Hellobee Boards

Texting and ignoring the children is not something I would tolerate. Accidents and injuries happen, and of course the teachers have to tend to many children and don't have eyes everywhere, but there is no excuse for texting while your child is upset.

Do you have any way of checking in during the day to see what happens before you get there? I have access to a camera system and can peek in every so often.

The phones would be a big issue for me - I've never once seen any of the teachers (LO's or not) on phones, or seen any phones in the classroom. I would definitely speak to the director about enforcing the policy.

I think pickup is a hard time, because in addition to staff changes, some kids get really upset to see other parents come in and take kids out, while their mom or dad hasn't come to get them yet. I see a lot of kids melt down at pickup time who are otherwise happy as came be when I pick up LO at other times of the day.

Re: the accidents. Do they call you as soon as they happen? (even if they happen just before you are scheduled to pick up?). Do they fill out an incident report? LO has only (knock on wood) had 2 falls at daycare where she got a bruise/bit her lip. In both cases, they called me at work immediately, while stressing that LO was ok. They filled out incident reports both times, which I had to sign, and which her teachers and the director had to sign. Accidents are generally unavoidable - but I think the handling of accidents can vary for sure.

My LO is 9 months and is crawling everywhere and pulling up on things. She occasionally gets a bump and we receive a report, and typically also a verbal (very apologetic) description of what happened. So bumps happen, although I find our teachers very attentive and I think they frequently intervene and prevent a lot of potential injuries. Phones are also off-limits for our daycare teachers.

I think having a caregiver ignoring a crying child to text is unacceptable and I would seek another facility if possible, assuming the director is unwilling to crack down. I suspect the number/severity of injuries in your case are related to caregiver inattention.

The constant texting would be a pretty big deal to me. I'd harass the director every time I walked in to see a teacher texting/ignoring the kids, since there is a policy in place. I'm assuming the policy is in writing somewhere, as part of your contract?

I'm a nanny, and I do check my phone during the day, but it is during naps, while the kids are occupied by eating, etc. It is usually the mom texting me, so she likes me to keep my phone around. However, I imagine she'd be pretty unhappy if I was texting or facebooking or whatever on there constantly during the day, and I think that's understandable.

@yoursilverlining: yes, this exactly. We were made to call immediately about anything that could leave a mark at all. We didn't call right before pick up unless it was a little more serious, but a split lip would definitely warrant a quick heads up.

Honestly the fact that everyone just seems to accept that the phone rules can be broken would be reason enough for me to leave the day care. It is 100% unacceptable that your child is hysterically crying and a teacher is texting.

In general, I don't get too upset over accidents. LO has certainly been hurt on my watch so if I can't keep her injury free at all times it's unfair to expect it from her teachers. But given that you already have concerns about the teachers not being attentive to the babies, repeat injuries would probably confirm my concerns.

We were adamant that our day care at least have recorded video (we actually have a live feed which is a bonus but wasn't a requirement). My daughter had one injury at school that I questioned and demanded to see the tape. The teacher was totally at fault and she was eventually fired. I would not be comfortable without being able to get video proof of everything that happens during her day. I also think video makes the teachers more accountable.

The fact that there's a no cell phone rule but everyone ignores it and it's not enforced is disturbing to me.

My daycare has a no cell phone rule and it's absolutely enforced.

We've had a similar situation with one teacher. The last straw was one day DH came early for pick up one day and the teacher was screaming at LO during a diaper change. She was still an infant at that point and a very fussy one at that. As soon as another teacher saw my DH round the corner she made a noticeable sound to alert that teacher.
We didn't even need to talk to the director and got a call from her that same evening. That particular teacher has been extra sweet towards us and LO ever since.

I expect teacher to be attentive to students at virtually all times. This doesn't necessarily mean my kid at all times so occasionally, the kids have to wait their turn. But not their cell phones. And that is truly an issue that you have come and your kid is not being supervised and they are on the phone.

Accidents happen, but you should be given a report. My kid fell one day and hit his lip on a plastic picnic table. He literally just tripped over his feet. Everyone was watching but it was definitely scary. When he was an infant, he had a block in front of him and he was tired so he fell on it and cut his lip. But if they weren't able to tell me what happened, then I would say there is a problem.

It sounds like you are planning to do what you can do. Good luck with the director.

@MsLipGloss: no! But she was not a permanent teacher in the room. She's a floater. I wanted to say something to the director about that. But dh said to give her one more chance. Because we've all done that before honestly and my LO was an extreme high needs baby. And screaming might not be the right word. It was a high tone, loud, exasperated "oh, come on, again!!" referring to LO needed another poop diaper change.
Like I said she's been golden towards LO ever since. And we don't always pick up at the same time.

I was extremely upset at that time and ready to get her fired.