This daycare has an extensive track record of unprofessionalism towards parents and staff as well as unsafe/unhealthy treatment of the children of Newark, New Jersey. Director Natasha Johnson operates under the guise of caring about children and community,  targeting low-income families who use Programs for Parents, while using her "connections" and "position" to continue to mistreat those who need to be protected most...mothers and their children.  Click here to see a long list of inspection violations at Play, Learn and Grow Daycare. How is this place still open? 

The google reviews of "Play Learn and Grow Daycare" are a abysmal and flat out SCARY. All but two ratings are 1 star. One of two five star ratings come from Natasha Johnson herself. The rest are of mothers who want to be heard citing that daycare regularly DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR PARENTS. One mother claims, she was left to wait outside for almost an hour. She was told, they could not answer because they were "teaching". Another mother stated that  she "witnessed staff pushing the head of another toddler, and on another occasion witnessed an infant that does not walk (only crawls) n a class where all the kids can walk and run. A different mother claims that her child was not fed lunch on multiple occasions forcing her to find another daycare after just 3 weeks of attending. Mothers also  cited that the daycare advertises  "home cooked meals" yet their children are fed McDonalds, and often come home with fingers stained of cheese doodles. ANOTHER mother explains that her child contracted a bacterial infection, and that "they allow any and everyone hold your child and play with your child including siblings of children enrolled". She warns other parents to " STAY FAR, FAR AWAY!"

I came into contact with the daycare after a homeless mother I have been personally helping get on her feet came home almost in tears after leaving the daycare as she tried to get care for her 17 month old daughter..the final step needed so that she can begin her own schooling. After waiting an hour for Natasha Johnson to get to their 9:30am appointment,  as was set up the day prior my the mother's social worker, the nightmare ensued. Mom, who barely speaks English, and did not have access to a working phone, asked a teacher to contact Natasha. Natasha was upset that mom had called her...and told her to leave as she no longer wishes to care for the child. A few mins later Natasha arrived, berating her employed in front of the children, as well as screaming at mom and telling her to leave. " I don't need you , you need me" were her words. The mom told her that she would enter a complaint. Natasha's response was " good luck with that, no one will believe you..it'd your word against mine". Mom then asked what bus she could get on to get downtown as her phone was not working, Natasha then instructed her employees not to answer mom , and put her and the baby out in the cold. 

When I called to personally to advocate for mom, the conversation escalated quickly. She told me that she would make sure mom's program for parents voucher would not be accepted at any other daycare and that mom or baby would not receive any services. 

This petition is a step toward taking back out communities for the people who benefit from it , yet don't respect , or care about it's people. This is for mothers and fathers doing their best to take care of their children, only to be mistreated. This is for all the children whose cries are not heard, and who don't have the voices to speak up and advocate for themselves. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS. CLOSE THIS PLACE DOWN!!!!!!!!!