Daycare Question/Issues

dunlapbriggs · November 2013

Hello ladies, I need some daycare advise. I generally like my LO's daycare and his "teachers" - although young - are very good with him. A few days ago he bumped his head pretty hard (he is walking and can get very full of himself when he picks up speed). I wasn't bothered by it at all considering they meet all the ratio requirements - until my DH picked him up today and caught him - the same time his teacher did- standing on the toddler table. Even though the table isn't more than a foot off the ground, and he's very adventurous, am I wrong to be ticked off that he somehow got onto to table un-noticed? Maybe he was up there for a half a second, maybe a few minutes - I am expecting too much that they keep a closer eye on my wild child?

Thanks!

aglenn · November 2013

I think it's fair to mention to them that you are concerned because you know how quickly he can put himself in a dangerous position. But surely you also know that this could happen any time you turn your back as well, right? I would try not to freak out about it too much.

DS is similarly adventurous and we had an issue at around that age because the toddler playground at his day care center was under construction so they were taking the toddlers to the "big kids" playground. He was climbing a set of stairs onto a play structure and then turning around and falling down the stairs...because of course he did not know how to navigate stairs at barely 1 year old. This happened twice in one week, same exact scenario. He got fairly scary-looking knots on his head (not to mention scrapes all over his face) both times and we had to talk to the director about it and tell her that he was not to go back to that playground. They ended up doing indoor "gym" time for the toddlers in an empty classroom.

In your case, they can't really take the table out of the room but maybe there is a way to put it out of the way where it is less inviting or something. It never hurts to talk to the teachers about it and see if there is anything that can be done. I am sure they have encountered this situation before and they might have some ideas that can help ease your mind.

dunlapbriggs · November 2013

Thanks, its really great to hear of a similar situation. Surely I couldn't be the only one - and yes, he tries to get into similar trouble at home. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be the "crazy" mom if I asked about it. Thanks again!

mamaHippo23 · November 2013

I can sympathize with you on trying to control these wild little boys, it is very hard and exhausting sometimes constantly trying to deter them from dangerous situations.

Rather than remove the table, I would ask if the teacher can help correct the behavior by immediately putting him in time-out ,or giving another consequence, as soon as he shows signs of attempting it. Hopefully, after being deterred a few times he'll give it up. If he does manage to get up there when no one's looking, those tables are so low to the ground that any injuries would probably be pretty minor and would be a good natural consequence to show him that it really is dangerous.

dunlapbriggs · November 2013

mamaHippo23 said:

I can sympathize with you on trying to control these wild little boys, it is very hard and exhausting sometimes constantly trying to deter them from dangerous situations.
Rather than remove the table, I would ask if the teacher can help correct the behavior by immediately putting him in time-out ,or giving another consequence, as soon as he shows signs of attempting it. Hopefully, after being deterred a few times he'll give it up. If he does manage to get up there when no one's looking, those tables are so low to the ground that any injuries would probably be pretty minor and would be a good natural consequence to show him that it really is dangerous.

Please, please tell me how you manage to institute any sort of time out at this age - I know it needs to start - but I take one look at him and imagine how impossible it would be to get him to stay anywhere long enough to matter!

allardr · November 2013

I'd just mention the incident in a way like "just a heads up he's very adventurous so if he's near climb-able furniture, please monitor extra." It can happen to anyone, I wouldn't stress but do bring up that you were concerned and mention this is common for him at this age so they could be extra careful that'd be appreciated.

FWIW i let my toddler climb on our couch

g8trkim · November 2013

SandAndsSea said:

Honestly, DS gets into these situations all the time. Even on my own watch at home where it's a 1:1 ratio or even when DH and I are both home. I think things like this are very common and almost unpreventable, which is why it's important to make sure the area is toddler-safe. I probably wouldn't even mention it to the teacher. But, if it would make you more comfortable just say that you know LO can be a handful and is really into climbing now so they may need to keep a closer watch during this phase.

This is what I was thinking. DS was and DD is a climber. It's always an adventure! I don't think you can avoid these things sometimes but yes I would mention to the teacher how you've noticed you have to keep a really close eye these days. It doesn't sound like the teacher did anything wrong at all. Also, time out seems pretty unreasonable especially since he wasn't really being bad... just curious.

traveltheworld · November 2013

SandAndsSea said:

Honestly, DS gets into these situations all the time. Even on my own watch at home where it's a 1:1 ratio or even when DH and I are both home. I think things like this are very common and almost unpreventable, which is why it's important to make sure the area is toddler-safe. I probably wouldn't even mention it to the teacher. But, if it would make you more comfortable just say that you know LO can be a handful and is really into climbing now so they may need to keep a closer watch during this phase.

I totally agree with this. Both times DS injured himself he was at home with DH and I - 2:1 ratio and he still got injured. Just last night DS climbed onto a little stool, fell backwards and hit his head. DH and I were probably half a foot away from him when it happened.

sunnyday016 · November 2013

Nicb13 said:

dunlapbriggs said:

mamaHippo23 said:

I can sympathize with you on trying to control these wild little boys, it is very hard and exhausting sometimes constantly trying to deter them from dangerous situations.
Rather than remove the table, I would ask if the teacher can help correct the behavior by immediately putting him in time-out ,or giving another consequence, as soon as he shows signs of attempting it. Hopefully, after being deterred a few times he'll give it up. If he does manage to get up there when no one's looking, those tables are so low to the ground that any injuries would probably be pretty minor and would be a good natural consequence to show him that it really is dangerous.

Please, please tell me how you manage to institute any sort of time out at this age - I know it needs to start - but I take one look at him and imagine how impossible it would be to get him to stay anywhere long enough to matter!

I personally don't think time out's are possible at 13 months old. They can't comprehend it. We didn't start using time outs until about 18 months and that was for hitting only. FWIW, that is my opinion on it.
Toddlers explore, push boundaries and see what their little bodies can do. I doubt he's acting out or trying to be "be bad", he's just exploring. DS loves to climb and if I'm around, I let him. You need to just keep your eyes on him at all times, remove him from a dangerous situation or redirect.
With that being said, go ahead and talk to your daycare people if it makes you feel better but these things happen. Kids are quick and often get away before you even realize it. If he were constantly getting hurt at daycare, then I'd be a little more worried but this seems like no big deal to me.

Totally agree. My DS has been a climber since before he could walk. I pretty much wouldn't bat an eye at him being on something that's a foot off the ground. He's very nimble! If they daycare doesn't mind him climbing on it for cleanliness reasons, I don't think it's a very big deal.

mlee116 · November 2013

OP, I get why you're upset but I agree with PP's that this is just normal toddler behavior. I'll be really honest and say that I used to be harder on the daycare teachers than I was on myself until my husband called me out on it

. I'd get all upset if he fell, got bit, etc. but hey, he gets hurt on my watch too. I let DS climb at home on most things but I try to save the firm "no" for things that are really, really off limits.

That being said, if he's always coming home hurt, then by all means speak up.

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