Is new daycare expecting too much?

[Anonymous]

Wow. 16 months old? No way. That is ridiculous, find somewhere new ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Our daycare is out in Alexandria so we don't have rope lines to deal with. But I know when my DD started in the toddler room (16 months +) they had a slow transition into using dixie cups. I think the process of getting the whole class (a dozen kids or so) took a few months.

I'd be worried about such inflexibility in a daycare. Kids advance at different ages and it's worrying that they are being so strict. Could you maybe talk to the director?

[Anonymous]

OP, can you please share with us the name of this daycare?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like too much to me, but I think the walking may be a downside to selecting a center without a playground?

Sippy cups leave before moving to the 2s, but not immediately upon moving into toddlers. Bottles and cribs had to be over before move to toddlers.

I have 4 kids. Of the three who walk, only one would have been able to attend your daycare! So far, I have had one very early walkers and two very late walkers. The fourth might make it, but it will be close!

IMO, it's too much. It also doesn't sound developmentally like your DD is ready for the demands of the room. Have you shared your concern with the teacher and then the director? Remember you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If you want the center to work for your dd/you, then get in there and make it happen. Ignore 'negative" comments, praise the hell out of the teacher and ask how you can encourage your daughter at home. This can be a make or break for a daycare and parent relationship -- take control and make it RIGHT for you! BE KIND! BE LOVING! BE POSITIVE! REDIRECT NEGATIVE COMMENTS back onto the friendly path. (Even if you don't like what you are hearing or believe what you are saying -- fake it until you make it!) I'm not shairing this because I assume that you are reacting in any other manner, but just in case you haven't tackled the situation yet... it's a little friendly advice!!

Whether you decide to leave or find a compromise, you know what is best for your daughter and your family!

[Anonymous]

This place sounds crazy. I have a very cooperative 16 month old whose a great walker and she would be a dehydrated mess if she were expected to do these things.

I agree with ops who took issue with the feedback they are providing you - they should be acknowledging this as high expectations and helping her make this huge transition and instead they sound like they are complaining about the extra work. I would start looking at alternative care asap.

[Anonymous]

That's too much expectations!The teachers just don't want to do extra work.Kids make mess a lot, instead of complaining, they should be able to help feed your child at 16 mo.

[Anonymous]

The rope line surprises me. The other things seem reasonable. My son started care at 14 months and was expected to pour water from a pitcher into his own glass made of actual glass. I was shocked at the idea, but it took him maybe two days to get the hang of it. I was glad the center pushed him beyond what his parents assumed he was capable of.

But they also did it humanely and didn't make us feel like our kids was failing if he took a week to get the hang of it. The surf they are teaching your kid does not bother me, but the way you are conveying their attitude makes them sound questionable.

[Anonymous]

OP, with the exception of the water fountain, it sounds like your child is in my child's daycare. He moved to the toddler room at 16 months. They walk on the rope, and drink out of regular cups.

We didn't have an awful time adjusting, but we did send him in with multiple outfits each day, because he would get messy.

But my son had been at this center since he was five months old, and was moved up to the toddler room full time after a few weeks of transition (going on walks with the toddlers, going into the room for circle time, etc). It may be a situation where you child should really still be in the crawler room for another month or so, but rather than transition twice in a short period of time, the director chose to put her in a room she's almost ready for.

Maybe ask the director if she can go outside and take meals with the younger kids, but do the rest of the day with the see ones, until she is comfortable with the walks and regular cup. They may be able to accommodate this request, especially if it doesn't change the required ratios.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'd be most concerned that the teacher is reporting these things to you as "problems." My responses would have been, "So as her teacher, what are YOU doing to help her transition and learn these things in a positive and nurturing way?"

[Anonymous]

Right. The actual things they're teaching them actually seem fine to me. It is their messaging, at least as it is coming across to OP.

[Anonymous]

OP,

RUN AWAY from this daycare. If they are demanding such unreasonable things of a 16 month old, there are likely other major issues with this day care. It's incredible that they are describing this as a "problem." Yes, it's a major problem that they're asking this of a child so young.

[Anonymous]

Definitely seems unreasonable to me . . .

[Anonymous]

My DS is 16 months too and is expected to walk with the rope... but he does fine with that and actually doesn't like to be in the stroller. The option should be the group stroller or the rope, not being held the entire way. You can't ask that of them.

No sippy cups at 16 months is ridiculous. Practicing with a regular cup? Yes. Not getting any milk or water unless one is used? Not cool.

[Anonymous]

The cup thing is silly - if they want a cup-only rule, I think it's ok, but they need to be ok with a mess.

The walk thing is out of line completely. I have 2 daycare kids and neither has/had that kind of attention span or ability to be herded like cattle at that age.

[Anonymous]

This sounds way more like a 24-month-plus program than for kids under 24 months.

My DS is in preschool with kids 24-36 months. While they don't do sippy cups either, I would never be told my son was "making a mess" at meals unless it were really a major thing. They know kids make messes and do something to stop playing with food if they notice it (i.e. tell the child to stop, move them, sit with them, etc.).

The teacher or another older kid helps them get drinks at the water fountain during a specific time (not just whenever they are thirsty). If thirsty, they ask and get water in a cup.

They don't typically walk far, but if they do and a kid asks to be picked up, they are usually picked up. Of course, not every single kid can be picked up all the time for the whole walk, but they do their best to take turns and accommodate.

This sounds really strange. As another PP said, some kids at this age aren't even walking yet. I have a friend with a 16 month old who just started walking. What do they do with the kids who can't walk yet?

Maybe they are just trying to establish some ground rules and routine for her, but I'm surprised they seem surprised that she's having trouble adapting to these things.