Reviews of Friends of the Family Child Care Center, Preschool & Kindergarten (Kindergarten)

Jaime Gonsalves

My oldest son started at Friends of the Family 12 years ago when he was 10 weeks old. My husband and I had just moved to NJ and had no family within a two-hour drive to help us. We were completely lost. We toured multiple daycares but were sold as soon as we met Diana at FOTF. Since then we enrolled our daughter at 11 weeks old (8 now) and our youngest son at 10 weeks old (3 now). Through the years some staff members have moved on but we have never had cause for concern. Diana has always put the health, safety and happiness of the children above all else so if a staff member is not following suit they are relieved of their post immediately. When we found FOTF we didn’t just find babysitters for our kids, we found our extended family in NJ to help us raise our children to be well rounded, intelligent and caring individuals. I grew up in an all white neighborhood where a person’s differences stood out immediately. I can honestly say that my children are blind to race and ethnicity. At FOTF there is no prejudice. My children have great friends for life and do not tolerate anyone talking down to them or their friends. My oldest is in middle school now but still talks about his time at FOTF. He remembers all of his teachers and classmates. Since they have all moved on to different schools at this point he loves crossing paths with them around town and reminiscing. He is also thankful that he can still attend the summer camp as a camper/counselor in training (next year) to see all of his school age friends that return in the summer. My daughter is in third grade now and excelling in all her classes, largely due to the fact that she attended full day kindergarten at FOTF (Edison schools only have half day now). My oldest son and daughter both left FOTF after kindergarten reading at a 1st/2nd grade level, writing full sentences, adding and subtracting, drawing and with a knowledge of different cultures and science experiments. They were both more than capable of handling 1st grade in the public schools which helped a lot with the social transition to larger class sizes, new teachers and new classmates. My youngest is just starting preschool now and loves going to school every day. He runs in to hug his teachers and friends each morning. He has given us a ton of trouble potty training at home but Diana’s staff have been great with him at school. He is down to 1 accident a day at school after only a week of training. He tends to get too excited with the afternoon staff comes in and his sister arrives from school and forgets to use the potty. From experience with my others I know that they will continue to work with him and assist my husband and I in our efforts to have him completely trained in the near future. To anyone that is looking for a healthy, safe, caring and fun learning environment for their infant, toddler, preschooler or kindergarten I whole-heartedly recommend FOTF. Diana and her staff are our extended family. If ever my husband or I get caught late at work and can’t make it to the kids before closing, the first thing we hear from FOTF is not to rush. They have no problem staying late to watch the kids if it means we arrive safely without rushing and risking an accident. My two oldest children may not attend FOTF on a daily basis anymore but I know that they are always welcome at FOTF and because they know my children so well and ask about them often I still consult them on any issues that come up in school or developmentally. Their influence in my family’s life and our children’s development goes well beyond what we ever expected and we can’t thank them enough. Although my youngest will move on to public school in a few years I know that FOTF will always be part of our lives. If I could double/triple the highest rating for them I would.

Mary Lehr-Furtado

Though our baby was only with Friends of the Family for three short months, it was a crucial transition period for all of us. I can't say enough good things about the director and the teachers (especially those in the Infant Room!). I felt good about my daughter being under their care and was very sad to leave (due to relocating). I could tell how much our little one connected with the teachers, as she was always quick to smile at them. They not only took amazing care of our daughter but also formed a partnership with me (a nervous, first time mom) and put me at ease. The environment is, in fact, very family-like, and they are very down to earth. I'll always be grateful for our three months with them!

Alexandra McMaster

I greatly recommend this center! The owner was very kind when we met during the creation of the hallway mural - it makes going to a day care exciting and is so nice to see the children's faces when they see the giant Clifford the Big Red Dog! I am happy I was able to be involved with such a kind and well organized establishment.

Amanda Bolvito

You will not find a child care center more concerned for your child’s well being than this one. This place lets kids be kids while preparing them to enter any school system they will go to after. The name suits them well as you sincerely feel like you are leaving them with a friend of the family. We love Diana and all of the staff, we are so grateful for their love for our family.

Teresa Forde

I have been with FOTF for 2 years now and I wish I would have known about them sooner! My children are well cared for by every "family" teacher and staff. My school age child gets dropped off and picked up from school. My kindergartner is there full time and learns more than I can imagine and my preschooler talks and sings some of my favorite songs/nursery rhymes. They are exhausted by the time they get home from all of the activities. They have an outside playground and it gets plenty of use. The owner/director even makes house calls. If you are of the philosophy...let children be children then this is the place for you! There is not even a high enough rating to give this home away from home.

Kim Ling

I spent 11 years with Friends of the Family. I've had 3 kids and I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather have help me raising my children. I feel blessed to have Diana and her team in my life. Thank you FOTF for all that you have done for my family. It was a very tough year of "lasts" for me. I will miss you all. I will always recommend FOTF for child care needs.

Cassie King

On July 3 I received a call from someone (not Diana) at FOTF telling me that while the toddlers were outside having water play, my 2 year old son managed to open the gate and walk barefoot and shirtless down the sidewalk in downtown Metuchen. Thankfully, he was found by a police officer who returned him. I was not offered any apologies on the phone and the person who called me tried to laugh it off like it was not a serious matter. We immediately pulled our children from care and were told by the state that an investigation was being done. I contacted the director Diana requesting that they immediately remedy the safety issue to prevent this from happening and requested a refund of our latest tuition bill and deposit. I was told, in writing, that I would receive the amount within 30 days. Despite contact from myself and my lawyer, Diana and her staff have refused to return the money owed and have caused my family so much grief and difficulty. We are heartbroken that a place we loved and trusted with our kids' safety was so careless and negligent. Parents please beware.