Oakbrook Child Development Center

My two boys 1 and 3 have been coming here since they were 4 months and 9 weeks. My husband and I have been so blessed to have such great teachers watching and educating our babies. The front desk is so welcoming, they know every child by name when they walk in. When my mom guilt kicks in and I call the front desk to check on them they are reassuring and give me updates. I remember when my oldest was having a rough time adjusting to daycare and was disruptive the front desk would show him extra one on one love at the desk to calm him down which helped more often then not before they would call me. Yes there has been a fluctuation of teachers in the almost 4 years of being here but each teacher has been either amazing or good. We trust and love the staff here and have such a peace of mind knowing they are in safe good hands.

As an educator, I look for at least the basics of proper caring and learning for a child. This center is inconsistent with teacher training. Very few have any type of studying of education which is important on developing strategies for various learning and growing babies. Teachers would write inaccurate information on his daily report sheet. They would say he ate his breakfast and when I would pick my son up, his breakfast would still be in the bag. Teachers would get upset when you ask for details due to them being very vague or inaccurate on report. Staff was very inconsistent on knowledge of injuries or accidents. I would typically have to ask or call back to inquire about any new bumps or scrapes. Teachers have gotten rude when notified of parent concern. As for safety and security, I was very concerned with the openness. It is very easy to just walk due to not having any locked doors. Director was pleasant but no accountability for workers. Too often has his items, cups, and things have been misplaced or sent home with the wrong kid. Center is outdated on security, equipment and methods.

As our time with Oakbrook is coming to an end with my daughter starting Kindergarten in August, I cannot help but get a little emotional. I first walked into Oakbrook absolutely beside myself 9 years ago with my 6 week old for his very first day. I was met with the most genuine smiles, hugs, care, and kindness/understanding of being a new mom who was absolutely devastated on leaving her newborn to return to work. They never made me feel unwelcome in calling to check on him and provided the best of updates. He always came home happy and the staff very quickly became like family. When we moved across town and I had to pull him at 2.5 , he talked about missing his teachers and Ms. Penny every day for about a year - haha. When we decided to return to this side of town a few years ago, I couldn't call Oakbrook fast enough praying to get my daughter a spot. I was elated when I was called and told she could start. Walking back into those halls just felt like home. She was a bit more shy than my son however each staff member immediately jumped into action to make her feel welcome and at ease. What she has learned at Oakbrook over the past 2 years from her teachers is immeasurable. Their preschool program is absolutely fantastic and will make your child more than ready for Kindergarten and well adjusted to a curriculum schedule. If you are looking for somewhere you can fully trust, that will love your child like their own, and work with them to be most ready for school - Oakbrook is the place to be. I give my HIGHEST recommendation!

I am extremely disappointed with our experience at Oakbrook. Today was my daughters' first day and it didn't last more than 3 hours before I get a call from the school stating that they won't be able to accommodate my oldest daughter's needs. I was told that I should have asked.. lol. Which in hindsight, I wish I did, and will be doing as I desperately search for a new center. I understand that each center may or may not be able to accommodate certain needs (such as pull-up/diaper changes and/or potty training toddlers). I also feel that this just means that Oakbrook wasn't the right school for my girls. However, I feel that this should have been mentioned BEFORE I paid almost $200 in registration fees and BEFORE I pulled my daughters from their previous daycare losing our "spot", which is extremely hard to come by. Not to mention what this means for our household and how we are left to just figure it out. The registration paperwork specifically asks whether or not your child is wearing diapers, pull-ups, etc. Additionally, it asks whether or not your child has accidents during nap time. I thought nothing of checking of the space that states that both my daughters wear pull-ups and are not potty-trained and sending them to Oakbrook with diapers and wipes, which isn't covered in their tuition (for parents seeking that info). So, with that being said.. I'm here to let other parents know, since I wasn't informed, that if your 3 year old or 4 year old child is not potty trained, Oakbrook can't accommodate those needs.. even if your child is special needs, which they state as "special problems" on their registration paperwork.

My daughter attended OCDC for a year and we were extremely pleased with our experience! As a parent who was a preschool teacher for 5 years, this facility checks all the right boxes! Lesson plans are sent home weekly with reminders, keeping parents informed on themes and what's coming up. With Covid, the facility did everything within their power to stay open by closing individual classrooms instead of the entire school. Vacation weeks are given after attending long enough. I was able to call or email with timely responses! I would recommend this preschool for anyone looking in the Summerville area!