Question for parents....

[PrincessTiff]

I quit my job at a daycare/pre-school a little over a month ago. I had only worked there for about 2 weeks, but thought the best thing to do was leave. I’m curious to know how parents would feel if they had known that:

-Immediately after interviewing me, they gave me the job on the spot. No background check, no references checked; nothing. Would you feel safe sending your children here?

-They provided little or no training. They had me read over a couple of pages, but that was it. In their employee policy handbook, it clearly states that until the employee reaches the end of the 90-day training period, they must have another assistant in there at all times. Upon my first day of working, I had 20 kids all under my supervision with no other assistant in site. Then, about an hour before closing, all of the “leftovers” in the other age groups were sent in my room for me to watch after.

-Luckily, I already knew the basics of CPR and first-aid but it clearly states that no employee may begin working until they have received proper certification. Even though I knew the basics, I was not certified. They told me to begin working anyway and they would get my certification at a later date.

-This is a very “prestigious” daycare that people pay hundreds of dollars a month to send their children to; one would think they would at least provide formal training for their employees. Come to find out, I wasn’t the only employee that had no training or certification.

I believe I did the right thing in leaving this job. My first question is: parents if you knew this prior to enrolling your kids, would you still send them there? My other question would be for those of you that know a lot about law, if something had happened to a child under my supervision (i.e. choking) who would have been at fault?

I’m not trying to start a debate, just looking for opinions.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I care very little about credentials when it comes to day care. Anyone can go to school/classes, take tests and pass. What is important is enthusiasm and a love for children.

I'd much rather have a 15 year old who loves kids than a woman who is highly trained, but is there for the check.

It would be nice to have both, of course. But if I had to pick, I'd pick the person who likes being around and cares about kids over the one who knows CPR every time.

When I worked day care, people started without First Aid or CPR training and got it while they were employed. As long as someone who is there knows how to handle a choking situation and can be summoned, I don't think it is a great big deal.

 

[PrincessTiff]

Hmm, interesting insight. Thanks for your opinion.

 

[Beca]

Don't know about the legal end, but if I was paying for one level of service, and receiving another...that would be a problem.

If I was taking my dd to someone's house who didn't "advertise" that they were certified in cpr and "background" checked, that would be one thing...but, if parents are being promised all of this and are not receiving it....that would be bad.

As the child of divorced parents, I was practically RAISED in daycare...I feel so blessed that my dd will not have to know daycares at all...I hated all of mine!!

It does sound like unacceptable business practice to me.

 

[nealymouse]

It would upset me also. I personally think you did the right thing. BUT if it were me I would report it to the State. Day cares are licenced and people looking for that type of daycare are paying for "that licence"
I also think if something were to happend to a child on your watch and you did not have a cert. for CPR I think a good attorney could hold you responsible. I dont know that for sure but in todays world you need to cover your self.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Did you sit and visit with the director about your concerns? I think you have some valid complaints here and I think they need to hear them.

For one, I can't imagine that a licensed day care facility doesn't have a strong policy in place that requires some sort of background check done on each employee before starting. On the other hand, if it was a private facility they may not have a policy in hand and parents may assume they do (like you assumed they do or should). I would clarify with the director if there is a policy in place and what is conveyed to the parents when they enroll their child. If they don't do that, nor do they say they do that, the parents have some responsibility in being aware of the safe guards (or lack thereof) in place for their child and it doesn't matter what we think Now, I don't think highly of any institution that deals with minors/disabled adults that doesn't have something in place but I would just choose another center. Not all parents care enough for that to make or break their child care choice. Esp if word of mouth is strong about this facility.

I also think your complaint about the handbook clearly stating that you would work with someone for the first 90 days is very valid and should be addressed with the center director and possibly the state licensing board. Again, if that is something parents are told when they enroll their child I consider that part of the contract they make with the center. In exchange for money, the center is required to do these things. They violated that when they put you in that position.

