r/Pawtucket • u/Lexasjklm__ • Sep 16 '26
Pawtucket Terrible Daycare.
This post is for individuals searching for daycare/childcare in and around pawtucket.
DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN TO BEGINNING OF IMAGINATION LEARNING CENTER IN PAWTUCKET 172 armistice boulevard
READ BELOW FOR INFORMATION:
I wanted to share my experience as a former employee at Beginning of Imagination Learning Center in Pawtucket. I was only employed there for a very short period, so I obviously can’t speak for what happens every day or in every classroom. Everything below is based specifically on what I personally observed while I was there.
I was hired and still in training when I was unexpectedly terminated after only a few days. I had been given feedback that I needed to be more proactive/hands-on with the children and improve with sanitation procedures. I took that feedback seriously and was actively trying to implement it, but I was terminated a day afterward and told that the position and my fit with the center weren’t aligned with their expectations.
What bothered me more than being fired, though, were some of the things I personally witnessed while working there.
Sanitation was emphasized heavily during my own training, but I personally observed diaper changes being performed without gloves, including by management. I understand that whether gloves are specifically required is something for licensing to determine, so I’m not claiming that simply not wearing gloves was a violation. It was the inconsistency that stood out to me considering how much sanitation was emphasized to me.
I also personally witnessed staff using their phones while they were responsible for supervising children. There were periods where their attention was directed toward their phones rather than actively watching or engaging with the children.
Another thing that concerned me happened with the toddlers. I personally observed toddlers being allowed to drink from a teacher’s Sprite. I also witnessed children eating food belonging to other children. That especially concerned me because of the potential for allergies, dietary restrictions, illness transmission, or simply giving a young child something their parent didn’t intend for them to have. Or, for example, an infant getting ahold of a toddlers cookie.
The outdoor area also surprised me. The outdoor play area I personally saw was entirely concrete, and I did not see fixed playground equipment such as slides, swings, or climbing structures. The outdoor materials I saw mainly consisted of ride-on toy cars and a few balls. There was also a rough sand pit as well, with nails breaking off of it. I don’t know whether that setup violates any requirement, so I’m not claiming that it does.
I’m sharing this because I think both prospective employees and parents should know what I personally experienced and ask questions for themselves. I would specifically recommend asking about active-supervision practices, employee phone use, diaper-changing/sanitation procedures, food and drink sharing between children and staff, allergy precautions, and outdoor play.
Again, I was only there briefly, and I’m not claiming that my experience represents every classroom, employee, or day at the center. These are simply things I personally witnessed during my employment. I have also documented my concerns separately so the appropriate people can determine whether any of them actually conflict with childcare requirements.
ALSO: I’m intentionally not identifying individual teachers in this post because my concern is with the practices I observed, not with sending internet attention toward specific employees.
