Complaints and Licensing Investigations

[Unregistered]

Hi There
So I've been licensed for over 5 years and never has had an incident report or a parent complaint in this time.

I just found out a parent, who I gave notice to, filed a complaint. All that I have been told about complaint (prior to interrogation meeting) is that it pertains to hygiene, naps and supervision.

I attended meeting with my licensing officer investigating claim yesterday and she brought up 5 different situations that don't even apply to this information above. She was also tape recording our interview and I never received the paper work with regards to the exact details of the complaint.

Is this standard practice in BC, Canada? What is the process please!!! I feel like I am GUILTY before even being able to see what complaint is! I also felt like I was set up or blindsided by the process as well.

Thanks,

[Cat Herder]

I don't know Canada, but I know a false accusation after a termination is a common occurrence.

No worries. :hug:

It won't be their first rodeo. They are smarter than parents give them credit for. happyface

[CraftyMom]

I just went through this for the first time. These parents and kids loved me until I got upset about something and confronted, then they stopped coming, stopped paying and went to the state with a bunch of accusations. The state realizes the way parents are and that it is mostly retaliation but it has to be documented anyway. Out of 5 accusations, only 2 held any water and they were things I didn't know I was doing wrong. I was not in danger of losing my license but I sure felt like it! The licensor showed up here unannounced at lunch time, while I was trying to get 4 kids fed and then napped, of course the kids behaved horribly and wouldn't nap...my mind was swimming! I was not given any paperwork at all. She listed off the accusations and I was supposed to answer on the spot. Now these things happened in June and July and this wasn't until HALLOWEEN DAY that she came to my house, so I'm supposed to remember exact details of things on specific days from 4 months prior with 4 misbehaving kids. Really?! Nearly impossible. I just did my best and was extremely honest. Over the weekend when I had a chance to recall specifics I wrote everything down and emailed it to my licensor. That was Oct 31, it was just finalized last week! It's been horrible over these last few months dealing with that. I never saw any papers until last week, and it was the final report. I take this very seriously and even though she keeps telling me don't worry, I know that it is now on my record for any parent if the were to call. UGH I feel for you! I'm sure it isn't as bad as your parents make it seem! I'll say the same as my licensor, don't worry it isn't that bad. But I know how it feels! In my case I feel like they were keeping a running list and were waiting for an opportunity to tell on me. These are things that they never had an issue with or even mentioned in any way until I got upset. I'm also going to court with them in March for the non payment and I'm sure I'll be posting for advice on that! If you need more info or a shoulder you can pm me:hug:

[NoMoreJuice!]

I'm so sorry that you are yet another victim of parent retaliation. So many of us have been there! Three years ago, I termed a family for not paying, so of course DCM called the state and reported all sorts of lies. The surveyor that came over unannounced LITERALLY rolled her eyes and sighed. They absolutely know that revenge calls are usually unwarranted, but have to do their job all the same.

I hate that it shakes our confidence and makes us all a bit less trusting of future families.

When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do? Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim!

You know you sang it in your head.

[coolconfidentme]

Been there & it took me a few months to get a report that said it was unfounded.

[CraftyMom]

I'm so sorry that you are yet another victim of parent retaliation. So many of us have been there! Three years ago, I termed a family for not paying, so of course DCM called the state and reported all sorts of lies. The surveyor that came over unannounced LITERALLY rolled her eyes and sighed. They absolutely know that revenge calls are usually unwarranted, but have to do their job all the same.

I hate that it shakes our confidence and makes us all a bit less trusting of future families.

When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do? Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim!

You know you sang it in your head.

Hahaha! I totally sang it in my head!

My experience though horrible was a huge eye opener and I learned a lot in the process. Every situation with a parent is another learning experience and makes us better providers for it. At the time I definitely questioned if I wanted to continue since I felt like I could trust no one, but I decided I wouldn't let this parent get the best of me. I have a good thing going here, just needed to adjust a few policies and figure out how to make things work better

[Heidi]

Years ago, I had a child in my care for 3 days, and the 4th day, she was a no call/no show. I called everyone on her contact list, and finally, after several hours, got an aunt to tell me she wasn't coming back. Ok....weird.

That afternoon, my licenser shows up, saying there was a complaint against me (anonymous, of course), claiming I had HIT a child. Uh...:confused:

So...she started asking me about the previous day.

Well, lets see. Child #1 2 1/2, arrived at 7:45 right about the time TWO of my friends came to take over the daycare (I had a prenatal, I think). Then, I came home at noon, just as they were finishing lunch and putting everyone to bed for nap.

At 3, the mystery mom arrived to pick up the child. She was still sleeping. So, we went in to get her up. She was still fast asleep. I said "honey, mommy is here". Mom grabs her, still mostly asleep, and carries her out, cramming her shoes on her feet along the way. No nice words, no hello...nuthin'.

Now, that child was SO fast asleep, there were sleep marks on her little face.

I explained all this to the licenser, stating that it was pretty obvious who called, and that I'd spent NO time alone with this child.

She slammed her notebook shut, rolled her eyes, and said "Yeah, I knew this was false, but I have to do my job".

Found out later that not only was mom only 19, she had a SIX year old (do the math) and this child, both from a 40 year old man, AND she was staying in a battered woman's shelter. That changed my feelings from perplexed and angry to just plain sad. This child, btw, never said a single word in 3 days. I actually said to my licenser...you know, I wish she'd been just a little naughty just once! She was so scared and quiet, I'd have had no REASON to hit her, were I so inclined!

[Unregistered]

Hello I am from BC Can
Vancouver Island
I had a complant from an unbalenced woman who part of my day care and part friend ..I found out she left children in the truck and sat in the bar .....I called her the next day and said I do not except that behavour and we are done ....she was only drop in with care care part .......
so not knowing about complaint .......on a day no children for some reason and I was bleaching pourch and cleaning extra for I had the extra day off and her come the licensing agent out of the blue .......suprise !!!!!!
tells me complant is ( dirty floor , dirty dishes and ferrets .....) feeble
I tell her of why I think I got the complant

so process is a suprise visit ( to catch you in the act so to speak ) they see if true and document ...I passed with flying colors

BUT NOW with Vancover Island licensing ,...it goes on their web site !!!!!!!!!!!!!
even if you pass with flying colors ANYONE can see it when looking for day care

I am suprised they didnt come to your center and taped it too ???? weird
be honest with your officer and they work for you and you for them
next time write in your black book right away abbout you terminating the client , why and the follow up if any so you have something to back you up to show licensing ....always make a huge paper trail to cover your "ass"ests !!!
and realy licensing has seen everything .....and you can call them anythime for advise like "I am going to terminate a client because .....what should I do? "

[DaisyMamma]

Been there, done that. But I'm in CT.

In my experience (only one time) the state totally sided with the family. I felt interrogated in my own home. She went through everything with a fine tooth comb, she wasn't nice and was here for hours. I got at least 3 citations, not all related to the complaint (which was bs because it was a monetary dispute).

[CraftyMom]

Been there, done that. But I'm in CT.

I felt interrogated in my own home. She went through everything with a fine tooth comb, she wasn't nice and was here for hours.

It is a horrible feeling! Same here, she was here for hours, went through my files, attendance sheets, everything! I was found to be complying with all regulations at time of visit but it still felt horrible! I was cited on 2 issues of the 6 that the parent complained about, but they were things I didn't realize I was doing wrong Lesson learned!