I'm Probably Going to Lose My Job Today

[Unregistered]

I've been working in childcare for 7 years now but this has been my first year working with only school-age kids at a center. Every day I walk about 26 kids from the school to the center. (2-3 blocks.) As I was leaving the school after counting and making sure I had everyone, a child left the line to go back into the building to use the bathroom (they aren't allowed to do this.) Another child alerted me almost immediatly, so I stopped the line at the fence and we began to turn around and go back. As we were returning the child saw us and ran across the street alone to join us. I disciplined the child. (They lose "points" and earn "points" depending on behavior.) I was very upset because this child knows better. Yesterday my boss alerted me that the child's parent called and complained, saying "I left their child behind." Obviously I did not intend to and I corrected the error in about 1-2 minutes of realizing what had happened. Our company has a zero tolerance policy for safety or supervision lapses so I'm either going to get written up or fired today. My boss said she was going to interview the kids and my co-workers later this afternoon and then speak with me. I'm preparing myself for the worst at this point.

The past few months I've been really reconsidering my role as a childcare provider, it seems like I can't do anything right, no matter how hard I try I still get parent complaints every month or so. A parent said she saw a child crying and no one was comforting him-I was not comforting him because he was throwing a tantrum! If they are having a fit I remove them from the group and allow them time to calm down before I address their behavior!!!! I am so upset with how parents leave their children in our care for 2 hours in the morning, then kid is in school, then with me until 6:30pm, and they still find fault with me. I do so much for their kids and it goes completely unnoticed. I rarely get so much as a "thank you."

I guess I'm just venting, and i'm so heartbroken about this. I guess i'll wait and see what my boss has to say this afternoon.

[godiva83]

Sorry you are going thru this (
Realistically, the centre should get in trouble or your supervisor for not having 2 staff for a group that large ecspecially outdoors.

School age in my opinion is a very difficult age group, and if their parents aren't supportive of you and your classroom rules makes it even harder.
Also, your supervisor doesn't seem very supportive of you and the way you run your classroom. I know if I had complaints about a room every month of course I would interview, observe and discuss with the teacher, and if they were sound decisions I would explain to the parents the ways the classroom works and I support my staff 100% to squish trivial complaints made by parents.

However, I do agree at no tolerance for lack of supervision or safety but the way you described the situation I wouldn't fire you i would send a support staff along for pickups one at the front of the line one at the back - and I would write myself up for not following proper ratios

[Unregistered]

I agree. I need another staff member during walk time-it's just too much to handle.

[Ariana]

If you did everything you could regarding the sitation then I wouldn't apologize for my actions. Accidents happen.

I'm sorry but walking 26 kids BY YOURSELF without incidents is an extremely innapropriate expectation IMO. I'd be reviewing those policies with my supervisor ASAP.

[littlemissmuffet]

Every day I walk about 26 kids from the school to the center. (2-3 blocks.)

How is this even legal? ANYWHERE?

[Meeko]

How is this even legal? ANYWHERE?

Exactly.

You may have a case for unfair dismissal if they fire you. Expecting you to walk that many children by yourself can't possibly be legal!

[nannyde]

It's so dangerous to have that many kids alone with one adult inside the building much less outside. Of course that's going to fall apart. Having the highest risk age group alone with an adult outside and have 26 of them is beyond the pale negligent. So dangerous.

[Greenplasticwateringcans]

It's so dangerous to have that many kids alone with one adult inside the building much less outside. Of course that's going to fall apart. Having the highest risk age group alone with an adult outside and have 26 of them is beyond the pale negligent. So dangerous.

Totally agree!

They were asking the impossible of you. What is the licensing requirements for that many children? I'd check into that even if you do get fired and call in a complaint.

[Hunni Bee]

I've been working in childcare for 7 years now but this has been my first year working with only school-age kids at a center. Every day I walk about 26 kids from the school to the center. (2-3 blocks.) As I was leaving the school after counting and making sure I had everyone, a child left the line to go back into the building to use the bathroom (they aren't allowed to do this.) Another child alerted me almost immediatly, so I stopped the line at the fence and we began to turn around and go back. As we were returning the child saw us and ran across the street alone to join us. I disciplined the child. (They lose "points" and earn "points" depending on behavior.) I was very upset because this child knows better. Yesterday my boss alerted me that the child's parent called and complained, saying "I left their child behind." Obviously I did not intend to and I corrected the error in about 1-2 minutes of realizing what had happened. Our company has a zero tolerance policy for safety or supervision lapses so I'm either going to get written up or fired today. My boss said she was going to interview the kids and my co-workers later this afternoon and then speak with me. I'm preparing myself for the worst at this point.

