Sorry - another vent about daycare/childcare - UPDATE Pg2

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by Hillbeans
Last night when I went to pick up my son, I had tried to meet with the director to discuss the events earlier in the day.

Unfortunately she wasn't there. I also found out my son's class had only 3 students and he came home with a full lunchbox with no explanation as to why.

Neeless to say, i've called the director today to make arrangements for a discussion/meeting.

You definitely need to find out what's going on there. In addition to the meeting you schedule I think you should pop in unannounced as well, you may learn a lot by showing up when they're not expecting you. A good center should have an *open door policy* for parents of the children in their care.

Good luck and follow your instints!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

It is definitely in order to have a meeting now with the Director. That is just ridiculous, something is happening there that you need to be made aware of. Best of luck, hopefully things improve there for you.

 

[Hillbeans]

Ok, I called and spoke with the Director and the teacher.

The Director was immediately on the defensive. I just sort of started right in about upset I was about the last few days and perhaps she could go over the procedures with me about doctors notes, medication, notes to the teacher, etc. She did that, and that was fine, however she blamed me for not knowing where things were because I never came in for an orientation when he moved to a new classroom....alright...that got me mad. I was not nasty, in fact, I was pretty upset and my voice was cracking.

She then put the teacher on the phone and she told me I was the only one who ever sent notes and leave them in her folder and the other moms give them to another teacher instead (?) and that the reason he came home with his whole lunch was that they provide morning and afternoon snacks (I didn't know that either).

We went over the issues with the medicine, she told me they have a chart and a basket if they need to give the kids medicine.

I don't think I feel better or worse after our conversation, however my DH now wants a face to face meeting as he's really upset that after we've been taking him to this place for 3 years now (started at 11 weeks) we shouldn't be given the brush off or told it's our fault for not making time for a proper orientation. When he moved to the 3 year old group, I was told i'd meet the teacher "at some point" and they sure didn't make it seem urgent.

There is a huge communication breakdown between us and this Daycare, and that's very apparent. Part of that is because my DS goes only 3 days a week, but he's there at 7:30 which is about an hour before his teacher gets there and stays until 5:30 which is an hour after the teacher has left - so he's with "Aids" for the times I communicate with the staff. I'm probably going to have to reconsider going during work sometime, and really staying on top of anything I need the teacher to know via telephone.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

The day care I worked at was bad like that. The teachers never knew anything and always kept in the dark. The director was the only one who knew about meds and was the one who came to the class to give it to the child. Also the parents had to fill out a form to allow staff to give the medicine. I left my daycare for the simple fact they didn't follow the rules. I had my son there and they had him in the wrong class the owner and Director came with the flu and brought there son who was in my class with the flu and we had a big fight when I got the flu and I stayed home for 3 days till I was better cause I didn't want to get the kids sick even though the owner and director managed to wipe out the whole daycare with the flu so I now run my own home day care. You should probably look into home care. After working in one I would NEVER recommend them.

 

[luv2nascar]

I'm not flaming or blaming
as a mother of two who also works full -time outside of the home I completely understand
but I think you have a responsibility to know the daycares procedures and how they want to be notified of such things and how they handle things
You didn't know he got fed and sent a lunch???
that is a big issue child getting fed during the day
I really would have made time for the initial meeting to learn what the heck was going on
now that there is an issue you are taking the time for the meeting
seems you could have saved some hard feeling and aggravation by having the meeting first

once again I'm not blaming you just observing
IMHO

 

[Hillbeans]

Originally posted by luv2nascar
I'm not flaming or blaming
as a mother of two who also works full -time outside of the home I completely understand
but I think you have a responsibility to know the daycares procedures and how they want to be notified of such things and how they handle things
You didn't know he got fed and sent a lunch???
that is a big issue child getting fed during the day
I really would have made time for the initial meeting to learn what the heck was going on
now that there is an issue you are taking the time for the meeting
seems you could have saved some hard feeling and aggravation by having the meeting first

once again I'm not blaming you just observing
IMHO

I send in a lunch, however the class he's in now provides a snack and he must have been full from that and didn't eat his lunch. I didn't know that and yes, I guess that's my fault.

It's still the same daycare, yet he's now in building "A" instead of building "B" which are right next to each other. They changed his move over to building "A" date about 3 times, but in hindsight, I should have asked about rescheduling that meeting those 3 times.

I see from these posts, and my own reflection, that apparently I dropped the ball in keeping the communication lines open with my daycare....but in my defense, they didn't do anything to help that the times I did try and communicate through letters and speaking to the aids.

 

[CEDmom]

I'd just meet with the teacher and director and try to get back on track. I'd even say that perhaps you let the ball drop when your DS changed rooms and all you want to do now is make sure you understand the policies to ensure your DS continues to have a good experience. Something like that wouldn't seem like a big deal to many people but each room is run a little differently.
Make sure that they understand you want to work with them. Remember you get more flies with honey than vinegar and even though you. Good luck.

 

[BrinxFam]

Just want to add my two cents as a daycare provider and former director. The program I work with is only a two day a week program and not a large one either but I would never let one of my parents leave without knowing if their child needs special care that day. I work in the nursery with 6 to 8 children in the age range 4 months to 12 months(or walking). If one of my children were absent I am mindful to inquire as to why they missed and how they are feeling now. If they need meds, even tylenol for teething, I have a written note from the parent with dosage amount, time of next dose and a signature & date. Not to say that I am perfect by any means but I also feel that Hillbeans is accepting more than her share of the blame. It seems that there should be more responsiblity placed with the caregiver and less passing the buck at the childcare center.

Just my opinion, not that it makes a difference.
Thanks for letting me share.