Hello, everyone,
I'm new here, and am learning so much,, reading everyone's posts. I'm glad I'm not alone in some of the child/parental issues many of you are facing.
I've run a group home daycare for about three years now, and have 18 children enrolled; though usually never more than 9 at any given time. This is the most enrollment we've ever had (very small town), but the parents speak very highly of us, and always remark on how much their children look forward to coming to daycare.
However, I had my yearly inspection yesterday, and it was the most horrible, nerve-wracking one I've ever been through! This was my third inspection. The last two were fine, minor issues with paperwork, usually -- never any safety concerns or violations. Imagine my horror when yesterday's inspection lasted...FIVE HOURS. Five hours!!!
It's a group home daycare, so it's not as if I had a vast space for her to inspect, or that many files, etc., to look through. She spent most of the time re-measuring all the rooms, even though they haven't changed in size in over 60 years, fussing over a small plastic pipe that runs vertical against a back wall that poses no safety/injury risk whatsoever, and lecturing myself and staff because as the ladies were bringing the children in to eat lunch, several of the children "ran ahead" of the staff to sit at the table. The children and staff were in the same room, and the children were in sight of the staff the entire time...literally, five or six steps ahead of them. I was repeatedly taken to task over these things for the next several hours, quizzed about what my "plan" was on how to correct these things, and then informed that the inspector would be returning next week to make sure we're doing what she wants us to do. I honestly don't know what to do about the children "running ahead" of staff...they're all 2-4 years old and were never out of sight.
But seriously...a five-hour inspection???? And the inspector didn't look at or ask about any of the things I would expect. She didn't check the outlets to make sure they all had covers, didn't inspect any of the toys or beds; didn't look at my proof of insurance, fire drill record or first aid kits....and she didn't look at the children's files! Not one of them! I don't understand the focus on these other issues when the most important things were glossed over or skipped entirely. The inspector wasn't mean, but was pretty condescending to myself and my staff, which wasn't necessary.
When it was finally over, I called my former certification rep, sobbing. She was appalled, and suggested that I call this inspector's supervisor and voice my concerns. I know that I should, but I'm worried about the repercussions. And I DEFINITELY don't want another five-hour visit! I was literally sick by the time it was over because I was starving, and because everything I did/didn't do was apparently wrong. I have no problem being told to correct things, or even getting written up for things that are obvious safety issues or violations, but this was just beyond nitpicking. It felt like a five-hour police interrogation, and about two hours into it, I wanted to say, "you know what? Just shut us down. I'm done." Honestly, if this is what it's going to be like, I can't do it anymore. It was horrible.
Before I do anything, I'd like to hear your thoughts/advice. Has anyone else ever had to file a complaint with an inspector before? Not sure what to do. I'm still stressed out over it.
Thank you.
I'm new here, and am learning so much,, reading everyone's posts. I'm glad I'm not alone in some of the child/parental issues many of you are facing.
I've run a group home daycare for about three years now, and have 18 children enrolled; though usually never more than 9 at any given time. This is the most enrollment we've ever had (very small town), but the parents speak very highly of us, and always remark on how much their children look forward to coming to daycare.
However, I had my yearly inspection yesterday, and it was the most horrible, nerve-wracking one I've ever been through! This was my third inspection. The last two were fine, minor issues with paperwork, usually -- never any safety concerns or violations. Imagine my horror when yesterday's inspection lasted...FIVE HOURS. Five hours!!!
It's a group home daycare, so it's not as if I had a vast space for her to inspect, or that many files, etc., to look through. She spent most of the time re-measuring all the rooms, even though they haven't changed in size in over 60 years, fussing over a small plastic pipe that runs vertical against a back wall that poses no safety/injury risk whatsoever, and lecturing myself and staff because as the ladies were bringing the children in to eat lunch, several of the children "ran ahead" of the staff to sit at the table. The children and staff were in the same room, and the children were in sight of the staff the entire time...literally, five or six steps ahead of them. I was repeatedly taken to task over these things for the next several hours, quizzed about what my "plan" was on how to correct these things, and then informed that the inspector would be returning next week to make sure we're doing what she wants us to do. I honestly don't know what to do about the children "running ahead" of staff...they're all 2-4 years old and were never out of sight.
But seriously...a five-hour inspection???? And the inspector didn't look at or ask about any of the things I would expect. She didn't check the outlets to make sure they all had covers, didn't inspect any of the toys or beds; didn't look at my proof of insurance, fire drill record or first aid kits....and she didn't look at the children's files! Not one of them! I don't understand the focus on these other issues when the most important things were glossed over or skipped entirely. The inspector wasn't mean, but was pretty condescending to myself and my staff, which wasn't necessary.
When it was finally over, I called my former certification rep, sobbing. She was appalled, and suggested that I call this inspector's supervisor and voice my concerns. I know that I should, but I'm worried about the repercussions. And I DEFINITELY don't want another five-hour visit! I was literally sick by the time it was over because I was starving, and because everything I did/didn't do was apparently wrong. I have no problem being told to correct things, or even getting written up for things that are obvious safety issues or violations, but this was just beyond nitpicking. It felt like a five-hour police interrogation, and about two hours into it, I wanted to say, "you know what? Just shut us down. I'm done." Honestly, if this is what it's going to be like, I can't do it anymore. It was horrible.
Before I do anything, I'd like to hear your thoughts/advice. Has anyone else ever had to file a complaint with an inspector before? Not sure what to do. I'm still stressed out over it.
Thank you.
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