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Report: #1106348

Complaint Review: Northern Virginia Academy of Early Learning - Lorton Virginia

  • Submitted:
  • Updated:
  • Reported By: Representative of 15 Families — Washington DC Dist of Columbia
  • Author Not Confirmed What's this?
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  • Northern Virginia Academy of Early Learning 8971 Ox Road Lorton, Virginia USA

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UPDATE:

We are now told by families who have no other option but to retain their children in that horrendous school -- Aziz is being investigated by Department of Social Services for SHAKING SEVERAL NEWBORN BABIES and they have at least FIVE LAWSUITS pending against her personally and the school generally.  You can also see this notice POSTED outside their building, as that is how we first saw it.  Since the school is next to Giant where many of us shop, we always pass it.  The actual notice (written by a family probably) is posted on the walls between the school and Giant informing the WORLD that some families witnessed Aziz shaking their babies and reported her to Department of Social Services.

 DO NOT MAKE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF YOUR CHILD'S LIFE!

DO NOT enroll in this highly irregular, abnormal school that does not adhere to standard health, safety and welfare regulations and has a 100 percent incompetent, inferior and insecure administrator named Maruk Aziz.  You cannot miss the toad -- stumpy, wart-filled face (no doubt, the real cause for her lashing out at families).

Aziz has a major inferiority complex and is constantly comparing her kids to your kids -- she has three, two of whom attend the school.  She wants to know what you do for a living, where you live, how much money your spouse makes, whether your kids are smarter than hers, whether your kids are more attractive than hers, whether your kids are better behaved, and how long your work commute is.  The farther away you work, the more often she demands that you ALWAYS come on-site for her to raise any little (often fabricated) matter, causing you to miss work.  She advertises constantly that she lives in upscale Crosspointe (across the street from the NVA Burke administrator -- severe issues at both schools) and that her eldest attends Halley elementary.  Both her younger kids who attend this daycare are, according to staff, severely misbehaved students who are significantly slower developmentally and physically.  Staff says that she spends her days constantly in the rooms where her kids are, as opposed to carrying out her duties and responsibilities.

 Should she consider that you have better circumstances than her, you will be daily targeted with retaliatory jealousy and bitter rivalry.   Her intent is to make your school experience so unpleasant that you disenroll or to LIE LIE LIE (she is a born liar) so that she can disenroll you.   In the one plus year that we were there (it has been eight months post departure), FIFTEEN (!!!) families all voluntarily disenrolled their children due to her.  We remain in touch with these families, and have all joined together to create a Mothers Group called DISCERNING PARENTS to report such abuses.  Check out our web site where each family gives concrete examples of her abuse and vitriolic acts.

 As if Aziz's psychotic, unprofessional, childish jealousy is not enough.........

 The school does not have a basic, all important check in and check out policy so that there is never a record of who shows up for what day, how many days and what hours they come or go.  Anyone can grab your child at anytime -- we know through witnessing others enter the front door along with enrolled families and witnessing strangers walk up and down the hallways.

 They do not have the critical daily take home communication sheet telling you how much your child has slept or eaten or what activities they engage in during the day.  

 They do not disclose that they require out of pocket payment for all school activities such as magic shows, field trips, art, dance, painting, etc.  All other schools disclose upfront and include such fees as part of your tuition, but this school adds on these fees after the fact to make it appear as if they charge less tuition than their competitors.

 They demand that you buy their cheap polyester and very itchy nap time mats ($40 a piece!) while all other schools allow you to bring in your own (you can find good quality cotton ones for 2-3 times less that price).

 They disallow ANY FORM OF EMAIL (probably because they suffered lawsuits and liability related to emails in the past; NOTE: LET'S RESEARCH!) and threaten immediate expulsion as soon as you send one email.  This is nowhere in their handbook, and certainly everyone relies on email in this global communications age.  For them to radically deviate from such a universal norm requires written notice PRE ENROLLMENT -- nothing.  This is consistent with how they operate on everything -- no notice on critical so-called policies, empty promises, purported claims, and simple laziness and laxity.

 They also promise their teachers a certain rate of pay -- they all earn under $10 -- much less than area comparables.  You only have to hear the daily whispers among staff who are disgruntled and unhappy.  They gossip among themselves all the time.  Lead teachers are promised higher pay than other teachers but do not receive it - at least SEVEN teachers have shared with our group that this is so.  

