https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Jul 2026 03:55:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424529 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 08:41:29 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 2424529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Completely normal and while it's seems disorganized it isn't. I worked in childcare for a few years as a Pre-K teacher and here is what is going on (at least from my experience):</p> <p>At our center there were 2 teachers per room<br /> The AM teacher who actually went over any curriculum (even with toddlers) and a PM teacher that was there for the playtime. There was sometimes a nap time teacher who could be any teacher in the center that was there as needed (like someone was going to be late or had to leave early or called in sick and they were forced to restructure some things). At the end of the day, we have to get our rooms cleaned and organized for the next day. We would often trade who got to clean first which meant, when our ratios were low enough, consolidating the kids into another room. </p> <p>Also, you think a 1-7 ratio for toddlers is crazy? Try a 1-15 for 4 year olds... And I had that daily in the PM. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424498 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 07:36:15 +0000 Applesandbananas 2424498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I just wanted to say hang in there, it does get easier. Whether you decide to move her or keep her at the current center, adjusting to daycare is really hard, I think much harder on parents than kiddos. I think you've gotten a lot of good advice and I hope you're able to find something that works for you and your LO. It's so hard to leave our babies for the first time, I can't imagine having spent nearly two years at home and then enrolling LO in daycare. My LO was 15ish weeks when he went to daycare and I can barely remember a time when things were different. That was hard at 15ish weeks, but my heart really goes out to you, I'm sure this transition at 20m, even with a Mary Poppins dream nanny, would be so so hard. But it will get better. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424483 Sun, 17 Jan 2016 06:38:52 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2424483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: exactly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424405 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 21:45:22 +0000 regberadaisy 2424405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the general gist of what you're saying is "normal" for daycare. But what you're exactly describing? No, that's not normal. I know plenty of daycares near me that are centers that aren't private. They still manage to not charge an arm and a leg and still not be a "hot mess" and take good care of the kids.</p> <p>My daycare is one of the cheaper ones in the area. There is a high turnover for "floaters" but not for lead teachers. All the teachers are great and you can tell genuinely love the kids. My girls teachers aren't both always there at drop off and pick up. It's a long day and they have to break up the 8 hour shift somehow. I can always call between 12-2 (nap time) and talk to their teachers. Or anytime really for an emergency. We've been having behavior issues at daycare and each time her teachers have made time to talk to us personally even if it meant they were staying late </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424348 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:42:27 +0000 Mae 2424348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: I didn't ever feel it was chaotic when I visited. But they encouraged visits in the mornings (which worked out for my schedule so it was fine for me anyways). I was told there was an AM teacher and PM teacher but I didn't realize how often floaters were in/out or that sometimes the PM teacher is sent home and LO is sent to another room without anyone she knows there. And mostly I think the chaotic feeling comes from the fact that they can't seem to remember the things I tell them over and over again and it makes me feel like they're just not on the ball. I worry in looking at a new center it will be hard to do a better job evaluating because anyone can talk a good game. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424242 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 17:58:35 +0000 catomd00 2424242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I'll say that while I think the things like combining rooms and having floaters are the norm for obvious reasons, I don't think the chaotic feeling is something you need to accept. I toured a lot of daycares and some were chaos and some weren't. Like I said, our daycare had floaters (but one of two main teachers was typical always there) and they combined rooms, but it was never chaotic. It was a small center though with total 75 kids infant-kindergarten which probably helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424181 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 15:34:35 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2424181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I'm sorry you're having trouble! </p> <p>Maybe a nanny share? Not sure if that was mentioned! Good luck. :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424178 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 15:33:09 +0000 BandDmommy 2424178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: There is a center near me with low ratios like you are discussing and it costs more than a nanny. The toddler ratio is 1:3 which is super low but the cost is VERY high. