How Do I Trust Someone Watching Me Kids Again???

I face the same problem. My boy is almost 10-month old and I'm looking for a nanny. I absolutely agree with you - trust family only, so I inform all the candidates that come in for an interview that I plan to use cameras all over the house to monitor them 24/7. People may call me crazy but I really see no other way to have piece of mind but to keep an eye on the caregiver (at least for a couple of weeks or so).
On daycares: a good friend of mine take her child to this highly recommended daycare close by - I pass by it every day when we go for a walk - a teacher's assistant yells so loud I get startled. No, she doesn't yell at kids but she has this really loud voice or temper she can't control...so much for a good school.
Good luck to you. Hope something works out for you.

I understand how you feel. I took my son to Armand Bayou Montessore School for many years. They were wonderful, I would have no problem recommmending them to you. There phone number is ###-###-####. Good luck.

Hi S., I understand how you feel, I have a 3 year old boy and an 11 year old daughter, my 3 year old attended this school/daycare in Sugar Land and he also had separation anxiety, we also gave the benefit of the doubt for five months and it never got better,at the end we figured out it was his assigned teacher, she expected too much from 3 year olds, she told them to sit down be quiet and listen to her while they sat and learned, she did not teach through play, imagine telling 3 year olds to sit down and be quiet, he loved to visit the other classes and got along well with the other teachers, my daughter on the other hand loved her school was excited about the kids in her class and her teachers and learning, then we moved to Pearland my son's separation anxiety suddenly disappears, he runs to the classroom does'nt even kiss me good-bye, my daughters reaction to her new school, not so good. So the Moral to my story believe it or not "Kids can sense evil" as funny as that phrase is, with my experience I believe there's some truth to it. I watch my kids closely, I look at their eyes and see their reaction to people, my kids have a dull not interested look if they don't care to play with someone and an excited spark in their eyes if they feel comfortable with them. It is also important that you "click" with the caregiver. I am also a Christian and I prayed about my situation and for my children be protected and let the Holy Spirit guide me. With your permision I would like to pray for you and your family. The new daycare that our son attends have cameras in each class room including the cafeteria, It's Kids R Kids, we can get on-line to see him any time of day. I had a good feeling about this daycare, and my husband is blessed to sense "fake" people. I do believe prayers helped.
Have a Blessed Day!
K.

Dear S.,
I have also had a few bad experiences, nothing quit as bad as the swimming pool run around, I think I would have taken her hide off. My advice might not help, and I don't know what kind of income you guys have but I found the La Porte Headstart program to be run very well. My son is very shy and I know if someone is mistreating him just by the way he acts around them, but we got him into that program and he has opened up a lot. He really likes and trust his teachers. If that does not work for you I would look over in the clear lake area, they have some really well run daycare programs, I go to school at UHCL so it is convient for me. When I finish school I will still travel the distance just because I know my youngest will get taken care of really well there.

HI S.,
My name is S. and I know where you are coming from. I worked in daycares for years and when I had my first I started working for a couple in Clear Lake for 3 years because I will never put my children in one. I know from seeing it, what they tell parents hen its a total lie. Im glad you are parenoid and you should be and you hyave to be for our littles that can't grasp bad situations or tell us what has happened. No matter who it is telling you everything is ok you have to believe your children and their moods. You cant afford not to!! I have 2 daughters that are 4 and 2. They are sweet, smart, energetic angels. Im a college student, a single mother of 2 and house payment. Because I refuse to put them in daycare I worked for that couple and now when i got this 5 bedroom home I now run a daycare out of my house. Just like a daycare but truly honest. Open door anytime. I have a big playroom, backyard and a seperate naproom. I provide breakfast, lunch and snacks with drinks . The meals are healthy. My neighboe is a detective so we are really safe. My neighborhood is quite and friendly. My mother in fact lives 2 streets over. I am listed with the state of Texas. I have references if you would like as well. I charge 100.00 per week. This is not a selling pitch this is a mother who understands you completly. If you would like to talk more you may call me anytime at ###-###-####.

My husband and I have tried about 3 different daycares. It seems at each there are always going to be events that make you upset and want to pull your child out. We had to pick the one that we had the least problems with. You should try a daycare Day care that has a on-line video carmera, First class day care has one. We have not tried them out because I do not like the owner but have heard good things about the place. Or get a nanny and hide camera's in house. It would most likely be more cost effective for a nanny anyway with 2 kids. Good luck

Hi,
I have to say that you sound like you've been through the wringer and are rightly scared and frustrated. I have to say being a mother of 3 (10yrs, 2yrs, and 5 months) I can relate, expecially since I work at a school and my children attend where I work. I have the luxury of knowing everything that happens in their lives. Unfortunetly it's places and people such as the ones you've experienced that give good schools a bad name and make it hard for parents to overcome being scared parents. My advice is this, number one look for schools that have an open door policy, you should be able to drop in and visit or hang out with your child as frequently as you want as long as its not negitively impacting your child(seperation anxiety). Also its helpful if there is a security camera set up in the room. We have one in both our toddler and infant rooms because the kids in there can't talk..Just like your daughter. So if I need to investigate how something happened, I can rewind the tape or even share this with a parent. The main thing is you need to find a place with outstanding communication that reports daily how your child is doing, most schools should have some sort of daily report that tells you how often you child is changed, fed, napped, etc. Also look for small ratio's so your child gets enough attention at school.Licensing allows much more numbers than is actually safe. Infants should have no more than 3/1 ratio's. You will possibly pay more but you will have peace of mind. Also teachers should be trained and have a higher education level. At least some college. You need to do your homework and do ask as many questions as you can think of. An administrator should be patient and take as much time as it takes for you to feel comfortable. If you need any more help/advice let me know I work at a private school so I'm in the business of doing it right. I hate to hear stories like yours ! aLSO ASK FOR PARENT REFFERALS! A good school should have a list of parents who are happy to talk to you. Good Luck!

S.,

I can relate, I have had some childcare nightmares with my 11 month old. She has been to 4 different places in her young life and I just don't like any of them. I used to work in childcare when I was younger so I know the things that go on and i absolutely HATE the thought of my daughter being there. I will tell you I have worked at a few Montessori's and I have never put my daughter in one simply becuase it is expensive and I am a single mom and can't afford it, but I feel like they are VERY patient with the children and the discipline is strictly repetative verbal corrections in a soft but firm tone. Montessori is different from regular day care as they are more hands off in the way they teach and let the child figure things out on there own, but in the two I have worked for they have had time out squares where the child will sit 1 minute for every year they are old and in correcting the child the teachers squat to the childs level and make eye contact and explain what the child did wrong and what to doin the future. They are very big on repetatitveness in there teaching. I hope this helps as I have had my own nightmares with childcare and and reassured of my fears with your story. At first I thought I may be a crazed first time mom but now I am sre my instincts were correct.

Thanks,

D.

My kids are older now but I am as protective as you and had some similar experiences daycare and homecare and changed quick. I would look for a place that has open concept (glass room to room), or internet observation maybe. Some churches provide care and have strict policies regarding who, what and where is appropriate when caring for a child. Best of luck.