Troy has been going to this daycare since he was 16mos old (he is now 3 ½). We all love the daycare and all the teachers there. We have never had any issues/concerns until now. Last week another boy in Troy’s class, we’ll call him S, scratched Troy’s face (cheek) with a woodchip from the playground. This happened at 10:30am and I was not told until I picked up Troy (at 6pm) and told the scratch was in retaliation for Troy pushing S.

DH called the next day and spoke with the owner. She spoke with the teacher who witnessed it and told DH the whole story. The kids were all playing and trying to decide who was going to go down the slide when Troy pushed S. Later, after the slide is when S scratched Troy. The owner said now is not the time to separate them, wait it out and teach them their actions were wrong.

My issue is that this is not the first time there has been an issue between theses two. Troy has pushed S before, in defending himself when S has pinched, hit, pushed, etc Troy.

Since that day, when I drop Troy off early (about 2 days a week) he is terrified to go in the communal room (the red room) – S is there. I wondered if it’s a coincidence or not. But between since the incident I firmly believe it is NOT a coincidence. On the drive there, he asks what room he will go in, and says he doesn’t want to go in the red room. Yesterday we saw two kids walking in just before us- and Troy was very excited and went into the room without incident. Today, those kids weren’t there yet and when I told Troy they weren’t there, I saw an instant change in his attitude- he said “no, no, no. mommy, uppie, uppie, uppie” and was on the verge of tears.

I am planning to call the owner or director today b/c something has to give. My child is afraid to go in the room where S is in the morning. I don’t know what to do. Separating them doesn’t seem like much of an option b/c they’re the same age, and there is only one 3-4 yr olds class.

Any suggestions on how I can deal with this?