What I saw at a "fully monitored" daycare center

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s against regulations to have 1 teacher with six infants! I would have called licensing. I feel like infant and toddler rooms always take all the teachers, at least the centers I’ve worked for. The older rooms (2 and up) always needed an extra teacher. Normally the teachers who don’t have certifications make less. I was in MD and I started off at $11.50 (2013) and left at $16.50 (2017). Before that, in 2011, I was making 9.25.

I got bumped up to $10/hr after getting my ECE teaching certificate, but nothing for becoming director-qualified, sadly.

I actually did call DCFS on the place, and they were investigated for a while, but nothing ever came of it because every time the lady would pull up, my boss would sneak someone into my room to bring it up to code. Annoying.

It was such an ass-backwards place. You really have to be careful where you leave your kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC goes to a daycare that is generally regarded as good. I find it to be very lacking - maybe I'm expecting too much. For example, at drop off no teacher actually comes up to welcome my child - its literally up to me to get DCs hands washed and get her seated at the breakfast table if that's where everyone is. I also find teachers often ignore a crying child or will not wipe runny noses and don't change diapers as frequently as I would like. I think if they were watched, they would be much more on the ball. I'm a FTM and not American so I think my standards for childcare are probably not what others around here consider acceptable. But I do think cameras would help keep lazy day care workers more on the ball.

I don’t think you’re expecting too much. I find it weird that you both aren’t greeted and your child helped to settle in upon your arrival. I used to do that with every single child, even when I was overloaded.

I also can’t imagine the employees being able to ignore a crying child or not change them. Maybe I just can’t get another type of daycare experience through my head other than the place I worked at, and that place was a shithole. I just can’t picture someone being able to be lazy with multiple children in their care.

You should possibly find a new place for your child. That doesn’t sound right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC goes to a daycare that is generally regarded as good. I find it to be very lacking - maybe I'm expecting too much. For example, at drop off no teacher actually comes up to welcome my child - its literally up to me to get DCs hands washed and get her seated at the breakfast table if that's where everyone is. I also find teachers often ignore a crying child or will not wipe runny noses and don't change diapers as frequently as I would like. I think if they were watched, they would be much more on the ball. I'm a FTM and not American so I think my standards for childcare are probably not what others around here consider acceptable. But I do think cameras would help keep lazy day care workers more on the ball.

I don’t think you’re expecting too much. I find it weird that you both aren’t greeted and your child helped to settle in upon your arrival. I used to do that with every single child, even when I was overloaded.

I also can’t imagine the employees being able to ignore a crying child or not change them. Maybe I just can’t get another type of daycare experience through my head other than the place I worked at, and that place was a shithole. I just can’t picture someone being able to be lazy with multiple children in their care.

You should possibly find a new place for your child. That doesn’t sound right.

So I definitely think that every child and parent should be greeted when they enter the classroom and it’s rude and unprofessional, if they don’t. I know any licensed daycare I’ve worked for, hand washing upon arrival is mandatory, by the parent to eliminate the spread of germs, as well as, changing their diaper. In the evenings, the teacher makes sure the child is cleaned up (dry diaper, clean clothes and face) and ready for pickup. If you were in the classroom for 30 minutes and you didn’t see a teacher wipe a child’s nose, then that’s unacceptable. But if you were in there for 5 minutes, come on. Children’s diapers should be changed every 2 hours or as needed but checked at least every 30 minutes. For you to say all of this, how long are you in the classroom for?

Every Center is not perfect (with or without cameras) but a lot of parents complain about things that they know nothing about. “Oh, I was in there for 5 minutes and the teacher not once wiped his nose.” Little do you know we just wiped all 12 children’s noses 6 minutes ago. Do you know how many times we wipe children’s noses? If we did it every time some snot dripped, nothing would get accomplished. Half the children come in with dried snot and boogers in their eyes (I can’t stand that!).

There are pros and cons about cameras and some have been pointed out on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC goes to a daycare that is generally regarded as good. I find it to be very lacking - maybe I'm expecting too much. For example, at drop off no teacher actually comes up to welcome my child - its literally up to me to get DCs hands washed and get her seated at the breakfast table if that's where everyone is. I also find teachers often ignore a crying child or will not wipe runny noses and don't change diapers as frequently as I would like. I think if they were watched, they would be much more on the ball. I'm a FTM and not American so I think my standards for childcare are probably not what others around here consider acceptable. But I do think cameras would help keep lazy day care workers more on the ball.

