False Accusations By Termed DCM And State Comes To My Door

[wdmmom]

I had this happen back in 2009.

My first client at the daycare.

Family had been with me for about 8 months. Payment was due on Friday for the upcoming week. Child was scheduled for Friday but DCM took the day off. I reminded her of payment due and she said she'd swing it by Saturday after work. Saturday came and went...no payment. On Sunday I got a text from her telling me that one of DCD's friends is doing daycare now and much closer to where they live. I reminded her that I only accept notices on Friday and I'd calculate her balance.

Monday DCM drops off, writes me a check and goes to work. DCD picks DCG up and said they are wanting all her belongings, that she is starting the new daycare the next day and the balance of the check should cover everything. The check written was only for $210. (The extra $100 was my accrued time off I hadn't taken.)

I had to scramble to get dcg's things together and told dcd specifically that I hadn't had time to clean the bottles because I do that after hours. He didn't mind, said he'd wash them at home. I packed up girls things and they left.

2 days later I get a long email from dcd about how dcm accused me of not properly caring for their daughter, how her diaper rash was exacerbated by me not changing her every 1-2 hours and that the bottles I sent home had mold in them. He informed me that no additional payment would be made and that if I attempted to contact them or collect, they'd contact the police. (I had to laugh at that one. The police don't care about civil issues.)

Then about 2 days later, Child Protective showed up at my door. I had a hunch they were coming. As soon as she walked in the door, I pulled dcg's file, showed the balance they owed and the check they stopped payment on. She knew right away it was a disgruntled former client that was on a high horse because of money and not because of child endangerment. She asked me what year my home was build (at the time it was only 16 years old), we don't live in a flood plain or near water and she asked to see the other infant bottles. No mold.

Apparently dcd provided pictured to Child Protective of the so called bottles and yes, there was mold in them but as I had mentioned to them, how do you know that those are the same 2 bottles that were here. How do you know they didn't find those out in the car or under a couch?

In the end, I got the last because it was quite easy to discredit the validity of the claim.

[MissAnn]

I had this happen back in 2009.

My first client at the daycare.

Family had been with me for about 8 months. Payment was due on Friday for the upcoming week. Child was scheduled for Friday but DCM took the day off. I reminded her of payment due and she said she'd swing it by Saturday after work. Saturday came and went...no payment. On Sunday I got a text from her telling me that one of DCD's friends is doing daycare now and much closer to where they live. I reminded her that I only accept notices on Friday and I'd calculate her balance.

Monday DCM drops off, writes me a check and goes to work. DCD picks DCG up and said they are wanting all her belongings, that she is starting the new daycare the next day and the balance of the check should cover everything. The check written was only for $210. (The extra $100 was my accrued time off I hadn't taken.)

I had to scramble to get dcg's things together and told dcd specifically that I hadn't had time to clean the bottles because I do that after hours. He didn't mind, said he'd wash them at home. I packed up girls things and they left.

2 days later I get a long email from dcd about how dcm accused me of not properly caring for their daughter, how her diaper rash was exacerbated by me not changing her every 1-2 hours and that the bottles I sent home had mold in them. He informed me that no additional payment would be made and that if I attempted to contact them or collect, they'd contact the police. (I had to laugh at that one. The police don't care about civil issues.)

Then about 2 days later, Child Protective showed up at my door. I had a hunch they were coming. As soon as she walked in the door, I pulled dcg's file, showed the balance they owed and the check they stopped payment on. She knew right away it was a disgruntled former client that was on a high horse because of money and not because of child endangerment. She asked me what year my home was build (at the time it was only 16 years old), we don't live in a flood plain or near water and she asked to see the other infant bottles. No mold.

Apparently dcd provided pictured to Child Protective of the so called bottles and yes, there was mold in them but as I had mentioned to them, how do you know that those are the same 2 bottles that were here. How do you know they didn't find those out in the car or under a couch?

In the end, I got the last because it was quite easy to discredit the validity of the claim.

Did you ever get the money they owed?

