Big Hugs Child Care & Development

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Dont bring your children to this place, is filthy and staff will ignore all your request, and the director is the most RUDE person, so repulsive and unprofessional.

I am the Director of Big Hugs, my attorney has recommended that I write a rebuttal to the two poor reviews. Norah W, is a fake name. The person who wrote this review did not pay for her tuition, when she was told that she had to pay and follow the contract she signed which requires two weeks notice, she began making false allegations. She made these false allegations to both the State and her subsidy agency. The State and Subsidy agency both said that the charges were unfounded. The fax machine she claims she used, doesn't exist, we don't have a fax, we never have! We have a camera system with microphones installed which record all of the rooms. The camera footage showed that none of the things she's accusing the center of, ever happened. We are considering pursuing legal action against her. The nephew with the violent behavior? When a child is hurt in the center we have to fill out an accident report. When a child hurts another child, we have to fill out an unusual incident report. The parents of the child in question sign off on the form. The unusual incident form has several boxes, you check off what applies, and add a description. If a child physically hurts another child, a scratch, a bite, if the skin is broken in any way, we check off the violent/rough behavior box. Sometimes parents refuse to sign the form, the form simply acknowledges that we told them what happened. I understand that people don't want to believe their child hurt another child, but it does happen. We have to be fair to both sides, and the parent of the injured child frequently ask what we are doing to stop their child from being hurt and if we told the other parent what their child did. Parents on both sides sometimes get mad. I get it, this is your child, the mama bear/papa bear instinct kicks in, but you need to see it from both sides. We try our best but sometimes a child gets hurt. I've been in this field for 30 years, I understand.

I've had children at Big Hugs off and on for the last 10 years. I wouldn't go to any other daycare. Don't believe the two bad reviews, I have personal knowledge of both. The violent child was a biter, biting kids and breaking the skin. When a child bites another child we have to sign off on a form acknowledging that we've been told; the check box says violent/rough behavior. She may not think her nephew is violent, but I'm sure the parents of the kids who were bitten (skin broken) disagree with her..... As for the other bad review, I was one of the parents contacted by the State when she made her false allegations, the center was found to be innocent on all charges. Don't believe vindictive people.

The director, Sam, is a sham (among other things) She pretends to be so nice/ knowledgeable & presents herself as an empathetic individual. in reality, she is only about the money. Sam is very harsh in her expectations of young children, unforgiving, strict, & wants them to behave like little military men&women. I finally withdrew my son when wrote me a letter admitting she tried to force him to nap, punished him for not napping, forced him to sit in her office, denied his request to use the toilet& continued to upset him&make him cry to the point that he said he needed to throw up. She still wouldnt allow him out of the chair or use the toilet. She also said she "eventually wore my son out." & he was made to "lay down quietly." Sam implied that my son was developmentally delayed just because he was not 100% potty trained at 3 yrs. My son was also expected to lay in a sleeping bag & not get up or speak for 2 hrs daily. He was not offered any quiet activity in place of nap(no puzzles, books,coloring..)That is literally AGAINST THE LAW in NJ. Instead, Sam repeatedly punished&upset my son for not napping. She isolated him in her office, put him in extended time out&refused his right to use the toilet. (Who tells a newly potty trained child that they can't use the toilet when they need to go??!?) We has assistance through a subsidy program& when I told them what was going on, they immediately terminated their contract with the center. Sam then had the nerve to mail a bill to my home for 2 ADDITIONAL wks of daycare AFTER the date I pulled my son! Sam bullied my child, used corporal punishment, refused to let him use the toilet, & broke state laws by refusing to provide quiet time activities during nap. I contacted DCF, the OOL&NJCK. I mailed Sams bill back to her&told her I welcome her to take me to court. Sam also claimed that she never got my notice of withdrawal when I faxed it&this is because she provided the incorrect fax number printed on her company letterhead.

I moved my son to Big Hugs from another school that could not work with him, they said he had behavior issues. Big Hugs helped me have him evaluated and put strategies in place to help him. Two years later he is like any other 4 year old. The first school made me feel like a bad mother, Big Hugs never once made me feel that way. The director had empathy for me and went out of her way to help, even coming to the evaluation with me. They really go above and beyond. There is a review on here that says the center is dirty, that's laughable, I have never once found the center to be dirty and as for sick kids, they send them home and insist we keep them home until they are well again!

My sister sent my nephew here so I thought this would be an ideal school. However my child was sick from playing in a dirty environment and they had rude teachers. My child attended this daycare and the director was unprofessional. I was asked to sign forms that I felt were inappropriate for my 20 month old indicating violent behavior which was simply Not true. I haven't experienced a violent 20 month old children and my pediatrician didn't agree with these statements. You get what you pay! I will pass.

My first daughter started Big Hugs in December of 2010. Naturally I was nervous and upset that I had to leave her in the hands of others while I returned to work. I remember walking in the first day and my anxiety was immediately lifted. The staff was so supportive and understood exactly how I felt. They showed me the ropes and ensured me that everything was going to be OK. This positive attitude continued on over the years. When my second daughter started in February of 2012 I knew she would be cared for in the ways that she needed. Big Hugs is a great place. For those parents out there that think your child is going to get one-on-one care, then daycare is not for you. This center is great at interacting the children to help with socialization. The teacher/child ratio is perfect. I am very pleased with Big Hugs! Thank you!

I've had my child here since 2011, I wouldn't bring Susie to any other daycare around. I've had such a great experience here, along with the staff they are all so nice and helpful with teaching.

Both of my girls have been in Big Hugs since they were infants. As a first-time mom, the staff has always been extremely supportive, offered suggestions and were able to foresee when my baby was ready for the next step.. little things like next foods and when to try out an exerciser, tips and tricks. I appreciated all of that. As a more seasoned second-time mom I really appreciated the organization and care the staff took to make it easy for me to drop off and pick up my children. I knew exactly where they would be and what they would be doing every moment of the day. They were always well cared for, learned how to take direction and responsibility, such as cleaning up and playing well with others. There is an emphasis on togetherness. Big Hugs has the best person on staff who is in charge of potty training. I have never seen her exhibit anything but patience, kindness and order with the children and is a true caregiver at heart. My children have always been safe, happy and engaged in creativity and learning at Big Hugs. Over the course of 7 years I have enjoyed watching my children grow and develop, put on seasonal shows, experience fun and exciting field trips, have wonderful friendships, create art, play, learn and recognize milestones & graduations at Big Hugs. My little one calls it “My Big Hugs” and is always proud to tell whoever will listen about her day there. I would highly recommend Big Hugs to a friend and in fact several of my friends have signed their children up at Big Hugs because it is a safe and happy learning environment.

My child started attending this Day Care when he was 5 months, he is now 14 months. The first week of him attending, I saw nothing but positive changes in him, in his schedule and in his sleep pattern. Not to mention the family like environment you feel when you're there. He loves his teachers and the director so much! And look, as long as my baby is happy I'm happy! 8 months in and I wouldn't change a thing...thanks Big Hugs!