https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:51:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777693 Wed, 04 Oct 2017 18:44:22 +0000 macintosh 2777693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! I'm still feeling so conflicted about the whole situation. I talked to the director yesterday in person and while she listened and tried to reassure me, but I felt like she was minimizing my concerns. She said she had been in the room that morning and didn't see any issues, so she was surprised how worried I was.</p> <p>This morning at drop off the director just happened to be in his room, so it was a little better but he stlll cried and didn't want me to leave. At pick up they were all playing nicely with magnatiles, which I was relieved to see.</p> <p>The new center has a lot of pluses: 3 teachers to a class, the same teachers all day, art focused curriculum, weekly movement and Spanish classes, an app for daily updates. The downside is that they only have 3 days available right now and I would have to rearrange my work schedule to WAH 2 days. It's about 5 minutes closer, and it's near my gym and the Trader Joe's. I feel like he will love it there but I'm still so nervous about the transition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777370 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 23:50:25 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2777370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree it is a gut feeling thing! Glad you found another place you like better. All of this combined would make me upset too. Maybe once on the phone, or sending each other a picture or something, whatever. But one thing after the other with these teachers would make me uncomfortable. GL with the transition, hope it all goes smoothly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777311 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 18:57:31 +0000 Mama Bird 2777311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: that's great, I'm glad you found a promising new one! It's always a bit sad to leave, the kids get so attached to each other sometimes, but hopefully you can stay in touch with some families from the old day care! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777304 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 18:03:37 +0000 PawPrints 2777304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: I'm so glad for you that you found a center you love and your job will let you make it work! I'm willing to cut daycares a lot of slack on day to day stuff, but your description is just heartbreaking - like there's no love or bonding between the kids and the teachers. That would crush me. Our daycare is a lot like @gingerbebe's - not the fanciest, but there is so much love from all the staff; teachers she hasn't even had yet know her name already and smile at her when we walk past and say hi/bye. DD adores her teachers, runs to hug them and kiss them and tell them she loves them. That's what you want in a daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777263 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 14:50:34 +0000 macintosh 2777263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey all, thanks for everyone's feedback. I've been feeling awful all day since that terrible drop off this morning. I just visited another center that I LOOOOOVE. The tuition is a bit higher (of course) but I think we can swing it. The downside is the only have 3 days per week available right now. He would be waitlisted for full time and could probably get in by January. </p> <p>I would have to switch my work schedule around at least for a few months, but I think my boss and my client would be ok with it. I'm so nervous about making this change! He usually loves school but I think he's feeling stressed lately and I hate to think he's unhappy after I leave, but I'm so afraid he'll miss his friends and be sad :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777244 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 14:14:20 +0000 peaches1038 2777244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved about 6 weeks ago and I just pulled DS from the first daycare we tried. It was almost exactly how you described - chaotic, hardly any interaction and loud. DS cried every day at drop off and said "no school no school mama" before even getting in the car. He started his new daycare on Monday and it is an in home daycare that is not fancy at all, but is so calm, loving and nurturing that has a huge outdoor play area where they spend a lot of time. He went in today smiling and reached right for his teacher's hand. It's literally night and day. I'm so glad I moved him. It was worth the hassle and the adjustment. Good luck!!</p> <p>ETA: the one I pulled him from was a kindercare, but they are all so different. One huge thing I did not like was that they leave the lights on during nap for "safety". Like full blast lights. DS, who will be 2 in November, would only sleep for like 30-45 min. Yesterday at his new daycare, he slept for 2.5 hours. Not sure if that's a company policy or not, but I would ask!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777237 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 13:52:16 +0000 krispi 2777237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My drop-off experience is that when I enter her classroom, my daughter's teachers immediately greet her and take her over to wash her hands before having her join whatever activity is currently going on (usually serving breakfast). They're very engaged with the classroom.</p> <p>Same thing at pick-up. They're usually having storytime or cleaning up the room at the end of the day, but the teachers are on the floor interacting with the kids.</p> <p>I wouldn't be comfortable with the situation you described, especially after talking to the director and not seeing any improvement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777210 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 12:53:52 +0000 Ajsmommy 2777210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This does not sound normal and I would most likely pull DD from the situation you describe. DD is 3.5 yo and has been to two daycares, one in home and one center/preschool . I have never experienced anything like you describe. I pick up DD now during outside play time so the kids are running around but the teacher is right there and as soon as she sees me she points out DD (I've usually already located her) but the teacher is attentive and present. It sounds like your teacher isn't either of those.. and that would not be ok with me. </p> <p>How did you like the other place you toured? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777208 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 12:48:42 +0000 snowjewelz 2777208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: I think ours did it during nap too because it really only goes up to what they did before and she would write they hope to do such and such later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777203 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 12:36:00 +0000 wrkbrk 2777203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: I dont know if it's typical but it wouldnt be acceptable to me and I can tell you that nothing like you describe has ever happened in my son's room. I think you are right to be concerned and you are not overreacting.