Brightly Early Learning Grantham Farm

Very Disappointing Experience<br><br>I do not recommend this centre.<br><br>My 8 year-old previously attended this centre when it first opened, and we had an amazing experience. Unfortunately, my experience this time with my almost 2 year old was completely different.<br><br>My toddler has a speech delay, which was one of the main reasons I wanted her in childcare — I wanted her around other children to encourage speech and interaction. Before enrolling, I specifically explained this and was told she would be placed in the toddler room Instead, she was placed in the baby room with three much younger babies who were not yet speaking. This was very disappointing and completely different from what I had been told.<br><br>I expected her to be upset as she had never been away from me, but I was very concerned by the lack of comfort I personally observed\. When I picked her up, she was often standing alone crying, and I never saw an educator comforting or cuddling her. At drop-off, when she was crying, she was taken away by the hand rather than being comforted. As a parent leaving your child for the first time, this was extremely upsetting.<br><br>There were also multiple issues with payments. Before enrolling, I was told via email that new enrolments received 50% off their first two weeks. I was initially charged the full amount and then told the discount would instead apply to weeks five and six, which was not what I had been told in the initial email.<br><br>I also paid my fees manually as this was an option in the statement email and sent proof of payment, but the centre later took the same payment by direct debit. I later discovered the centre had provided me with an incorrect email address, meaning they had not received my proof of payment. This caused my account to go into negative balance and affected other bills.<br><br>During the next payment cycle, an additional $18 was taken from my account that I had not authorised. I was told the area manager would contact me, but I never received a call. I also asked for their contact details but was refused. Due to these issues, I blocked further direct debits from the centre.<br><br>My child finished attending on 30 July, and I still have not received my bond. I had to contact the centre myself last week and provide my bank details. A week later, I was asked to type out the same bank details I had already provided in a screenshot. I requested an explanation and, several days later, I am still waiting for a response and my bond.<br><br>I understand that children can take time to settle into childcare, and my concerns are not simply that my child cried. They are about the lack of comfort I observed, being told one room and receiving another, repeated payment issues, an unauthorised additional payment and the ongoing difficulty getting these matters resolved.<br><br>Overall, this has been an extremely disappointing experience, particularly given how positive our previous experience with this centre was.<br><br>Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this centre. I have proof of all my concerns incase they try to deny any of it in their response.