My Class Is Out Of Control!

[Guest]

I'm new to this forum but have searched it out due to my desperation. I love children, have two little toddlers of my own, and have kept children in my home for years. I started working at a daycare almost a year ago. After two months, they gave me my own class of one year olds, a new assistant, and practically no training.

Soon, I was informed that I had the "bad" class. The other employees said the director has always thrown the "bad" kids into this room. I was determined to change everyone's outlook and that this would no longer be the "bad" class. But in the past eight months, I've had five different assistants because nobody can handle this group of kids.

I have 14 children in my class. Most days after nap time, I'm by myself. This is against health dept regulations but the day care says they any afford to hire more help. But even when my assistant is there in the mornings, the class is out of control. I try to do crafts, read, group time, etc... But they constantly fight, bite, pull hair (like, ripping it out by the handfuls), hit, push, choke, body slam... I've never seen kids so bad. We're consistent with time out and explaining why that behavior is wrong, but that's all we do all day. The kids laugh at us when we put them in time out and it doesn't phase them at all. They go right back to the bad behavior.

I've told the director but she has no suggestions other than time out. It breaks my heart to see children constantly being bitten and hurt because of the kids that's are bad and I feel lik I don't have enough of me to go around.

I've asked other teachers what I'm doing wrong and they all have said that I'm not doing anything wrong, the kids are just that bad. But there has to be a solution. Please help??

[Unregistered]

Trying to figure out how they think putting ALL the toddlers going through behavioral issues in the same class is a good idea If there are additional class rooms of the same age group, would it not make more logic to spread out the ones going through a more than typical physical stage. To lump them all in one class room and then leave it out of ratio, is beyond wrong. I feel awful for the kids their, their parents, and the workers. Change needs to take place.

[Blackcat31]

Holy moly!

I don't think kids that age can be "bad"...kwim?

Most times, the behavior of a child that age is directly related to the environment.

1 yr olds do not have the attention span or the patience to do crafts or structured activities.

I would take a hard look at your actually class room and see what you can do about setting the room up to look enticing. Provide activities that engage their developmental age.

What activities and equipment do you currently have?

Maybe we can help you through this........

[melilley]

:hug: Sorry you are going through this!

First I want to say that I don't know where you are from, but I'm pretty positive that having 14 1 year old children by yourself is illegal! It's not fair for your director to do this to you and I would definitely say something. That is probably part of the reason the kids are out of control. Plus, they need consistency and it sounds like you are the only consistent person.

Second, timeouts for 1 year olds don't really do any good imo. Redirecting them might work better.

Sorry, I don't have any more advice for you except it sounds like the class is out of control because 14 1 yo's with one adult is simply outrageous! I would definitely say something and maybe even report to licensing. Not only is it not fair to you or the kids, but is dangerous!

[melilley]

Holy moly!

I don't think kids that age can be "bad"...kwim?

Most times, the behavior of a child that age is directly related to the environment.

1 yr olds do not have the attention span or the patience to do crafts or structured activities.

I would take a hard look at your actually class room and see what you can do about setting the room up to look enticing. Provide activities that engage their developmental age.

What activities and equipment do you currently have?

Maybe we can help you through this........

She said she has 14 to herself! I'm pretty sure that's not legal anywhere! No wonder it's crazy in the classroom!

[craftymissbeth]

How old are all of these kids?

Could you set up 7-8 small "stations" where 2 children can play at a time and rotate them every 15 minutes or so?

Also, maybe make them sit on their bottoms while playing to lessen the chaos a little?

Maybe one of the stations can be something REALLY fun, but only children who behave properly can participate?



Sorry, I have never worked in a center so I have no idea what you're actually able to do in your environment.

[14]

We're required to do crafts. At least two a week. Sigh...

There's nothing in the room but two tables and the toy boxes. I'm on a tight budget and can't afford much but I'd be willing to make some purchases to save my sanity and the well being of these children.

I agree about this age not being "bad" but all they see are other kids biting, pulling hair, etc so that's what they all do. And again, time out is ineffective. I try to redirect with toys or songs, but that only lasts a few minutes and then it's back to chaos. I've tried putting posters and sensory things on the wall but they rip them down :/

[craftymissbeth]

Oh holy cow now I see they're 1 yo's

I would totally eliminate crafts first of all

ETA: I'm apparently typing too slow today

[Blackcat31]

She said she has 14 to herself! I'm pretty sure that's not legal anywhere! No wonder it's crazy in the classroom!

