What to expect from a daycare centre
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Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23879
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Topic: What to expect from a daycare centre
Posted By: Rachael21
Subject: What to expect from a daycare centre
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 11:34am
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We went for our first visit to daycare today, the kids have two part time days next week and then are full time the week after. We get there and I'm pretty much ignored, a few of the carers say hi to Jack and then just leave it at that. I ask if Caprece will be going in the nursery and they say yes and just walk away. So I take Caprece over to the nursery and she finds something to do, in the mean time Jack realises I'm not there and is hysterical so I go back to Jack and then Caprece starts screaming. All the carers are just standing around noone offers to help or tries to get either kid interested in anything. I end up bring Caprece back to the preschool section. I ask to be shown around and ask if there will be a techer who will look after Jack to help him settle in. I get told no they will tell a child to look after him and there are teachers all around anyway. I leave in tears with both kids crying and hardly even got a look around the nursery.
Are most centres like this or is this slack? Theres no way I'm leaving my kids in a place with adults like that, especially Jack hes so sensitive and takes him ages to even talk to another adult. I know it will take time for him to settle in but how is he going to if they don't even talk to him. Would you give the place the benefit of the doubt and still send them there? I'm trying to see if this other place still has space for them otherwise I don't know whether to send them or not. |
Replies:
Posted By: Danaj
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 11:43am
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Blimey. I was shown around every area and had every process and routine explained. I was introduced to kids and all the staff. I left feeling very positive. I'd go to a different daycare personally. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wyI1oWn/"> 
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 11:57am
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that is not acceptable. i would go somewhere else. you can talk to the director about y9our concerns. i was concerned with my son's carer for a while and ignored it - and my instincts. then I talked to the director and there were some major changes (turns out i wasn't the only concerned one).
and jack is two right? they give that responsibility to a toddler to look after him? No. that is not right. Talk to the director or move them. |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 11:59am
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Wow! No way would I be wanting to go back. It's really important that at this age, they are able to form a strong relationship with their carer (and ideally have one nominated as the person they go to), that they feel safe and loved. I hate saying this, but if this is how they behave when a parent is there, what's it like when there is no parent there. I really hope there is another option out there for you. If there are no other options, you could always contact the head teacher and talk with her about your concerns. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 12:00pm
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That is incredibly slack! Our daycare assigns a specific carer to each child so they have one particular adult who is always looking out for them. Like Dana we got thoroughly shown around the place when we first went there, then we had an orientation discussion on his first day, going through his routines and requirements. I'd be really worried that they didn't seem to care about your kids routines etc. Our info said something like "it is important that both the parents and carers take the time to settle your child into their day - we consider this a success when your child can't wait to get here".
Maybe they didn't realise it was your first visit, and all assumed you were somebody else's responsibility? I'd possibly give them one more shot, and outline your concerns the next time you go. ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 12:11pm
I wouldnt step back in the place ... find the kids alternative care ... if that one was easy to get a place in, I can see why  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Shorty
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 12:35pm
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I am sorry to hear about your experience! There is no way you should leave feeling like that!
I would voice your concern to the director and definately move on! ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 12:47pm
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sorry to hear about your experience Rach- poor Jack and Caprece. I agree with the others..I would try and find somone else for the kids. Everytime I leave Ella at daycare I pass her onto another teacher who gives her a cuddle until she is OK to go and play with the other kids. I would definitely not be happy if they just left her there crying. hope you are able to get it sorted soon- must be stressful enough starting a new course without having to worry about finding another daycare. ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 1:33pm
| Rach definatley try somewhere else. Preschools generally have a policy to nurture a child and help them adjust to changes and settle into daycare and it sounds like your one couldnt give a sh*t but there are ones out there that do. I would keep looking for somewhere else. |
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 2:03pm
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I agree with the others, definitely look somewhere else that is very slack (not to mention bad manners!).
When I was a nanny I took all the kids for part of the settling in process and even though their parents had been shown round and introduced the daycare centre did the same for me. They made the kids feel welcome every time we went and there was always someone looking out for them or having a chat. ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 2:29pm
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that is not only totally unacceptable they know having another child look after him is also not right.. i would not take them back:( in fact i would probably write a letter of complaint.. they get treated very seriously.
whether it's your first or tenth visit they should never treat you like that..:( that really sucks.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 2:34pm
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I think thats appalling!
