Bethesda Lynbrook Child Care kids went missing today

[Anonymous]

I think that the people that are posting these raving reviews aren't parents at all. I'm pretty convinced they are Lynbrook staff!

[Anonymous]

People keep mentioning that the daycare self-reported as if it deserves a medal for doing so. Self-reporting such an incident is a legal requirement, so hold the praise.

The explanation above about the teacher going into the bathroom is not at all reassuring. Total communication failure. Plus it doesn't address how/when the children left the premises.

Teachers should carry rosters (along with their first aid kit) when out, along with a school cell phone. Only emergency personal cell use should be allowed and this should be enforced. I've taught at preschool and elementary levels and find this unacceptable, though not surprising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that the people that are posting these raving reviews aren't parents at all. I'm pretty convinced they are Lynbrook staff!

I had the same thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that the people that are posting these raving reviews aren't parents at all. I'm pretty convinced they are Lynbrook staff!

I had the same thought.

EXACTLY! I think it takes a lot of nerve after they just lost 4 kids. "Yes, it happened and it's awful, but MY kid has been so happy." BLA BLA BLA

[Anonymous]

I am a parent at one of the daycares where a child has gone missing. While I appreciate the voicing of my outrage (my child has been pulled from the daycare) at this type negligence, I find it completely inappropriate for the details to be posted on dcurbanmom and for the media to get involved. You have just advertised to all the greater DC perverts the weaknesses of a daycare, WHERE FAMILIES STILL SEND THEIR CHILDREN. There are a variety of reasons why they do (finances, close to home, close to work, etc.)

You should use this channel only if the other pathways have failed. Call the police, call child protective services, call licensing.

If you want to make sure other families are aware of it, these incidents are written up for families seeking that particular information.

If the school needs to be shut down, it will be determined by licensing, child protective services, the loss of funding from exiting families, etc. It's reputation will be ruined without the help of dcurbanmoms. It will not be because of the dcurbanmom angry mob. All you have done is given the media some fodder and broadcast this to a wider community that doesn't need to know. What should real journalists pursue? A story where something egregious happened and the regulators in charge of this activity failed to do something about it/ were corrupt/ accepted bribes, etc.

[Anonymous]

* its [for grammar police]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a parent at one of the daycares where a child has gone missing. While I appreciate the voicing of my outrage (my child has been pulled from the daycare) at this type negligence, I find it completely inappropriate for the details to be posted on dcurbanmom and for the media to get involved. You have just advertised to all the greater DC perverts the weaknesses of a daycare, WHERE FAMILIES STILL SEND THEIR CHILDREN. There are a variety of reasons why they do (finances, close to home, close to work, etc.)

You should use this channel only if the other pathways have failed. Call the police, call child protective services, call licensing.

If you want to make sure other families are aware of it, these incidents are written up for families seeking that particular information.

If the school needs to be shut down, it will be determined by licensing, child protective services, the loss of funding from exiting families, etc. It's reputation will be ruined without the help of dcurbanmoms. It will not be because of the dcurbanmom angry mob. All you have done is given the media some fodder and broadcast this to a wider community that doesn't need to know. What should real journalists pursue? A story where something egregious happened and the regulators in charge of this activity failed to do something about it/ were corrupt/ accepted bribes, etc.

Oh please.... The parent of a missing child had every right to post on here. It was her decision. She posted here so we could discuss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a parent at one of the daycares where a child has gone missing. While I appreciate the voicing of my outrage (my child has been pulled from the daycare) at this type negligence, I find it completely inappropriate for the details to be posted on dcurbanmom and for the media to get involved. You have just advertised to all the greater DC perverts the weaknesses of a daycare, WHERE FAMILIES STILL SEND THEIR CHILDREN. There are a variety of reasons why they do (finances, close to home, close to work, etc.)

You should use this channel only if the other pathways have failed. Call the police, call child protective services, call licensing.

If you want to make sure other families are aware of it, these incidents are written up for families seeking that particular information.

If the school needs to be shut down, it will be determined by licensing, child protective services, the loss of funding from exiting families, etc. It's reputation will be ruined without the help of dcurbanmoms. It will not be because of the dcurbanmom angry mob. All you have done is given the media some fodder and broadcast this to a wider community that doesn't need to know. What should real journalists pursue? A story where something egregious happened and the regulators in charge of this activity failed to do something about it/ were corrupt/ accepted bribes, etc.

Seriously? You're fine with sending your kid somewhere that he may be left unattended to wonder off the property, but outraged that if this does happen, a pervert might be around the corner ready to pounce?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a parent at one of the daycares where a child has gone missing. While I appreciate the voicing of my outrage (my child has been pulled from the daycare) at this type negligence, I find it completely inappropriate for the details to be posted on dcurbanmom and for the media to get involved. You have just advertised to all the greater DC perverts the weaknesses of a daycare, WHERE FAMILIES STILL SEND THEIR CHILDREN. There are a variety of reasons why they do (finances, close to home, close to work, etc.)