 Teachers drop like flies.  In our one plus year there, they had EIGHT teachers quit.  And the resignations are with no notice -- that is how taken advantage of and abused the teachers feel. They aborted their before and after school program due to lack of enrollment. 

 Word is: they will soon shut altogether because EVERY SINGLE CLASS is under capacity. We feel entitled to call Aziz a toad after ALL the defamatory names and accusations she lobbied against many of us including making fun of divorced families.

 DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT MAKE THE GREATEST MISTAKE OF YOUR CHILD's LIFE!   

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 12/12/2013 05:14 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/northern-virginia-academy-of-early-learning/lorton-virginia-22079/northern-virginia-academy-of-early-learning-administrator-lorton-marukh-azizowner-fran-1106348. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
6Consumer
1Employee/Owner

#7 Consumer Comment

We love the staff!

AUTHOR: DevotedMom - (USA)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The allegations presented by OP are shocking but false. Anyone who has ever had contact with the adminsitrators, teachers and other staff would realize how attentive and kind these people are.  

I have known the loving, caring staff here for more than three years, and recommend the center to anyone who asks. I can share that our child has been in the infant rooms, the toddler room, the twos' room or the threes' room, and the care has been superlative. 

We would never consider entrusting our children's care to these people a "mistake."

My family appreciates all of the hard work of the directopors and staff, and we stand with them in the face of such terrible slander.

 

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#6 UPDATE EX-employee responds

THIS DAYCARE IS A SCAM AND STEALS YOUR MONEY!

AUTHOR: BucheitzKirk - (USA)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Totally accurate about the LIES LIES LIES from the middle eastern manager Mahrukj Axiz and owner Fran Gattis.  All of us used to work there and we have now all quit due to shocking lack of hygiene, care, attention and proper protocols by Aziz and total inattention and lack of oversight or enforcement by Gattis.  TRUST US!: we were once insiders so can vouchsafe that the complaints are RIGHT ON!  Do not give them your biz and bring your children to a truly kind and loving daycare that are ALL cheaper and genuinely honest and loving.  GUARANTEED that this place is grossly more expensive than ANY other company in the nation!  And Azis spends her entire day secretly talking on her cell or viewing unallowed web sites, and her husband also comes in all the time and they hide behind closed doors for a very long time.  We are shocked that this place has not been shut down after all of the internal employee complaints and the parent complaints in past 10 or so years.  Join us and add your criticisms to let the world know NOT TO OPEN YOUR WALLET or DO NOT RISK HARM TO YOUR CHILDREN here!

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#5 REBUTTAL Owner of company

Addressing these false allegations

AUTHOR: Counsel - ()

POSTED: Sunday, August 24, 2014

Northern Virginia Academy of Early Learning at Lorton (“NVAEL”), along with the Director, Marukh Aziz, and the owner, Fran Gattis, by and through counsel, provides the following rebuttal to rectify and address the libelous claims posted on this site. 

First, the anonymous posting suggests it represents fifteen families but no one has contacted NVAEL regarding any claims posted in this complaint.  This series of false and illegal statements is believed to be the product of one disgruntled individual.  We will aggressively seek to expose this person and obtain a court order verifying that all the claims in this statement are false.

The Director, Marukh Aziz, has never been investigated for shaking a baby, let alone several babies.  There has been no investigation by Social Services or any law enforcement organization regarding Ms. Aziz or NVAEL.  This is a vicious lie and we are seeking court action to combat this libel.  Additionally, there are no lawsuits pending against Ms. Aziz or NVAEL.  This is simply a lie and can easily be verified by checking the publically available court records.  Again, we will utilize every means necessary to combat this obvious libel.  The complaint also references severe issues at Burke.  Again this is a lie and constitutes libel.  The records of facilities are public (both court records and Department of Social Services licensing inspection reports) and we would encourage anyone to review the excellent history of the NVAEL programs, especially the Lorton and Burke programs referenced in this false report.

It’s clear that the individual who posted this has a personal issue with Ms. Aziz hence the direct and unprofessional personal attacks contained throughout.  An individual with a legitimate complaint, and not just an ax to grind, would not resort to lies and personal attacks.  Ms. Aziz is a consummate early childhood professional who cares about the families in her care and the staff that work within her facility. 

