My Class Is Out Of Control!

[melilley]

You know all of this is wrong yet you continue to stay and work in this environment? I think you need to report this, asap. I would not give my director a heads up either. She is setting you up to fail. You also need training. Having been in childcare you know this is wrong- Something happens to one of those kids you will be held responsible- Why are one year old's doing arts and crafts and this being held as important at this age. I don't see how basic needs can be met for 14 kids to one provider under age one let alone add to it with arts and crafts. This wrong on so many levels and you either have clients that don't know better or don't care- This makes me mad. I hope your going to do the right thing and report this and most likely get out of there and the mess of it- Shaking my head:confused:

I do have to say though that a lot of centers (I've worked at 3) require 1 yo's to do crafts. I think it's more to make the center look good. The last center I worked at, ART was on the lesson plan (provided by corporate) EVERYDAY. We even had to do "feature" projects to display in the hallway. It was ridiculous. I did do it, but there was ways around doing "art" everyday per say like painting with water or sidewalk chalk.

Here, my 1 yo's love doing art, but they are never forced to do it...and we don't do it everyday!

[Hunni Bee]

Trust me.

Many of the posters here can attest that I was in this same situation for years. When I left my old job, a church run subsidized daycare, I was one of two teachers in a room with TWENTY-SIX 2-5 year olds. Minimal materials, apathetic ignorant director, revolving door of assistants. I seriously had to check your posts to see if you had taken my old job!!

It will NOT get better. If the director is okay with operating like that for even a day, she won't fix it til she's forced to and even then she'll go back as soon as she thinks no one's looking.

Honestly, you don't need to be on here asking about activities. Its much more serious than you may realize. If one of those children gets seriously injured or a parent wises up, you will be held directly accountable. You will go down with the ship. You need to report, and if nothing is done immediately, leave and continue to report. You don't need a CPS case on your record.

I wish you the absolute best and sympathize with you completely. Being a good teacher in a bad environment is very hard. But the ball is in your court.

[WImom]

There are so many things wrong here! You are a mandated reporter. These children are not getting a great start and proper care. It is also not fair to you.

Ratios way off, not enough toys per child, old/worn out cots/not enough outside time, and I'm sure the list could go on.

Please report!!

For now I'd get them some toys if you can - do you have a goodwill or consignment shop, Craigslist? A toy kitchen, some play food, dolls, chunky cars, board books, Sensory Bottles (you can make), Little People. A radio for music time - I'm sure they would love dancing around.

For art - painting, finger painting with pudding, etc. (when you have two teachers - it would be impossible to do with one). I also agree forget about the crafts all together.

[Heidi]

Trust me.

Many of the posters here can attest that I was in this same situation for years. When I left my old job, a church run subsidized daycare, I was one of two teachers in a room with TWENTY-SIX 2-5 year olds. Minimal materials, apathetic ignorant director, revolving door of assistants. I seriously had to check your posts to see if you had taken my old job!!

It will NOT get better. If the director is okay with operating like that for even a day, she won't fix it til she's forced to and even then she'll go back as soon as she thinks no one's looking.

Honestly, you don't need to be on here asking about activities. Its much more serious than you may realize. If one of those children gets seriously injured or a parent wises up, you will be held directly accountable. You will go down with the ship. You need to report, and if nothing is done immediately, leave and continue to report. You don't need a CPS case on your record.

I wish you the absolute best and sympathize with you completely. Being a good teacher in a bad environment is very hard. But the ball is in your court.

Hunni's not the only one's who's said this, but .... ALL THE WAY! If nothing else, cover your own a**, OP! What's going on there is wrong!

[Heidi]

I just realized something, OP. You said "I have 2 toddlers of my own" Where do THEY go to daycare? I'm going to assume you don't take them into that classroom with you....

[Unregistered]

I agree with everyone that this needs to be reported, and I will do that anonymously. But quitting certainly won't help. They'll just put someone in there that doesn't care, like most of the other employees, and then the kids DEFINITELY won't get any help. Plus, I'm a mother of two and I need employment. That being said, I am looking into other daycares to work at.

You know all of this is wrong yet you continue to stay and work in this environment? I think you need to report this, asap. I would not give my director a heads up either. She is setting you up to fail. You also need training. Having been in childcare you know this is wrong- Something happens to one of those kids you will be held responsible- Why are one year old's doing arts and crafts and this being held as important at this age. I don't see how basic needs can be met for 14 kids to one provider under age one let alone add to it with arts and crafts. This wrong on so many levels and you either have clients that don't know better or don't care- This makes me mad. I hope your going to do the right thing and report this and most likely get out of there and the mess of it- Shaking my head:confused:

[Blackcat31]

I agree with everyone that this needs to be reported, and I will do that anonymously. But quitting certainly won't help. They'll just put someone in there that doesn't care, like most of the other employees, and then the kids DEFINITELY won't get any help. Plus, I'm a mother of two and I need employment. That being said, I am looking into other daycares to work at.

Have you considered opening a daycare of your own?

There seems to be a need for it in your area.

[Unregistered]

Curious to know where the money is going to?

Little to no supplies being purchased.

High numbers.

Little staff.

Church helping out a bit.

Do parents or daycare provide food?

[Laurel]

If this daycare is somehow not under licensing rules (because they are church run or for whatever reason), I'd call Child Protective Services, T.O.D.A.Y. Children that are getting body slammed, hair pulled, hit and bitten as a matter of course is child neglect...plain and simple. I said abuse earlier but neglect is more the case here. The adults are not keeping the children safe and that is neglect no matter what the reason.

Laurel

[My3cents]

I agree with everyone that this needs to be reported, and I will do that anonymously. But quitting certainly won't help. They'll just put someone in there that doesn't care, like most of the other employees, and then the kids DEFINITELY won't get any help. Plus, I'm a mother of two and I need employment. That being said, I am looking into other daycares to work at.

I can't imagine your making enough at this center to justify staying- Quitting will help, because it shows that you won't tolerate what is going on. I would not quit quietly- Find another job or open up your own daycare, but I suggest you take on some training so you can venture some avenues of helps. I wish you the best- Let us all know how reporting went and how you make out.