A little upset with daycare

Gavin has been in his Twaddler room since January-ish and I hadn't really given much thought to him advancing to the Prepper room until last week.
He spent a day in the prepper room a few weeks ago and they said they would let me know when it was time to transition him.

All of his friends are in Prepper except for 1, but Gavin has always gone into a new room before this child, so I figured Gav was next to go into Prepper....until the other friend went yesterday.

I spoke to the friend's mom last week and she was very upset that her son was still in Twaddler and told me she pretty much demanded he be moved to Prepper. So off he goes and now Gavin, who is more advanced than this child as well as the rest of his current class, is left in Twaddler.

We asked the Director yesterday when Gavin was going to transition and they said no time soon..... but they would have a better answer by today. I expressed concern that the other friend had transitioned yesterday but was always behind Gavin for EVERY other transition....and I told them I am aware that the mother had made a stink.

I feel my child was held back because we didn't press the issue.

We were told this morning that there simply isn't enough room spatially to add another child to Prepper and there MAY be a child leaving in June and they would let us know tomorrow if that was happening. But no answer as to what happens if that child stays.

WWYD in this situation?
Now that I am actually thinking about it, Gavin IS beyond the things they are doing in his current room and the last thing I want is for me to be paying this crazy tuition to have my son held back.

I have even looked into a Day School in the area that is the same tuition but there are a few drawbacks I don't love (following school schedule, day camp over the summer instead of "school", and a few other minor things)

Am I overreacting??????

Re: A little upset with daycare

Not overreacting at all!! My daycare is transitioning DS next week to the 6-18 month room. Im soo upset about it only b/c I love his current teacher.. but anyway...They CREATED another room b/c they are getting more enrollement.

They shouldn't hold a child back b/c of space issues.. that is a clue that they need to hire another teacher or start another room. JMO!!

I would def push the issue and explain taht your child shouldn't be held back b/c of their space issues.
Good luck!!

Re: A little upset with daycare

How old is Gavin? They ususally move kids "up" during certain times of the year....not because a parent made a big deal about it, and if that is the case, it is wrong on their part. And, they usually try to transition more than one child at a time. Is this the case? Did the friend go with another twaddler?

I would ask for a class description, and ask where Gavin is not meeting the requirements of that class...

Re: A little upset with daycare

nope... I'd be PO'd too. Right now DS is the oldest in his class. Going to be 1 soon and there are 3 month olds just coming into the class. They're really transitioning him into the Infant B room.

I do LOVE Infant A room teachers, but he knows the B teachers very well since they're combined in the mornings and he's been staying in the B room a lot. He's so mobile and climbing on everything. Wouldn't be fair to the little guys either

Def talk to the Director again. It's really not fair

Re: A little upset with daycare

I would hold on for another month & make it known that I wanted him moved up. If they don't have a spot in June, I'd ask them what they plan to do about it & make my decisions based on that.

My daycares always moved up solely based on birthday. It was the only way to be fair. Even if a child wasn't really "ready", they were transitioned. The theory was that they will adjust to those around them & develop the skillset quicker (with the exception of developmental delays).

Re: A little upset with daycare

Message edited 5/11/2010 12:02:53 PM.

Re: A little upset with daycare

You are NOT overreacting at all.

I have learned (the hard way) with BOTH kids that if you dont say something they will DO what they want. For gods sakes until I said something Carlo was on the infant side until this week (he 13 months ---

They do things to fit THEIR needs---I would really continue to make a stink about it until he is moved

Pull the card that you will take him and his new sis/bro out

I would also ask for the birthdates of all the kids in both classes so that you can objectively show that Gav BELONGS with the Preppers

keep on saying something!!!

Re: A little upset with daycare

Just spoke to the Director, which BTW, there's a new Director and no one told me the old one was leaving...loved her....

She said Gav will be transitioning to Prepper on Wednesdays and Thursdays until there is permanent room for him. She also said that there is no space for him and I told her that was not an acceptable explanation. She needs to check enrollment if there isn't enough room for a child who has been there for over 2 years!

I also told her that I would like a reason as to why the other child was advanced before Gavin because I believe it was based solely on his mother's complaining. She said she didn't know why and I told her I would appreciate an answer.

So, we will see what happens from here.

Re: A little upset with daycare

there is really nothing you can do as it is a space issue. you really should have pushed the issue and spoken up sooner, sorrry

I am sure they moved the other child up bc the other parents complained, but they should really do it by birthday it's only fair.