[Bella9]

Thank you everyone for your replies. After reading some of the things you have all had to deal with I thank God for the blessing of my other families who are all fantastic. This was a very difficult 2 weeks for me with the termination, the childcare office visit, and the CPS visit. UGH! Glad it is all over with. It has been difficult to squelch the desire to retaliate on that horrible mother who doesn't care about anything but getting rid of her kid as many hours as possible in a week. I felt very burned by the whole thing, but will get over it soon I'm sure. Thanks for all your input and advice. I will begin documenting EVERYTHING starting tomorrow.

[PolkaTots]

This has happened to me, and most providers I know. Unfortunately, being in this business...it's kind of par for the course. Eventually if you do this long enough, you are bound to come across a disgruntled parent that feels the need to file a false claim. I had one last Spring (said I frequently left the kids all by themselves and ran errands) and the worker knew it was ridiculous and unfounded. I have been registered for 5 years and have multiple accredidations. (Come to find out, it was a fellow provider that was jealous that I was always fully enrolled and hoped to get me shut down) 6 months later I recieved a note for my file saying that it was a false report and no action was to be taken. So try not to worry. If you are following the rules, you will be fine, state workers expect this kind of stuff.

[daycarediva]

I have all of my leaving families sign a 'termination of contract' form that states the reason that they are leaving, no other issues/concerns, etc and the balance due/date or paid in full at the time I terminate or they give their notice. I have NEVER had a family refuse to sign it or not be able to collect a signature. I always document everything. Most of my problem parents I email back and forth with for this very reason, everything is in print and they cannot deny the things that they said FOR THIS REASON.

EG. Email I received from a disgruntled client whom I was close to terming due to behavior said something along the lines of "I know that dcg is out of control but I am unable to get her behavior in line. I do worry that she will really hurt someone, but I feel that her being kept at your side is unfair punishment. I know you want what is best for her and really do care about her. We are very happy with your care and would like her to stay with you" After I termed the client, she signed a form stating that there were no other issues, but she disagreed that keeping dcg as my shadow was a good solution to her continued aggression. THEN she called my registrar, left her name and number and everything. When my registrar popped in with CPS in tow, all I had to do was pull up my email and pull out that form, and the SIGNED documented history of violent behavior and my registrar closed the investigation right then and there.

protect your butt as much as possible and EXPECT these situations with even the best of families, imo.

[Starburst]

I have all of my leaving families sign a 'termination of contract' form that states the reason that they are leaving, no other issues/concerns, etc and the balance due/date or paid in full at the time I terminate or they give their notice. I have NEVER had a family refuse to sign it or not be able to collect a signature. I always document everything. Most of my problem parents I email back and forth with for this very reason, everything is in print and they cannot deny the things that they said FOR THIS REASON.

EG. Email I received from a disgruntled client whom I was close to terming due to behavior said something along the lines of "I know that dcg is out of control but I am unable to get her behavior in line. I do worry that she will really hurt someone, but I feel that her being kept at your side is unfair punishment. I know you want what is best for her and really do care about her. We are very happy with your care and would like her to stay with you" After I termed the client, she signed a form stating that there were no other issues, but she disagreed that keeping dcg as my shadow was a good solution to her continued aggression. THEN she called my registrar, left her name and number and everything. When my registrar popped in with CPS in tow, all I had to do was pull up my email and pull out that form, and the SIGNED documented history of violent behavior and my registrar closed the investigation right then and there.

protect your butt as much as possible and EXPECT these situations with even the best of families, imo.

Thats a good idea. Did you get them from a website or did you make it yourself? Do you tell the parents about it when they enroll or you just give it to them when you term or they leave? Do you both sign it and do they get a copy?

[Bella9]

Getting floors refinished...do I have to close?

Ok, I have another question for everyone. I am having the floors in the kitchen sanded and restained/coated. The process takes 3 days, 2 of which we cannot be on the floors while they are drying. My fridge will be sitting in the living room, as well as my stove. My daycare area is one floor down in the basement and I can have all the kids bring sack lunch/disposable food. (I do not provide lunch, only snacks/drinks). My entrance is on the first floor, but pretty far away from the kitchen. Do you think the state will ask me to close while this is going on or just keep the kids downstairs or outside as usual. The only difference to our day would be eating downstairs instead of in the kitchen.

