3 Incident Reports in 5 Weeks, Should I Find Another Daycare?

I was a preschool teacher for a few years before having my own family, and I never had that many incidents with one child in such a short period of time.

Is she a bit clumsy at home? I know my 17 month old is just one of those kids, poor guy, that can trip on his own feet twice in one step.

I'd make a few unannounced visits... like bring her a Happy Meal or pick her up early a few times and see what they're doing when they don't expect you there.

It has been my experience that many daycare/preschool teachers are wonderful... but many are not. No one wants to be pessimistic but I have personally seen a few teachers just sit and talk all day to each other and barely pay attention to the kids... hardly any games, almost no crafts, pretty much "free play" all day long so they don't have to do anything with them.

If it were me, I'd investigate a little bit and possibly consider changing daycares.

Best of luck!

well I don't know where you live but I have a friend who has a daycare in Monrovia and Laverne if interested call her:) ###-###-#### and she might be able to help you:)

It is normal for kids to get bumps and bruises here and there, seems like kind of a lot in your case, but it may just be the child, but I would go with your gut. If you are not comfortable leaving your child there, definaltely look for a new daycare. If she seems happy there and you are comfortable leaving her there everyday, it's probably ok.

Absolutely!. I am a St. Lic. Family Child Care Provider and have been providing quality "intentinal" care for over 20 years. I also am a representative for Orange County Child Care Association and can offer you free referals for St. Lic providers in Orange County Ca.
or...go to www.orangecountychildcareassociation.org

If you are in Orange County, you can give me a call at ###-###-#### and I would be happy to give you some info as to how to find and identify quality child care.

The number of incidents you have experienced at just not acceptable! It sounds as though your DD m ay be in a center based program.

I would be happy to give you some insight as to quality care for little ones.

Lookiong forward to speaking wth you.

V.

Is it an in-home Daycare or a facility?
Usually, at this age, they don't put all the kids together who are older or other ages. But if at an in-home daycare, they can't have separate classrooms/rooms. So all kids of varying ages are together.... this can then create some accidents. 20 months old, is still a "baby" and they are not all that perfect in motor skills or interactions etc.

Simply ask them "how" she got these things???? What happened? Why? As for the unreported scratches, ask them.
Also, what is the ratio to kids per Care-taker???/
Some things are unavoidable... most kids do get scrapes or a bump at Daycare or preschool. It is not completely avoidable.

But go by your feelings about it... if you feel uncomfortable about that Daycare, then shop around.

all the best,
Susan

IMO, no. Kids that age are so easy to fall, bump things and get hurt. It also sometimes depends on the child...my oldest constantly was coming home with ouch reports. Particularly the first few months after he started walking. In hindsight, I wish I'd kept them all...would have made for a funny scrapbook page. My youngest is MUCH more careful, just not as fearless and bold as my oldest is so he gets so fewer ouch reports (at least so far). Unless the incidents are happening because of unsafe toys or playground equipment, I think it's just part of deal with little kids.

Good luck!
-M

I would definitely consider another daycare or perhaps switch your schedule so your daughter doesn't have to be apart from you. In my opinion, there are just way too many incidents that have happened. And even just one more incident may be the one that will change you daughters life forever. Blessings!

I would consider a daycare facility where she could get more one on one attention and be monitored more. Don't second guess yourself if you are feeling anxious or nervous about her being at this daycare facility start interviewing facilities again and see if you are more comfortable with her somewhere else my baby is younger but crawling and he crawls to me with scratches even when I was watching him the whole tiem but he is at a daycare where when I go to pick him up I look to see if he comes back in the same condition and any scratch, bruise, or change in him I need a full explanation and a resolve to limit him from being hurt.Go with your gut!

I don't think so. Those sound like typical things. They probably just reported them because it was a bump on the head, had to cover themselves, etc.

M.