Message edited 5/11/2010 12:29:38 PM.

Re: A little upset with daycare

Posted by curliegirl

Just spoke to the Director, which BTW, there's a new Director and no one told me the old one was leaving...loved her....

She said Gav will be transitioning to Prepper on Wednesdays and Thursdays until there is permanent room for him. She also said that there is no space for him and I told her that was not an acceptable explanation. She needs to check enrollment if there isn't enough room for a child who has been there for over 2 years!

I also told her that I would like a reason as to why the other child was advanced before Gavin because I believe it was based solely on his mother's complaining. She said she didn't know why and I told her I would appreciate an answer.

So, we will see what happens from here.

Re: A little upset with daycare

Posted by maybesoon

there is really nothing you can do as it is a space issue. you really should have pushed the issue and spoken up sooner, sorrry

Re: A little upset with daycare

Posted by maybesoon

there is really nothing you can do as it is a space issue. you really should have pushed the issue and spoken up sooner, sorrry

Re: A little upset with daycare

Its NOT a space issue---they know when kids need to be moved/should be moved

if space is an issue--then dont let new kids in

these places do what works for THEM--the parents always need to speak up

SPACE--is ONLY a concern in the infant room where cribs are involved. Every grade up politics/parents are what they are concerned about

Re: A little upset with daycare

Gina...I had to push to get Lucas out of Twaddler and into Prepper a while back. Keep pressing the issue.

Right now Lucas is in Prepper B and all of the other kids have moved up without him...I think part of it is space, birthday order and the fact that he is still potty training. But I am leaving it alone because he loves the teachers there.

Re: A little upset with daycare

Posted by curliegirl

Posted by maybesoon

there is really nothing you can do as it is a space issue. you really should have pushed the issue and spoken up sooner, sorrry

Thanks, appreciate that......that's really what I feel like hearing right now.

Re: A little upset with daycare

Posted by MAC222

Posted by curliegirl

Posted by maybesoon

there is really nothing you can do as it is a space issue. you really should have pushed the issue and spoken up sooner, sorrry

Thanks, appreciate that......that's really what I feel like hearing right now.

First, you did nothing wrong by not speaking up....

Second, I recall 2 and half was the age for Preppers...so when is his birthday, when will he be 3? The only difference should be that there is more of an emphasis on potty-training,and there is more of a pre-k curriculum.....

As far as the director telling you they don't have the space, I would ask her why they don't, ask her what that has to so with you...kwim?? It is on them, to do what they need to do, to make Gavin a prepper....they can't hold him as a twaddler, just becasue they don't want to have another teacher in the room....

Is this a corporate or a franchised school?

Re: A little upset with daycare

Posted by curliegirl

Posted by MAC222

Posted by curliegirl

Posted by maybesoon

there is really nothing you can do as it is a space issue. you really should have pushed the issue and spoken up sooner, sorrry

Thanks, appreciate that......that's really what I feel like hearing right now.

First, you did nothing wrong by not speaking up....

Second, I recall 2 and half was the age for Preppers...so when is his birthday, when will he be 3? The only difference should be that there is more of an emphasis on potty-training,and there is more of a pre-k curriculum.....

As far as the director telling you they don't have the space, I would ask her why they don't, ask her what that has to so with you...kwim?? It is on them, to do what they need to do, to make Gavin a prepper....they can't hold him as a twaddler, just becasue they don't want to have another teacher in the room....

Is this a corporate or a franchised school?

They told DH that there literally is not enough SPACE in the room for another child. Mandated by the state, they are only allowed a certain number of children in a per square foot area. But like you said, why is that MY problem? You should have some sort of calculation as to when children are being moved and who you can and cannot enroll into that room.
We have been with this franchise for 2 years now and never really had an issue. I understand money is money and they want to make as much as possible, but it WILL NOT be at the expense of my child.

There's a great Day School down the block I had been considering that is even less tuition, but I don't want to pull my child out of this place. All he talks about are his friends (that he no longer sees ) and his teachers. And I don't believe he NEEDS to be in a school setting just yet. But if that's what is best for my child then I need to do that KWIM?

ANd yes, the Twaddler room claims to end at 2 1/2, Gavin is 30 months old....

Re: A little upset with daycare

Re: A little upset with daycare

I understand they have to adhere to state ratios but that still doesn't explain why someone else was moved up & your son was not - unless as I said, it was an age thing.