I am also curious about the 20 children alone thing. It's been awhile since I read state minimums but the last I looked, I know you could have 11 to 1 three to four year olds. I don't remember ANY age being 20 to 1, esp mixed age. And, again, those ratios are way too high IMO already and I think the state guidelines are ludicrious. We have much lower ratios at the center I oversee because I don't think any good can come from 11 to 1 child ratios with preschoolers. You're herding cattle at that ratio! You can find current state guidelines online, I believe, and a book should have been in each classroom for your reference. That is something else that needs to be reported to the state licensing board and the director.

Did the director oversee all operations or was there an assistant director as well? Many years ago, I worked in weekday child care and there were many times when the assistant director made stupid decisions when the director was gone. Things always got back to the director, though, and it didn't happen again. I wouldn't always assume that the person in charge realized what was going on. Things have been brought to my attention at our center and I quickly nipped things in the bud but when I'm on a different floor, it's hard to see everything that goes on.

The certification for CPR is another policy that they have violated with their parents. Last I looked, state guidelines did not require all teachers to be certified. However, quality centers often do require that and promise that to parents. Parents assume that is being done. That should be taken up with the director as well. There is no reason why they couldn't have gotten you certified quickly before you started.

As far as incidents on property, as an employee you are covered under their insurance policy. That doesn't mean someone can't sue you, too, but they usually go after the company. ESP if it is found that the company is not holding to the standards they have promised by way of contract. Similar to what might happen if something happened at a school under a teacher's care.

I also should add that you can make anonymous complaints to the state board and they WILL investigate them. They take them seriously. It's always worth a phone call to express concerns. Usually the state will show up on a surprise visit, which is always helpful.

 

[amy4bruce]

It sounds to me as if this is a franchise of a larger organization, in which case the local management is probably running it very counter to what the corporate management would like.

I do know that DW was hired at her interview to manage an Eagle's Nest at a local Giant Eagle (it's in-house babysitting at a supermarket chain - fantastic thing for shopping parents). She wasn't given any training, but she's a former professional nanny, and this isn't really daycare, since the parents must remain in the store and answer their pager. Since it's Pennsylvania, she did have to get her clearances, which state that she hasn't been convicted of an offense against a child.

If you were that concerned about how the organization was being run, you were right to resign.

 

[powellrj]

I worked in day care about 30 years ago, when I was in college. It sounds like not much has changed over the years. I worked for a small local place that at the time was the "best in town" I was just a teenager who was left alone with 30 or more kids for most of the day. They would have a licenced teacher come in from 9 till 11 so they could advertise licenced teachers.

Since that time I have had 3 children that have attened all different kinds of child care options.

As a parent if I were paying top dollar for all the bells and whistles I would be upset to find that I wasn't getting what I paid for, but as a parent its more important that my children are happy and safe.

 

[bananiem]

When I worked in childcare I was lucky to work for one that did all it said it did. No one was left alone with children until their trial period was up. Everyone got certified in first aid and cpr. we wanted the first person to reach the victim to start treatment, not wait until somebody else came from another area of the center.
Anyway, we had a few times where the state came in and closed centers in town, after numerous citations. Parents would come to us and want "temporary care" because when the center opened back up they'd go back. It was "close to work" or "cheaper". It killed me that as long as it wasn't their kid the state found in a closet with tape on his hands and mouth, they didn't care. As long as it was cheap.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I work in early childcare. We are required to be finger printed, which then goes to the state to do a criminal background check. We had one woman in her mid 40's that was denied a sub job because she had a DWI conviction when she was 18.

We must have 15 hours of training per year.

We must have at least one person in each room that is certified in infant/child CPR and first aid. It is not the same as doing CPR on an adult.

We must follow the state regs as far as caregiver to infant/child ratio. No subs are ever allowed to close alone, there are always two people at the end of the day, be it 6 kids left or just 1.

A new hire always works with someone who is on staff, never alone.

The state can and does do pop inspections. They did one last week. We passed .

 

[Fintastic]

As the child of divorced parents, I was practically RAISED in daycare...I feel so blessed that my dd will not have to know daycares at all...I hated all of mine!!

Not everyone will have the same experience. Some of us have no choice but send our kids to daycare. The OP wasn't asking for people's opinions of daycare so I believe this comment was inappropriate.

