Daycare teacher was rough with child (update page 2)

DH dropped off DD today and as he was walking in the classroom, he witnessed one of the Asst teachers being rough with a boy in the class. I don't know what the child did, but DH walked in and heard her scream "I've had enough of you!!". The boy was sitting in his chair around the table, and the teacher pushed his chair into the table very hard. his chest/ribs slammed into the table forcefully. The boy was shocked and then started crying.
This is in a 2-3 yr old classroom at a daycare center.

This is obviously upsetting to DH and I, and although I don't want to see this assistant get fired, I also don't want to keep quiet. Do we mention this to the lead teacher first, or go to the principal? I think she'd know it was us who complained, since my DH was the one who walked in.
We've been generally happy with this center and we really like her lead teacher and the others there, but honestly this woman has never given me that warm, comfortable feeling.
I am upset for this little boy, and god I know how trying these toddlers can be, esp DD, she's not easy. But I have a big problem with slamming a child into a table.
Who do I go to first?

Message edited 11/19/2013 9:46:39 AM.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

Why don't you want the assistant to get fired? If I saw someone treating a child that way, I would want them to get fired and fast! Especially if it is at the place where my child is going.

Daycare teacher was rough with child

Ugh that's tough. I think I would go to the director and voice your concerns. I've heard of parents going to the director of our daycare for things much more minor than that. I wouldn't want to get her fired either, and I doubt she would for this one incident, but the #1 thing I worry about when leaving my child in someone else's care is his safety. Someone needs to keep the assistant in check with her behavior. Toddlers can be aggravating but she can't be allowed to be so forceful with the children. (I'm also assuming here that she didn't go over and comfort the child and say it was an accident?) GL!

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

If that was my son, I'd want you to go to the principal.

Daycare teacher was rough with child

Well, I'm not trying to threaten her livelihood and ruin her career by getting her fired. But on the other hand, she clearly has a temper and really shouldn't be working with toddlers.
What's also concerning to me is this tool place at 9am on Monday morning? Maybe this kid was there for only an hour or 2. What kind of patience does this teacher have left at 3pm? I'm gonna pickup DD with DH later and we are going to speak to the asst principal who is always there at 5.

Daycare teacher was rough with child

If I have any issues with anything at my daycare I always go to the director first.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

You should threaten the livelihood of a teacher who did that. Who knows what else she is doing?

Daycare teacher was rough with child

I would go to the Director.

We had a similar issue last week that DH witnessed - the way a floater handled our friend's son in DS 2's class (they didn't know that he saw though since he was on the playground waiting for DS 1 peeking in the window...) It wasn't quite as bad but, it gave him a bad feeling.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

I would definitely report it to the director asap. Think about how you would handle it if it was your kid.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

Daycare teacher was rough with child

Thanks everyone. I talked to DH, we are going there together later and will speak to principal. It will be up to principal how to handle it with the teacher. Can I request this be documented, or no because it wasn't my child? I'd like it documented.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

She needs to be fired. Similar thing happened with a family member, and the teacher was fired. I went to tour several highly regarded daycares, and I don't like how some of the kids are treated. You must say something.

I toured a chain and did not like it. Parents need to speak up about what they see.

Message edited 11/18/2013 11:16:45 AM.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

I would go right into the director's office after witnessing that.
And as far as ruining her livelihood etc- maybe she shouldn't be making her living caring for children if she doesn't have the patience.
I know I don't- so i would NEVER be a teacher.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

I'm in agreement with many of the pp's, I'd definitely go to the director. It sounds like this woman really shouldn't be caring for children and I wouldn't feel bad about threatening her career. Think of the helpless kids in her care . . .

I find it disturbing that she did this right in front of you. As someone else mentioned, it just makes me wonder what she'd do if no one was around to see. I really think you should speak up, as you said you're going to. Don't feel bad about it, you're doing the right thing.

Daycare teacher was rough with child

DH just told me he emailed the principal and asked to meet with her today. He works close by and will leave work to go talk to her.. He is very upset by what he saw. Will update this post later. Thanks again.

Daycare teacher was rough with child

defintely the director - that is horrible she should not be working with young children if she doesn't have the patience. I would be devastated if that happened to DS and would want to know.

Daycare teacher was rough with child

I would have went right to the director if I saw that. I would not care about her losing her job. She hurt a child. She may not have meant it but she did and who knows what else she is doing. Poor kid.

Daycare teacher was rough with child

Definitely tell the director or assistant director. That is unacceptable, especially with an eye witness, something has to be said.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

Message edited 11/18/2013 12:55:15 PM.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

Message edited 11/18/2013 12:38:41 PM.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

I am the first person to admit I could NEVER to that job - I don't have the patience, at all.

However, that is exactly why I do not HAVE that job.

IMO, you absolutely, under NO circumstances treat another person's child like that - I'd speak to the Director immediately. Especially if your own child has contact with that particular assistant. I know I'd want someone to speak up / tell me if they saw that happening to my child !!

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child

If I were the mother of that boy, I would want you to report the incident.

The assistant teachers at our preschools are the sweetest girls. I think you need to have a certain personality (and patience) to work with young children.

It is only 9am on a Monday! I can't imagine how nasty that teacher may get by Friday afternoon. Unless it is a true fluke, she doesn't sound like someone who should be in this line of work.

Daycare teacher was rough with child

Personally, I would say something to the director. I wouldn't care if the assistant teacher, or anyone for that matter, knew the complaint came from me. They should be ashamed.

Message edited 11/18/2013 1:09:51 PM.

Re: Daycare teacher was rough with child