</p> <p>ETA to say that yes, exactly, our teachers write up the sheets during nap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777199 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 12:23:48 +0000 macintosh 2777199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: You're right about the gut instinct. I felt that way about this daycare when he first started there last year. I loved his teachers in the toddler room, the floating teachers all know his name, and the facility is big, bright, and clean. It's in an upperclass area of the burbs so we don't have as much diversity, but I'm ok with that for now because I know his elementary will be more diverse. I'm just getting the feeling that these 2 new teachers are really lax because their own kids are in their class and they don't seem to get any supervision.</p> <p>@snowjewelz: What I don't get is why can't she write up the daily sheet during nap time? The whole time I was there this teacher's daughter was playing in the sink and she didn't see cause she had her back turned. I usually only see the other parents when the teachers are around, but I will try to catch someone outside and chat with them about it.</p> <p>I actually was visiting the new daycare (Kindercare) yesterday during pick-up and it was pretty chill. I'm not a fan of how small the rooms are and they have an open floor plan with just dividers rather than walls between the classrooms. </p> <p>There's another center that sounds awesome, but apparently they have a 9 month waiting list for the young 2s class. I may still go visit for comparision, and to have a back-up. DS has been on the waiting list for our local Park District daycare program since he was 14 months, and at this time he's 3rd on this list. He will probably get in by the time turns 3, but that's not for 7 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777197 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 12:22:43 +0000 Mama Bird 2777197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That doesn't sound too good... do you have other options? The teachers are the heart of a day care, and if they're not quite able to handle the kids, no one is happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777192 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 12:13:50 +0000 kiddosc 2777192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you able to pop into his current center unannounced to get a better feel for how the classroom is run outside of the chaotic drop-off/pick-up times? This is a really difficult situation, since it seems like it's mostly just the current teachers that are sub-par rather than the whole center. We've definitely gone through some teachers that manage the class better than others through our daycare years. Can you have progress meetings with the Director while you investigate some other options? It may turn out that some of the major issues improve before you find another place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777166 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 11:25:43 +0000 snowjewelz 2777166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so sorry :sad: I would be so heartbroken too to see my kid in a classroom in such condition. I feel like that's not normal either, especially on a regular basis. I get that the main teachers have certain tasks they have to get done, but isn't that when the assistants, what not should be stepping in? </p> <p>I'd maybe try to schedule a tour on the other center when it's the same pick up time and what not, to see first hand if it's chaotic or not, or maybe try to see (on FB or something) any parents that are at the new center and ask for their experience.</p> <p>Did you talk to any other parents to see if they feel the same way where you are now? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777162 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 11:21:13 +0000 gingerbebe 2777162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Daycares are a gut instinct thing and a personal fit thing. If you just don't get a good vibe from the teacher and your daycare isn't doing anything to help make the situation better, then its probably better to leave than stay. </p> <p>Our daycare is small, it is NOT fancy, the facility is pretty old, and they serve things like raisins and Goldfish for snack, which some people would hate. They don't really make many special accommodations (for example, they have a nut free lunch table, all staff is aware of any pending allergies within the school, they will keep Epi-Pens in the office, and does what it can to keep kids from touching any of the offending food or telling parents for class treats, but the school itself allows nut butter on premises. If your kid has a completely lifethreatening allergy, they will tell you upfront its not the right place because its not a nut-free facility). </p> <p>BUT every single teacher is warm and loving and attentive, every teacher from every class knows every single child's name in the school, I can always talk to the director about anything and she will investigate and get back to me to come up with collaborative solutions, and the actual activities my kids participate in are fun and educational. All of the families who attend at the school usually send their kids all the way through pre-K there and they are all very involved in the school through fundraising and activities.<br /> My kids are HAPPY there and while I'm sure DH and I could afford a fancier school, we just FEEL like its the right place for us. Its diverse, both in terms of background and socioeconomics, and DH and I feel that our kids are perfectly safe and loved at their school. </p> <p>So I would say its about fit and feel. Only you know what's right for your kid and what's the most important thing for your family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-daycare-post#post-2777154 Tue, 03 Oct 2017 11:04:51 +0000 macintosh 2777154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last Tuesday, I called the director of DS's daycare and had a long chat with her about my concerns, mainly the chaotic nature of the classroom and the fact that I saw both of his teachers on their cell phones with a room full of kids being ignored.</p> <p>She was understanding and made me feel like she would address this, but I feel like things aren't getting any better. DS has been hitting his friends a lot, which I witnessed first hand unfortunately, but of course he's not the only one. On Friday they had a sub from anotehr room for one of teachers who told me at the end of the day that my son's behavor was fine, no hitting at all. I can't help but wonder, does she have better control of the class than the regular teachers?</p> <p>On Monday there was another sub from the infant room and she greeted my son while the other regular teacher sat at a table prepping an activity while the kids did free play with no interaction from her. Today at drop off the same teacher was filling out daily sheets while the chaos unfolded around her. The main teacher was back, but the room was full of kids crying, screaming, hitting, throwing toys, and my son was clinging to me and crying.</p> <p>This isn't normal, right? I just feel so awful having left him in this environment. I toured another center yesterday to explore my options and while it may not be the right fit, the director there said all the things I'm seeing would NOT be allowed under her watch. </p>