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424161 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 14:56:13 +0000 Truth Bombs 2424161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: with a super low ratio day care would likely end up more expensive than a nanny because they have so many overhead costs (building costs, insurance costs, director salaries, etc) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424158 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 14:33:00 +0000 Mae 2424158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I think that is true. I guess I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be much variety in daycare though. Like if this is the norm, you'd think that someone could open up a center with a lower ratio and more stability for the kids and people would flock to it. Not EVERYONE of course, but I think there is a good number of people who can pay more than "basic" daycare but not enough for a nanny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/3#post-2424149 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 14:06:30 +0000 PrincessBaby 2424149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that's just day care and it's because of low wages, high turnover, and they are constantly trying to cut as many hours as possible. So if they can do things like, combine rooms and send someone home to get them off the clock, they do it.</p> <p>My LO is in a private preK program that doesn't start until 2, so she was in daycare for about a year before that and similar things drove me nuts. My husband always thought I was being too picky, but once she moved into a legit school and he saw how they do things, he was like "Yeah, daycare is a hot mess." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423986 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 04:09:05 +0000 nana87 2423986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That ratio :shocked: I know I'm spoiled with our center-- it's 1:3 and the teachers make a huge point of building social and emotional bonds with the kiddos. There are still floaters but my lo loves her teachers and talks about them when we're home. So, daycare def doesn't have to be like what you're describing.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423952 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 22:46:15 +0000 littlejoy 2423952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I meant to write yesterday. Yes, my kiddo is in daycare. Granted, it's not a center. It's a small school, in a house setting (but it's not someone's home, if that makes sense).</p> <p>It took us awhile to find a school we are happy with &amp; totally trust. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It's so hard. I hope you work it out, or find a new place you love!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423943 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 22:29:15 +0000 Mae 2423943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: omg at 6 mo? I would've def pulled her too! That is SO crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423942 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 22:27:01 +0000 Anagram 2423942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: what you are describing to me wouldn't make me happy, either. It reminds me of the first center LO1 went to from 6-12 months old. It was so convenient, but little things kept happening over and over and it doesn't engender a lot of confidence in your child's daycare when you have to ride the teachers and director on things that should be a given. But like you, I was conflicted because I had two friends whose babies were in the exact same class, and they seemed to really like it there.</p> <p>Things that were a problem for me: Teachers didn't even ATTEMPT a quiet or dark nap time for babies. It was just full on bright fluorescent lighting and teachers talking super loudly all day long--and no surprise, LO never slept. Like ever. And then once I picked her up and her sheet said she'd had two of the three bottles but I went to the fridge and 2 of her bottles were still there! So I had to make a HUGE STINK because no one could tell me if they just didn't feed my baby (and marked it), or if they fed her someone else's bottles (with who knows what in it--she was MSPI). I was SOOO angry, and it was all because they also had floaters and they moved teachers around and they couldn't keep track of what kid had eaten when. So my 6 months old (who wasn't eating solids) had had ONE bottle from 8 am to 4 pm. ONE. I was livid. There were other "small" things, but they just cropped up weekly.</p> <p>It just wasn't a good fit--I switched LO for the next school year and it was like night and day. It's still a large center, and there is a good amount of teacher turnover, but it's wayyyyy better than the first place we tried, and it's much cheaper, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423925 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 22:05:33 +0000 Mrs D 2423925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: honestly I think you may just have to be that "bossy" parent. Even though I don't think at all that your water request is bossy - but being in their face may make you feel that way. You have done what you can and are still struggling with getting thru to then thru the normal channels (ie the director/assigned teachers). So take it in to your own hands - it's not like you are being weird or unreasonable - you just want your kid to get water! I would ask every teacher at drop (which I thinn I recall DH does...so ask him to) and pick up how her water intake was. Also - remind every teacher about the water. If the place has good reviews and you feel generally comfortable than the teachers are clearly good people who want to do right by the kids - they just need the direction. If you can't count in the director to communicate your wishes (which is the right first step) just do it your self and be in their face about it! That's my advice...I do think a lot of the rest will sort itself out as both you and Dd get more settled!