Irvine Child Development Center

I placed my child in their Pre-​2 program thinking how great this facility is. It got great reviews and it was recommended by my friends. It is a play-​based school and supposedly a 1:6 ratio.
This place has 2 directors. I thought it was great. Soon I discovered with 2 directors neither of them wants to be responsible when something goes wrong.
One time the injury was so bad I had to rush her to Urgi-​Kids to be treated. No phone call, nothing. I was NEVER informed about the injury until I picked her up at 6. I talked to the directors, they said they knew nothing because no one told them. I talked to the teachers, they said they knew nothing because no one told them how bad it was. I talked to the Room Mom and she tried to do something but was told that Room Mom’s don’t handle these situations.
I had pictures and documentations about how bad the incident was and no one took responsibility. All I got was the cold shoulder & that it was my daughter’s fault. The kid who plowed her over with the tricycle got no consequences.
I was made to feel like this incident is isolated and that it only happened to me. Well a few months later, it happened to another mother and her son got it worse. He ended up with stitches in his head and she got the same treatment I did. She pulled her kid out immediately as well.
How can a place that has a 1:6 ratio and yet no one knows what’s happening? Well the truth is the 1:6 ratio is only during lunch time and nap time. After that the kids go outside and play and it’s up to the teachers that CARE to supervise. Meanwhile, other teachers take this time to do other things (like decorating their classroom). Which means it’s really a 1:20+ ratio on the playground.
Now if ALL the teachers are always outside supervising the playground, then less accidents will happen. Kids need supervision. Accidents happen. But if kids knew there are adults watching them then less bullying and less accidents.
In all honesty, there ARE teachers that really CARE at ICDC. There are actually quite a few of them. But for me the bottom line is responsibility. If the injury is severe, parents should get a phone call.
In addition, I have to pack lunch every day because lunch is not included. Then there are those endless fund-​raising activities. Financially, it’s cheaper at other schools even though the tuition is higher.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t send your child here. I still have friends who have their kids at ICDC. It just comes down to how your child is handled by their teachers. Some teachers are good at supervising their kids. Some are not. Pray you get a good one.
One last thing, the teacher tried to label my daughter as autistic. I said my pediatrician says she’s not. But she said she’s a teacher and knows more. So she started the paperwork process to IUSD to label my daughter. I spent $ 300 at an autistic specialist to determine the validity and that doctor said certain teachers will do that because they don’t like the kid. He wrote a note to dispel any labeling of my daughter as autistic.
My daughter was at ICDC for 9 months when I pulled her out. She’s been in a Montessori since and she refuses to go back to ICDC.

ICDC is a great child care center. Their staff is professional and welcoming. My 3.5 year old is enrolled in their part time program (Tues & Thurs) and can’t wait to go to school. His Pre3 teachers: Ms. Heather, Ms. Dianne, & Ms. Yvonne are warm & nurturing. We highly recommend this facility for your child care need.

My child went to ICDC until he was almost 4 years old and I can tell you that their infant and toddler programs are THE BEST in Orange County. The children are very loved, played with, hugged, kissed, kept on schedule for feeding an naps and these teachers know how to care for babies and you can tell that they love their work. It’s truly a wonderful daycare. They have a long waiting list so if you’re lucky enough to get in consider your child very safe and loved.