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Preschool and Daycare Discussion
To the Parents of the 2-Year Old Girl Who Was Left Alone today at P St Playground by JCC in Dupont
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Anonymous
| to 7:58, what is the DSS website? I'm in the process of finding a daycare for my DD and would like to know such a site if you don't mind sharing. |
Anonymous
I worked at a center in Boston, where we did a head count before heading out to the enclosed playground. During that time, a parent brought her child in late, while one of the children in the line decided to go an hide behind a shelf because she was upset about something. The late parent handed her child off to my assistant teacher who ushered her into the line. I was unaware that the child had arrived (we had about 16 kids that day,) so I did another head count, got the same result and headed outside. Well, the little girl hiding in the classroom was found by the Assistant Director. I was terminated the following day, even after many parents (incl. the child in question) wrote letters in my defense. I didn't appreciate the termination, but I got it, which completely baffles the mind why these two teachers are still working there. |
Anonymous
i do not believe for a second that Sarah does not understand DCUM. She posted here in the summer of either 09 or 10 when the JCC was having a major image problem for not being responsive to the parents / students - she may have forgot - but she came here to talk about the issue at hand and how this would not happen again. no one asked - or expects the school to respond on an anonymous site - but she took it on herself to do so. |
Anonymous
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The thought of this brings shivers up my spine. I coop in my child's class and we count the kids every time we come and go from any location. If somehow we missed a child on the count as we were leaving our gated playground next to our school, we would have caught it as we went into the classroom when we did our next count. Plus how do you not notice that a child is missing for that length of time? I would notice if John, or Anne, or Eliza wasn't with us within a 30 minute time period.
I know my school is in suburbia but if we can be vigilant about our counts and safety protocol, even though the chance of something happening is probably less, why can't the JCC? To the mom whose child was left: it sounds like you are between a rock and a hard place. I am so glad your child is safe and so sorry that you cannot find alternative care for the remainder of the year. I hope something opens up for your elsewhere. |
Anonymous
| Wondering what has happened with JCC since intial post. Were there any changes made, new regulations? If so have they been enforced? |
Anonymous
| Does anyone know more about this? |
sarahr@washingtondcjcc.org
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Hi everyone,
Sarah Rabin Spira again. No one, other than the parent of the child, is more upset about this than I am. It was an awful thing to happen, and we regret that it did and are doing everything we can to make sure nothing like this happens again. I’ve spent the last few months working with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE, our licensing agency), Child Protective Services (CPS), Metro Police Department (MPD), our Preschool Steering Committee and concerned parents. I answered all direct questions (via parent meetings, phone and email) individually; however, I would like to share the same information with you now. We have upset many parents, understandably so, and I want to reassure you as much as I can by detailing our responses and decision-making processes. We considered the question of firing the teachers, but we felt that while it would send a message to the staff, it would negatively affect the children even more. To remove both teachers would have been detrimental to all of the children as they would feel insecure, confused and upset by the transition. Parents in the classroom specifically asked us to keep their child’s teachers as they respect and trust them. In addition, we would have two substitute teachers while we searched for permanent replacements (which usually takes two–three weeks to post ads, interview, do background and reference checks, hire them and have them start). Our substitutes are good and qualified for their roles, but our full-time teachers receive more training and have more experience and education in the early childhood education field. We felt it would be best for the children in the class to keep it consistent and keep them with the teachers they know and love. We have filed and received reports from OSSE, CPS and MPD. All came to the same conclusion that while we were at fault in leaving a child at the park, removing the teachers from the classroom was not necessary or recommended. We have codified new procedures, which have been informed by the best practices of other centers and consultations with concerned parents. The procedures we have in place are on our website: http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/preschool/child-tracking-procedures.html We held a special training with our staff in June in response to this. We will also include a formal training on the procedures with new and returning staff during our training week (August 22-26), and the procedures will be posted in each classroom. In addition, they will be included in our Parent Handbook and Staff Manual for the fall. This was an awful experience, and we all feel devastated by it. I welcome personal conversations with those who would like to contact me to discuss your concerns. Sincerely, Sarah Rabin Spira Sarah Rabin Spira Director, Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs Washington DCJCC SarahR@washingtondcjcc.org t. (202) 777-3278 f. (202) 518-9420 http://washingtondcjcc.org/kids-and-parents/ |
Anonymous
This is beyond ridiculous. The teachers in question left a 2 yr old at a public park and NEVER noticed. They were only made aware that the child was gone when authorities contacted the school! They failed to count the children but even more disturbing is that they are so unengaged that they noticed that one was missing later on. At this preschool/daycare, a teacher will not be fired over anything related to the quality of care she provides to a child. I'm sure if the teacher was late everyday affecting your staffing or causing adminstrative burdens that you would have no problem transitioning the children. |
Anonymous
| This is beyond ridiculous! I'm a retired teacher and the lack of attention and care that these teachers displayed is good reason for them to be dismissed. It shows that they were very busy interacting with each other and were not paying attention to what was going on with the children. If I had a child that is or will be attending JCC, I would demand a refund for the coming school year and find a school that care more about children then staff. Good Luck Parents! |
Anonymous
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Agree it's pretty crazy not to let them go. And the "protest too much" tone of the letter suggests that they basically know it's not the right decision.
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Anonymous
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My understanding is the little girl left behind is a very quiet child and therefore her missing went unnoticed. This is not an excuse teachers and administration!
You are blaming the victim. |
Anonymous
It makes me wonder whether the teacher has some connected relatives. |
Anonymous
| It also boggles my mind that the other parents with kids in the class wanted to keep the teachers. I have a 2yo and I can't imagine leaving my child in the care of staff who were this negligent, much less advocating for them to keep their jobs! |