[Play Care]

Ok, I have another question for everyone. I am having the floors in the kitchen sanded and restained/coated. The process takes 3 days, 2 of which we cannot be on the floors while they are drying. My fridge will be sitting in the living room, as well as my stove. My daycare area is one floor down in the basement and I can have all the kids bring sack lunch/disposable food. (I do not provide lunch, only snacks/drinks). My entrance is on the first floor, but pretty far away from the kitchen. Do you think the state will ask me to close while this is going on or just keep the kids downstairs or outside as usual. The only difference to our day would be eating downstairs instead of in the kitchen.

I see nothing wrong with that so long as there is nothing the children could harm themselves on - will their be people doing the work during day care? Will it be too loud for it to be comfortable? Will their be tools and things the children *might* be able to access? We had some work done to our house last summer and I did have to close a couple of days while the bulk of the work was done. Could I have prevented any issues with close supervision? Yes! But heaven forbid one of the kids did get hurt because of something related to the work. I imagine if there is no way for the children to access the area being worked on (floors) it would be not only fine, but a fun change "Hey everyone, we are having an indoor picnic!"::

[Bella9]

The only loud part of the work will be the sanding, which will be done 8 am - 12. the rest of the work is staining, and clear coating, which won't make enough noise to disrupt anything in the daycare area. I love your idea about the indoor picnic. What fun!

[snbauser]

The only loud part of the work will be the sanding, which will be done 8 am - 12. the rest of the work is staining, and clear coating, which won't make enough noise to disrupt anything in the daycare area. I love your idea about the indoor picnic. What fun!

My only concern with the stain and clear coating would be the smell. Will the fumes get into the daycare area?

[Lianne]

Normally I wouldn't bat an eye at this but considering what you just went through, I'd suggest calling your licensor just to make sure all your Ts are crossed. Since you've recently been on their radar, I wouldn't want to take any chances.

[daycarediva]

Normally I wouldn't bat an eye at this but considering what you just went through, I'd suggest calling your licensor just to make sure all your Ts are crossed. Since you've recently been on their radar, I wouldn't want to take any chances.

This- also are you able to access the fridge or use a mini fridge for cold milk/water?

That is what my licensar would say.

[Blackcat31]

Normally I wouldn't bat an eye at this but considering what you just went through, I'd suggest calling your licensor just to make sure all your Ts are crossed. Since you've recently been on their radar, I wouldn't want to take any chances.

I agree, call your licensor to find out for sure.

In my state, we are not allowed to do any type of repair, remodeling or construction while children are present in care.

I too would be really concerned about the dust factor and the fumes from the poly.

Depending on what you are using, some of that stuff can be highly toxic to breathe.

My DH usually wears a chemical mask whenever using stains/poly and he wears a dust mask when sanding so air quality would be a huge concern IMO.

[itlw8]

I would say because of the fumes you need to close

I had a child 4 push down a 2 yr old and hold him down the younger one did not really bite but his mouth was open screaming and so left a mark on the older one. I did not call I told dad at pick up.

That was my mistake and they said even if it just a scratch an a parent complains they did not have immeditate contact I am wrong. She told them I was upstairs in the kitchen fixing lunch so lack of supervision... my dc kitchen is 5 ft from where it happened. I said by back was turned no more than a minute or 2 so the investigator had me walk it out. to the fridge grab the prepared casserole and put it in the oven... 10 seconds... no lack of supervision there he said.

He did give me good advise. for EVERY injury take a picture you never know what happens after they leave your care. call parents for every little scratch unless you have something signed stating they only want to be called for major injuries.

[daycarediva]

He did give me good advise. for EVERY injury take a picture you never know what happens after they leave your care. call parents for every little scratch unless you have something signed stating they only want to be called for major injuries.

^ THIS! I document the heck out of everything and even in my photo release it says that I have the right to take photos of injuries sustained here OR at home for the child's file.

Starburst- I made the form myself, I can PM you a copy.