I don’t think you’re expecting too much. I find it weird that you both aren’t greeted and your child helped to settle in upon your arrival. I used to do that with every single child, even when I was overloaded.

I also can’t imagine the employees being able to ignore a crying child or not change them. Maybe I just can’t get another type of daycare experience through my head other than the place I worked at, and that place was a shithole. I just can’t picture someone being able to be lazy with multiple children in their care.

You should possibly find a new place for your child. That doesn’t sound right.

I suspect that if you came in before literally the most hands-on part of the morning, they would be doing a lot more to help you. The have a group of toddlers to feed. You've fed your toddler -- it's not a 1:8 activity while the other person comes over to help someone new with his coat. If you guys got there before breakfast, he'd have been helped to wash his hands in line with the other kids.

I do think you're expecting too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC goes to a daycare that is generally regarded as good. I find it to be very lacking - maybe I'm expecting too much. For example, at drop off no teacher actually comes up to welcome my child - its literally up to me to get DCs hands washed and get her seated at the breakfast table if that's where everyone is. I also find teachers often ignore a crying child or will not wipe runny noses and don't change diapers as frequently as I would like. I think if they were watched, they would be much more on the ball. I'm a FTM and not American so I think my standards for childcare are probably not what others around here consider acceptable. But I do think cameras would help keep lazy day care workers more on the ball.

I don’t think you’re expecting too much. I find it weird that you both aren’t greeted and your child helped to settle in upon your arrival. I used to do that with every single child, even when I was overloaded.

I also can’t imagine the employees being able to ignore a crying child or not change them. Maybe I just can’t get another type of daycare experience through my head other than the place I worked at, and that place was a shithole. I just can’t picture someone being able to be lazy with multiple children in their care.

You should possibly find a new place for your child. That doesn’t sound right.

I suspect that if you came in before literally the most hands-on part of the morning, they would be doing a lot more to help you. The have a group of toddlers to feed. You've fed your toddler -- it's not a 1:8 activity while the other person comes over to help someone new with his coat. If you guys got there before breakfast, he'd have been helped to wash his hands in line with the other kids.

I do think you're expecting too much.

Ok Ms. judge-much. I come in between 8:30 am and 9 am. Other parents/kids come in before and after. The teachers just don't welcome them- its not about it being a busy time. Its just a bad attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC goes to a daycare that is generally regarded as good. I find it to be very lacking - maybe I'm expecting too much. For example, at drop off no teacher actually comes up to welcome my child - its literally up to me to get DCs hands washed and get her seated at the breakfast table if that's where everyone is. I also find teachers often ignore a crying child or will not wipe runny noses and don't change diapers as frequently as I would like. I think if they were watched, they would be much more on the ball. I'm a FTM and not American so I think my standards for childcare are probably not what others around here consider acceptable. But I do think cameras would help keep lazy day care workers more on the ball.

I don’t think you’re expecting too much. I find it weird that you both aren’t greeted and your child helped to settle in upon your arrival. I used to do that with every single child, even when I was overloaded.

I also can’t imagine the employees being able to ignore a crying child or not change them. Maybe I just can’t get another type of daycare experience through my head other than the place I worked at, and that place was a shithole. I just can’t picture someone being able to be lazy with multiple children in their care.

You should possibly find a new place for your child. That doesn’t sound right.

I suspect that if you came in before literally the most hands-on part of the morning, they would be doing a lot more to help you. The have a group of toddlers to feed. You've fed your toddler -- it's not a 1:8 activity while the other person comes over to help someone new with his coat. If you guys got there before breakfast, he'd have been helped to wash his hands in line with the other kids.

I do think you're expecting too much.

Ok Ms. judge-much. I come in between 8:30 am and 9 am. Other parents/kids come in before and after. The teachers just don't welcome them- its not about it being a busy time. Its just a bad attitude.

Get a nanny then or stay at home...I worked at a daycare in college. It's chaotic. Every worker there is underpaid and overworked, and then we had a ton of parents like you that expected us to give their kids individualized attention 100% of the time. What do you expect for 1200-1600 a month for 8-12 hours of care a day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The daycare workers were almost like robots towards the little children... no warmth whatsoever. The picking up, the carrying, the diaper changing, the communication. It was eerie to see.

Is this the risk when you know your every move with the children will be watched and criticized? And then may be kept on record forever?

