Not Sure What To Do, Is This Child Abuse?

[Unregistered]

Im not sure if this is even the right place to post this, but i really need some help!

I work at a preschool center and all the teachers are absolutly loving and great people, aside from one. All of the kids dislike doing anything with her, to the point that some of them run away when she tries to interact with them. She doesnt hit or hurt them, shes just a mean old crotchity lady. If my child was in this center and i've seen what i have, i'd pull my child out ASAP!

Anyway today at nap time, and this is NOT the first time i've seen her do this, there was a child who was having a hard time laying on his cot. He wasnt being noisy or disruptive in any way. About 30 minutes into nap time this teacher goes over to him and, rather roughly, lays the (4 year old) child on his stomach. She puts one of her legs over him to keep him from squirming away from her. Then she craddles his head in her arms so he's pretty much unable to move in anyway. (the boys face was not covered in anyway, he could breath and see just fine) any time he tried to move she'd tell him no and to go to sleep. How could she expect a child to be able to sleep like that? Of course it didnt take long for him to start wailing at the top of his lungs, screaming. It brOke my heart, and i had to leave the room before i started crying for him. This went on for atleast 20 minutes (with other teachers offering to step in) before one of them went and physically took the chld from her. He was so worked up it took her 15 minutes to calm the poor thing down.

Now, i -know- she wasnt hurting him in any way, but that would be a tramatic thing to have to live through! I just need some help and advice on what to do about this situation. Is restraining a child like that child abuse?

[Willow]

I say yes.

Not only would I report her to your supervisor but I'd make sure the parents were informed. Like, today, as in RIGHT NOW. They have a right to know and keep him from further harm. He should not have to stay there or ever return and possibly face that sort of treatment again if they fear he might.

If supervisor refused to fire her and/or report it to your county licensing office I'd go to the licensor myself. If nothing was done and she remains employed I'd quit. No way would I ever work somewhere where that sort of treatment of a child was allowed.



The second the leg went over the child I'd have walked over and expressed my feelings with some limbs of my own........seriously.

Doesn't matter if he could merely see and breathe, kids have died from being improperly restrained.



My blood pressure is boiling after just reading that......I'm thinking I would have told her she was going to resign that moment or I'd be calling the police and they could help her accomplish the task......

[sharlan]

Yes, this is abuse. Since another teacher finally stepped in and stopped it, everybody knows what happened. The director/supervisor needs to be made aware of it. If nothing happens, contact your local licensing.

[itlw8]

yes it is. the director and owner need to be made aware. and licensing. every adult that saw it is responsible if they do not report it.

[countrymom]

yes it is. the director and owner need to be made aware. and licensing. every adult that saw it is responsible if they do not report it.

I agree with this. If anything be the voice for this child.

[JenNJ]

Call licensing now. Tell the director and owner ASAP.

And I have to ask -- 20 minutes? Why did you not step in sooner? Why did anyone wait more than a few seconds after seeing this to DO SOMETHING? 20 minutes is a LONG time to see and hear a child suffer and not change the situation.

[Unregistered]

I did offer and try to step in, but the woman is stubborn and is one of my bosses. I just didnt know what to do. Thank you guys, so much, for your imput; im going to talk my director first thing about this situation.

***and it seems i made a typo, he was not crying for 20, but 10. Not that it makes the least bit of difference.

[daycarediva]

I say yes.

Not only would I report her to your supervisor but I'd make sure the parents were informed. Like, today, as in RIGHT NOW. They have a right to know and keep him from further harm. He should not have to stay there or ever return and possibly face that sort of treatment again if they fear he might.

If supervisor refused to fire her and/or report it to your county licensing office I'd go to the licensor myself. If nothing was done and she remains employed I'd quit. No way would I ever work somewhere where that sort of treatment of a child was allowed.



The second the leg went over the child I'd have walked over and expressed my feelings with some limbs of my own........seriously.

Doesn't matter if he could merely see and breathe, kids have died from being improperly restrained.



My blood pressure is boiling after just reading that......I'm thinking I would have told her she was going to resign that moment or I'd be calling the police and they could help her accomplish the task......

exactly this. There was no reason to restrain him, he wasn't being a danger to himself or anyone else. I would have stepped in immediately.