</p> <p>I don't see where any teacher would be bothered or annoyed by a parent wanting their kid to have water...it's certainly not an off the wall request!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423920 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 22:00:15 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2423920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I am sure you have gotten a ton of good advice, and I have to be honest that I haven't read the comments...so I apologize if this is repetitive. </p> <p>As someone who worked in a center, and who just picked a center for my kids, "total shitshow" would be my red flag and would cause me to hit the road. I know it can be "normal", but for me the level of chaos is indicative of SO much. When we picked a school it was the very first thing I looked for, and probably the most important thing to me, tbh. If there is chaos there is a LOT of margin for error, and with that many little people, even a little error can be a disaster. Not to mention that the quality of interaction between teacher/kids is far lower, because the teachers are just trying to keep their heads above water. The lack of communication is spillover from the chaos...your brain can only hold so much info, and while super important to your family, whether or not she drinks milk or water probably falls to the bottom of the priority list because it isn't life threatening (as it would be if it was an allergy). Yes, anytime you have that many little people in one place there is a lot of activity. But it doesn't have to be chaotic. I toured one (very well respected and expensive) school that was this way. I could tell just from my 15 minute tour that the school must constantly be chaos. I walked out and never looked back.</p> <p>If you think that much of the day is chaos like that, I might check out some other programs. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Even if this is "normal", it really could be better. I think you are completely valid to not trust them, and it sure makes it hard to leave your baby somewhere if there isn't 100% trust. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423918 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 21:56:12 +0000 Kemma 2423918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I have no advice but just wanted to say I'm sorry that you and F are struggling with the transition to daycare. I have no experience with daycare but I feel like you're expectations aren't unreasonable and you shouldn't have to settle. You need to be comfortable with the level of care you're daughter is receiving and I hope you can work something out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423916 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 21:54:18 +0000 cam 2423916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use a small home daycare so I don't have any insight for you but just wanted to say that sounds really hard and I hope you're able to find a solution so everyone is happier. It's really hard to put so much trust in daycare providers and they don't seem to be doing much to build that trust with you </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423893 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 21:06:02 +0000 Mae 2423893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry I can't respond to you all personally. I don't have much computer time anymore and you have all been very generous with advice :) </p> <p>@misolee: I guess that is what bothers me. First and foremost, kids' needs should be met. Second they need to make a profit. So meet needs in an appropriate way, and charge what it costs to do that. It isn't like we went with the cheapest daycare we could find. They all cost about the same. But I'd pay more for better. </p> <p>@hellobeeboston: You can't just call and talk to the teachers. They aren't allowed to take calls in the classrooms. I can ask in the morning for the morning teacher to call me, but to do that she has to leave the kids with a floater (again) to come talk to me. And I hate feeling like me wanting to talk to her is causing more chaos in the room. </p> <p>@yellowbird: I would like if she drank milk because it has good nutrition, and I was hopeful that she'd start drinking it at daycare because of that whole "positive peer pressure" thing I've heard about. But yea at this point I'm about to tell them just stop offering entirely bc they can't seem to handle offering it AND water appropriately. </p> <p>@StrawberryBee: I do send cups. I do write on them "milk only" and "water only" for the two they asked me to send. They ignored my labels and just put whatever they wanted in whichever one. </p> <p>@looch: "total shitshow" is an excellent way to describe my general feelings when I'm in the school...