Disgusted by a local daycare. Feeling worn out and demoralized.

[Anonymous]

I took a casual on-call position with a local daycare and was horrified and disgusted. It's not because there was anything wrong per-se with the daycare, it's just that it was incredibly overwhelming and flat out gross. Caring for one infant was fine in a private setting. But I felt totally overwhelmed by the amount of diaper changes, snotty noses, children coughing in my face, sticking fingers in their mouth, sucking on toys, drooling, spit bubbles, trying to sit on my lap, crawl all over me, etc.

I don't know how daycare workers do it. I've actually enjoyed private one on one infant care but being in charge of 8 tiny humans totally wore me out. The smell of poopy diapers in the bathroom was enough to make me gag. Since I was the new girl I had to sweep all the countertops, clean toilets, empty garbages, and clean up after lunch/snack.

I don't think I can go back. I'm not even sure I can continue in childcare. Have any other nannies or childcare workers felt the same way?

[Anonymous]

What? Eight babies for one adult? That's insane. I don't know how parents can leave their children at a place like that. How many kids in the entire place?

[Anonymous]

Yuck

[Anonymous]

I thought the infant to child ratio was four infants per one adult.

Is this place even licensed?

Anyway, welcome to the world of children.
This may not be the right profession for you.

However based on what you wrote, the place you work at sounds like a pig-stye. I wouldn't even leave my pet hamster there.

[Anonymous]

No, no. Not just me alone. There was three groups of 8 kids, 3 educators and 2 educator assistants. But they just sat on bean bag chairs the entire time and didn't interact with the kids. The little ones just played with toys and kept swarming me because I was the new toy. And the parents are paying $899/month for f/t care!

[Anonymous]

Yes, they are licensed, reputable, and have a waiting list. Maybe I just feel a little spoiled from doing one on one care in private homes that are quiet, clean, and more easy going.

[Anonymous]

$900/month seems dirt cheap. I guess they get what they pay for. So sad for the children. What town is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$900/month seems dirt cheap. I guess they get what they pay for. So sad for the children. What town is it?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$900/month seems dirt cheap. I guess they get what they pay for. So sad for the children. What town is it?

+2

[Anonymous]

I could never work in a daycare/preschool setting. I absolutely admit and know that being a nanny is 10x easier and pays more.
I really respect teachers and child care employees who care for multiple children and find it a bit condescending when nannies compare their position as being harder or more respectable.

[Anonymous]

Op here: Their jobs are 10x harder than nannying. Less time, more children, less resources, less money. The daycare is outside of the dc metro area, I'd feel bad saying which daycare. But it was just miserable.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to stick to nannying/ private in home care!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$900/month seems dirt cheap. I guess they get what they pay for. So sad for the children. What town is it?

+2

+3

[Anonymous]

24 infants and 5 adults? That's doesn't meet the minimum ratio, AFAIK. Or are there 6 adults including you?

Our daycare has 14 babies split into two groups of seven, with 5 staff (2 per side and a floater). And those ladies are busy! Holding babies, feeding babies, changing babies, picking up toys, cleaning toys, etc. And they always seem calm, whereas I would be a frazzled mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here: Their jobs are 10x harder than nannying. Less time, more children, less resources, less money. The daycare is outside of the dc metro area, I'd feel bad saying which daycare. But it was just miserable.

I took a break from nannying and worked in the infant room of a daycare center for 1.5 years before deciding to go back to nannying. I agree with you- it's much harder taking care of 14 infants at one time, maintaining their schedules, and giving them all your attention whereas a nanny gets the chance to have more one on one interaction with their charges. I eventually left the daycare and went back to nannying because I could not live off the pay. Even women with masters degrees were earning less than a novice nanny. Did I LOVE working at the daycare, yes- but financially it wasn't feasible for my family.