Request from daycare: is this really an issue?

[Anonymous]

DC is 2 years old and is curious about everything. We are new to the daycare environment. Last week DC's teacher at the daycare told me that on the way out we should walk straight from the classroom to the entrance of the daycare without making any stops in the middle. And the teacher said it's for safety reasons.

I was surprised when I heard this. I would consider the daycare to be a safe environment for DC to explore. We hold hands and walk between the parking lot and the daycare. When we are inside the daycare, I let him walk in front of me between the entrance and the classroom. He is within my sight all the time. Usually on the way out he likes to go to the kids reading area for a while, and he did slip into the admin office and the teacher's area nearby for a few times (the doors were all open). I pulled him out immediately and told him that those are not his play areas. Occasionally he wants to peak into other classrooms to see what other kids are doing. I never thought this would be a big issue, and the request has been bothering me. Any similar experience or advice? TIA

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it's a safety issue, but clearly his wandering is bothering them. I'd just be sure to hold his hand on the way in and out from now on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is 2 years old and is curious about everything. We are new to the daycare environment. Last week DC's teacher at the daycare told me that on the way out we should walk straight from the classroom to the entrance of the daycare without making any stops in the middle. And the teacher said it's for safety reasons.

I was surprised when I heard this. I would consider the daycare to be a safe environment for DC to explore. We hold hands and walk between the parking lot and the daycare. When we are inside the daycare, I let him walk in front of me between the entrance and the classroom. He is within my sight all the time. Usually on the way out he likes to go to the kids reading area for a while, and he did slip into the admin office and the teacher's area nearby for a few times (the doors were all open). I pulled him out immediately and told him that those are not his play areas. Occasionally he wants to peak into other classrooms to see what other kids are doing. I never thought this would be a big issue, and the request has been bothering me. Any similar experience or advice? TIA

Yes, it's an issue. Even the kids' reading area. He isn't supposed to be there at that time. Take him straight out as you've been asked.

[Anonymous]

Are you always a pushover, OP, or just with your kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is 2 years old and is curious about everything. We are new to the daycare environment. Last week DC's teacher at the daycare told me that on the way out we should walk straight from the classroom to the entrance of the daycare without making any stops in the middle. And the teacher said it's for safety reasons.

I was surprised when I heard this. I would consider the daycare to be a safe environment for DC to explore. We hold hands and walk between the parking lot and the daycare. When we are inside the daycare, I let him walk in front of me between the entrance and the classroom. He is within my sight all the time. Usually on the way out he likes to go to the kids reading area for a while, and he did slip into the admin office and the teacher's area nearby for a few times (the doors were all open). I pulled him out immediately and told him that those are not his play areas. Occasionally he wants to peak into other classrooms to see what other kids are doing. I never thought this would be a big issue, and the request has been bothering me. Any similar experience or advice? TIA

It's a reasonable request. His wandering may not bother you, but clearly it's disrupting the staff/admin, and probably other kids as well. It's also a liability issue for them, if you're letting him wander into areas when there aren't any staff members supervising. Your child doesn't need to wander through the daycare on his way out.

[Anonymous]

At my daughter's daycare we're welcome to hang out and play for awhile, or stop in the other classrooms to say hi to the teachers. For me, it's very important that the place where my child spends so much time is a home-like environment that's warm and welcoming-I'd be very put off by what OP describes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my daughter's daycare we're welcome to hang out and play for awhile, or stop in the other classrooms to say hi to the teachers. For me, it's very important that the place where my child spends so much time is a home-like environment that's warm and welcoming-I'd be very put off by what OP describes.

She's done for the day. Take her home.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a weird request. Off-putting. Do you like it otherwise?

[Anonymous]

Its an issue for them. Their school, their rules.

[Anonymous]

Their request is basically to stop letting him wander where he doesn't need to be. What is so strange and off putting about that?

Why in the world does he need to be able to wander and hang around wherever his little heart desires that day?

[Anonymous]

You guys are going to be horrific when your kids get to school.

Rules? Not for your Special Kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You guys are going to be horrific when your kids get to school.

Rules? Not for your Special Kid.

Not to mention your children who will think they can go and do anything they feel like seeing and doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my daughter's daycare we're welcome to hang out and play for awhile, or stop in the other classrooms to say hi to the teachers. For me, it's very important that the place where my child spends so much time is a home-like environment that's warm and welcoming-I'd be very put off by what OP describes.

Likewise. All the teachers and staff know each child by name. We don't actually go into other classrooms but if we did, I'm sure they wouldn't be upset (unless it were the infant room where you have to take shoes off).

If that's what daycare requests, I guess that's what you have to do, but I would be put off by it as well.

[Anonymous]

It's code for "we are adults with families who don't want 15 minutes tacked on to the end of our day and time away from our families because we have to accommodate your slow pace. Please leave so we can finish up out work and get out of here"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's code for "we are adults with families who don't want 15 minutes tacked on to the end of our day and time away from our families because we have to accommodate your slow pace. Please leave so we can finish up out work and get out of here"

Center director here:
yes, that's true if she's picking up 5 or 10 minutes before closing time and then spends forever to leave - and those areas might have already been wiped down with bleach/water and then the staff need to go and do it again. (because,no, the cleaning staff wash the floors, bathrooms, counters, vacuum the carpets and dust the window sills, they do NOT bleach the children's counters, shelves, cribs, diaper table, etc. That's done by the staff at end of day and then in AM to prep for opening (in the case of chairs being put on tables for floors to be cleaned, the feet of the chairs make the tables unsanitary, so those tables need to be washed in the morning)

Now, if you are picking up an hour before closing time, then I don't know what the deal is.