Unkept, Underwhelming and Unaccommodating
This was a good daycare with a wonderful community of parents and children prior to its temporary closure. Our eldest daughter was an attendee in that time. We therefore decided to send our 2.5-year-old son there when they re-opened their doors in May 2023, not long after a third Ballykin facility in Cromer was opened. Certain staff have shifted from Mosman to Cromer, including the previous Mosman facility director, which we feel has impacted things, as the current facility director is not nearly as experienced. Our experience with Ballykin Mosman this time around, has been very different and disappointing.
Firstly, our son dropped his day sleep around 20 months. Whilst we respect and support Ballykin taking reasonable steps to ensure children’s needs for sleep and rest are met, there was no environment to separate those children who slept and those who either wanted to rest or engage in some form of activity (quiet or otherwise). Therefore, on many occasions this unaccommodating approach resulted in confrontation and distress for our son, who at 2.5 y.o old would be told to sit quietly for 30 mins with either a toy or book amongst many other children who would naturally sleep and be left wondering why he was getting reprimanded if he didn’t comply. Instead, and at $185 a day, an alternative room (inside or outside) should be provided to not disturb those children who were sleeping and create a neutral or positive experience for those who remain awake.
Further to this, Ballykin clearly sign post that they cater for dairy, gluten, nut and other dietary and allergy requirements and that “the needs and wellbeing of each child is at the core of everything” they do. Great to hear and know! So when our son had an operation for his tongue and lip tie in late June, we expected Ballykin to support us in accommodating his dietary and food requirements during his recovery period and they did for one week only! After this time, they insisted that our son be provided more complex food first (menu items include Lentil curry with rice or Korean beef stew with rice) before offering him a vegemite or cheese sandwich alternative and only after all other kids were served and begun eating. The 2 problems with this were, he would rightfully get upset/anxious that he was being presented food he could/would not eat and further to this he would be left watching other kids eat around him until an alternative was provided. Ballykin attest to supporting children's individual needs on their website. Needless to say, our son would come home famished which would impact his emotional behaviours during the day.
Needless to say we have withdrawn our son for the reasons stated above, together with the condition of the facility, minimal play area for the younger group vs older groups, no regular sports active programming (previously quiet common before the temporary closure) and the general attitude of management and the owner. There are some carers who remained post the temporary closure and who we still think are amazing, but our opinion is that staff are stretched!
Our son is now sleeping better, much happier and calmer as a result.