</p> <p>@SugarplumsMom: I tried sending notes last week. They didn't read them. </p> <p>@Mama Bird: I have no way to know if she likes it. Which is why I wish I could get a better read from them on how things are going for her on a daily basis. She sobs every day at drop off. But I don't assume that means she hates it all day. She's an absolute mess at home all night, but she also isn't eating or sleeping well so regardless of if she is "happy" she has a good reason to be a mess at night. I just don't know how she is there all day. </p> <p>@BandDmommy: Yes we have considered other options. We've been researching other options all week. We thought, before, this was the best option. Now I'm not sure and I'm scrambling to see if we can figure something else out. And if whatever we figure out would actually be better. </p> <p>@Anagram: I feel the same way. We have friends with their daughter in this school and they love it. But I'm just really unhappy. I'm looking into a local montessori school that I feel now may be a better fit. It is pretty inconvenient to us, and expensive, but the ratio is 1:3 so I feel like we may be much happier there. But they have a wait list and I'm worried by the time we could get in there LO will be adjusted to this place (even if I'm not happy, she may be happy *enough*) and then am I doing more harm than good switching her? Ugh I just don't know. :/ </p> <p>@JoyfulKiwi: I have nothing against the teachers. I actually like her morning teacher a lot. It just feels to me like they have too many kids and too much disorganization in the way the school is structured to meet the needs of all the kids. I don't suppose that I could do a better job of keeping 7 toddlers happy.. I'm just not sure that the structure of the school is setting them up for success. </p> <p>To address some recurring questions: </p> <p>YES I've talked to the director. Several times. I went directly to her this week because the teachers did not seem to be communicating last week (we'd tell morning teacher something and afternoon teacher would have no clue). So I talked to her and stressed the fact that we don't care about her getting milk, she needs to be getting water, and they need to really work at getting her to drink it if she doesn't just do it on her own because she was coming home dehydrated last week. The director was very nice and reassuring and the first day back she emailed me mid-day to let me know how things were going and that they'd gotten her to drink water. But then yesterday when I picked up I asked the director how things had gone (because the teacher in the room had been there literally 5 min what I showed up and had no clue) and she was like "Oh she wouldn't drink her milk." I asked about water and she was like "oh right did you want us to offer that then?" Like.. WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THIS. Seriously just feels like way too many kids and they can't keep their needs straight. </p> <p>I just don't know what to do. I don't feel like we have a ton of options. I think at a minimum I need to talk to the director (again) Tues AM and tell her just stop giving milk at all. It seems to be causing confusion so just ONLY give her water, and frequently. </p> <p>Beyond that I don't know. I guess a basic issue is I sort of don't trust them. But I also don't feel like we have a lot of other options. The only other center I think may be better is a montessori school which is expensive and inconvenient, but more importantly has a waiting list and I hate to put LO through ANOTHER hard transition once she is used to this daycare, even if I still don't like it. I do think she is safe there, except possibly from dehydration which hopefully we can get sorted out. She isn't eating or sleeping much there but hopefully that will come in time. I just feel like I have no clue if she is happy there and since the only measurable ways to tell if she is happy (eating, drinking, sleeping) aren't going so well it isn't exactly reassuring. Neither is the fact that they can't seem to keep basic facts straight. </p> <p>And yes, I am struggling with giving up control. Reasonably, I think? I spent almost 20 months with my LO basically 24/7 making sure all her physical and emotional needs were met in the way I thought appropriate and it is definitely hard to suddenly dump her off on (basically) strangers for 9 hours a day and then feel like those people, while perfectly nice and well intentioned, can't seem to remember really basic things like-- give her water. It doesn't instill confidence. I want to like the center. It is convenient, it was well rated, and most importantly it is where she IS right now and I really don't want to make her transition again after 2 weeks worth of work towards transitioning her to this place. But I feel like they aren't giving me very much to feel good about right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423428 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 13:11:03 +0000 catomd00 2423428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: do you send her with milk? I'd just start sending her only with water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423359 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 12:08:26 +0000 dagret 2423359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds mostly normal -- with a couple exceptions. With 4 new kids in the room, the teachers might be overwhelmed and I'd expect things to settle down in a few days. </p> <p>If your state's ratio is 1:7 i'd expect that same ratio anywhere that's legally licensed or expect to pay big $$$. </p> <p>They may be "pushing milk" because they could possibly get reimbursed by the state for it, but they have to offer it to all the kids. Can you send in a separate sippy of water for her every day? </p> <p>re: communication - have you tried calling the director and telling them you're having trouble connecting with the lead teacher, and asking for a phone or in-person conference? That might help. If the hydration issues persist after talking to the lead teacher, then I'd be more concerned and take that up with the director personally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423352 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 12:01:42 +0000 emilye519 2423352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds sort of like our experience so far with daycare (we're a week in and DD is 12 months). I am disappointed for the same reasons, I have high expectations for the sort of care DD receives and that I provided to