Ms. Aziz and the professionals at the Lorton facility follow all licensing standards including those related to attendance and the release of children.  All appropriate safety protocols are in place to insure that no one but authorized individuals may pick up a child.  All required daily parent reports are completed and all parent fees and policies are provided in writing and up front.  NVAEL prides itself on building relationships with our families, so while we discourage electronic mail, we are always available via phone or in person to discuss your child.  We do not want our managers stuck behind a computer all day preferring instead to have our staff engaged in the classroom and focused on providing the best possible care and education.  Any references to the contrary, including references to litigation because of email, are patently false. 

Again, this complaint is nothing but personal attacks and lies and we are seeking an order to stop this illegal libel and to hold those who have perpetrated this accountable.  We encourage everyone to review the court records and licensing reports.  It will become immediately apparent that the contents of this post are simply untrue.  NVAEL is a warm and caring place that provides excellent care and education to children.  We encourage anyone who may have questions to contact NVAEL directly.  

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#4 Consumer Comment

mother of 2

AUTHOR: Cardinal - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, August 19, 2014

I am a mother of two children currently enrolled at Northern Virginia Academy, Lorton Campus.  This outrageous review was brought to my attention and I feel compelled to set the record straight.  Two years ago a friend recommended I go for a tour of the school.  Upon arrival I was greeted warmly by the Director, Mahrukh Aziz, and was given a wonderful tour of the school.  She answered every question I had and took the time to make me feel warm and welcome.  Without hesitation I registered my children.  I have never regretted my decision and in fact have referred several families to this great school.  Ms. Aziz is a wonderful Director whose care and concern for both the families and her staff shows in every aspect of this great school.  It is obvious in every word of this review that it was written by a person who is very immature, hateful and obviously is a very sad and misguided individual.  Please give your family the wonderful opportunity to visit the Lorton Campus and discover for yourself  what a nurturing and enriching environment it is.

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#3 Consumer Comment

Northern VA Academy- Lorton campus is one of the best schools!

AUTHOR: anonymous - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Hi, I want to clarify the false information that the previous parent wrote about NVA - Lorton campus. To start off, not anyone can come into the building. The door is maintained locked and there is a code that you need to put in for the door to open. This code is only given to parents and staff. Once you entered the building you will either be greeted by the director or assistant director. 

The staff is very welcoming and you can tell that they love what they do. Everyday you recieve a daily sheet of how your child's day was, how much he/she ate, how long they slept and when they got changed for the little ones. Everything is clean and organized!

Both Marukh and Fran are amazing person and are extremely nice and polite. They go above and beyond to provide a quality child care program. I would absolutely recommend this amazing school to anyone. Please call and see for your self! 

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#2 Consumer Comment

BEST SCHOOL

AUTHOR: Parent - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, August 19, 2014

I am a parent at NOVA Lorton Campus and must say that the review that was written is completely false. I have my children at that school for almost three and a half years and have never felt any negativity from the administration. The Director and the Owner, both have the best interest of the children at heart and go out of their way to make new and current families comfortable and welcomed to the school. It seems to me that the things that are being mentioned in this review are nothing but a reflection of the writer's own personal problems and maybe this person needs pyschological help. I dont think that it is ok for people to just write online whatever they want that can seriously damage the lives and reputations of other people, just because they are miserable in their own lives. Back to being the best school. it certainly is. The staff is very warm and caring, the building is beautiful and  the overall curriculum offered for all ages is very educational and meets the need of the children as they move on up in age. To all new parents, do not read and believe this atrocious report but take the time to go visit the school and meet the directors, owner and staff and you will see for yourself how wonderful they all are! We need more educational centers like this one in Northern Virginia to meet the needs of working parents and growing children. Call licensing if you must to get more information!

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#1 UPDATE Employee

The information about Northern Va is untrue

AUTHOR: anonymous - ()

POSTED: Sunday, March 16, 2014

Hello,

I just came unpon the information of Northern Va. Lorton Campus and none of this is true.

not one word.  I can come up with as many recomendations to this center that you need.  Post like this is very detramenta to a business and I truly feel it needs to be removed ASAP!

Thank You!!

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