Taska Shine (SHINE Childcare)

Grateful for this study and child care center. Teachers are selfless in teaching and staying back for child’s safety. Highly recommended.

The environment was good. A lot of outdoor activities for children, not only stay in concrete building.

Good learn

Not safe for children with food allergies. I informed Shine many times before and after enrolling that my child has an egg allergy. I explained the symptoms and consequences to at least two teachers, including management. However, one day my child showed signs of an allergic reaction which I noticed immediately when I came for pickup and which the teachers had not identified at the time. I asked what happened, and was told they had carried out an activity with eggs. I asked for more information because allergy reactions can require urgent medical attention, and several hours later, after repeated requests for information, I was finally informed that they had an egg hunt with hard boiled eggs and had the children search for, crack, and eat their eggs. They told me my child participated though they separated my child while the other children cracked and ate their eggs. That was not the full story, though. After receiving pictures, I finally found out that my child had been right beside the teacher as they cooked egg and there was a bowl of raw egg right in front of my child, within touching or splashing distance. I wasn't informed of this in a timely manner, and was not asked if my child could safely participate in these sorts of activities. The teachers appeared to believe egg allergy was not serious as long as my child did not eat egg. I also found out during the few months my child was enrolled that birthday food was not always only given on birthday Fridays which was what I was informed. I specifically absent my child on these birthday Fridays to avoid my child eating outside food brought from parents who might have egg. However, while my child was enrolled, Shine did not follow or enforce their own rules. I also observed that after this incident, they have announced a policy through their app that they will not administer epipens. Shine had many positives, and I believe my child was generally happy there. The environment was engaging and suitable in many respects, and staff were also accommodating and understanding towards my child’s needs. However, based on my experience, I would not consider it a safe setting for children with food allergies. TLDR: Generally a good kindergarten, but parents of children with food allergies should be aware of potential safety and policy concerns.