I am at a loss for words. My four year old has been having problems at daycare. Her dad and I met with the director and after that it seemed she did well for a few days. My kids have been going to the same daycare for four years now. I have had a few problems with a certain teacher being aggressive to my daughter. I was called once again to pick her up for misbehaving. That day the director was gone and the teacher I have problems with was in charge. When we got home I noticed a scratch on her ear. As if someone pulled her by her ear and scratched her. She denied anyone touch her and told me she didn't know what happened. Then yesterday when I went to pick her up she told me she had a great day and right away the teacher disagreed. Then she went on to tell me once she threatened to put a diaper on Faith that she started to act better. Later at home I noticed some bruising inside of her arm on other side of her elbow. Like someone grabbed her to hard. Then she told me the teacher was holding her down trying to put a diaper on her. This really upsets me because I have walked in to pick her up and seen with my own eyes her pulling my child by the arm leaving marks on her under her arm. I only have a few weeks left until my maternity leave and I don't know what to do. I think its time to change providers for them but its hard because I like all the other teachers and have never had a problem with any of them. But I am worried about how they are treating my daughter and if this is causing her to act out more. Please help any advice would help.
I spoke to the director and she told me I could meet with the executive director. I still have not been give a time to do so. My boyfriend and I decided to pull the kids out of the daycare once I am on maternity leave. I will become a stay at home mom now. Which is new to me but I look forward to staying at home with my kids. I also spoke to other parents and they have some of the same problems. I need to find out who to contact to report this because I don't want other kids in danger or to be treated like that. The kids will remain there for a couple of weeks. Right now they moved her to another class and she is doing quite well. It is defiantly the teacher who is the problem not my daughter. Thanks for all the advice!!!
this is crazy, you need to report this place. there is no way that they should be handling yoru child this way. if i ever saw or even felt like a provider had laid a hand on my kid that would be the last day they saw me and my money. if i were you i'd be up at that directors office in the morning letting her know exactly what you've seen and heard and let her know that it is not going unreported.
Hi K.,
My kids have never gone to a daycare center, but they have gone to private sitters before. I have had similar problems in the private sitter field. I immediately pulled them out and went elsewhere.
I would talk to the director and see what her thoughts are and if she will move your child to another teacher. I know it's not an easy thing to consider, but if the director doesn't seem helpful enough- I'd move in a heartbeat.
Your kids safety and wellbeing is more important than anything else.
If you are interested in going to private care, my babysitter is wonderful. She's located off of highway 44 and Jamieson. She's very affordable, cares for the kids, and teaches them LOTS of stuff. Everyday they are bringing me something home that they've created.
She's got an ad on here called Patty's babysitting. If you are interested, check her out. I promise you she's worth the time. :)
i have worked in childcare for more than 10 yrs...you should, as a working parent, never feel this way about leaving your child...you need to speak with a director and insist this be reported and investigated by the state...if they refuse simply report them yourself...take your daughter to the dr. to have the bruising and any injuries documented and take pictures also...now you need to start looking for another provider...i know this will be difficult for you with the new baby on the way but very necessary...childcare teachers should care for your children as they would want someone to care for their own child...i always say its our right to screw up our own children, not anyone else's!...good luck!
Wow! I feel for your little girl, Just my advise I would report the teacher to the director and bring to her attention the marks and also that you have been bringing your children to the same daycare for four years and have never had any problems until now with this teacher. Ask if your daughter can be moved to another teacher because you are not please with the one she has now. If that does nothing than I would move my children. Best of luck
I know how you feel! The ONLY reason I dont work is b/c I am so scared to put my baby girl in a day care. and now that I'm pregnant again I really need to work but I just cant bring myself to do it. I'm looking for a few children to watch in my home to maybe help out my husband with bringing in some extra baby money. if you cant find anywhere else in time I would be more than happy to meet with you sometime to see if you would be alright with me watching your daughter and maybe later the new baby as well. just let me know
my phone # is ###-###-####
My suggestion would be that you have a talk with the Director and the teacher today and since you are getting ready to go on maternity leave I would suggest that they put your daughter in a different class until that time comes. Also, always believe what your daughter has to say at the age of 4 they really will tell the truth. I would even ask the other parents if they seem to be having problems with this certain teacher. Good luck!
This is your child and your responsibility. If someone is not treating your child well and is potentially mistreating her then it is your job as her mother to rectify that situation reagardless of how long your child has been in that person's care. The last thing you want to do is wait until their is irrevocable damage. I am a mother and a childcare provider and I can tell you from experience that my loyalty is to my children first, not the childcare provider. And I know that my daycare clients feel the same way. Good luck!
K.,
Does your day care have a parents advocate on the board of directors? I'm on the board at our day care as a parent advisor. It is my job to bring any issues that parents are having with teachers to the attention of the board and the director. You may not be the only parent having problems with this teacher. She may not have the skills to deal with small children that is required in a preschool setting.
I would immediately bring this issue to the director of the school by asking for a private meeting. I would also poll other parents with children in your daughters class to see if they have any concerns about her as well. If she is like this with your daughter she is probably being aggressive with other kids.
J.
K.,
The daycare should have a policy in place for handling inappropriate behavior by teachers. Talk to the director again, lay everything out for her, and let her know what you would like her to do (put Faith in a different class, investigate the incidents including privately interviewing other teachers, write up/discipline the teacher if necessary, etc.). If the director will work with you, that is the best outcome.
If not, though, what you're describing sounds like violations akin to child abuse, and there are state agencies to address that. You should contact the appropriate agency (in Missouri it would be the Bureau of Childcare, a part of the Division of Health and Senior Services, but I'm not sure in Illinois). I would only do that after working with the director and giving her a chance to correct the situation. If you just switch providers, your daughter has to unfairly deal with two life disruptions at once (new daycare and new baby), and this teacher will continue to harass other little ones in the future.
Best of luck to you!
Get her fired! Get on that director and stay on her, talk to the other parents and the other kids...we don't want that kind of person watching our kids either. If the director does not fire her then threaten to call the DHS and report the incident for investigation. I would also go ahead and remove my children if the director takes no action because I would not trust the director's judgement at that point.
I had a few concern's recently at my daughter's daycare, but I felt that when I discussed it they were very receptive and understanding. If you aren't feeling like they are listening to you or if they don't seem to care about your concerns then I would say move on. Good Luck.
Dear K., I don't meen this in alarm, just a bit of my childhood. I also, was like your daughter when i was in pre-school, and was afraid to tell the truth. my daycare locked me in the extra storage room dark, full of over sized toys, that to a 4 year old seemed scary. And i was left there without lunch until my father picked me up after work. i was spanked and not given snacks because i refused naps. And, when I contracted lice on a uncleaned cot, was hit and spanked for being dirty. Although this instance is extreme, watch your daughter, if she seems unusual, it's for a reason. Children let on more than you would expect. Best wishes, and take care.
