Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

DD is 16 months and goes to daycare FT - 8 -6 - (I know - long day )

Anyway today I was changing her and noticed a very obvious bite mark on her shoulder. She's been bitten before, but they called and filled out a report. I was not notified at all that she was bitten. This bite mark was a bit deeper than the last time. I can't believe that DD didn't scream bloody murder when it happened.

Also, this week I noticed that when I pick her up at 6 all the babies are sitting at the table (the half circle with the sunken chairs) this is new - they used to be doing individual playtime. I think they have all the kids sitting so they can clean up the classroom earlier and the they can go home early. But DD gets snack at 5:15, so that means she is sitting at least from 5:15 until 6 when I pick her up (I don't know if they put her in the seat earlier.) I just think thats a little long for a toddler to be sitting just so the teachers can clean up (I also think thats unfair to the rest of the kids too)

I'm definitely going to say something about the bite mark on Monday, but who should I talk to and should I say something about the pm pick up time? Should I talk to the director or the teacher. Because I get there so early her reg teacher is usually not in...

Sorry this is so long...TIA

Re: Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

I think your concerns are totally justified. I'd speak to the teacher first about both and if you're unhappy with the response, go to the director.

Re: Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

As a daycare center owner, I can tell you that teachers should not be doing the cleaning while the children are still in their care. If their attention is focused on cleaning then that means that they aren't giving their full attention to the children. (Did you read the story about the 11 month old who fell in a mop bucket at school and drowned?) No actiivity should be longer than 15-20 mins. at max in order to hold the children's attention therefore they should not be sitting for such a long period of time. You need to speak directly to the director about your concerns --teachers have prep time before and afterschool to clean --you are paying for quality childcare and deserve just that.

Re: Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

Take a picture on your cell phone so you can show the teacher/director Monday.
I would sleep on it tonight, and then calmly state your feelings so you can express them in a mature fashion on monday.

Re: Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

Yeah, I had DH take a photo when I noticed it... just in case... I'm still not sure who I should speak to. i feel I have a good relationship with the teachers, and I don't want to be "That" mom...

Re: Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

I'm not sure what would bug me more - DC getting bit and not being told or thinking DC is sitting too long in that table area so teachers could clean. Both would bother me immensely. I would talk to the director about the cleaning part and ask the teacher about the biting incident.

Re: Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

Did DD have a shirt covering the area. It could have happened when the kids were playing and DD started crying but they couldnt figure out why (which leads to another issue of why someone wasnt watching). The bite marks dont always show up right away.

Re: Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

Yes, she was wearing a shirt that covered the area - so my issue is not that she was bitten (I know-toddlers bite) , but that they missed that someone bit her. ALso, since its the same area she got bit as the last time (about 2 months ago) I'm suspicious that its the same kid...so he/she should have been being watched...(of course, we'll never know...)

Whats really kind of sad is that this week DD is so happy when I get there - usually she is happy when I get there, but doesn't want to leave - she wants to show me all her toys and continue to play. Today especially - she couldn't wait to leave - she said bye to her teacher the minute I picked her up. I mean- could that be telling me something??

ETA its the assistant teachers who are there when I pick her up.

Message edited 7/31/2009 10:09:08 PM.

Re: Daycare moms - how would you deal with this...

Definitely say something on Monday and I would go straight to the director.

I can't imagine DD not crying after getting bit. The only thing I can think of is that maybe she didn't cry hysterically and they missed witnessing the bite so she didn't know she got but and just thought she was crying? That's the only thing I can think of that could MAYBE justify the bite going unknown and even that's a stretch.

I would ask how long she is at the table for at pick up. Its possible they may pop them in and out of them. IMO 45 minutes is wayyy too long for any toddler to be sitting like that especially for just a snack.