My daughter is 20 months old. She's been at our current daycare for almost a year now. When we first started I told them that she'd only attend 3 days a week. We'd still pay for full time since we wanted the spot, but she'd only be there Mon-Wed. They said that was OK but once she got into the next room, she'd have to start attending full time. I asked why and they said it's because the children have a hard time transitioning on Mondays if they've been home for 4 days. Well, it's now 2 rooms later, and the daycare is OK. In all honesty, it does some things I don't like, but it's our best option right now. Yesterday I was informed that my daughter needs to start attending full time. The manager was not around for me to talk to, and I was told I could call today if I wanted to discuss it, but that they are strict on this policy. Well, here's my issue. My daughter doesn't have a problem transitioning on Mondays. She's great. She sits right down and eats her breakfast when she gets there. She follows their directions. I've never been informed that Mondays are any different than any other day for her. If she was having problems, I'd be OK with taking her more, actually we do take her full time when she changes rooms to help her adjust. So, I just don't get it. Why should she have to attend full time? They're definately not giving her the type of care I can when I have her on my days off, so that's not a very effective reason. She's not a disruption to the class that I know of. And you'd think they'd be happy to have one less kid on the days she's not there- it gives them a chance to spend more time with the other children. So, am I nuts? Does anyone else have a different view?
Thanks everyone for their input. I especially liked how you pointed out that they are essentially ruling how much I can spend with my daughter. Anyway, it all came to a head yesterday afternoon. I had my husband try to call them yesterday, but the director didn't return his phone calls. Instead, she grabbed me as I walked in the door (I'm not as assertive as my husband, so I wanted him to do the talking). She expained that this is their policy and that my daughter needs to attend full time. We discussed it and I said my points that she adjusts well (so that reasoning doesn't work) and that do they really think they are able to teach her more with a 5-1 student teacher ratio than I am one on one at home? Well, she did! The nerve! She said that if my daughter didn't attend full time, then she would not be learning as much as the other children. And that this is a learning center. But, to me, it should be my decision what my daughter learns at this age- and how she learns it. They do things like have the kids sit on a mat for 40+ minutes while they show them flashcards and read a couple of books (seriously, more flashcards than books). And, they watch TV for at least an hour every day. My daughter doesn't watch any TV at home b/c we don't agree with the TV babysitter and studies have shown that it actually hinders their speach development at this age. Anyway, the sad thing is, I can't take her out of this school just yet. We're expecting in January, and then planning on moving. So, I'm going to have to wait until January to take her out. The director was unmoving on her "policy" (with no good reason), so we came to the understanding that my daughter will attend 4 days a week until she turns 2 (in Feb). I can't say she won't be sick a lot of Thurdays, but that's what we've got to work with. I really want to tell off the teacher who thinks her curriculum is so great, but I worry that it'll affect her relationship with my daughter. So, I may just save that until we leave. Thanks again for all the input.
if you are paying for the care for FT, they shouldnt care if shes there or not, especially if it is a set schedule every week. AS a provider, I only ask that they come before 10am if they are coming that day. And if not coming to please call me, so I can plan my day.
I would switch. Good luck.
Unfortunately I have no advice for you, but I think thats crazy! If you are paying all that they want, I cant imagine why this is an issue. My daycare has no policy like this that I'm aware of. That's just strange.
My impression is that they will probably tell you that this is their rule across-the-board regardless of how your daughter reacts/transitions on Mondays individually. In light of the fact that they cannot and should not require you to spend less time with your child than your work schedule requires, you should follow your heart and at least try to see what other options are available to you. While I do understand why they have to have policies that are uniform across-the-board, that type of uniformity does not all for you, a caring mom, to be "allowed" to spend additional days with your own child. That to me is not their place to decide, nor is it in your daughter's best interest. I know how hard it is to find good care, but it seems to me that perhaps an in-home licensed provider may be a better route for you because they tend to adore parents who pay full-time and attend part-time for exactly the reasons you cited -- less children = more one on one attention for others. Good luck! Remember, you should not have to sacrifice precious time with your little girl due to the center's strict requirements once she's in school, attendance becomes mandatory, at this age, they should encourage your desire to spend more time with your child. If they truly had the child's best interest in mind, they would allow some leeway for you.
It seems strange to me as well, but it does not seem you are happy with the daycare center anyway. Sometimes things like this happen to push you to do what you need to do- which is change the daycare you didn't like anyway. There are places that do accept part-time and then you would be paying less and for a place that you do like! Use some of those free days to shop around and visit daycares and see what else is out there.
Check out this link for state licensed childcare providers, you can search by zipcodes:
http://204.90.20.58/childcare/provider/providersearch.aspx
I'm sure this will turn out for the best, just keep sticking to your momma bear instincts! You are what's best for your daughter!
A.
Daycares can make any rules they want. When i was searching for a new one, i saw really big differences in some of them. Conform or dont go, was what i felt. So some of them i completely disregarded. I think if your child is adjusting well, then that is for you to say. However if they make the rule, to be consistent for all children, you cant' fight it. I would take her out. You are the parent, paying them, you decide what is best for your family. Dont feel forced to put her in more than you want them to> i want to keep my daugther in an in home environment as long as i can. next year she will be in school and for how many years thereafter?!?!??!
Could it be they get more money from the state with more children in the room?
J., the only thing I could think of, being a home daycare operator, is they may have your daughter enrolled in the FDA food program and they can't claim her on the days she's not there. If she's not having any problems transitioning, it's the only logical reason to me.
A.
I had the same problem because my son is in a special needs class at a school 2 days a week (for his speech therapy). After fighting with the daycare I sought out more info and was eventually told because this is considered a treatment for a "disability" that no daycare or school could deny him services because of it. BUT, after having to fight with the daycare about it, I didn't want my son there anyway. Now he is at a different daycare, one who isn't so mean and un-understanding and he is doing great. So, i say just find somewhere else. I know it is a pain, but it will probably turn out to be better for all involved.
Best of luck to you.
