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Hi all, I am logged out for privacy reasons. I have a very sensitive situation that I could use some advice on. I worked at a large home daycare about 5 years ago for 6 months or less. I became close with the director who is in her 60's. She became like a grandmother to me and we kept in contact over the years. I went to help her occasionally for a few weeks at a time while I was in between jobs. When I decided to open my own daycare she was very supportive and helped me with daycare items and advice. I went back to work for her in September of last year while I was waiting to get licensed. I noticed that she had changed and some things I saw happening with the children made me uncomfortable. I did not necessarily see abuse, but I saw things that I do not think are right. One being that she would force the children to sit at the table until all their food was finished. This would literally sometimes take 2 hours or more. She left me in charge in October when she left the country for two weeks, I hoped she would come back refreshed and have more patience with the children. She ended up becoming ill while out of the country and came back even worse. Having been diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure, she was not at her best with the kids. I became licensed and had children in the afternoon only which allowed me to help her out the next several months in the am. It was clear to me that what was happening was not appropriate and I was worried it would escalate. I never saw her hit a child, but did witness the yelling and the feeding issues becoming worse. My last day of work (in April) was the final straw for me. She ended up leaving me alone with 12 kids (not uncommon for her-it happened regularly at least once a week) but did not come back when she was supposed to. She left at 8:30 when I arrived, at 9 am I had the children in circle time and noticed we were missing a 3 year old. Where is she? The other children told me she was in the garage. I rushed in there and found her asleep on a pile of dirty rags. While the garage is a licensed part of the home, I did not feel it was OK.
Around 10 am my ds's school called saying he was ill and needed to be picked up.
The daycare provider has no cell phone and I had no idea where she went. I understand my job is my job and I am responsible for back up care for my child, but it got me thinking, what if I had a serious emergency? What if something happened to one of the 4 infants or 8 2's and 3's? I was beyond furious. My mother came from an hour away to pick up my child.
As time went on I was becoming panicked that I would be late for my afternoon school picks. ups. She was 3 hours later than what she said she would be. She had nothing prepped for lunch and nothing in the fridge. I found something in the freezer and began to prepare it and thought I could feed one of the infants at the same time. Unfortunately he threw up on me and himself. Causing me to leave the food to clean myself and the baby up. The food burned of course, but I was trying to salvage it when she waltzed in very accusatory. Asking me if I made the children lunch. Why did I burn it? Why didn't I use oil? I told her I had to go, my child was sick. I couldn't even look at her I was so upset. She had the nerve to say it seems like my child has been sick a lot recently. Well yes, he has because you allow children to come to daycare VERY sick. I was also constantly sick, and so was she. I told her I was upset but had to leave, I didn't want to get into it because I was very frustrated and din't want to say something I would regret. She responds with, why are YOU frustrated? It seemed she was implying she was the one who should be upset.
In June she called me saying one of the new children had fallen at daycare and the dcm reported her to licensing. This sparked an investigation and she told me that they asked for my information. Social services called me about 2 weeks ago while I had children in my car. The woman asked me if I had seen the children hit? No Force fed? No. The call was quick but have been feeling guilty about it every since. I should have said, while they were not forcefully fed, they were expected to clean their plates. I should have mentioned about the garage incident. I was scared that I would get into trouble for not reposting it sooner. I am still scared I am going to get my daycare license revoked because I was not honest. The provider called me yesterday to let me know she has been shut down, she says she has a court hearing in 15 days and the child in questions' doctor found evidence the child did not fall but was hit. She is certain all the parents will be behind her and testify in her defense. I am really hoping she is closed down and not allowed to reopen. I am not sure if they are pressing charges against her or not.
Now that I have got all that out, I am wondering what I should do. Yes report, I know. I need to. But what will the repercussions be for not doing so before hand? Am I at risk? If they are going to close her perm. then what I have to say does not matter either way, right?
I just need some guidance, I know you ladies will be honest and hopefully sensitive. TIA.
Around 10 am my ds's school called saying he was ill and needed to be picked up.
The daycare provider has no cell phone and I had no idea where she went. I understand my job is my job and I am responsible for back up care for my child, but it got me thinking, what if I had a serious emergency? What if something happened to one of the 4 infants or 8 2's and 3's? I was beyond furious. My mother came from an hour away to pick up my child.
As time went on I was becoming panicked that I would be late for my afternoon school picks. ups. She was 3 hours later than what she said she would be. She had nothing prepped for lunch and nothing in the fridge. I found something in the freezer and began to prepare it and thought I could feed one of the infants at the same time. Unfortunately he threw up on me and himself. Causing me to leave the food to clean myself and the baby up. The food burned of course, but I was trying to salvage it when she waltzed in very accusatory. Asking me if I made the children lunch. Why did I burn it? Why didn't I use oil? I told her I had to go, my child was sick. I couldn't even look at her I was so upset. She had the nerve to say it seems like my child has been sick a lot recently. Well yes, he has because you allow children to come to daycare VERY sick. I was also constantly sick, and so was she. I told her I was upset but had to leave, I didn't want to get into it because I was very frustrated and din't want to say something I would regret. She responds with, why are YOU frustrated? It seemed she was implying she was the one who should be upset.
In June she called me saying one of the new children had fallen at daycare and the dcm reported her to licensing. This sparked an investigation and she told me that they asked for my information. Social services called me about 2 weeks ago while I had children in my car. The woman asked me if I had seen the children hit? No Force fed? No. The call was quick but have been feeling guilty about it every since. I should have said, while they were not forcefully fed, they were expected to clean their plates. I should have mentioned about the garage incident. I was scared that I would get into trouble for not reposting it sooner. I am still scared I am going to get my daycare license revoked because I was not honest. The provider called me yesterday to let me know she has been shut down, she says she has a court hearing in 15 days and the child in questions' doctor found evidence the child did not fall but was hit. She is certain all the parents will be behind her and testify in her defense. I am really hoping she is closed down and not allowed to reopen. I am not sure if they are pressing charges against her or not.
Now that I have got all that out, I am wondering what I should do. Yes report, I know. I need to. But what will the repercussions be for not doing so before hand? Am I at risk? If they are going to close her perm. then what I have to say does not matter either way, right?
I just need some guidance, I know you ladies will be honest and hopefully sensitive. TIA.
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