OakPark Preschool, Massillon | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

First I’d like to say that I like the teachers. Whether that was mutual is beyond me. My son did well in class from what I could see. The kids were really peaceful in class and that really tells me that they enjoy the structure of the class as well as respect their teachers.

I had to withdraw my son. First he was constantly sick with the same issue so he would only attend half of the month. We’d keep him out of school for the sake of his comfort as well as to prevent the spread to the other children. The doctor put him on antibiotics every time and clear him up. He would return to school and by the 3rd morning of the week he’s sick again. We had to make up a ton of days. We went to a school event counted and noted just how many children had the same runny nose that we saw our boy get over and over. That is the primary reason we left. It didn’t seem arguable so I didn’t bring that up with the administration.

Now on a personal note I had issue with the communication style of the staff. I could not for the life of me figure out why I couldn’t understand things here. I was constantly misunderstanding or completely overlooking things that were said to me or expected of me. I took some time to really think about everything from day one and came to realize the problem. The problem was being way overly indirect. I would ask a question about a procedure or what I am supposed to do and be met with the administrator, Inta’s, kind heart rather than policy. Trying to figure out how to handle make up days for example. We were both told personally that he could make up days when ill. He was ill so much that they drew the line and told me that he couldn’t make up days all of the sudden. It was also becoming a worry that my son could adapt to this. I teach my son to be direct and concise. This is in contrast to what I have experienced.

Policy issues- Come to find out that my wife had signed these policy disclosures and I was left unaware they even existed. My wife explained the policies as they were explained to her. That policy should have been explained to me by the administration right when I started to ask questions in direct opposition of them. From what my wife tells me, they explained their policy different from what is written. She signed it believing what she was told was the rule and not the exception. That won’t happen to us anymore. This is our first time dealing with preschool and I am completely ignorant to the way things work and that should be expected of me. It has been an embarrassing and frustrating event for me. The teachers took the brunt of the burden of this issue and I promptly apologized to them. I took issue with this to the other director and things became clear to me. She showed me the policy and explained to me that he was actually forfeit the days he misses in class. I could tell that she wasn’t comfortable with me pushing for direct answers and maybe took some offense to that. It was necessary.

After understanding the policy, we had to make a decision. Our son was missing almost half a month every month getting sick from this place. They were no longer willing to offer makeup days. I will not send my son to class when he is sick. That is not the consensus with many of the other parents. It was extremely tempting to just say screw it and send him in anyway because we are paying for it regardless. I imagine that has some effect on why the other children are sent here ill. We decided to go with the Massillon YMCA’s preschool program. It is half the cost and if he still has the same issues with being ill then at least we aren’t paying as much for the same.

Recommendations:
-Require all designated guardians/parents to read, sign and return policy paperwork
-Be direct when questioned about issues that pertain to your policy and THEN offer the exceptions.
-Design your policies and fees to be discouraging to parents who would subject others to their sick kids.
-THANK someone when they fix your burdensome computer problem. “Oh good” is not a thanks.

After working at a total of 3 preschools, I had the misfortune of working here a few years ago and the place still lingers in the back of my head. If you love or even just have an ounce of care for your child, don’t take them here. But if you do choose Oakpark Preschool, here’s a few guarantees:
1.) they will get sick. YOU will get sick. Regularly. Of course all children get sick pretty often, but here they will get sick far more than “normal”. That’s because they rarely ever clean, and if they do clean, it’s without any bleach or cleaning agents that actually disinfect! Just soap and water. 🙂
2.) You will be spoken about badly behind your back and if your child is not considered a teacher favorite, they will be treated as such. Hope you raised a pleasant 3 year old- because the 30yr olds that work here will blatantly bully your child as soon as you leave. I witnessed verbal abuse, children being yanked around, and blatant favoritism during my time as an aid here.
3.) Professionalism is a foreign concept here.
4.) The food given to the children is good.
5.) This place takes “behind closed doors” to a different level. It is a different world when they know they are not being watched. Children out of ratio in classrooms, inappropriate behavior amongst students, favoritism between staff and the children, verbal alternations on a regular basis between parents/staff/management.

Overall, I’m extremely grateful for my time at Oakpark Preschool in Massillon Ohio. I truly saw a disgusting part of humanity I was completely naive to prior to working there. Not only would I never take my children there- I am completely unwilling to take them to any preschool after my time at Oakpark.

Will be pulling my son from this place at month’s end and going elsewhere. The teachers have been good with my child for the most part, but it is pretty clear the directors are not competent, aren’t treating their teachers well, and blame their employees for their own failings.

Inta is way overdue to retire.