I wouldn't stress too much over it. At that age, kids are still figuring out balance and aren't always as cautious as we would like. Bumps and bruises are a part of childhood - my son has had numerous incident reports, mostly caused by his rough and tumble attitude (like one of the other mothers noted, I too could have a pretty funny scrapbook of his adventures). As to the scratches, are you keeping her nails short? My son used to scratch himself all the time, so I learned early to cut them often.

If you are still nervous, I would stop by and observe her at school - just like adults, kids can behave differently when influenced by peers. She may be trying to emulate others when she's not coordinated enough yet and this could be causing some bumps and bruises.

Have you spoken to the director yet? Have you made any unannounced visits? Ask them again what their criteria is for writing a report. How do the ratios of kids to caregivers look?

Kids this age are still unsteady on their feet...heck some kids aren't even walking yet. Bumps and scrapes are inevitable. They are also more into parallel play, so if someone invades their space they may lash out before an adult is able to do anything about it.

I got a little worked up when my daughter was just a little younger--she had a biter in her class among other things. A more seasoned mom gave me some good advice...using the criteria of the daycare, write down whenever she had a similar event at home. You may find that they are doing a pretty good job of reporting things.

The little biter was eventually expelled. I was sympathetic to the teachers after I was standing talking to his mother one day and he calmly leaned over and sunk his teeth into my shoulder. Dang little vampire.

It is certainly worth considering a change, but until you investigate a little further, you may find that the situation will be the same anywhere.

Yes, change and don't wait another day! She is too young to explain to you what is happening. I would also report them to the state licensing board for evaluation. A bump here and there is going to happen but that is too many times in 5 weeks. Your poor little girl! What an awful experience for her. Good for you to get her out of there.

Also, does she typically fall from chairs at your house? If not then you will have your answer. Good luck! :-)

No, I don't think you need to find another daycare. You sort of have to go by the kids will be kids and stuff happens rule. This is an age where kids do get hurt a lot, the fall off toys, run into things, etc. ect. Also it is a time where they start testing their limits with adults, as well as other children. It is a learning period where they are beginning to know right from wrong.
I would just speak to your daycare provider and ask that she/he make sure that the kids are being careful and kind to one-another.

Hi S., not necessarely. I'm a daycare provider, and small children play hard, and they do get bumps bruises it's part of child hood for most kids. I watch my kids very closely but yesterday when i as feeding my 14 month old i noticed a slight scratch on her face, the skin wasn't broken but it was noticeble, she had been out playing in the back yard with the 4 year old, and i was out there with them and i didn't see anything happen that would explain this scratch. You said teachers, so is this not a home daycare? in home daycare's there are fewer children so it's easier to watch them more closely. I would see how things go, pop in for a visit and see what her play time is like, and see if you notice any injuries on any of the other children, Hope this helps some. J.

Incident reports are a formal "paper trail" that shows there was something ovserved and that the parent was notified, nothing more.

It can be used to document if a child gets a bruise and how: so that if you call child welfare on them they can pull out the paper and show what happened and what was done. They will also document any bruises your child comes in with so they can show it if the state ever comes in and asks how your children look when they come to the center, like if they are constantly bruised, dirty, etc....

I think if this continues I would sit down with the teacher and talk about it. But as for changing things...she's 20 months old and too much change can start a whole string of issues. I say keep you eyes open and keep communication open with the teacher. If it keeps happenong they may need to move an older child up to the next room. As soon as my grandson was moved up he actually settled down and is acting much better.

Don't assume the worst yet, you may have a tom-boy on your hands.

I would say to see if you can spend sometime there observing her outside play habits (without her seeing you, as you would distract her). Also, ask about how she is hitting her head, is it just from falling or are there real dangers, not enough padding, not enough sand, hard edges, etc... examine where she plays yourself.

Is she clumsy or not coordinated yet? Younger children copy the older ones, are there older, like 3,4,5 out there with her and she is trying to do what they do?

There are many reasons, and it does not always mean neglect.