First Baptist Church Child Ctr

First Baptist Church Of Oak Park is located at 820 Ontario St in Oak Park and has been in the business of Baptist Church since 1933.

This educational institution is a prime example of why and how some christians loose their faith in the religious process. My son and I recently moved to the Oak Park area and I needed an afterschool program for him to enter and I was also looking for a new church home as well. I looked this particular school up in the oak park directory and went in to sign my son up for after care only, which is from 3:00-5:45 p.m. I was told that in order for them to provide after care service for my son I would need to pay $300 a month along with a $135 a month transportation fee. A whopping total of $435 a month for after care services ONLY. I was also told I had to pay a $75 registration fee and that I would also be responsible for a $200 mandatory family donation. I am very much familiar with the registration fee and Family donation fee, My son has attended private school since he was 5 years old. However, this school is only providing after care for my son, which is 2 1/2 hours of their staffing time. ( my son attends public school now) I was taken aback at the fact that First Baptists want parents who need after care services to pay full tuition rates and fees as if that child is a full time student. After I explained my discomfort regarding the cost of this after school program compared to others, I was told that arrangements can be made regarding the family donation fee of $200 if I come in on saturdays and clean the classrooms. (I might also add that I attend school full time and will have to intern at a radio station on the weekend) so coming to clean the school was not going to work. Finally I sat down and thought about christianity and helping your fellow man and realized not only was this not the school for my son, this was not going to be a place that I would want to worship either. Oh and believe me I know business is business but my goodness, where is the dividing line between right and wrong, fair and unfair. When I called to advise Ms. Barbara that I would like a refund ( yes, I was going to actually pay that ridiculous amount of money for 2 1/2 hours per day ) the administrator advised me it would not be a problem. When I came to pick up my refund I was left with these final words from Ms. Barbara, and I quote "It is what it is". The only thing I could think of in response to that was" To bad it is not how it should be", and that my fellow parents is a shame.

A place for worship, service, education and fellowship with friends who care. We are people from a rich diversity of ethnic backgrounds. We welcome you to join us to share our fellowship, the richness of service and faith in Jesus Christ.