Abba's House Babyland, Daycare & Preschool at Ellis Place, State College, Pennsylvania.

Now that I have removed my son from the daycare I feel I can give an honest review. Abba’s house always had a good reputation which is why we originally chosen it. Although the teachers are still amazing, I wish I could take most with, since the change in administration in both the daycare and Christ Community church it really has begun to go downhill due to what I feel to be greed. In the past year alone tuition increased twice by more than $40 each time, they at one point had signs posted stated teachers and parents are responsible for all classroom supplies, and want to charge more for toddler lunches than I currently pay for a high school kid. This last time they gave us about a two weeks’ notice that our very NEXT tuition payment would be increasing a significant amount (right at Christmas time). I could understand if those amazing teachers benefitted from these increases at all but they did not see a dime from either increase. I found whenever I tried to speak with the director of ABBA’s house or the administration in the church that runs the program they have been rude, dismissive, and dishonest. When I questioned the lunch program the daycare could be in that would allow for free meals I was told we tried that parents didn’t like it..umm sure. When I questioned the increases and where all the money is going since NOTHING is covered. I emailed the pastor and received a response from what I believe is an assistant that is trying to claim 70% of the money goes to payroll and they have very little left to make their bills. Yet teachers make very little and are not receiving and increase of any kind and are expected to cover classroom supplies. I also find it hard to believe they have little to make bills but can afford a fancy new indoor soccer arena, parking lot expansion, and brand new under armor uniforms for the church staff. We also received a letter with the last minute increase that if you do not pay the bill on the last day of the month do not bring your child back the next day. Which is fine expect for they frequently have the billing messed up and it can take weeks to track down someone that can correct it and/or take payment. When another parent expressed on her personal facebook the frustration of having to correct billing all the time the director of ABBA’s house got onto another teachers account (that was friends with the parent) and began making rude comments to both that parent and her friends. Telling the parent “but don’t we always take care of your child” and one of her friends “who are you do you even have kids here”. I was floored but the level of immaturity I saw from the director in that situation simply because a parent was venting on her own facebook about valid frustrations. This greedy and rude behavior has lead to increase frustration both among the parents and teachers. Given administrations rude and dismissive behavior I just continue to see this entire program go downhill. It is a shame to see what was such an amazing facility with absolutely amazing teachers, begin to succumb to such awful greed and dishonesty. Especially from a “Christian” facility.