her for the past year while I was home. </p> <p>My big concerns are that I was expect more/detailed communication. My strategy is to give them the benefit of the doubt and raise my concerns and give them a chance to address them. I don't know what will come of it, but for me to feel good as a Momma, I have to. And the only thing that may happen is that my expectations may need to adjust but it's worth my effort! Hugs! I'm right there with you and sort of feel stuck and don't know what to do and I hate that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423235 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:32:50 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2423235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: As a parent of a child in daycare and as someone who worked in centers while earning my teaching degree: yes, these things sound within the range of "normal" for a child care center setting. The ratios, teacher schedules, and combining rooms at the end of the day are things you will find in nearly EVERY center-based childcare setting. Communication is very important and takes a bit of time to build as the parents &amp; teachers form a relationship and learn what's important to each person/the best way to share information. </p> <p>It honestly sounds to me like you need to let go a little more and I don't mean lower expectations for quality care as you implied in an earlier comment. You've been there for only a week and this is a brand-new situation for you, but you sound very nit-picky. Perhaps the afternoon teacher is taking classes some days and that's why she doesn't arrive until 3pm? Im sure when they combine classrooms they really DO have good reasons for where they move the teachers/children. Based on the last few paragraphs of your original post and some comments, it sounds like you are not giving them a fair chance. You say you can't talk to the lead teacher, yet you also say you actually can call her &amp; speak with her during the day? You don't seem to trust the teachers and are coming off a little condescending about their intelligence, work ethic, and basic human decency to care about the well-being of small children. If you don't think you can accept the realities of daycare and give the teachers some grace and respect, perhaps you should keep looking for another child care option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423152 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:39:36 +0000 SproutBee 2423152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO1 has been in a large center daycare since 8 months old. My LO2 will start at the same center at the same age. </p> <p>You have some legit concerns. Since your LO is new and unfortunately her main teachers are not there at pick up, I think you should be able to call near the middle/end of the day and speak with one of her main teachers to see how she is doing. I wouldn't plan on contuining this forever, but as a new student I think it's reasonable. We are always able to speak with at least one of the main teachers at pick up. </p> <p>They should definitely be offering water if milk is refused, esp if you've asked. That seems odd to me. This is worth speaking to the teachers about again, and then the director if the issue continues. I agree with prior posters that there is no harm in them offering her milk - you would be surprised what little ones are willing to do for others and with their peers, but would never do for you at home. But they should obviously give her water if she refuses or you ask. </p> <p>A lot of your stress, however, I think boils down to you needing to relinquish a lot of control, which is hard. I do not know every detail of my sons day, but I know what he ate, what he drank, how he slept. I can know more if I ask, but no longer feel that I need to really. He receives excellent, loving care. He does not receive suboptimal care. You may need to get used to the idea that just bc its not the way you would do things, doesn't mean it's wrong or suboptimal - just different. My kid is thriving. He is loved and known by all the teachers, not just his main ones. He learns new songs, does art projects daily, takes a music class, plays with his friends, etc. I agree that to suggest that all daycare centers equate to suboptimal care for your child is a bit insulting to those of us who have chosen it as child care. If after some time you still feel that way, you should change centers bc that's not true for all centers. But I think first both yourself and your LO need some time to adjust. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423123 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:23:19 +0000 Mrs D 2423123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) "Ratio in Ohio is 1:7 for toddlers" I agree this seems ridiculous but rules our rules and I am guessing most daycares would follow state minimums? In Michigan its 1-4 which I find ok.</p> <p>2) "The teachers are in/out all day" This seems to have gotten more to be the case as K has gone into older rooms. In the infant room there is a AM teacher and a PM teacher that are consistent. There are two other girls who overlap and are basically 100% committed to the infant room. As she has grown I have noticed there are more toddlers - however in most rooms she has gone through (infant, tod 1, tod 2, tod 3 and now disc ps) I notice more floating. However, their is still one constant AM and one constant PM - who can usually answer questions. The floaters are all people I have interacted with...and Kate knows them...I think yours will come more familiar with the floaters as time goes on.