Northwest Center Child Development Program

NW Center Kids Greenwood was a life saver program for our waddler. She was significantly behind after attending the downtown Kindercare for about 7 months. She’s now been equally long at NW Center, thanks to a recommendation from Boyer’s Children’s Clinic, and she’s progressed amazingly.
There is plenty of play area outdoors, and when it is too cold or wet, the kids are taken to the gym next door so they can still get active play.
My child has learned so much — handwashing after diapers (which she now likes), climbing into her feeding chair, eating with a spoon, tunes and basic words from their circle time, social skills, and most importantly, routine. She loves going outside there with her class.
The teachers are all very skilled, knowledgeable, caring, and all have higher education in early childhood, which is an amazing reference point.
The classroom has rich, age appropriate developmental setup, toys and equipment. It’s clear that a lot of thinking goes into the program. The aura is very calming when I’ve been there for nap time.
Note that the menu is strictly vegetarian, so I supplement with other proteins at home.
They keep daily logs of diapering and meals.
They partner heavily with the early intervention program, which is a big plus.
There is some limited drop-​off/​pickup parking by the senior home next door.
They are part of a bigger non-​profit which lines up nicely for donations and service.
All the staff is great and friendly, and their philosophy of inclusiveness is evident in every way.
There is electronic sign-​in/​out at the entrance, which saves a lot of debates over late pickups. That was often a battle at Kindercare when clocks were set too fast — not here, since they have a computer program for time tracking. But late fees are steep when it does happen.
Some opportunities for improvement that could make this program even better — but all too minor NOT to consider this great program:
–Communication is all on paper, very limited email communication. For me that’s a problem because I don’t have the time to sort through piles of paper, when I could be checking email at work and not at the expense of my time at home with my child
–Directors/​front desk staff. The evening staff is awesome. The morning front desk staff has a lot to learn. More often that not, the lady at the front desk is completely unaware of where the kids are that day. With only 8 groups, that would seem like a key responsibility. Also at lunch hour, it’s impossible to reach them whatsoever, which can be nerve wrecking for a parent. The new director that took over doesn’t seem to have as much experience with very small children as the previous director, Stephanie, had (Stephanie has moved up the ranks to lead a broader program for NW Center)
–No electronic payments, so get your checkbooks out and remember to drop them in the drop box or else late fees. No autopay option.
–No credit for days off /​vacation, and the center closes early monthly for staff meetings and several other days (even weeks) throughout the year, with no reimbursement for your alternate childcare arrangements for this gap. Expensive for a non-​downtown location.
–Not an extremely pedestrian friendly location, no sidewalks even to the nearby park, so get ready to drive if you’re a city dweller till now
–Poor waitlist coordination between the 2 city locations (Pioneer Sq. and Greenwood).

I had a typically-​developing child attend NWC for years and have very good things to say. They don’t have the newest facility but they employ high-​quality and caring staff members and manage the child care well. Any organization that works with kids with disabilities and also those without is expect in child development at all levels. They do good work and my son was safe and happy in a nurturing environment.