I also think THIS ^^^^^ is the very first thing you need to address.

You cannot do this alone and for your director to say you (the center) can't afford to hire more staff is NOT okay. The law says you HAVE to have a certain number of people in the room for kids that age.

NOTHING else is going to change until the number of kids to teacher ratio is addressed.

[14]

A parent has complained once about how many kids were in here for one teacher. On top of that, last time the health department came, there was only one teacher in here. They said something about it then but nothing was done.

I also think THIS ^^^^^ is the very first thing you need to address.

You cannot do this alone and for your director to say you (the center) can't afford to hire more staff is NOT okay. The law says you HAVE to have a certain number of people in the room for kids that age.

NOTHING else is going to change until the number of kids to teacher ratio is addressed.

[preschoolteacher]

First of all, I don't mean anything I am going to say to be about you personally. You seem like a very caring teacher who is willing to go the extra mile for your kids. Your director and daycare center, however, have a lot of problems.

There is a reason the kids are acting up. It's not because they are bad. 14 1-year-olds to 1 adult is insane, illegal, and likely contributing to most of the problems. I seriously would report it. You can do that anonymously.

It also sounds like you have very few materials for the kids. 1-year-olds can't be expected to sit long and be on task. I can't imagine they will stay at those two tables long to do anything. What kind of toys do you have? Are they all just thrown into boxes? Are they easy for kids to find and play with? Is there any sort of organization in the room?

It also sounds like there are some inappropriate expectations for the kids. 1-year-olds can't do crafts. They can color, maybe finger paint... but I'd be wary to introduce any art materials if you are alone supervising 14. How can you be sure Jimmy isn't eating glue if you have his 13 hitting, biting classmates to supervise by yourself at the same time?

Are they getting outside? Do you have a gym or a large motor place for them to run around?

The first thing I'd address is the fact that you're illegally understaffed. Like others said, nothing will improve until you get the help you need.

[melilley]

A parent has complained once about how many kids were in here for one teacher. On top of that, last time the health department came, there was only one teacher in here. They said something about it then but nothing was done.

That's strange that nothing was done. If that happened here, severe consequences would be handed out! I would contact licensing. I'm not too familiar with how much say the health dept. has or what they actually can do because we don't have to have the health dept. come, but licensing would definitely care.

[jenboo]

I would report to licensing and walk out. I would not work for a center that is doing illegal things, especially if you know they are illegal.
I would document your conversations with the director, take a picture with 14 one yr olds in the classroom, call licensing and never go back.

There is nothing you can do to control 14 one yr olds by yourself. That is outrageous!

[melilley]

We're required to do crafts. At least two a week. Sigh...

There's nothing in the room but two tables and the toy boxes. I'm on a tight budget and can't afford much but I'd be willing to make some purchases to save my sanity and the well being of these children.

I agree about this age not being "bad" but all they see are other kids biting, pulling hair, etc so that's what they all do. And again, time out is ineffective. I try to redirect with toys or songs, but that only lasts a few minutes and then it's back to chaos. I've tried putting posters and sensory things on the wall but they rip them down :/

Do you do process art? My kids love to just paint, they could do it all day as well as color, glue things onto paper, things like that.

Sensory activities are a big hit here too. Instead of putting things on the wall, (I know how that goes, they just tear it down) you could put sensory materials in bins and let them play that way or have a sensory table.

Toddlers also love to clean! Give them paper towel or washcloth and let them "clean" away. I also let them paint toys with water. They get a big kick out of that!

Just a few ideas.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I'm a center director, and frankly, I'm shocked. Please take control of the situation and DEMAND proper staffing. NOBODY can handle 14 one year old, its not just illegal, its a major safety concern. "Bad room"??? That's way out of line. This should be TWO classrooms, period.
"hey director, this situation is so bad, if I don't get full time help, I will report this immediately."

And parents pick up and see 14 kids of that age and say NOTHING?

I'M SO SORRY you have to deal with this.