 

[pyrxtc]

Not everyone will have the same experience. Some of us have no choice but send our kids to daycare. The OP wasn't asking for people's opinions of daycare so I believe this comment was inappropriate.

I don't think this comment was warrnated either! We all know that epople put their kids in daycare for different reasons and some don't at all. I too am happy that I ahve never had to put my kids in daycare but have no ill feelings to those of you that do. Just let the post roll off you back and make your statement about the original post.

I don't know if the OP made the right decision or not but do think it is now her job to report any faults with the facility to the state so they can be checked out.

 

[lillygator]

I too think that comment is inappropriate.

As to the OP, teaching certification's, etc also don't hold as much value to me but a background check is everything.

 

[PrincessTiff]

Did you sit and visit with the director about your concerns? I think you have some valid complaints here and I think they need to hear them.

On the other hand, if it was a private facility they may not have a policy in hand and parents may assume they do (like you assumed they do or should).

I also think your complaint about the handbook clearly stating that you would work with someone for the first 90 days is very valid and should be addressed with the center director and possibly the state licensing board. Again, if that is something parents are told when they enroll their child I consider that part of the contract they make with the center. In exchange for money, the center is required to do these things. They violated that when they put you in that position.

Did the director oversee all operations or was there an assistant director as well? Many years ago, I worked in weekday child care and there were many times when the assistant director made stupid decisions when the director was gone. Things always got back to the director, though, and it didn't happen again. I wouldn't always assume that the person in charge realized what was going on. Things have been brought to my attention at our center and I quickly nipped things in the bud but when I'm on a different floor, it's hard to see everything that goes on.

I also should add that you can make anonymous complaints to the state board and they WILL investigate them. They take them seriously. It's always worth a phone call to express concerns. Usually the state will show up on a surprise visit, which is always helpful.

I did sit and talk with the director about the working alone with the children before the training period. Her response was that they were understaffed because everyone kept quitting. I wonder why. The main reason for my complaints is that the parents were promised all of these things (CPR certified, 5:1 ratio, etc.).

There was an assistant director, she was the one who closed. I assume she could have been part of the problem regarding the ratio. The director left an hour after I came in.

How would I go about contacting the state? I've tried googling it, but i'm not having much luck.

Now, I don't think highly of any institution that deals with minors/disabled adults that doesn't have something in place but I would just choose another center. Not all parents care enough for that to make or break their child care choice

I'm not sure I understand this statement. I'm not a minor so I don't see how this applies. Unless it was just a general statement.

Thanks for all of the replies. It's nice to be able to read the opinions of such a diverse group of people.

 

[cybrkitn]

I work in early childcare. We are required to be finger printed, which then goes to the state to do a criminal background check. We had one woman in her mid 40's that was denied a sub job because she had a DWI conviction when she was 18.

We must have 15 hours of training per year.

We must have at least one person in each room that is certified in infant/child CPR and first aid. It is not the same as doing CPR on an adult.

We must follow the state regs as far as caregiver to infant/child ratio. No subs are ever allowed to close alone, there are always two people at the end of the day, be it 6 kids left or just 1.

A new hire always works with someone who is on staff, never alone.

The state can and does do pop inspections. They did one last week. We passed .

I agree with that. Glad to hear you passed inspection. The state can be brutal at times.

Our DS was in a daycare full time from 6 weeks old up until this past August (he's now in pre-school). However, he is still enrolled in daycare for when school is closed and in the summer.

DH and I were blessed that one of our friends from church owns her own daycare center out of her home. A big plus for us is that she is rated one of the best in the state. The staff is great with the kids and all have their certifications including in CPR and in first aid. But all in all, the staff and our friend the kids and babies that are there. There is a special place in their hearts for each and every child.

To OP: You did the right thing in quitting. That center should not be running if it cannot provide for the children. Looks like it may be an accident waiting to happen. I only hope no child gets hurt because of their lack of staff.

 

[MrsKreamer]

I quit my job at a daycare/pre-school a little over a month ago. I had only worked there for about 2 weeks, but thought the best thing to do was leave. I’m curious to know how parents would feel if they had known that:

-Immediately after interviewing me, they gave me the job on the spot. No background check, no references checked; nothing. Would you feel safe sending your children here?

