I would absolutely report the incident. It doesn't sound like they are dealing with it properly or with the attention it deserves at all. I'd also start looking for a new daycare. Sorry that this happened. I would be so upset to lose trust in a daycare that I loved.
Post by HitchedIn2006 on Sept 25, 2017 12:59:01 GMT -5
Report to state. I'm not sure if want my child there, depends on the changes they make. Their #1 responsibility is to SUPERVISE, which they failed to do. The lack of communication this morning is deplorable. Just demonstrates this is not a priority. Someone should be losing their job over this, so much harm and liability could have occurred!!
A child at my son's daycare recently wandered from the infant playground to the toddler playground unattended and was there for about 5 minutes before they realized he was gone. Both of his teachers were fired because of this. Additionally, the director immediately called and reported the issue to DHFS and had their supervisor to the school to come up with a modified recess plan. Our school has cameras everywhere and the directors were able to watch and see the exact circumstances that led to the child being alone on the wrong playground. Does your school have cameras? I would be livid and my staying at the school would depend on the reaction of the director.
Post by bostonmichelle on Sept 25, 2017 14:55:38 GMT -5
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I think if they haven't reported it by the time you pick up your child today, you report it asap. I wouldn't wait and see if they report it at this point. I'd have a lot of concerns about leaving my daughter in their care going forward.
I would report it anyway. I work in a daycare and do headcounts constantly throughout the day. There is no excuse for this to happen. They should have double checked the playground area before they went in, they should have had one teacher at the reaer of the group to make sure no one escaped and they should have headcounted when they got in the room. And I would look for a new daycare, because it seems to me like the people currently in charge aren't seeing how horrible this is.
I know you can't go back in time, but I probably would have called the cops and filed a report the day of. I would still be tempted to do so now, in addition to reporting them to a licensing agency.
My child would not be returning to that center, and I would tell every parent I knew who has children in attendance there what transpired.
ETA: I would also demand that any pre-paid tuition be refunded.
What if it had been winter? Or what if if were 90 degrees outside and she became overheated, dehydrated, or burned by the sun?!
We would be done with the daycare no matter how much we liked it there. The event itself is terrible but the response is unforgivable. If they have not self-reported by the time you arrive, I'd stand in the office while I made the call myself. In fact, I'd probably do that even if they say they have self-reported.
Do you have any idea how long your two year old was alone outside? I'd want to see tapes to determine just how negligent the staff was.
I get that mistakes happen but this isn't the same as mixing up spare clothes or something. Your two year old was left alone outside. When C was two she liked to climb up slides and then just walk forward without ever sitting down - literally walked off the top of slides. What if something like that had happened?
In our center the employee would be fired immediately. The fact that they did not know your child was outside and who knows how long she was outside is burn it down territory. And if I read your update correctly this is the 2ndtime itβs happened in a few weeks. Iβd be out of there so fast now.
In our center the employee would be fired immediately. The fact that they did not know your child was outside and who knows how long she was outside is burn it down territory. And if I read your update correctly this is the 2ndtime itβs happened in a few weeks. Iβd be out of there so fast now.
No real update yet, I just want to clarify that this is not the 2nd time it's happened. I was saying I appreciated hearing 2 different circumstances that the daycare self reported. Susie, and Rikki.
Post by macmars45 on Sept 25, 2017 18:49:35 GMT -5
When that happened at the childcare center I used to work at there was an investigation. Within the week the two teachers in that classroom were fired.
I'm not sure if they self reported or not, but based on the response I was apart of, I'm betting yes.
Post by polarbearfans on Sept 25, 2017 20:32:43 GMT -5
This had me stressed all day worrying about the baby. My husband said our daycare is constantly checking and counting and when they go outside they have extra aides helping. I probably would have walked out with my child and reported immediately when the morning staff didn't know what happened. It doesn't matter what the owner has going on in her life, she has a greater responsibility to those children and their parents. It is unacceptable she didn't share what happened with the rest of the staff and had an action plan in place. She absolutely could have called or texted everyone, drafted and posted a staff memo alerting to the issue and that when she is back they would be discussing a permanent plan but for now to do x,y,z. Her lack of action is a huge problem.
The idea of this happening to DS1 (2.5 years) is giving me heart palpitations. I cannot imagine how scared he would be in that situation. Not to mention, our daycare is in the middle of a large business district and the playground is unattached and in the center of all of that. Someone could easily grab him if he was all alone out there. Ugh.
Honestly, I'd pull my kid in that situation, but my MIL lives here and would take him in a heartbeat until we found another option.
If you have limited choices and need to keep her there for the time being, I would demand a meeting immediately and find out whether they've self-reported. I'd be inclined to report them myself if not. And, frankly, no matter the response, I think I'd be looking for a new daycare. I don't think I'd be comfortable leaving my kid there after that.
I know you can't go back in time, but I probably would have called the cops and filed a report the day of. I would still be tempted to do so now, in addition to reporting them to a licensing agency.
My child would not be returning to that center, and I would tell every parent I knew who has children in attendance there what transpired.
