WWYD - Pre-School

[MinnieMouse824]

My son got off the bus yesterday, and said there were little bottles in his backpack. We got in the house, and he handed me 4 sample bottles of cough & cold medicine. I didn't know if these bottles were ment to go in someone elses backpack (some of the moms are friends, so I thought maybe one was giving the other a sample or something, and it just went into the wrong bag), or of these were just put in all of the kids bags. I've never heard of the brand, some of the writing is in Spanish, but it says 100% Natural. I tried looking for the ingredients, and they all seem to be homeopathic, but I'm not totally sure about that.

So what would you do? I'm thinking I should call the school, and ask if it was accidently put in my sons backpack rather than another childs. Would you be upset if that wasn't the case, and that these were put in every childs backpack without telling the parents? Could be dangerous - Knowing some of the kids in his class, I could really see some of them not telling their parents, and drinking it thinking that its a treat. So WWYD?

 

[FlyingBelle]

Call the school immediately.

I have a pre-schooler. I would totally freak out if that happened!

 

[Attagirl3]

Definitely call the school.

 

[shellybaxter]

As the director of a preschool I would want you to call me if it was my preschool. I would by livid that someone brought medicine to school and put it in a child's backpack. That is NOT okay. Preschoolers don't necessarily know not to try the medicine. We have a "no over the counter meds" policy at our school and prescriptions are locked away in a special box by teachers. I think this is serious. I hope you will call.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would have called immediately or driven to the school if possible.

 

[SaraJayne]

No need to "freak out". Call the preschool director and let her/him know about the bottles you found.

 

[MinnieMouse824]

Ok, I'm glad you guys are on the same page as me!
I did call yesterday, and spoke with the owner. Its a small private pre-school, only 3 classes, and there is one owner (she is also one of the teachers). I called, and left a message saying that we received some mini bottles of cough medicine in my sons backpack, and I was worried that it was ment for someone else. She called back about 15 minutes later, saying that they had these little sample bottles at the school for months now (I assume brought in by another parent), but she didn't know that "she" (don't know who the she was talking about, I assume one of the teachers helpers) was putting the meds in the backpacks, rather she thought it was just the samples of Nutella chocolate that they have been shoving in my kids backpack since before the new year.
She also went on to tell me that they were not dangerous at all because they are "all natural" blah blah blah. I don't know, its all really leaving a bad taste in my mouth - I don't like it at all. And I especially dont like the fact that she just tried to write it off my saying "Well, I'm sure he couldn't get the safty seal off, and even if he could, and drank all of the bottles, its all natural, so I'm sure he would be just fine."

 

[khertz]

Absolutely call the school. There's no acceptable reason I can think of for any adult to put bottles of medication in a pre-schooler's bag.

 

[luvmy3]

I would have a real problem with ANY medication or food samples being sent home in my pre-schooler's backpack.

 

[kamik86]

Ok, I'm glad you guys are on the same page as me!
I did call yesterday, and spoke with the owner. Its a small private pre-school, only 3 classes, and there is one owner (she is also one of the teachers). I called, and left a message saying that we received some mini bottles of cough medicine in my sons backpack, and I was worried that it was ment for someone else. She called back about 15 minutes later, saying that they had these little sample bottles at the school for months now (I assume brought in by another parent), but she didn't know that "she" (don't know who the she was talking about, I assume one of the teachers helpers) was putting the meds in the backpacks, rather she thought it was just the samples of Nutella chocolate that they have been shoving in my kids backpack since before the new year.
She also went on to tell me that they were not dangerous at all because they are "all natural" blah blah blah. I don't know, its all really leaving a bad taste in my mouth - I don't like it at all. And I especially dont like the fact that she just tried to write it off my saying "Well, I'm sure he couldn't get the safty seal off, and even if he could, and drank all of the bottles, its all natural, so I'm sure he would be just fine."

Why do people think "all natural" = safe?

Things that are all natural:
Hemlock
Poison Ivy
Marijuana (its a plant)
All other poisonous plants

 

[momto2inKC]

I would just take it in to the office and hand it to them. Tell them it was brought home in his backpack and I'd ask why. It probably wouldn't freak me out, i'd just be curious.

 

[dzorn]

Ok, I'm glad you guys are on the same page as me!
I did call yesterday, and spoke with the owner. Its a small private pre-school, only 3 classes, and there is one owner (she is also one of the teachers). I called, and left a message saying that we received some mini bottles of cough medicine in my sons backpack, and I was worried that it was ment for someone else. She called back about 15 minutes later, saying that they had these little sample bottles at the school for months now (I assume brought in by another parent), but she didn't know that "she" (don't know who the she was talking about, I assume one of the teachers helpers) was putting the meds in the backpacks, rather she thought it was just the samples of Nutella chocolate that they have been shoving in my kids backpack since before the new year.
She also went on to tell me that they were not dangerous at all because they are "all natural" blah blah blah. I don't know, its all really leaving a bad taste in my mouth - I don't like it at all. And I especially dont like the fact that she just tried to write it off my saying "Well, I'm sure he couldn't get the safty seal off, and even if he could, and drank all of the bottles, its all natural, so I'm sure he would be just fine."

I think I would be looking for a new pre-school. A lot of thing are poisonous even if they are natural.

I would also think what was done is probably against your states pre-school guidelines.

