Can I Trust My Daycare? Is My Child Safe?

Updated on March 14, 2007
J.G. asks from Pulaski, WI
12 answers

I just watched the news tonight and saw that their is a woman in the area that was trying to kidnap children from daycares. Now I used to work in a daycare, so I know how secure they can be, but I am not so confident about the daycare that my child is at right now. I don't know any of the teachers and I have noticed that teachers come and go and there is usually a new teacher in my child's room every other week. I have never been asked for my ID from any of the teachers, and niether has my father when he picked up my child and he isn't even authorized to pick her up according to the paperwork I filled out. I am looking for the best way to handle the situation.

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A.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

J.,

I was hearing about stuff like this on a Christian radio station, I think that it was KTIS morning show or something. Anyways, they had a good idea that I am going to teach my son and any other children that we have. You have a code word that only you and your child know and you might want to put trust in one of the day care staff and let them know what the code word is, and the only way that someone can pick the child up is if they know the code word. So this might be something that you might want to teach your daughter.. Though it would probably be a good idea to have a new code every so often. Just an idea.

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S.B.

answers from Janesville-Beloit on

I am a child care provider. High staff turnover usual means a poor day care! You need to feel secure while your child is a day care and if you don't feel that way, maybe it would be best to find somewhere else! I personally ID any person that I do not know when it comes to picking up a child! Every teacher at the center that I work at has been there and working for over a year! We also have the same teachers in classrooms all day to ensure stability for the children and the parents! I feel that these are some of the qualities that you need to look sure when finding a quality daycare!

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K.

answers from Green Bay on

Hi J.:

It's great that you are aware of these things at your daycare....The inconsistency with teachers isn't very good for any child...I'm surprised at this! And if you are at all uneasy with the schools safety protocol, call for a parent/teacher meeting so these issues are addressed immediately.

Blessings
K.

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A.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

I don't know where you live but I feel completely safe with my baby at Kinder Care in Maple Grove (by Cub). The teachers in my daughter's room have been the same since I started my daughter (about a year). A few times, there was a new teacher there filling in and they always make sure that someone there knows who I am before they let me take her home. They even carded my husband once as he doesn't drop off or pick up very much. That being said, with the recent news I am planning on questioning the center director to make sure they are extra vigilant now. You should definitely talk to them and if you still don't feel safe, check out Kinder Care. They're accredited so they have to abide by strict rules.

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J.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

Don't want to offend you... but if the teachers keep leaving, I would take that as a bad sign and pull my kid out of that daycare! There are soo many horrible daycare centers, if they can't keep teachers, there is probably a reason. My dad picked my son up last week at his daycare, and he has before and my son was calling him grandpa... but they checked his id anyway. He said they kept saying sorry, but he was glad they did. I worked at a New Horizon almost 2 years ago... and it was HORRIBLE!!! I had heard that new horizon and children's world were run really badly, but I never would have realized how bad it really is. I know a few people who have worked for children's world... and I saw how new horizon was. I was an aide... and they left me alone in the room with no teacher for 4 months (of the 5 months I could stand to stay there). The teacher of the other toddler room dissappeared anytime we were combined outside or in the great room or anything, and would leave me for up to an hour with 14 toddlers! (the law is no more than 7). I would really question that daycare... even without the security concern. I don't know where you live... I found an amazing daycare center in burnsville, part of the fairview ridges campus. It is called Ebenezer Ridges, it is in the nursing home. I haven't found anything else like it after touring pretty much every daycare in the area. I am really sad because I just moved and it is adding 45 minutes onto the time it takes me to get to work, so next Tuesday is his last day there. He will be going to a daycare where I work now, which is also really good, but not quite as good. I would definitely reccomend Ebenezer to anyone I meet after the 7 months my son has been there, it is really amazing! That might not be convenient for you, but I still hope you find a new place for your daughter. Good luck!