ETA: I would also demand that any pre-paid tuition be refunded.
What if it had been winter? Or what if if were 90 degrees outside and she became overheated, dehydrated, or burned by the sun?!
I didn't think about this and am getting all panicky again.
I keep coming back to this thread in disbelief. I cannot comprehend walking in to daycare, not seeing my child, and then being told they have no clue where she is. Not that they can't find her, but that they were totally oblivious to the fact THAT SHE WAS EVEN MISSING. This is how kids get left in daycare vans and die. (Recently happened locally.) This is a big fucking deal and I am livid on OP's behalf that it wasn't addressed immediately.
I worked at a daycare in college and this happened. The child was left outside by an afternoon floater for less than five minutes before I noticed and got her back inside. I immediately notified the director and the employee was fired that day. This isn't one of those things that should be taken lightly IMO. The employee who left your DD outside should be terminated immediately and honestly, it would cross my mind to report this to the state. Because 1)it happened in the first place, when there are tons of measures in place that daycares use to make sure this very thing doesn't happen and 2) it wasn't noticed by anyone.
I keep coming back to this thread in disbelief. I cannot comprehend walking in to daycare, not seeing my child, and then being told they have no clue where she is. Not that they can't find her, but that they were totally oblivious to the fact THAT SHE WAS EVEN MISSING. This is how kids get left in daycare vans and die. (Recently happened locally.) This is a big fucking deal and I am livid on OP's behalf that it wasn't addressed immediately.
Right? This thread has been giving me legit panic for days. Our daycare's playground is in a busy area separated only by a waist high fence. A kid left alone could be snatched up easily. Not to mention weather and injury concerns, or how scary that would be for a 2 year old. I cannot believe this wasn't immediately addressed as a very very serious transgression.
Hi everyone. I really appreciate the advice and heartfelt concern.
I do not want to make excuses, just throwing out some info to maybe put some minds at ease. As far as weather, they do not take the kids out in very cold or very hot temperatures. As far as location, the playground is attached to the building, and is surrounded by a fence of sorts of tall white panels with no visibility from outside. Again, not trying to make light of the situation, just putting more info out there.
So, unfortunately, no good update yet. I emailed the owner yesterday to set up an appointment for today. Didn't hear back. After I dropped DD off into her room this morning, on my way out I talked briefly with the business manager (A). I said I hadn't heard back from owner (C) yet, and asked if she would be in today. A told me that apparently yesterday was for arrangements, today is the wake, and tomorrow is the funeral. I was shocked, and said that I would be calling C to leave her a nasty message. I preferred to do this all in person, but what choice do I have.
I left, furious, called my husband, yelling and venting. Called daycare back and spoke with A again. I like A, a lot, and am glad she wasn't there on Friday and has not been a part of this. I asked her what is going on, what would she do in my situation, that I feel like nothing is being done. We chatted for a bit. She understands my frustration, she said that I am being more calm than she would be if this had happened to her. She said that I should yell, and yell louder. I asked her if C is checking her emails, she said yes. I was frustrated again, and said if she was checking, why wouldn't she have returned my email yesterday?? A understood.
I reported them to the state DCF, they will forward the report to IAIU (institutional abuse investigation unit) who should get back to me within 24 hours. I called the hq for the daycare, left a voicemail with customer service. I will continue to follow up with them, this will not fall through the cracks.
I sent a lengthy email to C, listed everything I am appalled with, told her I reported them and that SHE should have been the one to do it (the person I reported said as well), said that if she can't handle this due to a personal situation she should delegate it to someone who can, in the timely manner that it deserves, and that I shouldn't have to tell her how to do her job. I went on more than that, too. I also said that I still expect to meet with her, and I expect to know exactly what happened, and exactly how long DD was left alone.
So, that's about it for now. I'll update again when anything comes about.
Oh my gosh. I havenβt responded to this because what in the world is there to say? This is absurd. But I am flat out PISSED for you at their lack of response. Honestly, there is no way I would leave my daughter with these people.. regardless of liking her teacher.
The fact that they have not disclosed this to their licensing agency or the other parents is ridiculous. If the owner is too busy dealing with a death in the family , the business manager should have done it. There should be written policies detailing what steps should have already been taken.
Honestly, I want you to stop saying you like this person or that person. Any one of these people could have and should have done something other than offer you a sympathetic ear at this point.
The fact that they have not disclosed this to their licensing agency or the other parents is ridiculous. If the owner is too busy dealing with a death in the family , the business manager should have done it. There should be written policies detailing what steps should have already been taken.
Honestly, I want you to stop saying you like this person or that person. Any one of these people could have and should have done something other than offer you a sympathetic ear at this point.
Yes at this point they are trying to pacify you. Burn it down.
Post by starburst604 on Sept 26, 2017 14:09:24 GMT -5
I cannot even believe the follow up on this. My town and surrounding towns have very active FB mom boards and I would be plastering this information ALLLLLL over them, in addition to the steps you've taken already. They had a chance to try and work with you on this, but they've dropped every ball handed to them.