Rach can you PM me the centre name, im looking for another one for Kylah and i dont want to end up there too.. I would complain as well. Definatly. ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 3:19pm
rach that's disgusting!!! poor wee poppits!
i'd definately complain and go somewhere else! that's just not acceptable 
before jack started daycare i got given the grand tour and made to feel like part of the family. the carers always ask how the kids and i are and always help if i'm having trouble getting them to go home at the end of the day ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: jjands
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 3:38pm
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I found I couldn't find a place that I thought was good, our first one they strated off good but after a few months of the kids being there they were a bit the same, babies screaming with no one, no carers ever knew what was going on, and no one had a clue when I asked how the kids were getting on. And they all stood around been snarky at eachother instead of interacting with the kids so I pulled them out. My girl now goes to kindy which is a little better but she's only in for a few hours so I'm not to worried now. So I'd definately keep looking...my bestfriend used to manage a chch daycare and told me that they used to spend all their time on the floor playing with the kids and their approach was to be a second family, which I think is hat all us mums want in a d/care centre. Good luck they must exist. |
Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 10:15pm
 Hun that is not on at all and I will be looking for another centre straight away also hd would explain to them why.
Good luck sweetie I know it's hard enough to leave your kids you definitely don't need to be treated like that. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 10:50pm
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Coming in late but when we were considering a daycare centre we were greeted, shown around, taken through the basics of what they did during the day, what ages for what areas etc. etc. and introduced to some of the staff (who were actively engaged with the children).
I left thinking it would be an awesome place to leave Rowan. That one is definitely sub-par. -------------  
 
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Posted By: Snappy
Date Posted: 20 January 2009 at 10:52pm
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If you have any doubts or feelings about a centre, dont enrol them.
When I was looking for a centre for Janaya I visited a few and went by my initial "instincts" and feelings towards the centre. The first I went too just gave me the heeby-jeebees, the staff seemed uninterested and unfriendly, the second one a child was crying unconsollibly (sp) in the corner on its own, the third one I visited I was welcomed, the kids were happy and I felt really comfortable. If its possible, try another daycare? ------------- Mummy to two beauties... Formerly Kaiz. |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 6:58am
Oh my goodness thats not on how rude of them i wouldnt send them there i hope you can find somewere esle ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 8:45am
Thanks everyone I was kinda worried I was expecting too much but we went to the supermarket after and the check out lady was nicer to my kids than any of the teachers 
Luckily I had their name down at another place that I really liked its just a wee bit out of our way and they don't do cloth but thats better than the other place so I'm trying to get hold of them and see if theres still room. I had actually visited that place last year and it seemed quite nice, when I ring up to cancel their place I'll be speaking to the director. In the nursery there were 12 babies and 2 carers but in their handouts it said their ratio was 1:4? I'll pm ya Kandice |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 9:51am
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that's illegal..at all times there has to be a minimum of 1:5:( (though i would be very wary of a centre with 1:5)man that place sounds awful!!!! ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 10:14am
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That place sounds terrible - thank goodness that you have somewhere else to go.
You really should contact the owner/manager. I am sure that in the current economic situation that we are in they will not be very happy to hear that potential customers have walked away due to the attitude of the staff (especially as we are always hearing how few places there are for children at daycare centres.) -------------   
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 10:33am
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Yay for my back up, they don't have space for Jack but its part of a franchise and she managed to get them both in another one which is even closer and easier for us. So we are going for a visit this afternoon and fingers crossed its good.
I think the problem with the other one was that noone really knew what they should be doing as their handouts said different things to what the staff told me. Oh well their loss and I will definately be complaining. |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 12:55pm
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Fantastic that you've got it sorted now - must be a weight off your mind! ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 3:30pm
Yay they are all booked in to the new one. All the staff came over to introduce themselves, one took Caprece straight away and Jack loved it and didn't want to leave. We start our visits on Monday  Thanks for everyones help I'm glad I didn't stick with the first one.
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Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 3:48pm
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yay thats great ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 9:35pm
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Good on you Rach glad the like the new place I'm sure they will settle in fine. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 22 January 2009 at 9:04am
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that's awesome Rach! ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 22 January 2009 at 9:13am
Yah,I'm glad it all worked out  ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: LJsmum
Date Posted: 22 January 2009 at 12:07pm
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That's great Was so disppointed to hear about the other one. As i'm an early childhood teacher stories like that are awful. Complain, complain, complain!!!!!
Great i's worked out........ a happy ending -------------  
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 22 January 2009 at 7:02pm
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Thank goodness! I'm so glad it worked out in the end. -------------
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