</p> <p>3) They move the kids into different rooms sometimes. - At our center...the only kids not subjected to the "consolidating" is the newborns. So this is common for me. It may be harder because you are new to the center and still learning the teachers. I have found this to be a good thing actually (as K has aged) bc it gets her to get familiar with the other teachers before she moves up with them.</p> <p>4) Communication has been HARD. - This I find unacceptable. Now granted...they arent doing anything that harms F...but still I understand it makes it hard for you to trust that they are hearing you when you voice a concern or observation.</p> <p>I think you need to have a discussion with your director and express your concerns. I think some of this may be growing pains with a new center and new people. Some of these practices seem normal to me but some are unacceptable. The communication is the biggest issue for me. Maybe they need to explain more to you how the rooms consolidate and how they do it and make sure kids are comfortable. I also think they need to be sharing more with you about Fs day...A sheet is great but not if its filled out crappy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423106 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:12:05 +0000 Ms maths 2423106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids go to a Montessori school with about ~120 kids (infants through age 6). They do shift kids around for before-school and after-school and have some floating teachers for lunch-breaks, but the kids always have at least one familiar teacher. They also over-staff: they generally maintain 1:4 for the toddler room, although state requirements are 1:6 for that age. The over-staffing also allows them to work with kids who are struggling. (My son was upset the first few times that the music teacher came, because he wasn't used to a new face in the room. But one of the familiar teachers could just sit and snuggle with him until he was ready to rejoin the group.) I'm comfortable with the staff rotation, because it seems to be fine for our kids but also gives the caregivers a break during the day from a very intense job.</p> <p>I've also been very happy with communication. Our take-home notes include comments that always make me feel like I know a lot about his day, and we generally have an opportunity to talk with one of his main teachers at pick-up. (And we can always be connected to a teacher in his room if requested.)</p> <p>We once expressed a concern about our toddler's care (when his regular teachers were out due illness and vacation) and his head teacher scheduled a meeting with us as soon as possible and addressed our concerns.</p> <p>I believe that what you are experiencing may be typical, but I would also be concerned in your shoes. Trying to set up a meeting with the teachers and/or director would certainly be my first step. (Either to make changes or to help me get a different perspective.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423100 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:07:56 +0000 Anagram 2423100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I'm surprised so many people are saying all of this is normal! My older daughter has now been in 4 (I know, it's ridiculous) different childcare centers and none of them has had *all* of these issues at the same time. </p> <p>I think each of these is fairly normal and every center might have a couple of them, but ALL of them...I wouldn't want my kiddo there, either.</p> <p>My references are my local Bright Horizons, where we've used their backup services for 2 years, her current daycare which is a Learning Experience (a chain), a local daycare chain (they have 3 daycares in our area), and then a small local pre-school.</p> <p>My LO has been in 4 centers because 2 of them were not a good fit for us. Even though they seemed nice when we took a tour and when we started, they had issues with scheduling and some of their policies that I didn't think were very child or parent friendly, so we switched LO and have been happier at our other schools.</p> <p>People have different standards of care--The first center my child went to is 1 block from my house, and super super convenient for me. And I have two mom friends whose kids were in the same class--but I wasn't happy about a few things and I switched my kiddo, even though my mom friends like that school and they still go there and seem to love it. It just wasn't a good fit for us. I felt like the rooms were too small for how many kids were there, sometimes the teachers couldn't tell me how my child ate or slept that day because it would be a different person than who was in her room all day. That wasn't acceptable FOR ME, and there's no shame in just saying...this place is not a good fit for us and moving on to other options. And we love the center my daughter goes to now....it's so much better for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423086 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:00:32 +0000 Silva 2423086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds normal for a center. The reason we chose in home care was so that our daughter would be cared for by and develop an attachment to one provider. We've had an incredible experience there, and really felt like my daughter received individual care that was tailored to her needs and development. Its not possible for a center to provide that level of care and attentiveness, simply given the large number of children the teachers have to care for. </p> <p>Might be something to look into. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-normal-for-daycare/page/2#post-2423079 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:57:36 +0000 BandDmommy 2423079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: You seem quite upset with your current center, have you considered other options? Smaller centers? Montessori? Nanny? In-home? Etc... </p>