Day care concerns

Douchelarouche

As a new member at a day care facility should I expect the workers to introduce themselves to me? Only 3-4 people have introduced themselves to me without being prompted, and 2 of them were the owner and director when we took our tour. There are usually 2 teachers in the room each time we drop off or pick up, but it's not always the same two people. Also, would it bother you if the teachers did not personally acknowledge your child? I have a baby in the infant room and the teachers are often occupied with other babies already. I don't expect them to do a big song and dance or anything, but so far communication feels awkward during the morning drop off. It's our first time dealing with day care so I'm trying not to let everything bother me, but I've noticed several inconsistencies (i.e., baby was sleeping in his crib with bib on with the pacifier strap clipped to it , but they had told us they would remove bibs/straps when baby is sleeping in the crib) Also they have a sign at the door asking everyone to remove shoes before entering the infant room, but nobody seems to follow the instructions. I understand that they can't be held responsible for what the parents do, but if other teachers come in the room they don't always remove their shoes. And although the teachers for this room only wear their socks, they also walk around the rest of the facility in these socks so it's not any more sanitary that if they were wearing shoes. I personally don't care too much about shoes vs. no shoes, but why have the sign (and a shoe cubby) outside of the door if no one is really following this policy? It's all for show, which makes me wonder what else do they "say" but not "do"?

welly01

I agree with PP that if it doesn't feel right, then it may not be the right choice for you.  

Teachers don't usually introduce themselves to me, but I always introduce myself.  Each room at DC has regular teachers (a lead and usually a few assistants), so there should be some consistency with who is in the room when we drop off/pick up.  The teachers are also pretty good about telling me when there has been a change in teachers.  I feel like its important to at least know their names, so I always try to have short conversations with them.  Also, when we drop off, a teacher always takes DS.  When he was an infant, someone would take him from me and hold him until I had left.  Even this morning (DS is 18 months), DS wasn't ready for me to leave and the teacher said "let me just put these chairs down and I'll take him" so I could leave.  So yes, I believe they should acknowledge every child that comes in (unless there are like 4 kids that get there at one time and they have to put them down).

Consistency and accuracy are important to me.  If they are telling you one thing but doing another, I would speak to the head teacher and/or director and get clarification on what the rules are.  And if they're doing something you don't like, just let them know.  Communication is important and they should be at least trying to do as you ask.

mlee116

PrivacyWanted said:

The short answer is - if something doesn't feel right to you, and you're not 100% confident in your child care choice, then it's not the place for you no matter what your reasons.  Having child care you trust is a huge part of being a happy working mom.

The longer answer -   The no introduction thing, eh. For me it's no big deal.  I think a lot of people end up working with kids, and are more focused on the kids than the parents, are maybe even just more comfortable with the parents.   I know all the DC head teachers, but the assistants get mixed up in my mind. I know their faces, but I don't think they've done formal introductions or anything.

If  my kid was never personally acknowledged, yes that would bug me. If it was just a once in a while thing, I'd let it slide.

The bibs/pacifier straps, that would be a big deal for me.

The no shoes in the infant room is pretty universal - maybe even a licensing standard? The lack of enforcement would bother me.

I agree with this.  If something doesn't feel right, its your right and duty, IMO, to speak up or find another arrangement.  You can always phrase it in a positive way.  And if you say something and it doesn't change, talk to the director.  

As for introducing themselves, I don't think all of the people at DS's daycare introduced themselves to me.  I was introduced to his teacher, but over time I became familiar with the other staff.  This goes both ways though, you can always go up and say "Hi, I'm ____, ____'s mom."  DS's DC is small and at some point he's around all the teachers, so I like being familiar with them.  

The not acknowledging my child would bother me a lot.  I don't expect a big to-do either, but I have never dropped him off & the teacher didn't stop and say hello to him.  They usually tell the whole class to say good morning to each person as they arrive.

emberlee3

I agree with everything @PrivacyWanted‌ said.

groovygrl

The not introducing themselves seems a bit universal, I have seen it discussed on here & also have seen it at both daycares we have used, and the teachers who always make the best impression are the ones who introduce themselves...but I imagine some of that is personality & some is the director or whomever instructing them to do so.  That is not make or break for me. I would expect them to acknowledge you/your child at dropoff though, I would feel weird just leaving my kid in the room when the adult(s) haven't shown me that they see the child is there...

And the shoe thing...yeah they should have a sandal or clog they can slip on to walk around the building, but it can be a pain I would imagine. Are you overall happy with the cleanliness in general?

You should def say something about the bib/pacifier strap thing though, esp if it was more than one time you saw that.
GL! It is hard to know what to make a big deal about.