Rotating DC workers

NicoleD0516

I am new to the whole DC thing so I'm not sure if this is something to question. I know who is going to be in DS' room every morning when I drop him off. In the afternoon, aside from one person that I recognize is there every time, it seems like there are at least two new/different girls there every day! Yesterday, one who I've never seen before, had no idea where anything was in the room.

Would this be something you would be concerned about? Is this normal?

Julia_JJ

At our daycare, there are often different people in the room at the end of the day, depending on what time we pick our little dude up at. They have to keep certain ratios, and as babies leave and the daytime shifts change, they move people around to make sure the ratios are covered. So they have several "floaters" that can help out with any age group for short chunks of time as needed. No big deal, to us. But we've been there a couple months now, so we've seen all the floaters at this point.

katie4253

Our center is large (16 rooms, 4 infant rooms).  Anyway, yes, there are lots of rotating people.  There are 2 primary teachers (in there the majority of the time). But, people come in to give them lunches, breaks, and planning time.  Also, there are subs for illness and vacation time. 

I think having people go in and out is pretty common in large centers.  I appreciate that the teachers at my sons get breaks to eat, rest, and plan.  They have both worked at the center for almost 10 years.  Clearly, the center is doing something right with attracting and retaining quality people. 

jlaOK

Our center has floaters for the end of the day an since we are usually on the late side of pickup then we never see DS's main teacher. It didn't take me long to figure out which girl was there on which day, but I also asked the director for the schedule and names so I could be clear on who was who.

krissymac

This kind of alarmed me at first too, but it's exactly as pp's said about ratios and time of days. My dd's two primary teachers only work til 3-4 so the other teacheRs are the ones we usually see in the later afternoon. Just have to get used to them. They all seem to know me already and love my child so I feel good.

NicoleD0516

Thanks for the input! I'm glad to know it's a normal thing. Being so new to DC, I have no idea what's normal and what's not. I figure I'm just an over protective, overly concerned, FTM.

WaitingforGrace

Just for reference, our daycare has 7 kids (well, in the infant room), 2 primary teachers and 3 'floating' teachers. The 2 primary teachers have been working together for 5 years and have their schedules staggered so C1 works 7:30-3:30ish and C2 works 9-5:30ish. The 3 regular floaters all stagger as well. Also, if one of the C's will be out, she tells us the day before and lets us know who will be filling in for her. It was important to me in the infant phase that DD's have a primary teacher who would be with them for 8 hours a day. but knowing I leave them for 9, I understand there has to be others.

KathrynMD

Sounds normal to me too.  I also found that some of the daycare workers didn't have the best social skills w/ the parents - even though they were great w/ the kids.  I always expected someone to say "Hi!  I'm so and so, you must be Ella's mom" or something, but it never happened.  I just make it a point to introduce myself now and make sure I know what/who everyone is, so I'll say if someone's a floater/new/normally in another room, etc. 

You should always ask the director or a teacher you know/trust about policies/procedures, etc.  DC are kinda weird places when you are not used to them and they don't always do a good job of communicating w/ parents.