Issue at Daycare, or just me...??

Hi guys,
I have a minor issue with the kids daycare and I'm not sure wheather I should menion it to them or not. Its not a huge deal, but has got to me a bit --- I don't really want to get off-side with them, as apart from this we're VERY happy with the daycare and have no intention of moving them etc. Below is a letter I've drafted. Would you email them .... leave it ... call her ....??
Am I over-reacting? Or do I have a point? Would it bother you? Thanks!!!

Hi XXX,

I have a small concern to discuss, so thought I would email you as it’s too much to write for the suggestion box and would take quite a while to explain in person.

Around 6-8 weeks ago Jake came home on two occasions, about 2 weeks apart, saying that Sxx made him go outside and Sxx told him off and wouldn’t let him inside. After the second time I asked her about it as he had mentioned it all the way home and I was a bit worried on those really cold days that he was being forced to stay outside. My concern is that if children want to be inside that there are certain times of the day that they are not allowed (such as when we pick them up quite often they are all outside, and the door is even shut at times). Sxx assured me that they always have access to be inside apart from on the odd occasion that they are a teacher down (on breaks, when a teacher is with a sick child etc) but said that sometimes they do tell them to go outside like when they are all running around madly. So I was happy with the explanation.

But when DH picked Jake up the other day, Jake was showing him something under where the blocks are, and Sue came in and YELLED at Jake “What are you doing in here? You know you are not allowed in here!” ... then saw DH! DH was very taken aback by this, and not too impressed at the way she spoke to Jake. I understand that children of this age can be frustrating and I certainly could not do her job, and even accept that there are times when you need to raise your voice to get them to listen, but is it acceptable and necessary to yell at a child for quietly playing with blocks inside?? (After she had assured me they were always allowed in apart from the ODD occasion).

So what I would like to know …. Are there times of the day when the children are not allowed inside? And if so, why? It appears when we pick them up that most days (unless its later and they are in watching TV) that all the children and teachers are outside. If a child wants to be inside, can they? (And if so, why is Jake being yelled at to go outside?)

In my opinion 2-3 year olds are still quite small so lose body heat faster than adults and this has been happening over winter when we have had some very cold and windy days. We have been asked to bring a raincoat, which is fine if they want to be outside, but I think if its cold and they have been outside playing with water/in the rain/ in the wind they should be able to be inside. I also think that by late afternoon if they are tired, not feeling well, wanting to do something quite away from the other kids (as daycare is a stimulating environment and some kids may not sleep so well there and are very tired by the end of the day), they should be able to. If you disagree, please let me know the rationale as to why?

My intention is not to upset anyone or get off-side, I just would like to understand your policy and reasoning, as it doesn’t really make sense to me. I certainly wouldn’t force my kids outside at home if they didn’t want to go out. I do understand that fresh air and running around is good for them – but if they are very active normally I don’t see an issue with some quiet time when they feel like it.

If you could give me a call this afternoon or tomorrow after 2pm that would be great.
Cheers,
Nikki

Id be livid nikki - for any child to be out in the cold especially because its jake to be honest - he shoudl be kept warm to keep well and healthy as poss
I cant see any reason for some one to yell at my child either
these people should be trained to deal with situations with out yelling at them

I would also send it. It seems a bit strange to have time when the kids are not allowed inside- I know at Ellas daycare they can decide themselves whether they want to play in and out and it would annoy me if Ella was shut outside, as she likes to play inside a lot of the time. The way you have worded the letter is very reasonable and the teacher shouldn't be yelling at Jake for playing quietly inside.

To be completely honest i expected to open this up and think you were over reacting (i read an overseas parents forum where the mothers over react big time) but i think you are spot on in addressing this and your email is very well worded!

Go for it and let us know how you get on!

Defintely send it. Seems really odd not letting them inside. And they should not be yelling at the kids.

Definitely not overreacting and I agree with everyone else, send it you have a right to want some answers/explanations and I think you have written your concerns out really well without being accusatory or anything.

yep deff send the e-mail and what do they wacth tv at this childcare james went to childcare from 8 months till he was 5 and he never saw a telly the whole time he was there

Wow - I expected to come back here and be told that if I'm happy with everything else then don't rock the boat! hehe. So its not just me. She is an older teacher and on a good day is awesome with the kids, but can have grumpy days too. I think dh was too in shock to say anything!

Woops re not xx-ing somewhere! hehe

And I should say - this is not a cheap daycare, and they have staffing ratios well above the minimum!!

My niece also spends just about all day inside at her dc.

Just had lunch with a friend who told me to call, so the manager had to answer on the spot - which I thought was a good idea.

The tv - its just some days with the over 2 year olds when it gets close to 5pm. I thought it was a little odd, but as hes only there 2-3 days/wk and not often that late I didn't worry about it.

I have emailed. No call yet. Arrghhh, now I almost wish I hadn't! I don't want to be "that parent" that they all hate!

I am sure most of the staff there have had experience with "those parents" who can't be pleased, you definitley not one of them.
I think the way you have handled the situation is perfectly. The director needs to know what is going on in the centre and how parents feel about it.

I am sure it is different over here due to the glorious weather, but all children are to be either inside or outside, they get no choice. But if it is yucky weather they will stay inside. Only the pre kindy children (2.5 - 3.5yrs) have the choice to go inside alone just to use the toilet.
They use the tv rarely, just if it has been bad weather and it's nearing the end of the day and there are still a lot of children waiting to be picked up. The kindy children (3.5 - 5/6yrs) have cartoons on after lunch for an hour or two since they don't nap like the other rooms, just to give them some still/quiet time.
Sorry, I am totally rambling on, I just find it interesting what other centres do