I remember being frustrated that my son wasn't moved up too. He was 2 years old & speaking in full sentences. He started having behavior problems because of a combination of boredom & the fact that when the 2 year olds finally where talking, they were all moved up. They paired him with non-speakers to get them talking. I was extremely frustrated but it was based on birthdate so there was nothing I could do about it except hope a kid moved.

Posted by curliegirl

Just spoke to the Director, which BTW, there's a new Director and no one told me the old one was leaving...loved her....

Re: A little upset with daycare

Same exact thing happened to us at the old daycare. Who is older? Gavin or the other kid? If Gavin is older, HE belongs in that room and they have to make the switch.

I just read that Gavin is older. DO not back down. Demand they switch Gavin. If they say there is no room, then tell them to switch the other kid back since Gavin is OLDER. Gavin isn't behind or delayed, so they have NO excuse as to why they can't switch the other kid back and bump up Gavin. Sure the other mother will be p*ssed, but she would also be p*ssed if the roles were reversed. Gavin is your #1 priority,,not the other kid or how his mother will react if the switch is made.

Message edited 5/11/2010 1:33:52 PM.

Re: A little upset with daycare

In my center, they move most of the kids up together and at the same time...usually a transitional time during the year too. Is there only one Prepper room? Can he go to another one?

Re: A little upset with daycare

I suspect we may use the same daycare and I too have some concerns about how they manage the class enrollment. There is no logic and they appear very greedy about it. I have brought in my daughter later in the morning 9:30ish for the teachers to call the front to say they are over ratio and then they send a child to another class for the day. This really bothers me, why enroll more students than you can accomodate and disrupt the children so much. The afternoon shuffle to send teachers home early drives me nuts and it really should be better managed.

When I registered my daughters I was told my baby would be in Infant A until there was space in Infant B but do a few days in B when they had space. I told them I was in no rush and to call me when there was full-time space in B and all of a sudden the space was available.

I would continue to push, my daughter started in LC4 at 2yrs and 10m and even in that class they are not all potty trained. They just moved a 4 yr old from her class to LC5 on Monday. They appear to just fill all class to capacity and over regardless of where the child belongs.

Re: A little upset with daycare

Posted by nrthshgrl

I understand they have to adhere to state ratios but that still doesn't explain why someone else was moved up & your son was not - unless as I said, it was an age thing.

I remember being frustrated that my son wasn't moved up too. He was 2 years old & speaking in full sentences. He started having behavior problems because of a combination of boredom & the fact that when the 2 year olds finally where talking, they were all moved up. They paired him with non-speakers to get them talking. I was extremely frustrated but it was based on birthdate so there was nothing I could do about it except hope a kid moved.

Posted by curliegirl

Just spoke to the Director, which BTW, there's a new Director and no one told me the old one was leaving...loved her....

Just wanted to add...
as an employer, we don't gernerally announce employees leaving until after they are gone unless it's a retirement. If it was a teacher, I agree you should have been told but a director, I get not telling people that.

Re: A little upset with daycare

Posted by MAC222

Posted by nrthshgrl

I understand they have to adhere to state ratios but that still doesn't explain why someone else was moved up & your son was not - unless as I said, it was an age thing.

I remember being frustrated that my son wasn't moved up too. He was 2 years old & speaking in full sentences. He started having behavior problems because of a combination of boredom & the fact that when the 2 year olds finally where talking, they were all moved up. They paired him with non-speakers to get them talking. I was extremely frustrated but it was based on birthdate so there was nothing I could do about it except hope a kid moved.

Posted by curliegirl

Just spoke to the Director, which BTW, there's a new Director and no one told me the old one was leaving...loved her....

Just wanted to add...
as an employer, we don't gernerally announce employees leaving until after they are gone unless it's a retirement. If it was a teacher, I agree you should have been told but a director, I get not telling people that.

I agree with you as an employer as well, we don't always do it depending on circumstances but a parent should definitely be notified about the director of the school leaving...when I did, we had to send a letter, and intro the new person, and all of their qualifications...it is a school..kwim? You pick up your kids on friday, see the same person for so long, then Monday am, there is a new person, unprofessional to say the least on their part.....

Message edited 5/11/2010 2:17:38 PM.

Re: A little upset with daycare

I too would be PIZZED! You are paying them a lot of money and your DC should be moved to the appropriate room. You have every right to let them know how you feel and demand that DC is moved up or you will withdraw! There is no excuse! Or they need to add another teacher to the class he is in to keep him up to speed with the others!