What to expect from a daycare centre

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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..

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

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.

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?

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