Should I be concerned about my child saftey? Please Answer.?

Question

My child is 16 months old. She just joined a child care for the first time. The staff seems to be pretty nice. The concern is that when I go to visit my child room, usually the door is shut. I use to be able to peak through the class window on the door and see her play,but now they have this thick clear plastic on the other side of the window. I can not see the kids now. They also have a sign that say please knock before you enter. Is it that they don't want no one looking through the door? I've have been to other child care facilities with my other daughter and I love looking in the door through the class window before I walk in. Should I be concern? I want my child to be in a loving envirnment. I do everything that needs to be done to protect my child safty. I even visited other child care facilities,before I choose this one.

Answer 1

I'd start looking for a new place. I have an 11 month old and I want him to be in a place as comfortable as my own home, if I didn't have that at my daycare, I would find one that made me more comfortable.

Answer 2

Have you asked anyone at the facility why they have blocked the window? If not go to the administrator of the facility and ask him or her the reason for this. If the reason does not make sense or make you feel better about the situation tell that person so and tell them that you are considering lodging a complaint with a higher authority. You can NEVER be too careful where your young children are concerned these days regretfully. Most Daycare facilities have in their contracts a section that tells you how much notice you need to give to take your child out of their care. If you feel you want to give them that amount of notice and remove your child but if you still feel VERY uncomfortable write a notice to them removing your child and siting the reason why and make a copy of it for your records just in case they try to take you to court for any fees. At least that is what I would do. I have 3 Grown Children myself and 13 Grandchildren. Bear in mind tho that I am not an Attorney so I don't know what your legal rights might be under these conditions.

Answer 3

take your concerns to the director, why is the window blocked? as a parent you should be able to see in the room.some centers today have 'nanny cams' so you can 'peek' at work. Just drop in without knocking during 'non-parent' times like from 10-11 am. nearly every kid has been dropped off, so the staff knows they are 'safe' from parents at least till lunch. if they try to keep your child 'hidden away' from you, call the licensing office in your state and report this. I worked at a few day cares and left because there can be some scary stuff going on behind closed doors. many places hire college-age women with little experience with kids and expect them to watch 12 three year olds by themselves. could you do it without snapping? if you need to know your state licensing agent, here is the link. some states also post inspection reports. I don't think parents use those reports, or don't care. There is a center down the street from me that has numerous citations for poor (unsafe) infant care yet they have a wait list!

Answer 4

I see it both ways. I run a daycare and understand why no one can see in or out. Some children may see their parents through the door and become upset, throwing fits, making it harder on the child care workers. I, as a parent and a child care provider understand that you want the best for your child. While it may make it easier on you to see your child, it might make it even harder on the child to see you and then not be able to have you. My best advice is to talk to the providers, tell them your concerns. I have found that honesty is the best outcome in a situation like that. Just ask them why the window is covered and why do I have to knock before entering, tell them you are just nervous. There is nothing wrong in asking questions when it concerns your child! I have a little boy that is 17 months that I watch and his mom is very concerned about him and she likes to call and check up on him once a day. That is perfectly fine with me because I know that she can do her job better knowing that her child is well taken care of. Maybe ask the providers to set up a time so you can check up on her. Be early sometimes to just "pop in" if it makes you feel better. Monitor your child when you pick her up. Does it look like she has been well taken care of, does her eyes look swollen and red like she has been crying all day? Just be honest with them.

Answer 5

Ask the director of the facility why the changes have been made. You should be able, if your child is in the room, to walk in. You should also be able to look into the room. If you have a gut feeling that something is not right and do not agree with the director's explanation for the changes, move the child to a new facility. Always better to play it safe.

Answer 6

Definately feel concerned. You should always go with your gut-instinct anyway.

I doubt that you will ever find a child-care facility with whom you can trust as if it was you, but you should try to find one who you can at least trust somewhat in that fashion. Perhaps you should come one day, unexpectedly, and just open the door. This will catch the attendants off guard, and if they have a problem with you not knocking, then explain to them your concerns. If they are legit, they'll remove the plastic without hesititation, understanding your parental concern. However, if they still have a problem with it, pull your child out of the daycare right at that moment. It's too much of a risk to leave your child, especially a 16-month-old, with somebody that you don't trust.

Answer 7

I would be concerned. There shouldn't be a problem with parents looking through the window before they go in and I don't see any reason for you to have to knock before you go in either. I'd at least start asking questions and if you don't get a good answer (although, I'm not sure what that would be), I'd start looking for another daycare ASAP!!

I've picked up my 2-year old nephew from daycare a number of times and they never have issues with anyone looking through the door of the room. To me, the looking through the door issue is one thing, but I'd especially wonder about them wanting you to knock.

Answer 8

As an educator of young children I would not be too concerned and if you do have questions go to the director of the childcare facility and ask why alot of times I know in our classrooms at my school we do this because of nap time it makes it darker so the children can sleep better or the child put their art work on the windows and doors. I would just go to the director like I mentioned before and ask why this is so. Good luck.

Answer 9

No school or daycare should be secretive w/ the parents...obviously there should be measures in place to keep strangers out of the facility, but once you get to the classroom you should have the right to know what's going on in there.
Talk to the teachers...if you still feel nervous or suspicious go w/ your gut feelings.
It seems to me that they may shut the door to keep the children in, so they don't go wandering off, but covering the windows and asking for notice before a visit seems a little fishy.
I would just barge in anyway...hopefully everything works out okay for you and your daughter. Best of luck!

Answer 10

well for me i would say that you need t found a new child care. cuz to me that just does not sound right it is one thing to keep the door closed cuz of all the kids in the room what if one of them walked out ok i get that but things on the window. that does not sound right cuz to me that is not good for kids they need to be able to look out side and everything but if i was you i would found a new place i hope this has helped good luck