DCF at 10pm

[My3cents]

Oh bull

They aren't going to call at ten at night to wrap up a case.

I don't think so either-

never discuss a client over the phone with someone you don't know that has not told you where they are from and shown you credentials.

For future reference- tell anyone that calls this late at night that you would be willing to talk with them in person at such and such a time that is convenient for you and it would not be when I had daycare kids, it would be after hours when my hub or another adult could be present. Too many freaks in this world you have to be careful. UGH!

Mom confirmed that she was under investigation but I would have asked why she didn't tell you this before- kinda important to know this type of stuff- ugh!

[Leigh]

Oh bull

They aren't going to call at ten at night to wrap up a case.

Very true. 10PM calls, to me, would signal that they are trying to remove a child from parents ASAP.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

As far as taking her back, if there is something going on (true or false) your home might be the sanctuary of normalcy and calm. I'd want the child to have that, and if there were no other problems with you and mom, I'd leave it up to them to settle it.

But I'd be pissed she hadn't told you about it upfront.

[TwinKristi]

How did they know you watched her after only 1 day??

[LysesKids]

In the future, I would tell anyone calling from DCF that you cannot discuss clients over the phone with someone who has not proven their credentials. Invite them to drop by at some convenient time to show you their credentials and that after that you will be happy to cooperate.

That's exactly how I handled it in Indiana in 2004... I keep thinking that if I hadn't been closed for illness, that the poor baby in care wouldn't have almost been killed (she was severly injured by the boyfriend at age 5 months and is now deaf & partially blind).

The Mom & her boyfriend were new to the area and I was the ONLY one that had any info on them whatsoever, so of course when DCF & Cops showed up within an hour of the call, I handed over all the files I had... it was the only time I have closed for illness too. It still breaks my heart, but something like that sticks with you

[tehck_1013]

How did they know you watched her after only 1 day??

I was wondering the same exact thing...

[e.j.]

Oh bull

They aren't going to call at ten at night to wrap up a case.

Something isn't right. Any call after normal business hours (5 or 6pm) would raise my suspicion but 10:00 pm.....?? Seems awfully late for a non-urgent call.

[BabyMonkeys]

Apparently the mom told DCF that I was her childcare provider. Supplied her with my licensing number and a copy of my contract. She didn't bother to mention the fact that I had been her provider for exactly one day. She didn't bother to let me know that she was under investigation, much less that she had given they my contact information. So Monday she comes, Tuesday she doesn't come and I get the 10pm call, and then she doesn't come again today. Something is seriously off here.

I hadn't thought about the fact that I should want the baby to be with me so that I know she is safe at least those few hours a day.

[TwinKristi]

Perhaps part of the investigation was regarding who cares for the baby?

I do believe someone could potentially call at 10pm. They have people staffed around the clock for emergencies, so if the person on-call that day had to make contact with certain people I could see a call that late. I don't know what kind of response they would get at that hour, but they could document that they called and left a message or whatever to cover their butt. Especially if when the OP called it was the same number and went to the after hours message.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yes, a 10pm call is odd, but DCF in Florida is notoriously under staffed to a level that can best be described as shocking.

I do think the baby will be safer in daycare.....however......the omission if this extremely important detail (dishonesty) could be a deal breaker for me. I'd be wary that this family is looking for someone else to point the finger at.

[hope]

Yes, a 10pm call is odd, but DCF in Florida is notoriously under staffed to a level that can best be described as shocking.

I do think the baby will be safer in daycare.....however......the omission if this extremely important detail (dishonesty) could be a deal breaker for me. I'd be wary that this family is looking for someone else to point the finger at.

It's sad bc I have to agree with you. We all want what's best for the children but I'm sure so many of us have been burned to know that people are capable of blaming us when things go wrong. I would not trust this mom.