I called the center to talk about enrolling my daughter in their program. I was told I'd receive a call back about availability that same day, but never did. I called again the next day and was told I'd receive a call back. I called a third time the following week and was apologized to. The woman I spoke to said she would call me back in a "few minutes". I had a missed call from the center, so I called back to which the same woman said "Sorry I didn't mean to call you back, I thought I had time to speak but I don't. I will call you later". Never got a call back. There's no way in hell you have absolutely NO time during the day to return a phone call inquiring about enrollment. If you don't have space, then say that. Beyond unprofessional & I wouldn't recommend this place in a million years. read more

My daughter has been at Oyster Babies East since she was 2 years and four months old. She started out at three full days a week and is now going all day five days a week. Oyster Babies was caring and understanding. My daughter had been home with me up until she started there and they were sensitive to her needs and didn't push her to socialize but also didn't ignore her. When they became concerned with some of her behavior they met with me right away and were of great assistance getting her a full special education work up through Mill Neck Manor. They are a little expensive but they offer early and late care as well as flexible days. When I first put my daughter in school there I was working retail so I needed to have a sort off odd schedule and they were more than accommodating. The other wonderful thing is that food and all activities are included in their weekly/monthly fee. They serve breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. All the food is tasty and they serve a variety of different things. The center director is there almost all the time along with the assistant director. They are both wonderful people and will help with parenting problems and unique family situations. My daughter is really happy there and has loved all of the teachers she has been I contact with. The center strives for a home feeling in a school environment so all the different teachers are familiar with all the students and can call them and usually their parents by name which really makes everything seem more homey and friendly. They are definitely worth considering. We couldn't be happier unless they were cheaper. Haha read more

Oyster Babies - School calendar for May 2014. Lots of activities and fun this month - Preschools Near Me - Huntington Station, New York

Review cont: They showed me a book outlining what they teach. The book looked great, however it's not implemented or followed. This brings me to the teachers. Most of them do not have and educational background working with children. When I left the lead teacher in the preschool room did not have any background except the on the job experience and the tiny tots teacher had her CDA. A CDA certificate isn't the same as a full educational background and I believe it expires (could be wrong). There is very high turnover in all the classrooms (this is partly and industry problem due to low pay) however it's up to the establishment to keep their stars and Oyster Babies did not. The tenured teachers who are there are burnt out and or disengaged. It's very clear that specific teachers don't want to be there which is horrible when dealing with small children who require exceptional patience and attention. Then they would bring in some excellent, fresh, and passionate new faces but could never keep them due to low pay and other poor on the job experiences. I do have to say this, there were some wonderful teachers and people at Oyster Babies which is part of the reason I kept my kids there for a little bit of time. The former director was also great - kind and would listen to your concerns. I believe she has since left. If you're looking for a daily sheet regarding what your children have been doing for the day, you will not find that at this center. This bothered countless parents and was addressed with Janine several times. She believed it would be too much work for the teachers. Or one teacher would do a better job writing up the synopsis and she didn't have the time to monitor each teachers daily or weekly "news letter". The infants also did not have a daily sheet. There was a manual notebook that was kept in the classroom. I had to take pictures of the page so I could look back and see how much my 2nd son ate or slept. It was ridiculuos. The teachers are supposed to write on a white board outside the classroom doors about the children's day, however many days it was blank or lacking information. The do post a monthly calendar but many times specific special days would not even be on the calendar. It was very hard for a working mom as I did not have ample time to take off. I tried addressing this but it never really changed. The straw that broke the camel's back. I called in to check in my kids and I heard a baby wailing in the background. I asked about my older son first and all the while heard that same baby screaming. When it was time to talk about my 2nd son they said " he's not very happy right now". I asked if that was him crying. IT was. I said why won't he calm down. They said the teacher was feeding another child their bottle. So I said where is the 2nd teacher. They said they pulled her out because there was only 3 babies in the room at that time. (Most daycares always keep two in the infant room regardless). So I said , "ok well where is he, in his crib". They replied, " no, on the floor". I instantly froze. My 4 or 5 month old is screaming on floor and no one is tending to him. I had never heard him cry like that. I immediately left work, drove straight there pulled them both out and never went back. Best decision I ever made. I later found out my son had not had his afternoon bottle yet. When I arrived he was in the saucer still crying begging to be picked up. The only reason I gave Oyster Babies 1 stars is because they have great grounds. Tons of outdoor space with two playgrounds. Also the building set up itself is nice. It's a school atmosphere. Hallways and separate classrooms, no partisans. Oyster Babies did have a family friendly vibe which was nice. Also, as I said previously there are some wonderful teachers and people there that do care about the children. When I left there they had just brought on someone that would teach the kids in an "outdoor" classroom. She was fantastic. So loving and engaging and friendly. I can't remember her name now. However the above does not outweigh the negative for me unfortunately. Last thing, Oyster Babies refused to give me back my deposit even though I left in the beginning of the month and was fully paid. They clearly need the money. Essentially I paid them over a grand to leave which in the scheme of things is nothing. My children's wellbeing and happiness has no price. ****All yelpers using these reviews to make informed decisions for their families should know - Reviewer Amy D is the old director of the oyster babies east center and has been working with Janine Marks for years. Bare in mind she hired her mother to be in the baby room for both her daughter and son. If you want other opinions also look at the reviews for their center in oyster bay. Additionally the review below by Stace F was not a review for Oyster Babies. It was for Lil Angels. read more