The past few months I've been really reconsidering my role as a childcare provider, it seems like I can't do anything right, no matter how hard I try I still get parent complaints every month or so. A parent said she saw a child crying and no one was comforting him-I was not comforting him because he was throwing a tantrum! If they are having a fit I remove them from the group and allow them time to calm down before I address their behavior!!!! I am so upset with how parents leave their children in our care for 2 hours in the morning, then kid is in school, then with me until 6:30pm, and they still find fault with me. I do so much for their kids and it goes completely unnoticed. I rarely get so much as a "thank you."

I guess I'm just venting, and i'm so heartbroken about this. I guess i'll wait and see what my boss has to say this afternoon.

I work at a center, and I totally know what you are going through. I know the extreme stress of being expected to operate out of ratio, and then everything coming down on your head when something happens.

Please document this situation for your own records and if you are let go, I'd make a licensing report. Your director will likely make it seem to the parents like she "fixed" the problem and just replace you with somebody who she thinks will be able to walk 26 children alone and be quiet about it.

Hugs to you.

[Unregistered]

Thanks everyone for the support. Our ratio is 1:15 and I agree that I need the help of another staff member to do the walk. I will bring up the issue this afternoon and hopefully my boss will realize what a difficult position i'm being put in and I can avoid losing my job. (And thanks to your responses, even if I did-I wouldn't take it lying down!)

[nannyde]

Thanks everyone for the support. Our ratio is 1:15 and I agree that I need the help of another staff member to do the walk. I will bring up the issue this afternoon and hopefully my boss will realize what a difficult position i'm being put in and I can avoid losing my job. (And thanks to your responses, even if I did-I wouldn't take it lying down!)

You need to find out what the regs are for off campus adult supervision. My state requires additional adults on top of the ratio requirement for any activity off campus.

[Meeko]

Thanks everyone for the support. Our ratio is 1:15 and I agree that I need the help of another staff member to do the walk. I will bring up the issue this afternoon and hopefully my boss will realize what a difficult position i'm being put in and I can avoid losing my job. (And thanks to your responses, even if I did-I wouldn't take it lying down!)

Good for you!

I would also make sure you talk to the parents of your class too and make sure they all know that after the incident you insisted on more help. Let the blame fall on the administration. They are lucky the child wasn't seriously hurt. What did they expect you to do...leave the other kids and chase after one????

I am sure your boss would love to label you as "the provider who lost control" to the parents.

Re-label yourself as "the provider who insisted on safety for the kids and demanded help"

[saved4always]

If you did everything you could regarding the sitation then I wouldn't apologize for my actions. Accidents happen.

I'm sorry but walking 26 kids BY YOURSELF without incidents is an extremely innapropriate expectation IMO. I'd be reviewing those policies with my supervisor ASAP.

I totally agree! There should be another adult with that many kids walking outdoors...I would say one at the front and one at the back of the line! What are you supposed to do if you need to do something with one of the kids, like they fall down going out the door and you need to take them back into the school to stop the blood??? Do you take the whole line of kids with you back and forth? Or what if something happened to you??? Only one adult for 26 kids does not allow for anything untoward to happen. I think this is your supervisor's mistake and she needs to fix it. If you get fired, I would look into whether you can do something legally to fight it.

[saved4always]

Thanks everyone for the support. Our ratio is 1:15 and I agree that I need the help of another staff member to do the walk. I will bring up the issue this afternoon and hopefully my boss will realize what a difficult position i'm being put in and I can avoid losing my job. (And thanks to your responses, even if I did-I wouldn't take it lying down!)

Wow...so you are almost double over ratio and that is while walking these kids to and from school!!!!!???? That is so not safe! The parents should be irate about the center doing this.

[Unregistered]

Unfortunately I am an at-will employee, so I can be fired for any reason (unless it is because of my race or some other such discrimination.) Only a few more hours till I head into work and find out what will happen. I feel ready to express my concerns as well. I honestly think the only reason my boss even cares is because a parent made a complaint.