You should use this channel only if the other pathways have failed. Call the police, call child protective services, call licensing.

If you want to make sure other families are aware of it, these incidents are written up for families seeking that particular information.

If the school needs to be shut down, it will be determined by licensing, child protective services, the loss of funding from exiting families, etc. It's reputation will be ruined without the help of dcurbanmoms. It will not be because of the dcurbanmom angry mob. All you have done is given the media some fodder and broadcast this to a wider community that doesn't need to know. What should real journalists pursue? A story where something egregious happened and the regulators in charge of this activity failed to do something about it/ were corrupt/ accepted bribes, etc.

You are upset that media got involved?!? So OP should have just sat back and been ok that her child went missing. How dare OP contact higher people? Lady, you are freaking crazy. Just because you don't care much about your child, doesn't mean others don't. OP, I am so proud of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to make sure that what happened today to my child doesn't happen to anyone else's.

Today I arrived at the Bethesda Lynbrook Child Care Center to pick up my son and saw him and 3 of his classmates (all 2-3 year olds) DOWN THE STREET. They had somehow left the fenced in playground and walked almost 2 blocks into the neighborhood surrounding the center in Bethesda. A man walking his dog found them and was bringing them back. The teacher never knew they were missing. She literally had misplaced, LOST, half the class.

The center director wasn't there, the program manager didn't know what the procedure was when "things like this" happen, but I was assured that "there would be consequences."

However, several hours later, no formal notice has been made to the class or the list serve and they let the teacher stay in the classroom for the rest of the evening.

I am literally sick to my stomach over the possibilities of what could have happened to these 4 2-year olds who were walking amid parked cars, as a storm was rolling in, and were only identified as Lynbrook kids because they had their pennies on. How anyone could lose track of 4 little kids for such a long enough period of time that it would take those little legs to walk that far away, AND BACK, is unfathomably irresponsible to me.

If you are a Lynbrook parent, please, be aware that this has happened and that the school hardly seems to be concerned. If you are considering this placement for your child, don't. I don't believe they can keep the littlest among them safe.

Wendy,

I left you a message this morning and would encourage you to call me directly at the number I provided.

Thank you very much.

Michelle Green
Executive Director

Dear executive director, The ONLY appropriate message to the families who were involved and to your community is your immediate resignation!

First - I assure you that many of the people claiming to be parents with children at Lynbrook are parents with children there. At least three told me what they were going to post on this site and I can tell it's them. The parent community is very close right now. I am a parent which you may believe or not.

The director of the SCHOOL should definitely be fired. She is new. Surprise, surprise. Her name is Judy and she started in September. I would say that this happened on her "watch," but she was not at school when it happened! There are conflicting reports on when she found out about the incident. Some said later that night, others said she did not know until a parent told her on the following day. Parents found out as you did here - from Wendy, not the school. When Judy was confronted, her attitude was - no harm, no foul, we train our teachers for safety. Michelle who professes deep concern parroted that to parents. Obviously they do not train for safety. Finally when confronted with many angry parents who wanted answers, they acted. The children were returned to the school after exiting the playground alone on Monday at 4:45. Our first official communication from the school was on Tuesday at 4:14 p.m. Unacceptable. I'm disgusted with the school, their actions, their attitudes, Judy, and Michelle. We will be taking our child out of the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a parent at one of the daycares where a child has gone missing. While I appreciate the voicing of my outrage (my child has been pulled from the daycare) at this type negligence, I find it completely inappropriate for the details to be posted on dcurbanmom and for the media to get involved. You have just advertised to all the greater DC perverts the weaknesses of a daycare, WHERE FAMILIES STILL SEND THEIR CHILDREN. There are a variety of reasons why they do (finances, close to home, close to work, etc.)

You should use this channel only if the other pathways have failed. Call the police, call child protective services, call licensing.

If you want to make sure other families are aware of it, these incidents are written up for families seeking that particular information.

If the school needs to be shut down, it will be determined by licensing, child protective services, the loss of funding from exiting families, etc. It's reputation will be ruined without the help of dcurbanmoms. It will not be because of the dcurbanmom angry mob. All you have done is given the media some fodder and broadcast this to a wider community that doesn't need to know. What should real journalists pursue? A story where something egregious happened and the regulators in charge of this activity failed to do something about it/ were corrupt/ accepted bribes, etc.

Sheesh and I thought Sparkles! was bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to make sure that what happened today to my child doesn't happen to anyone else's.

Today I arrived at the Bethesda Lynbrook Child Care Center to pick up my son and saw him and 3 of his classmates (all 2-3 year olds) DOWN THE STREET. They had somehow left the fenced in playground and walked almost 2 blocks into the neighborhood surrounding the center in Bethesda. A man walking his dog found them and was bringing them back. The teacher never knew they were missing. She literally had misplaced, LOST, half the class.