Maybe the absence of affection towards the children had something to do with the discomfort of the workers being recorded every minute? -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The daycare workers were almost like robots towards the little children... no warmth whatsoever. The picking up, the carrying, the diaper changing, the communication. It was eerie to see.

Is this the risk when you know your every move with the children will be watched and criticized? And then may be kept on record forever?

Maybe the absence of affection towards the children had something to do with the discomfort of the workers being recorded every minute? -OP

Funny how you all went silent after my above comment. Again, not everyone is comfortable, nor "natural" with being on camera. But if you come with a lengthy career history and solid references, plenty of discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.

[Anonymous]

Everyone has BEEN silent for about four days before you posted that comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny how you all went silent after my above comment. Again, not everyone is comfortable, nor "natural" with being on camera. But if you come with a lengthy career history and solid references, plenty of discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.

What does this comment have to do with the topic of this thread? Also, it doesn’t make much sense. You should probably read your posts aloud to yourself before submitting them.

You say “not everyone is comfortable or natural” on camera, then say basically if you have experience and good references, “discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.”
...
What does that even have to do with this thread at all??? And what does someone being uncomfortable on camera have to do with having experience/references and being able to get hired?? It’s just a weird post. Doesn’t read well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how you all went silent after my above comment. Again, not everyone is comfortable, nor "natural" with being on camera. But if you come with a lengthy career history and solid references, plenty of discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.

What does this comment have to do with the topic of this thread? Also, it doesn’t make much sense. You should probably read your posts aloud to yourself before submitting them.

You say “not everyone is comfortable or natural” on camera, then say basically if you have experience and good references, “discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.”
...
What does that even have to do with this thread at all??? And what does someone being uncomfortable on camera have to do with having experience/references and being able to get hired?? It’s just a weird post. Doesn’t read well.

This person was trying to make the argument swing back to nannies and cameras instead of daycares and cameras...

All daycares should have cameras. With the number of children involved... Absolutely.

Nannies and cameras already have several threads. Please leave this thread on topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how you all went silent after my above comment. Again, not everyone is comfortable, nor "natural" with being on camera. But if you come with a lengthy career history and solid references, plenty of discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.

What does this comment have to do with the topic of this thread? Also, it doesn’t make much sense. You should probably read your posts aloud to yourself before submitting them.

You say “not everyone is comfortable or natural” on camera, then say basically if you have experience and good references, “discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.”
...
What does that even have to do with this thread at all??? And what does someone being uncomfortable on camera have to do with having experience/references and being able to get hired?? It’s just a weird post. Doesn’t read well.

This person was trying to make the argument swing back to nannies and cameras instead of daycares and cameras...

All daycares should have cameras. With the number of children involved... Absolutely.

Nannies and cameras already have several threads. Please leave this thread on topic.

1. Posters may comment on a) any aspect of childcare workers being taped, b) who has access to those tapes, and c) how those tapes may be used.
2. We can all easily agree that childcare centers should have cameras. But the devil is in the details, so please explain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how you all went silent after my above comment. Again, not everyone is comfortable, nor "natural" with being on camera. But if you come with a lengthy career history and solid references, plenty of discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.

What does this comment have to do with the topic of this thread? Also, it doesn’t make much sense. You should probably read your posts aloud to yourself before submitting them.

You say “not everyone is comfortable or natural” on camera, then say basically if you have experience and good references, “discerning parents will offer you a generous compensation package.”
...
What does that even have to do with this thread at all??? And what does someone being uncomfortable on camera have to do with having experience/references and being able to get hired?? It’s just a weird post. Doesn’t read well.

This person was trying to make the argument swing back to nannies and cameras instead of daycares and cameras...

All daycares should have cameras. With the number of children involved... Absolutely.

Nannies and cameras already have several threads. Please leave this thread on topic.

1. Posters may comment on a) any aspect of childcare workers being taped, b) who has access to those tapes, and c) how those tapes may be used.
2. We can all easily agree that childcare centers should have cameras. But the devil is in the details, so please explain.

OMG - shut up! The last thing I ever thought about when working in a daycare center was who was watching me! I was too fricking busy!

As a nanny, I know every indoor play-area has cameras that record everything that goes on there and the same with Gymboree and My Gym. One word: LIABILITY. You are an ass to think you have any expectation of privacy any place you go or at work.

LET IT GO.