Insident reports at preschool? What shoudl I do?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I need some input as I have never had to deal with something like this before.

My 3 year old started a new school in September and it has been a very rough start. Specifically, he cried the first two weeks (which I hear is somewhat normal for some kids), two weeks ago he came home with a bite mark on his arm and yesterday I picked him up with an abrasion on his nose (about 1/2 inch and dry blood inside of his nose). While he said another boy hit him with a stick I am not sure I can fully go by what he says.

In both situations nobody notified me of these incidents, there was no incident report and they say that they didn't see how it happened. I completely understand that he is a boy and these things happen, but what is very frustrating to me that the school either not telling me everything or they do not watch him well enough to tell me how these things occurred. In case of bite mark, the teacher was actually trying to tell me he might have done it himself, she said that she saw him sucking on his arm. This is absolutely incredible, as (1) I can tell that is other child's teeth, (2) he should have completely twisted his arm to do it to himself and why would he?

This is considered to be a good school but I just simply do not know where to go with this. Once again if they notified me of these occurrences as well as told me what was done to comfort my child, I would have felt better. But I almost feel they act as is they are not responsible for anything!

Has anyone been in this type of situation? What would you do?

Many thanks for your help!

[Anonymous]

Is it a preschool or a DCPS/charter?

[Anonymous]

Your kid goes to preschool on Sunday?

[Anonymous]

These things do happen, but I would be upset if no one seemed to be aware of how or when. Once incident, ok, but more than one, I would start not to trust them and would look for a new school.

[Anonymous]

I would send a written complaint to the teacher and the director outlining my concerns. Obviously things happen, but for the teacher to invent an implausible story like "he bit his own arm" is worrisome and would erode my trust.

[Anonymous]

When I worked in a school/daycare we were told any injury above the shoulders and up we would have to call the parents/guardian right away and write a report. For broken skin/cuts we clean/treat and write a report then tell the parent/guardian at pick up. Also if the parents requested something specific like "call me know matter what" we'd follow there request.


You should speak to the director in charge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would send a written complaint to the teacher and the director outlining my concerns. Obviously things happen, but for the teacher to invent an implausible story like "he bit his own arm" is worrisome and would erode my trust.

This! There is something wrong with this situation. Stuff happens but the teachers should at least be aware of it. Also, kids should not be allowed to hit each other with sticks.

[Anonymous]

Is there only one teacher? Can you speak with the others, or the director? Say that you understand these things happen, but that the bite mark couldn't have been done by him, and that you don't appreciate that kind of thing being blown off.

We went to an old-fashioned preschool where little cuts and things were no big deal, which was perfectly fine by me. However the time my child hit his head, I was called to pick him up immediately, and I appreciated that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid goes to preschool on Sunday?

Started typing it up Saturday but posted yesterday- no he goes to school M-F.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I worked in a school/daycare we were told any injury above the shoulders and up we would have to call the parents/guardian right away and write a report. For broken skin/cuts we clean/treat and write a report then tell the parent/guardian at pick up. Also if the parents requested something specific like "call me know matter what" we'd follow there request.


You should speak to the director in charge.

This is consistent with VA daycares. And it seems like common sense. Definitely worth a discussion with the director.

[Anonymous]

DS has been bitten, punched in the nose, and fallen off playground equipment head first in Daycare. Every time I got at least an incident report describing what happened and a call for head injury. They are not allowed to name the other kid involved but they take action to prevent future occurrences. I would definitely be concerned about this teacher.

[jjconcern]

How upsetting. The other posts have suggested writing to teacher and director about the incidents and their policies. Can you make an appointment to go to school and speak to them about your concerns and take time to observe the school situation especially during recess and free time. I am used to working in public schools but preschools should have strict guidelines as well when children get hurt and a low tolerance for bullying and biting which is pretty common in small children. This is why they need a lot of supervision and intervention to teach them that it is unacceptable behavior. Most preschool teachers have aides to help them. Do you know the ratio of adults to children in the class. My best to you as you sort out this troubling situation.

[Anonymous]

I’ve had incident reports even when they don’t know how the injury happened. One day DS got a HUGE scratch on his face. They don’t know how it happened. Wrote up an incident report.
Turns out his fingernails were too long and he scratched himself.

[Anonymous]

Preschool teacher here. Teach your son to speak up if he gets hurt. One mom came in on a Monday saying her son got scratched by a classmate on Wednesday...the boy never told us, we didn't see it happen, and can't even prove it happened at school. If we know, we can clean or tend to a wound, but more importantly keep a closer eye on the interactions of those two kids. With 2 teachers and 15 kids it's impossible to have our eyes on all of them at the exact same time as hard as we try, so help your child feel comfortable with reporting important issues.