1. 

   BallardFoodie
   

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   It looks like we are entering into Adams Elementary this fall, but we both work full time. We are looking at pre- and after-school care for a soon to be kindergartner. I see that Kids Co. has a location at Adams (and seems to be in many other elementary schools). I also found out that the Ballard Community Center offers some of these services. Anyone on here have experiences with either of these places either at Adams or at a different school?

   Posted 3 months ago #
2. 

   Samkin
   

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   BF, are you on the "Ballard Moms" listserv? There have been some recent threads about this on there. I will try to find some highlights & cut/paste them here - but overall, I would encourage you to also look at the Ballard Boys & Girls Club. They do before & after school care, including picking up and dropping off, and their prices are really reasonable. We've been really impressed with them overall. The staff at Kids Co and BCC are very hit or miss; a few are great, a few are checked out...

   Posted 3 months ago #
3. 

   saffythepook
   

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   Also, KidsCo seems to be a lice haven compared to other day cares we've used.

   Posted 3 months ago #
4. 

   great idea
   

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   nothing a little vegetable oil can't take care of, saffy!

   Posted 3 months ago #
5. 

   OwlsInsomnia2
   

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   I recently checked their license history and there were no big issues, though a lot of procedural things they needed to correct (missing posting, wrong floor mats, etc.). I didn't find it too worrisome. The Boys and Girls Club's record was sterling as was the Y's record. Several other well-known area daycares had major issues, actually.

   Posted 3 months ago #
6. 

   Crabbalina Crabbypants
   

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   My kids have been at KidsCo all year and we've been happy with the care. They both like the staff and the director, Monica, has been very responsive when I have a question. They do really fun activities that my kids often talk about.

   Calling it a "haven for lice" seems excessive.Kindergarten and first grade in general are havens for lice-at any school-and those kids go in directly from class.

   When there have been lice notices from KidCo, the same notices are also coming from my kid's Kindergarten class.

   I've been happy enough with the care that we will also look toward their summer camp.

   Hope this helps. Oh! And welcome to Adams!

   Posted 3 months ago #
7. 

   BallardFoodie
   

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   Thank you all for the responses. Unfortunately for me, I'm a Ballard Dad and we don't have a listserv for our types. I'd love to know if there was anything on Ballard Moms. We are looking forward to the next step with K1, although 4+ more years of daycare with K2.

   Thanks again.

   Posted 3 months ago #
8. 

   Norwest
   

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   My Son has been at KidCo this pat year and I am a big supporter. Yes have heard good things about boys and Girls club as well. Saffy you are off base with your lice comment, this is also showing up in other areas including Wedgewood area. Norwest

   Posted 3 months ago #
9. 

   Samkin
   

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   BallardFoodie, my husband feels your pain... :) I think there has been much discussion about switching it to "Ballard Parents", but not sure if that has/will happen...

   A parent sent a similar question to the group, so cutting & pasting the one response she/he got.... (Not mine, just the messenger...)

   "We had a very bad experience at Kids Co at Adams. First, the young staff wants to do such a good job that it gets to be a little dramatic every day.
   On that point, the staff is always making-up grand weekly themes like the world, the ocean, the forest, etc. This is great, but if you child is not into the grand theme that week, then he is a trouble maker. Really, kids that age need to be given choices on what they want to do, but that is not how it works at Kids Co at Adams--you need to be team player. Honestly, if your child works that way, then perhaps Kids Co at Adams is the way to go.

   I pulled my child out of Kids Co upon the fifth day in a row of him being a trouble maker...

   The most important think I have learned as a parent is this: You child needs to go into a school that works for him or her! Kids co at Adams works fine for some, and is very bad for others....Again, would love to talk with you more about our Kids Co experience which was really quite bad and really harmed our child's experience with school...."

   If you are seriously considering Kids Co, I could prob get you in touch with this parent. I also have a good friend who has had her son there for about 5 years, and I think she has been pretty happy so could give you a different perspective... (although I think she is considering moving to the B & G next year because it offers more for older kids, and is cheaper.)

   Posted 3 months ago #

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