Over the past three months, there have been a ton of changes at my kids’ daycare center. Some good, some bad. For starters, the daycare was sold to a new owner. They began sprucing up the center. It seemed all good. But then other things started happening.
They decided all parents had to provide their own wipes for all non-potty trained kids. Not a big deal, more annoying than anything. Then the director (who we REALLY liked) left to become a stay-at-home mom after one too many battles with the new owner. Her daughter was also one of my daughter’s good friends, so my little one is missing her buddy.
But they REALLY pissed me off when my daughter’s teacher – who she ADORES – whispered to us on Friday that it was her last day at the center. Um, excuse me? She apparently wasn’t allowed to tell parents what was going on but she wanted us to know anyway.
Now, it might not be a big deal to you, but to me, this is almost criminal. My daughter LOVES this woman. And we love her too. All day, every day she walks around saying how wonderful Miss Kathy is and how Miss Kathy gave her a hug and she pee-pee’d in the potty for Miss Kathy and how Miss Kathy gives her stickers when she’s good. If we drop my daughter off and she’s reluctant to go, Miss Kathy swoops her up into a big bear hug, and my daughter giggles. Bad mood squashed.
Not too many have that effect on my daughter, so when I lose someone like that unexpectedly, it hurts. I plan on having a talk with the owner and new director to let them know that in the future, I would appreciate a little more notice about turnover in my kid’s classroom.
But it’s frustrating anyway because they are already at one of the cheaper (yet still well-structured) programs, they have made friends there, and really, all the other schools have wait lists. It’s not like we can pull them out.
What about you? Do you love where your kids go to daycare? Are you waiting it out so you can take them someplace else? Am I wrong for being so upset? Let’s talk about childcare. Is it too expensive? Are the teachers young or old at your center? Do they eat good meals? Are the kids well behaved?
I love my kids daycare. It isn’t the most exclusive spot, but the staff really makes a difference. They really care about the children and it shows. They pay attention to detail and are a wonderful assistance to my parenting. I have tons of childcare horror stories, so I know a good daycare when I see one. My daughter is 20 months old and can sing the ABC’s and count to three. My four year old son is advanced as well and he is so mannerable. I am blessed with my daycare situation.
The same thing happened to us when my kids were in daycare. The good teachers and director all left because of the owners ridiculous policies. Now my wife stays at home with the kids.
@ Mocha Dad – See, I was hoping it wouldn’t have to come to that. I love my kids to death, but I think I need to go to work. Not just financially, but for my mental health. When I was a stay-at-home mom before (when I was still in college) I felt so bad about myself. Didn’t like it. I know raising kids is one of the most rewarding things you can do and I’m secretly jealous of women like your wife who can make it happen like that. One day maybe…
I feel for you YoungMommy. It’s is sooo hard to find a good daycare. We were on the waitlist for almost 3 YEARS for my son’s current daycare!! However it was definitely worth the wait because we all love it. Nothing like having horrible daycare experiences to help you to truly appreciate a good one. It may not hurt to put your kids on the waitlists for other centers just incase you decide to move them. When I originally put my son on the waitlist for his current daycare, I had given up all hope of an opening ever becoming available. Fortunately it did just when we had had it with the other one. Well, at least we know what business to get into if necessary…
@Erica – See, the current daycare had a six month waitlist when we first came on before. It was one of the last affordable daycares in our area. But while the teachers remaining are still cool, they are all younger teachers. Like, a few years older than us. I don’t know why that bugs me, because I think I’m a 23-year-old that’s capable of watching and taking care of kids, but it’s weird to me to see women my age do the same things I do every day. Does that even make sense? LOL.
I think every parent dealing with a childcare center has seen similar struggles. It is hard to find a childcare center that is great and stays that way without paying your entire salary to have them there. I have been at home for the past 1 1/2 with my kids and although we had to make some cutbacks on stuff it has been worth the piece of mind knowing that they are in good hands. And no you were not wrong for being upset. You pay them, they are not doing you a favor by keeping your daughter!