Oyster Babies - Preschools Near Me - Huntington Station, New York

Oysterbabies has been a very positive experience for my kids and me. The facility is very good and I have found the staff and director very responsive to the needs of my family. read more

I decided to stay. They are just too great to leave. Even though the move would have been convenient for me, its not worth my son's comfort. read more

Someone I trust referred me to this daycare. My daughter started attending since February last year before they shut down due to COVID. They reopened in September, but I had to switch my daughter to another daycare that opened earlier because unfortunately I was consider an essential worker and couldn't stop going to work. The owner of Oyster babies let us know that we were going to get our deposits back, but it will take some time. She promised small payments for a period of time. Obviously it was understandable and I received 3 small payments before they stopped. A couple of months later I emailed the owner and she responded me saying the daycare is not going to give these deposits back. I made her aware I am a single mother and that was a lot of money for me to just let go off. That the payments would just work the same to me and when did they decide they weren't going to give that back. She just did not answer after that. I wish she would have at least had a minute to call me on the phone and explain it to me before ignoring my request. I really wanted to love this place, but for the small time I was there and the many back and forths I wish I would have found my new daycare before all this craziness of the year happened. read more

My children attended for over two years and the only reason we left is because I left my job to spend more time with them. I was torn in my decision and almost didn't leave because of the wonderful experiences they had in Oyster Babies. They learned so much, in such an organic way, that I couldn't have been happier. The learning philosophy of this school is exactly what I feel should be for every early childhood setting; sensory and tactile learning through play and fun. My daughter was learning to spell at 2 1/2!!! I was astonished! Many people who are less versed in EC wouldn't realize that. They may think a more traditional preschool learning style is better, but if you have enough insight to be progressive, and actually know and understand how young children learn best, this style and environment couldn't be more perfect or more effective! I loved it. The teachers always treated my children (as well as myself) with respect, and kept them safe and happy. They hosted a number of special events, in addition to their daily fun activities and they worked extremely hard at what they do. It was evident on a daily basis. And come on, the pay in this field in general, as anyone knows, is not great. You only do it well if you truly love it. They did. That was also evident. I particularly enjoyed the artist and author studies. Such an advanced concept, brought to the level of young children and made so simple! My 2 year old learned about Ansel Adams and took phenomenal black and white photos that were worthy of an art gallery! There was a school wide art exhibit done so tastefully and sweet and simple, it's truly touching to see children learn and enjoy! The administration, including the owner (who many times is absentee in other child care settings) was always available and answered every concern of the parents. The only way a parent could be unhappy here is if they WANT to be. The owner took the time to write her own unique curriculum and then took the time to actually teach and train her teachers to be versed in this creative and progressive curriculum. That doesn't happen in many other child care settings. Certainly not the chains. She is a special person. She truly cares about her school, believes in it with all her heart and loves the children who attend the program. That's also written all over the walls of this place. If you don't see that, you're not seeing past yourself. As anyone could imagine, a large number of children in one place could result in some tears and conflict, but for the majority of the time, every child was happy and very well cared for. I would walk in and feel like it was "happy land". Any mother leaving her babies can be understandably uneasy, but I genuinely felt that my babies were benefiting from the independence they gained in a group setting. As their mama, I couldn't encourage and foster that independence as well as I would have liked to. So it was a blessing to have a "partner" to help me do that. And it made me much more comfortable. I would recommend my closest family and friends here in a heartbeat and not think twice about it. And I've visited many other places of a similar business. I truly can't say enough good things about Oyster Babies. read more

kids all were happy here an had good manners n play nice