New Law in IL Re: Expulsion From Preschool

[LysesKids]

Nope.
Just nope.

Right with you... I'm beginning to think taking care of elderly instead of under 2.5 years, (independent contractor), was the right way for me to go last year. TN QRIS had similar implementations coming up from what I read; Glad I wasn't licensed now

[Cat Herder]

Thank you for your response!

Yes, I absolutely document everything.

What about in the case of a very violent child who is making the other children fearful?

It's absolutely & without a doubt unfair to the other kids to be subjected to this.

My preschool is morning only and run during the school year. By the time that I've done everything outlined, the school year could be halfway over & the first preschool experience would have been ruined for the other kids in the class.

Sometimes the best way to deal with this is in a conference with the goal of the parent pulling the child. The real truth sometimes will set you free. Other times explaining to them how a change of environment will be the best thing for their child to break the current cycle. Put it on the parent to end the contract, not you.

[Unregistered]

I just had a situation where a parent did pull the child and then asked for a refund. I do not give refunds since they have taken a spot that could have been filled by another child. They threatened me with litigation and then with having the police escort their child to school the next day.

How do we ever win?

[Cat Herder]

I just had a situation where a parent did pull the child and then asked for a refund. I do not give refunds since they have taken a spot that could have been filled by another child. They threatened me with litigation and then with having the police escort their child to school the next day.

How do we ever win?

A refund of unused pre-paid tuition weeks or deposits?

I don't charge deposits or accept early tuition for this reason. Once termination is discussed, no further money switches hands.

IME, refunds are much less stressful than false reports (which they will do anyway ) and constant calls, emails and letters.

[Meeko]

In 11 years I've done 1 immediate term one DCK for behavior. The kid I termed got threw a wooden block at a toddler's head then tried to throw the rest of the box of blocks at me. All because the toddler was sitting where he wanted to go. I'm not losing 3 other families who are worried about their child's safety so some DCFS REMF can feel like they've "done something".

Bottom line is it's my program- I decide who's in it and who's not.

Amen!

[Meeko]

"Nothing to do with behavior....I'm downsizing...I pulled straws...you're it.....bye!!

[Unregistered]

I wouldn't put up with that. The state can have the license if they want!

I was thinking about doing unlicensed, exempt care (allowed in my state). However, they count the TEENAGERS in ratio. Lol!!! I am like these kids babysit other kids, I rarely, if ever 'supervise' them (except tracking ). Why on Earth would they count? If anything, the teens can assist me here and there....if they're even home. These regulatory agencies are so ridiculous sometimes, and it just gets worse. Pretty soon, everyone will need ECE, food program, an inspection, and fingerprint check-in/out, just to babysit Friday nights!!! It's so dumb. Even the state agreed with me on the rules we have counting kids over 12 in ratios, is pretty dang stupid. But, not being allowed to term bc child's behavior doesn't work? That's just the icing on the political stupidity cake.

[Unregistered]

I just had a situation where a parent did pull the child and then asked for a refund. I do not give refunds since they have taken a spot that could have been filled by another child. They threatened me with litigation and then with having the police escort their child to school the next day.

How do we ever win?

I told a parent "ok" and left it at that. No arguing or fear. They signed the contract. Plus once they have to fork up $ for a filing fee or legal team, nothing will happen over a $200 deposit. 😆 I had some make false reports but those are obvious. This is why I do WRITTEN notices, dated. So when the false report gets done, it is CLEAR to licensing it is retaliatory. If I was such a bad provider, I would assume that the parent wouldn't be stupid enough to continue bringing their child to my care the whole time. And if they wanted to take me to court for that, that would be a very easy defense. I terminated on such-and-such date, all of a sudden I was the worst provider in the world three days later, but yet nothing prevented them from bringing their child to me the entire time oh, and I was one that terminated not them. They would look pretty stupid. And they have because people tried that crap on me and it never worked.

[coloradoprovider]

:confused:

So. . . if I were in any other profession, and a client physically abused me or another client while on my property, I could refuse service. This doesn't make sense to me.

From the first link: Planned transitions, after documented attempts to address the child’s needs, are not considered expulsions. So there's wiggle room?

The following early childhood programs are prohibited from expelling young children (0-5) due to
child behavior:
 School- and community-based early childhood programs receiving Early Childhood Block
Grant funds, such as Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative, to serve children birth to five
 Licensed child care programs serving children birth to five
o Bill requires DCFS to adopt rules in alignment with requirements of this legislation
 Note: Expulsions are already prohibited for Head Start and Early Head Start programs

On the plus side, how many of your kids with major behavioral issues are the offspring of PARENTS with major behavioral issues (on-time pick up, on-time payment, following the policy handbook)? Termination for nonpayment will probably kick WAY up when providers realize the fastest way to remove a difficult child is to stand their ground on their fee policies.

When a child exhibits consistently challenging behaviors, the ECE program or provider must
document:
 Initial observations of challenging behaviors
 Communication with and participation of family
 Intervention plan and strategies, including the use of or attempts to access available external
resources
 Instances where child is ultimately transitioned out of program
Documentation allows ECE programs to show that attempts were made to continue serving the
child, ensuring that transitioning the child out of the program is the last resort.

That is still termination for challenging behavior, just under a nicer name-- "transitioning out." As in, "Bob, you're being rightsized."

What is a planned transition?
If available resources have been exhausted and it is the professional judgment of the provider that
transitioning the child to another setting is best for his/her wellbeing or that of his/her peers, the
provider should work with the family to identify and transition the child to a different setting. This
includes making referrals to other providers and planning with the parents, and new provider when
applicable, to ensure continuity of services.
What if the child poses an immediate threat to the safety of him/herself or other children?
In the case of serious safety threat, the child may be temporarily removed from attendance in the
group setting. The temporary removal of a child should trigger the process outlined above, including
engaging the family and available resources as part of an intervention plan, as well as working to
return the child to a group setting as soon as possible. If it is the professional judgment of the provider
that it is in the best interest to transition the child to a different setting, the provider will initiate the
planned transition process.

Isn't this just termination as most of us are already practicing it?

No, not as I would normally practice termination. It places the burden of transitioning on the provider - it seems to place most of the work of finding a placement for the child on the current childcare provider and then working with new provider to "plan" for continuity of service.