Denise in MI

 

[bballmom56]

Why do people think "all natural" = safe?

Exactly. I would be looking for another pre-school NOW with that answer from the OWNER.

 

[MinnieMouse824]

Why do people think "all natural" = safe?

Things that are all natural:
Hemlock
Poison Ivy
Marijuana (its a plant)
All other poisonous plants

Thats exactly what I was thinking! Like, would it be OK if a mom brought in few joints to be passed around to the pre-schoolers?!? I know thats crazy, but really, so is putting 4 bottles of cough medicine in a preschoolers backpack!!! I really am upset about this.... I don't want to pull her out because he loves it there, and in all truth, we have already pre-paid the entire year.

 

[EMom]

I'd get a new preschool. NOW. If this is the owner's attitude and they see no issue with stuffing medicine samples in a preschooler's backpack, then they are nuts, idiots or both.

 

[EMom]

Thats exactly what I was thinking! Like, would it be OK if a mom brought in few joints to be passed around to the pre-schoolers?!? I know thats crazy, but really, so is putting 4 bottles of cough medicine in a preschoolers backpack!!! I really am upset about this.... I don't want to pull her out because he loves it there, and in all truth, we have already pre-paid the entire year.

DO NOT GIVE THE MEDICINE BACK! Tell them you will call CPS and whatever group handles licensing if they don't fork over a refund of your prepaid tuition and you'll get that cash soon enough. Once I had cash in hand, then I'd turn them in anyway.

 

[cabanafrau]

That an adult in authority over children actually felt it was appropriate and put this in children's backpacks is disturbing enough. The fact the owner or director stands behind the actions when it is directly brought to their attention is a deal-breaker in my book.

IMO, this is a time when it's appropriate to act on your gut instincts as a parent.

I certainly hope they're at least cautious regarding allergies they are presumably aware of when continuously handing out Nutella samples as well. They are one serious allergic reaction or medical issue away from a major lawsuit & forced closure of their doors for the sake of their captive marketing campaigns.

I'd make some notes and then get on the phone to the licensing board in your area regarding this. Then follow up with a detailed letter, including pictures of the bottles sent home with your child via snail mail. Preschools and daycares should be in the business of children, not seeking alternative revenue streams by promoting products to their captive charges.

 

[bballmom56]

she thought it was just the samples of Nutella chocolate that they have been shoving in my kids backpack since before the new year.

This should not be ok either. What else will they get samples of that they will just stick in backpacks of pre-schoolers? Has she heard of food allergies or other restrictions?

"Well, I'm sure he couldn't get the safty seal off, and even if he could, and drank all of the bottles, its all natural, so I'm sure he would be just fine."

Anyone involved with caring for children should know better than this. I would not leave my child under the care of this woman.

 

[Coconut36]

Ok, I'm glad you guys are on the same page as me!
I did call yesterday, and spoke with the owner. Its a small private pre-school, only 3 classes, and there is one owner (she is also one of the teachers). I called, and left a message saying that we received some mini bottles of cough medicine in my sons backpack, and I was worried that it was ment for someone else. She called back about 15 minutes later, saying that they had these little sample bottles at the school for months now (I assume brought in by another parent), but she didn't know that "she" (don't know who the she was talking about, I assume one of the teachers helpers) was putting the meds in the backpacks, rather she thought it was just the samples of Nutella chocolate that they have been shoving in my kids backpack since before the new year.
She also went on to tell me that they were not dangerous at all because they are "all natural" blah blah blah. I don't know, its all really leaving a bad taste in my mouth - I don't like it at all. And I especially dont like the fact that she just tried to write it off my saying "Well, I'm sure he couldn't get the safty seal off, and even if he could, and drank all of the bottles, its all natural, so I'm sure he would be just fine."

I would be looking for a new pre-school immediately. I would not be comfortable with people with that kind of ignorance and lack of respect for child safety taking care of my child.

It's extremely ignorant to think all natural means it is safe to guzzle down. Lots of things that are natural are harmful in high doses.

If they refuse due to pre paid tuition or whatnot I would let them know I will be reporting them (and would do it regardless) to the state licensing board and anyone else who will listen. What they did was wrong and unsafe.

 

[DopeyDame]

Ok, I'm glad you guys are on the same page as me!
I did call yesterday, and spoke with the owner. Its a small private pre-school, only 3 classes, and there is one owner (she is also one of the teachers). I called, and left a message saying that we received some mini bottles of cough medicine in my sons backpack, and I was worried that it was ment for someone else. She called back about 15 minutes later, saying that they had these little sample bottles at the school for months now (I assume brought in by another parent), but she didn't know that "she" (don't know who the she was talking about, I assume one of the teachers helpers) was putting the meds in the backpacks, rather she thought it was just the samples of Nutella chocolate that they have been shoving in my kids backpack since before the new year.
She also went on to tell me that they were not dangerous at all because they are "all natural" blah blah blah. I don't know, its all really leaving a bad taste in my mouth - I don't like it at all. And I especially dont like the fact that she just tried to write it off my saying "Well, I'm sure he couldn't get the safty seal off, and even if he could, and drank all of the bottles, its all natural, so I'm sure he would be just fine."

Oh Holy Guacamoly! Get out of that preschool now. I don't care how much she likes going there, the adults in charge clearly do not have the sense needed to take care of small children.