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March 2012 Moms
ds1247
member
XP: Daycare WWYD
ds1247
member
My DD is 13-months. She goes to a small DC, they have 3 rooms - the babies, preschool (2+) and the after-schoolers.
My concerns:
1) They feed them mostly junk, i.e. hamburger helper, sloppy joes, fish sticks, very little fruits or vegetables (maybe 3-4 times a week), very little dairy, snacks include: cookies, cake, brownies, crackers, etc. All ages groups eat the same foods.
2) I've asked about the structure of the preschoolers class, they have a lesson in the mornings (9-10), then they have free play and watch movies the rest of the day.
3) They rotate 3 workers in the baby room. The 1st one works from 8-9 in that room and the 3rd from 1-6, both of them we really like and so does DD. However, the 2nd one is our issue. She has TERRIBLE spelling and grammar and in general just seems to be uneducated. For example, she regularly writes on DD's sheet that we have a "sweet little gril" and yesterday that DD "got bite today on thight". I'm not perfect and I'm sure you can find plenty of errors in this post too, but it bothers me that she is supposed to be teaching children. Plus DD seems scared of her.
We pay almost $25 less a week for this facility than others in our area (money is still tight for us) and it is literally next door to where I work. We can/do send additional food for DD each day (a fruit, dairy and vegetable and other healthier snacks) and they have no problem giving these to her.
So the question, am I making too much out of these issues? Should we move her to a different center? What would you do?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: XP: Daycare WWYD
I wouldn't feel comfortable with the junk food and tv. Did you check this place out before you started her at this DC? Is it that they told you one thing and now you are seeing another?
I worked in DC for 10 years and my class never watched TV. They had cake, cookies, cupcakes for birthday parties, that's it.
As far as the teacher goes I wouldn't be as concerned with her spelling. It is possible that it is dyslexia or another issue not lack of education. If your daughter seems to fear her you might discuss it with the lead teacher.
BFP #2 7/18/11 - EDD 3/29/12 - Born 3/13/12
BFP #1 4/4/11 - Natural M/C - 7w1d - 4/30/11
Honestly, when we first interviewed for DCs I was just thinking about her at that time and not really about pre-school. We were told they had a great curriculum and a balanced menu and I really didn't ask enough questions. I was just so excited that is was so close to where I work and that I could go over on lunch and nurse (next closest is about 20 minutes away). We really liked the other 2 workers (all we meet at that time) and DD took to them immediately when she started there, so for the time it was a great fit.
Also, to the "uneducated" portion of my post....my bigger concern was screening. I understand she doesn't need to have education to watch babies and do a good job, but she also has the afterschoolers. Do the workers in the preschool room also have issues such as these?
We have an appointment with another DCP on Monday, so we will see how that goes. I think they were $30 higher a week and I know $120 more a month may not be much to some, but we are still trying to recover from the debt we incurred when DH got laid off last year. We are finally to the point of making more than we owe each month, so I hate to increase a bill but I think my peace of mind may be worth it.
The TV watching and non-healthy food would definitely bother me. There should be no reason to watch TV or a movie on a regular basis. I can see if being a special treat once in a blue moon, but not part of the regular "curriculum." As for the food - in Virginia, I believe daycares have to follow a meal plan if they are a licensed center/provider. DS's daycare has to give him a fruit and veggie every day plus a protein and carb, along with milk (I think this is for both breakfast and lunch, minus the veggie at breakfast). For snacks they get things like goldfish, cheerios and animal crackers occasionally, but that's about as "unhealthy" as it gets. Do you know if your state has any requirements for the food that must be served? Your daycare may not be in compliance with their food options.
As for the poor spelling, like another poster mentioned, our DCPs are ESL also. The owner speaks English, one of the caregivers speaks decent English and one only speaks very minimal English. As long as they are providing proper care and nuturing for DS (and there is someone who can communicate to me what his day is like and if there are any issues we need to be aware of), poor English and grammer would not bother me. But, your DD seeming afraid of the one teacher - I would try to get the bottom of that.
With all this being said, maybe it's worth checking out other daycares in your area to see how they handle the food and curriculum? You might find that a little extra $ a month is worth it for your DD and your peace of mind about how she's being cared for during the day.