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P.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

That is scary. I would think about switching if the safety precautions are not there. I'm at an in-home daycare and I filled out who other than Mom and Dad can pick up our kids. Maybe you can them what their safety procedures are or get a hard copy of their policy. If they are not following something then I'd report them. It's a huge concern on your part. I'd be very worried that they are not checking ID's or that they don't wear a badge.

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K.E.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am so sorry that your having to deal with. There are few things that are harder than finding a good daycare. As a previous poster said, trust your gut. If you really in your heart feel that you need to pull your child, then pull your child.

Also, just remember that not all places are the same. A PP said that centers are not good, especially New Horizons and Children's World. Well, my 3 year old goes to a Childrens World in Ramsey and it is WONDERFUL! The turn around is next to nothing in fact, the only teachers that have left are one that had a baby and another that found a job closer to home. So just keep in mind that not all centers are the same. I would also look for one that is nationally accredited because that means they are checked up on regularly.

K.

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B.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

If your seeing a new teacher every other week and there turnover rate is like that I would stay clear and far away from a daycare like that.

My daughter has been in alot of daycares. She just started her first day at a new one today. I like to see the same providers or workers so that they know me on a first name basis. I like when they know me so well they don't ask I.D but that I see them asking other's they don't see on a regular basis for I.D's. I've dropped my daughter off at places before and when I got back they didn't know me and asked for ID I was offended at first but then came to realize how safe they were being.

I worked as a traveling photographer for preschool's and daycares. I came in with my company and took "school" picutres etc. I can tell you I've seen some good and some bad. At New Horizon in MOA I saw a 3 year old who had some sort of disability just leave, she let herself out. I STOPPED her and I'm glad I did or noone would have noticed. Then I have seen kids at daycare centers (new horizon in Eagan) left outside completely unattended. If I wanted to I could have easily climbed the fence or used the gate and snatched a child. I have gone in to pick up my own child before, noone noticed I came in the building, my daughter's entire toddler classroom was left unattended for over 5min. I was nice enough to patiently wait for the teacher to realize I was there and let her know I was taking my child home but really I could have taken my child or a few more and noone would have noticed. Now at that center I did need a code to get in the front door but I think the code was like 1234* not to hard to figure out.

It's so sad but you really have to search hard to find a decent daycare. If you want a more personable experiance and a low ratio you'd be better off in a home daycare. There are centers out there that are awesome but they are hard to find.

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M.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

I am an in home day care provider for 27 years and I have heard stories about the larger centers. An in home center has only one or two providers who knows you and the family, you become part of their family. Maybe you should look into this. Also all non compliances must be posted at the center from the licensing specialist and you may ask to see it, on there is a number you can call to voice your concerns. If what you stated is true, they are not in compliance with the rules by the state.

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P.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would talk to whoever is in charge of your daycare and let them know your concerns. They shouldn't let anyone pickup your child without your permission. My daycare has a consent form of who can pick up my daughter. They also seemed a little casual about it when I had my sister pick her up once, but I did let them know the day before so they didn't just hand her over. I would talk to your daycare because if they don't know how you feel they can't do anything about it to help.

P.

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R.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would take my baby and run! If you need help finding a new provider, try contacting your county's community service department and request a list of all licensed providers in your area, and then start interviewing. It can be long process, but once you find a place you trust where your daughter is safe, you will feel so much better. Good Luck!

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P.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

That's a good warning sign that the Center should beef up security. If I were you, I'd have a serious sit down meeting with the center director and discuss heart to heart ALL of your concerns. I'd even mention the scenario about your father picking up your son and how the center failed you that day. Your child's wellfare should always over ride any ill feelings or embarrasement on your part. I never feel bad about putting myself out there for my kids. And, your hope is that they just do their job. Perhaps they need a wake-up call. I'd also ask about the flex in staffing...find out what's really going on there. Children need stability and your son isn't getting it with constant teacher turn over. Good luck.

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