The center director wasn't there, the program manager didn't know what the procedure was when "things like this" happen, but I was assured that "there would be consequences."

However, several hours later, no formal notice has been made to the class or the list serve and they let the teacher stay in the classroom for the rest of the evening.

I am literally sick to my stomach over the possibilities of what could have happened to these 4 2-year olds who were walking amid parked cars, as a storm was rolling in, and were only identified as Lynbrook kids because they had their pennies on. How anyone could lose track of 4 little kids for such a long enough period of time that it would take those little legs to walk that far away, AND BACK, is unfathomably irresponsible to me.

If you are a Lynbrook parent, please, be aware that this has happened and that the school hardly seems to be concerned. If you are considering this placement for your child, don't. I don't believe they can keep the littlest among them safe.

Wendy,

I left you a message this morning and would encourage you to call me directly at the number I provided.

Thank you very much.

Michelle Green
Executive Director

Dear executive director, The ONLY appropriate message to the families who were involved and to your community is your immediate resignation!

First - I assure you that many of the people claiming to be parents with children at Lynbrook are parents with children there. At least three told me what they were going to post on this site and I can tell it's them. The parent community is very close right now. I am a parent which you may believe or not.

The director of the SCHOOL should definitely be fired. She is new. Surprise, surprise. Her name is Judy and she started in September. I would say that this happened on her "watch," but she was not at school when it happened! There are conflicting reports on when she found out about the incident. Some said later that night, others said she did not know until a parent told her on the following day. Parents found out as you did here - from Wendy, not the school. When Judy was confronted, her attitude was - no harm, no foul, we train our teachers for safety. Michelle who professes deep concern parroted that to parents. Obviously they do not train for safety. Finally when confronted with many angry parents who wanted answers, they acted. The children were returned to the school after exiting the playground alone on Monday at 4:45. Our first official communication from the school was on Tuesday at 4:14 p.m. Unacceptable. I'm disgusted with the school, their actions, their attitudes, Judy, and Michelle. We will be taking our child out of the school.

Well, you, along with OP, seem to be the only smart parents at this center. The other parents are standing up for this place which I find very shocking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

First - I assure you that many of the people claiming to be parents with children at Lynbrook are parents with children there. At least three told me what they were going to post on this site and I can tell it's them. The parent community is very close right now. I am a parent which you may believe or not.

The director of the SCHOOL should definitely be fired. She is new. Surprise, surprise. Her name is Judy and she started in September. I would say that this happened on her "watch," but she was not at school when it happened! There are conflicting reports on when she found out about the incident. Some said later that night, others said she did not know until a parent told her on the following day. Parents found out as you did here - from Wendy, not the school. When Judy was confronted, her attitude was - no harm, no foul, we train our teachers for safety. Michelle who professes deep concern parroted that to parents. Obviously they do not train for safety. Finally when confronted with many angry parents who wanted answers, they acted. The children were returned to the school after exiting the playground alone on Monday at 4:45. Our first official communication from the school was on Tuesday at 4:14 p.m. Unacceptable. I'm disgusted with the school, their actions, their attitudes, Judy, and Michelle. We will be taking our child out of the school.

Interesting. Thanks for posting! WE have a child at a different MCCA and I'm interested in hearing more about this.

[Anonymous]

OP and other MCCA parent who is removing your child, you have all my sympathy, as well as thanks for your honesty. I'd be out of my mind if something like this happened at my child's daycare.

PPs who are trying to defend Lynbrook, please save your breath. Suggesting that this was a reasonable lapse is ludicrous. Explaining that your child is happy at this center is beside the point - my 3yo would probably be quite happy standing in the middle of a busy street, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. And the PP who is outraged that the media has covered this needs to go move to North Korea or some other country where free speech doesn't apply. I'm deeply grateful to the parents here and at FCC and the JCC before that for speaking publicly about these incidents - it will hopefully provoke all parents to ask their own daycares about policies surrounding security for children outside, it will encourage new parents to scrutinize even "good" daycares more closely, and it might help prevent another incident like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP and other MCCA parent who is removing your child, you have all my sympathy, as well as thanks for your honesty. I'd be out of my mind if something like this happened at my child's daycare.

PPs who are trying to defend Lynbrook, please save your breath. Suggesting that this was a reasonable lapse is ludicrous. Explaining that your child is happy at this center is beside the point - my 3yo would probably be quite happy standing in the middle of a busy street, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. And the PP who is outraged that the media has covered this needs to go move to North Korea or some other country where free speech doesn't apply. I'm deeply grateful to the parents here and at FCC and the JCC before that for speaking publicly about these incidents - it will hopefully provoke all parents to ask their own daycares about policies surrounding security for children outside, it will encourage new parents to scrutinize even "good" daycares more closely, and it might help prevent another incident like this.

Well said!!!