-They provided little or no training. They had me read over a couple of pages, but that was it. In their employee policy handbook, it clearly states that until the employee reaches the end of the 90-day training period, they must have another assistant in there at all times. Upon my first day of working, I had 20 kids all under my supervision with no other assistant in site. Then, about an hour before closing, all of the “leftovers” in the other age groups were sent in my room for me to watch after.

-Luckily, I already knew the basics of CPR and first-aid but it clearly states that no employee may begin working until they have received proper certification. Even though I knew the basics, I was not certified. They told me to begin working anyway and they would get my certification at a later date.

-This is a very “prestigious” daycare that people pay hundreds of dollars a month to send their children to; one would think they would at least provide formal training for their employees. Come to find out, I wasn’t the only employee that had no training or certification.

I believe I did the right thing in leaving this job. My first question is: parents if you knew this prior to enrolling your kids, would you still send them there? My other question would be for those of you that know a lot about law, if something had happened to a child under my supervision (i.e. choking) who would have been at fault?

I’m not trying to start a debate, just looking for opinions.

THIS is the main reason I wanted to be a SAHM. When I was 17 I saw an ad for summer camp counsler. Interviewed and was hired on the spot(never fingerprinted nor did I sign a release for a background check), was told I would working with 7-8 y/os. Showed up for work the next week and was put in the 2 y/o room. I asked about being a camp ounsler and they said they needed me in the 2 y/o room. Ok, I had no training, and in a room with 20 2 y/o s with one other person. I was very uncomfortable. This woman would grab kids by the arm and spank them...I am for spanking MY kids, never would I spank a strangers kids!


Just a few months ago, my SIL was living with us. She was hired on the spot, before they ran her bg check and fingerprints. FYI she is terrible with her own child, will ignore her for hours, and sometimes forgets to feed her. Not the person I would ever want to work in a daycare facility.

So yeah it bothers me.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I did sit and talk with the director about the working alone with the children before the training period. Her response was that they were understaffed because everyone kept quitting. I wonder why. The main reason for my complaints is that the parents were promised all of these things (CPR certified, 5:1 ratio, etc.).

There was an assistant director, she was the one who closed. I assume she could have been part of the problem regarding the ratio. The director left an hour after I came in.

How would I go about contacting the state? I've tried googling it, but i'm not having much luck.



I'm not sure I understand this statement. I'm not a minor so I don't see how this applies. Unless it was just a general statement.

Thanks for all of the replies. It's nice to be able to read the opinions of such a diverse group of people.

I meant that as a private business, they may not be required by the state to have a policy regarding the use of background checks and reference checks before hiring an employee - I haven't checked the state guidelines on that in awhile. That said, I don't think highly of any institution that cares for minors or disabled adults that would turn the other way and not do that regardless of whether or not it's a state guideline. You know? So even if the state tells you 'well, they aren't required by law to perform background checks on employees' it still reflects poorly on the company itself that they wouldn't see it as a no brainer policy anyways. The state has very low expectations of child care facilities and good centers will go above and beyond. Hope that makes sense.

Your director is using the turnover issue as a cop out to save money. She can hire a temp from a local child care temp agency; I am using one right now. All temps are CPR certified in infant/children, background checks, reference checks, required more training then we require, insured, etc. Yeah, it costs almost twice to use one but if I don't have enough teachers then I don't have a choice. I have promised a level of care to the parents in our center and if I have to take a budget hit for that until I find a permanent teacher at my rate of pay, I do it. She should know that there are temp companies out there just for this issue.

Glad you talked to her.

Let me do some digging for a number for you.

 

[Fintastic]

THIS is the main reason I wanted to be a SAHM.

Here we go again.

 

[PaulaSue]

would be a great thing to let the local news know w about and do a story on.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Here we go again.

Excuse me? I expressed a PERSONAL dicision I made regaurding my family. Did I mention in my above post what is best for your family, or anyone else's family for that matter? Didn't think so!