BC
Bridget Childs
Sep 18, 2025
I am the grandmother of two children whose parents are stationed in Hawai’i. I was asked to care for them for a month and enrolled them in this center.
My first impression during the initial visit and meeting with the director was positive. However, once the children started attending, I quickly became concerned.
On the first day, I dropped my granddaughter off in the 3-year-old room around 7:30 a.m. The children were eating breakfast served in plastic bags on Styrofoam plates, and they were standing in lines that reminded me of a cafeteria rather than a learning environment. The classroom itself was dirty; for example, the floor was covered in food crumbs even though the children weren’t eating crackers at the time. Two boys were seated at a table facing a wall with boxes of diapers and blankets stacked on it, which didn’t feel like an appropriate setting for young children.
In contrast, my grandson’s 4-year-old room appeared clean, spacious, and well organized. Still, my granddaughter cried every morning at drop-off, and I left in tears myself, worried for her comfort and safety. She began to act in a way that concerned me my grandson was better able to verbalize his issues.
When I spoke with the director about my concerns regarding cleanliness, meal/food service, and the attire of the teacher in the 3-year-old room, she seemed more upset that I voiced these concerns near another parent than with addressing the issues themselves, very defensive. For context, the teacher’s attire was often revealing, which I felt was unprofessional and inappropriate in a preschool setting (eventually I noticed a change).
By Day 3, my granddaughter came to me at pickup with a noticeable knot on her head. The teacher could not explain what had happened, and although my granddaughter admitted she cried, I never received an accident report. That same day, I also discovered she had been put in another child’s underwear after a potty accident, despite the fact that I had provided multiple complete changes of clothes. This was deeply concerning and unacceptable.
Other ongoing issues included:
• Breakfasts being served on very small Styrofoam plates, with food handled in hallways without proper covering. They were served with rubber gloves often instead of serving utensils, at least in the 3's (picture attached).
• Limited options for my grandson, who has a nut allergy and requires special accommodations. He was often only given water to drink instead of alternatives such as soy or almond milk.
• The playground being primarily dirt, which left the children extremely dirty after outside play.
Because of these repeated concerns, I eventually withdrew my grandchildren from the facility and paid for the previous week they attended.
In fairness to the teacher, the director herself was also dressed in an unprofessional manner (shown in picture attached), and I personally witnessed her speaking very rudely to the school-aged children. Not surprised based on the nice-nasty response I received to my concerns.
I understand many families rely on this center, but based on my experience, I cannot recommend it. If I ever need to care for my grandchildren again, I would rather leave work to be with them than place them here.
This facility should be temporarily closed and thoroughly revamped. Staff, including kitchen personnel, should undergo a full week of paid training conducted by an independent agency. The training should be scheduled at a time that does not disrupt families or inconvenience parents.
**And learning, huh, all my grands did was eat, sleep, and play.
As a parent, nothing brings more peace of mind than knowing your child is safe, loved, and truly cared for—and that’s exactly what JFK Daycare provides. From the moment i enrolled my daughter, I knew I had found something special.
The environment is warm, welcoming, and structured in the best way. The staff go above and beyond every single day, and it’s clear they genuinely care about the kids’ growth and happiness. The curriculum is thoughtful, fun, and developmentally appropriate—my daughter comes home excited to share what she learned or created.
A huge thank you to Director Tia Collins, whose leadership and passion shine through in every corner of JFK. Tia is not only professional and communicative, but she’s also incredibly nurturing and attentive. Her dedication sets the tone for the entire center, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
If you’re looking for a daycare that feels more like a family—this is it. JFK has truly become a second home for my daughter, and we feel so lucky to be part of this community.