@Mommy of man – Thank you very much for helping to ease my concerns. But I guess the question is – why is it so hard to find good, quality, affordable childcare? How are we supposed to manage the whole work-life balance if our support systems are weak? Very frustrating indeed…
Hmm now this is a hard one for me. I had to have my oldest son…now 10 in prescool for a few years. But, now, I have 4 degrees and yet- I choose no tto use them to stay home with my own children. My husband and I are both liscensed. I am 25…and I run a preschool from my home—NOT A DAYCARE…..LOL. To me there’s a huge difference! BUt, I run it from my home and I too have a waiting list because word spread fast after my first year in town. I also have the backing of every kindergarten teacher in town…lol…because they love how prepared the children are for school after attending a year here. Anyway, I do feel for you…I hold meetings for the parents every few months and aways ensure weekly letters to them to ensure they know of any changes in what we’re teaching in schedule or anything. I never change rate or picy before discussing it with them all…and I run this like a center does… for instance if I were going to change the policy on wipes..I might ask them- woud you rather prove them or have costs go up so much for them…or at east something like that. To me without great parents…I have had bad ones but for the most part I have great parents who help me as much as I help them and thats inportant and hard to find. So, I treasure the good parents and treat them with respect and to me that means keeping them up to date on everything.
In short I think you have more then any rights to know about changes…in fact in my opinion you pay them to know every change…and I am a provider…and thats how i feel. So, you know your thinking can’t be that far off. I would definatly mention it to them in a written complaint as well as verbal..to let them know you feel as though they may have changed policies and staff but al parents hsould be made aware of such things with at least 2 weeks notice….for the sake of the child…if they care about your childs well being then they should announce it to you to al ow for you to begin helping your child through the trasnition…as thats soo hard!!! And that should be their top concern. Whie affordable s a top concern…I’d also be sure to let them know while you appreciate their services…you also wish to know of changes further in advance…to prepare your family…thats the east they can do…seriousy…the least!!! The best of luck!!!
Feel free to check out my blog..lol…i have both great nad gorror stories…lol Anyhow- your not out of your mind…I hear horror stories from parents al the time and I tell them its equal your their boss and their your boss in a sorts which means all communication has to be the most important!!!
You have every right to be upset. I don’t think it was a smart move for them NOT to inform the parents of these kinds of changes. Those are some major changes that obviously have an effect on the children, and to do that without letting the parents know just isn’t ok. Hopefully your talk with the new director will get you some much needed information.
I had a good day care experience. Fortunately, Miss J was taken care of by grandma from 7mths – 2 years old, and then she entered the Early Childhood Education program at Cal, where she stayed for 3 years. I liked the teachers, the activities and the way the kids were being taught, also the freedom given to parents in the classrooms. We were always welcomed and being in the classroom for an hour a week was a requirement. Shoot, I liked that place better than Kindergarten (I think I just have some separation issues), lol.
Good luck with establishing communication with the new folks in charge and I hope that your daughter doesn’t have any adjustment issues because of these changes.
I am so glad you had a talk with the new owner! I was recently let go for things that did not even happen, on top of that i kept getting in trouble for being “too creative” (meaning doing crafts with the kids, painting, interacting with them and NOT sticking them in front of the tv all day like the last two girls did)
parents never complained about me, kids seemed to like me, I’ve heard from moms I’ve kept in touch with that the girl they hired is not very nice to the children and tells them not to touch anything all the time, and some of the kids are now scared to go in (kids who previously were so happy) are now crying and are terrified to go in! I had to whisper to some of my parents that I wasnt coming back as well. I miss my daycare kids but if I was offered my job back, I likely would not go unless we got a new manager and new supervisor.
Relationships are important to children – its terrible that “superiors” don’t care about the children, how things will effect them or anything, only about themselves and “business” matters.
I have a 3 yr old a 2 yr old and a 4 mo old in a day care the love it there but we need to change there hrs and they will not let us.and they have sent the baby home saying he had pink eye and he did not.they told us we could do part time after we got it all set up for part time then it was oh no the baby has to be full time so we had to change evrything around again.my 2 yr old i walked in one day and someone was pulling him acoss the room and i told the drector and she said oh ill talk to them but that was only a sub.but the kids like it there and like there teachers what do i do.
@Brittany – Since you have your kids in daycare, I’m assuming you work during the day and can’t just stop in willy nilly. But you are paying good money to have your kids there and you need to be able to tell the director that you’re not happy and get the results you want. Sit down and write a list of what you want for your kids. Part-time daycare, weekly messages from the director, daily updates if needed, etc. If moving them to another daycare is not an option right now, I’d say you have a serious convo with the director and your child’s teacher. E-mail, call, drop in unexpectedly. Bug the hell out of them because they are YOUR kids and you want the absolute best for them! Stop at nothing short of that!