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Working Moms
C&B2006
member
Am I expecting too much out of Daycare?
C&B2006
member
in Working Moms
Let me start this off by saying I used to LOVE my DDs daycare. The toddler room teachers were amazing, attentive, and I felt so happy to have her there. In December, she moved up to the 2 year room and I've started to wish she never moved...
1st off they stopped using bibs in the 2 year room. I, as well as some other moms Ive noticed, have brought our own bibs after several ruined shirts. Not a biggy...but then yesterday I pick her up with purple paint ALL over her clothes. Shouldn't kids that age be wearing smocks? AND painting with washable paint (I realized it was not washable last night when I tried to get it out). To top it off, they took the kids outside yesterday because it was almost 50 here, which is great don't get me wrong. But we just had 12 inches of snow melt in the last week so its extremely muddy. I picked her up with her boots, gloves, and coat COVERED in mud. I know its probably my fault for not having "good clothes" and "bad clothes" to send her to daycare in, but I never needed to worry about it before. I just feel the teachers in this 2 year room don't care.
Am I being ridiculous and expecting too much?
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Re: Am I expecting too much out of Daycare?
I'd be annoyed about the bibs and the paint. Are you sure you aren't responsible for providing a smock? But definitely they should be using washable paint. And I have to send a bib every day in her new room, I used to be able to use one of theirs or leave one.
The mud - it is what it is. I'd rather they get some time outside and it's muddy out. DD is usually in different clothes when they get to go outside because she has gotten so muddy.
Since last summer, I've definitely tried to designate clothes as "daycare" clothes and "home" clothes. It's just too messy and I get annoyed.
On the painting w/o a smock and using non-washable paint.... I'd talk to the director about that. That's unacceptable to me.
On the bibs... eh, my DC doesn't use a bib and I just expect to have to wash whatever shirts DS wears. None have been ruined from the food - but I also send his food w/ him (has celiac disease, can't eat what the other kids eat).
the mud.... annoying, I agree, but I also don't know how much i'd care. DS LOVES being outside. However, at the same time, do they have no where outside to take the kids that isn't muddy? Our provider, if the ground is wet, will take them for a walk, or they'll play on her driveway, instead of going out in the backyard.
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
DD stopped bibs at 2 as well. We had extra shirts there if need be and try to send in clothes that aren't our favorites. We also tried to send in foods that weren't too messy. They do get better at eating and shouldn't wear bibs forever.
It's great that they paint! Ours has big tee shirts that they painted as smocks. Could you ask about that? Or bring up with the teachers that you would like to use washable paints at school. Have you tried Oxyclean on the paints? Even not officially washable paints usually come off with that.
Like paint, mud usually washes out. Mud is a great learning tool for toddlers. And I would love to have DD outside as much as possible.
Personally, I think your school is being great, doing all kinds of stimulating, developmentally appropriate things with your LO. To me, it shows they really care about her, maybe not so much your laundry. Send her in with clothes you don't mind getting messy. And just bank on extra laundry for the next 10 years. Someone said to me when the toddler years started, "Embrace the mess!" Easier said than done, but they really do learn a ton when they aren't so clean.
met DH 1995 ~ married DH 2006 ~ completed our family 2008
Life is good!
the only thing that would really irritate me would be them not using washable paint...that is just ridiculous!
My girls don't really wear bibs anymore at all so that wouldn't bother me so much (but I keep their "nicer" clothes for the weekends)...I am sure since it was warm out they were just excited to get the kids out for some fresh air, not necessarily realizing the playground was a mud pit...I would just wash everything down and not worry too much about it...
Um, I've never been able to keep a bib on a 2 year old. I have no idea how a teacher would keep a bib on a room full of them.
Our school encourages smocks but again, the kids are 2 so they are going to end up with paint on their clothes, which is why my kids don't go to school in nice clothes. Plus most kid's paint is washable.
As for the mud, that's annoying but it washes out so I'd just be happy it's warm enough to get outside.
Kids get dirty and moms do alot of laundry. None of this would bother me at all - sounds like your kid had a great day - there was art and playing outside!
DD#1 - January 2008
DD#2 - September 2010
The only thing that would bother me is the non-washable paint because it can ruin clothes. I'd send a smock in if you're worried.
The rest are food and mud -- they wash out. Send extra clothes.
Your kid is going to get dirty. Don't pay a lot of money on their clothes because this is not going to change and is probably the sign of a really fun daycare.
I agree it's annoying bc of the extra steps with laundry but it is part of her growing up. DS has bibs at daycare but refuses to wear them (as he refuses at home) so I know to send him in play clothes or check the menu for spaghetti sauce type meals!
I can't believe how covered he gets somedays though bc he's not quite that messy at home.
Paint...that should be washable. DS came home last night with purple paint but was wearing a shirt from MIL so I didn't care too much. I still need to spot it and wash it (tonights chore). I'd ask them about that or suggest the oversized shirts like someone said.
Mud...extra clothes in cubby. DS jumped in a puddle the other day at school and got soaked but I know he had a blast so I'll deal.
Get some $4 t-shirts at Target and let your child go crazy! It is fun!
This reminds me of the "Play with your Kids" night we had at our daycare. They school set out tubs of shaving cream and paint and water and all sorts of stuff for the kids. It made me sad to see that so many of the parents would not let their kids play or get down and get messy themselves.
This is me as well.
I work in a childcare center with 1 yr olds, so I know how messy things can get. As far as bibs and smocks go, they are REALLY hard to keep on kids, they pull them off, or get upset when we put them on, and they still figure out how to get dirty with them on! Mud is tough, We are suppose to take the children out everyday (weather permitting) and sometimes it is muddy. We do try to keep the kids out of the mud as much as possible. I would suggest having daycare clothes that you do not care if they get messy. I would also give the new teachers/room a chance, I know how hard it is to have your child move to the next room, but I am sure the teachers care just as much for her as her last teachers!
I say this as gently as possible...yes you are being ridiculous (except for the part about the paint not being washable).
Daycare clothes should be "play clothes" and you should expect that your child will get messy during the day, that means they were being independent and exploring! Just think: at least the paint/food/and muddy messes are contained at daycare and not you home! I also think that smocks tend to make art projects messier. As for the mud, trust me there could be one tiny mud puddle out there and don't you know every toddler will find a way to jump in it at least once! LOL
I am sure it isn't that the 2 year old room teachers don't care...two year olds are smarter, faster and a lot more active and demanding than a younger toddler.
I would suggest sending your child to daycare in play clothes and on the days you have an errand or appointment after daycare bring a clean change of clothes.