Not BPI related, but need advice please

[browning93]

I agree with francine and Missy. Do all of the above and get your own attorney tommorrow. They have kno business watching kids!!! I'm so angry for you! LeeAnne

[Tricia]

Thank you all so much for your care and concern! I've already begun to take your advice and I wanted to give an update.

First of all, I will NEVER take my children back to this facility. I firmly believe if they thought my son would be unable to articulate to me what took place that day, I would never have heard anything about it. They've outright lied to me about it, and I have yet to hear a respectable apology.

I called the local NBC news station and they ran the story twice on Saturday. The local paper will be calling me today regarding running the story. I've requested that McDonald's make me a copy of the tape, and they've agreed to provide it. I've also asked the manager to provide a statement about what happend. I'm working on a letter to the editor and hope to have it ready to mail by Wednesday.

I know this seems like a long time for a simple letter, but I'm in nursing school and that takes up a great amount of my time. Also, I have to drive an extra 3 hours each day now to take my children to my sister's house 45 minutes away. I'll be looking for another daycare, but how on earth do I trust a place after this??

Justin has been okay. He's great during the day, but at night, when it's time to go to sleep, he does anything and everything he can to keep either me or his daddy in his room with him. He just doesn't want to be alone, and who could blame him?

Again, thanks for all the support! I've got a huge to-do list for today, and I'll keep you updated!

[NancyP]

Tricia,

As a former Director of multiple programs, I am feeling so sick about what happened to your child. Head Counts are NOT an acceptable way to ensure that all children are accounted for. ALL daycares should ALWAYS do role call after all of the children are on a vehicle. ESPECIALLY at 4 years old. It only takes a second to make sure that all of the children are accounted for. (other parents-please check with your day care for their policy on field trips for head count vs. role call.) I NEVER relied on head counts. How scary!!!! Call you state licensing agency. That daycare needs it's license revoked, the state can sue them, you could for neglect too. They could owe large fines to the state. They are something to deny all of this happened when it is caught on tape! Good luck!

[francine]

Tricia! gosh - so sorry this happened.

We have found a great difference in the daycares that have anyone with a minimal 6 week course being paid minimal wages COMPARED to private preschools that have degreed, certified TEACHERS being paid normal wages.

If you can look at it from this standpoint - just ask the question - do you use teachers that are degreed/certified? this may help weed out the wannabees from the good places. I would also check the state records in advance to see if any complaints have been filed against them.

Here's the kicker.... we pay LESS for the little preschool with the REAL teachers then we paid for the wannabee chain with the problems!!

good luck - hope you find a place soon,
and good for you for putting yourself right out there and getting the information public!!

-francine

[francine]

I guess I should clarify.... I'm not saying that there can't be good teachers in a chain and I'm also not saying that just because they are degreed means that they are a good teacher....

but a school that hires real teachers and pays normal teacher wages (whatever that is - definitely NOT minimum wage), I believe has a different respect level for the children and for the school itself.

does that makes sense?

[DebbieJean]

I feel so angry for you right now.
But you are doing the right thing, by reporting them.
Keep holding on.
Take Care,
Deb

[blakesmom]

what is the teacher to child ratio? I think they definately need more teachers or maybe parent helpers if they are going to be making these field trips, ecspecially to McDonalds at lunchtime!!! I went on a field trip with Blake's school last week to the firehouse and there were at least 6 mothers and 2 teachers for a class of only 16 children. I know that a lot of mothers are working, but I think the daycare needs to make provisions for these field trips. Blake's school puts name tags on each child with the name,address and phone number. Does you child know his address? We made a little song out of it and Blake and my babysitting kids all know theirs. I understand your frustration and anger. Good for you about getting the word out about that place.

[Tricia]

The local paper printed the story and I just wanted to share the link. Thanks to everyone for the advice, I'm still working on it!

http://www.dailyindependent.com/032602/ ... ocal8.html

[Donna (Colleen's Mom)]

Thanks for the link. It's too bad you can't file charges, though. Have you filed a complaint with whatever regulatory body gives them their license? Have they been punished for their mistake?

[Donna (Colleen's Mom)]

Sorry, I see now that you are working on the punishment part...
good luck!