in the car. I'm sure you can understand how hard this must be as the parent! I could go on for days but the two reviews below that also did not have a good experience they have taken all the words out if my mouth! Please do not send your child to this daycare!!!

I completely and 100% disagree with Natalie and Utterly. My 2 year old granddaughter attends Barnyard For Tots and she LOVES it! Her vocabulary, social skills, potty training, etc have all greatly improved since starting there. She is excited when she gets to "big girl school" in the mornings. The staff is friendly, attentive, and professional. The facility itself is bright, cheerful and spotlessly clean. The owner is always onsite and is always available. I would HIGHLY recommend Barnyard for Tots!

Completely and 100% agree with Natalie S. Owner has no clue what she's doing. Staff is unqualified and lazy. Noone teaches these younger kids. The one and 2s are by far the worst rooms. No structure, no lessons being taught. They just run free all day. My little one didn't learn one thing there. I must say, please please stay away from this childcare. The only thing positive is the cameras, which in all honesty is their worst enemy because you can see in real time how lazy the teachers are and how totally UNINTERESTED in your child they really are. Horrible place. I could go on and on, but I'll end here with a warning, to stay away.