Day AFTER Filed Trip. Should I Mention It?

[Nickel]

So yesterday we went to the pumpkin patch and the dcd of my 2 year old came with. dcg ran away from him the entire day and all he did was laugh and run after her. I interjected a few times, but had 3 other kids to worry about.

So today we went to the library for story time and low and behold she tried to run like 3 or 4 times. I had to get very stern with her because it is NOT OKAY!!! Should I mention something to mom or dad. That I cannot have her run off because it is a MAJOR safety issue. She has never done this to me before. She has always stayed by my side and followed directions. Now I am leary about taking them anywhere now. And what would I do if she did run off??? Do I leave the other 3 kids to chase after her??? Luckily she stopped when I yelled at her, but how do I let parents know this is serious and unsafe!!!

Or should I just keep it to myself and not mention it and hope she doesn't do it again??? wwyd? She is my only full timer, so she is always here when we go somewhere.

[daycare]

So yesterday we went to the pumpkin patch and the dcd of my 2 year old came with. dcg ran away from him the entire day and all he did was laugh and run after her. I interjected a few times, but had 3 other kids to worry about.

So today we went to the library for story time and low and behold she tried to run like 3 or 4 times. I had to get very stern with her because it is NOT OKAY!!! Should I mention something to mom or dad. That I cannot have her run off because it is a MAJOR safety issue. She has never done this to me before. She has always stayed by my side and followed directions. Now I am leary about taking them anywhere now. And what would I do if she did run off??? Do I leave the other 3 kids to chase after her??? Luckily she stopped when I yelled at her, but how do I let parents know this is serious and unsafe!!!

Or should I just keep it to myself and not mention it and hope she doesn't do it again??? wwyd? She is my only full timer, so she is always here when we go somewhere.

I do an outing almost daily....parents are always welcome to join us however, they will be responsible for their child the entire time and they will follow all field trip rules. If their child is not following the rules they will be asked to leave with their child and the parent will not be allowed to rerun to another field trip.

Since field trips are so new for you, I always go to a place that I can contain the kids no matter what. library is perfect place, because they can't run too far.... If you see that you have a runner, they get leashed from then on out until they can prove to you that they can follow the rules. Go slow and set your boundaries from day one. Be firm about them and NEVER give in to your rules for any reason...

talking to the parents about it might be a good idea, but i would not expect for them to follow your daycare rules out side of the daycare.... I actually encourage my parents to let their kids do as they please (of course within reason) because here they have to follow the rules.

[Willow]

So yesterday we went to the pumpkin patch and the dcd of my 2 year old came with. dcg ran away from him the entire day and all he did was laugh and run after her. I interjected a few times, but had 3 other kids to worry about.

So today we went to the library for story time and low and behold she tried to run like 3 or 4 times. I had to get very stern with her because it is NOT OKAY!!! Should I mention something to mom or dad. That I cannot have her run off because it is a MAJOR safety issue. She has never done this to me before. She has always stayed by my side and followed directions. Now I am leary about taking them anywhere now. And what would I do if she did run off??? Do I leave the other 3 kids to chase after her??? Luckily she stopped when I yelled at her, but how do I let parents know this is serious and unsafe!!!

Or should I just keep it to myself and not mention it and hope she doesn't do it again??? wwyd? She is my only full timer, so she is always here when we go somewhere.

The way I see this is you've got two options:

1.) If/when it happens again you tell dad in very certain terms to get a grip and why (what he's giggling at his daughter over is dangerous and it won't be tolerated in your presence)

2.) You stop allowing parents along during your outings so you can keep the control you feel is necessary to keep everyone safe


I think it would be incredibly unfair and unrealistic to expect a toddler to know she can behave poorly around dad when he's around you, but then she can't when she's around you without dad, kwim?

[daycare]

one other thing that I would like to add...

on of my rules is that if I cannot control your child during an outting you will be called to pick them up at your expense and will not get a refund for that day of care..

so far I have only done it once and the parent had to drive 1hour to get to us. They were not happy and got pissy with me and I said, well I have been telling you that this has been an issue for some time now and you have not done anything to help it, so I need for you to fix it. I can't allow for your child to jeopardize the safety of the rest of the group.

[sharlan]

I would make her use a hand strap on all future outings. I have a runner, or should say HAD a runner. It took 2 outings with the hand strap and she stays at my side now.

Parents who do not follow the safety of the group are not allowed on any outings.

[littlemissmuffet]

I don't allow parents on field trips for this very reason. My husband and I are best at keeping our group under control while on outings... I have seen all my DCKs with their parents and... yeah right!

I would absolutely mention this issue to both mom and dad and let them know that if it continues dck will no longer be allowed on field trips. Put the responsibility back in the parent's hands. It's clear that this behavior is a game with dad and she's trying to make it a game with you - that's not ok, and dad needs to own up to the problem he created!

[itlw8]

Yes you need to say something to BOTH mom and dad. I would also ask them to try to follow the guidelines EVERY time they take her out. Suggest they find a safe place to play tag and call it tag.

[daycare]

do you have a FT policy?

[Nickel]

Thank you all for your comments. I do not have a field trip policy, but I guess I'll be making one of those next

Funny that both dcm AND dcd came and picked up today. but I did tell them about the library and that luckily we were indoors when she took off but that it is not safe for her or the group to run off like that. I told them that if the behavior continued we would either have to use a harness or not go on field trips and I didn't think it was fair to not go.

They asked me which one was better, the back pack or wrist one and I said I honestly didn't know because I'd never used them. My dd tried to run into the street once and I spanked her butt. it was the one and only time I ever did and she never did it again. Neither one of my children ever ran away from me unless we were playing. I never allowed it. And I am the mom that has her child hold her hand because I know how children can run off.

Maybe I am over protective but none of my children have ever been allowed to behave any way they wanted weather in public or home and I don't get why it is so hard for other parents to do the same. Our children behave the way we expect them to. If we have no expectations of our children they will not live up to them. However, if we hold them accountable for their actions they will behave correctly. At least that has been my experience. My children are not perfect, far from it, but I will be darned if I will allow them to act the fool, kwim? And I do NOT spank or use force with my children.

Anyway, sorry, I will get off my soap box now. Thank you all again and hopefully this situation will resolve itself quickly.

[nanglgrl]

Our children behave the way we expect them to. If we have no expectations of our children they will not live up to them. However, if we hold them accountable for their actions they will behave correctly.

I lovethis this!