I need opinions from child care workers?

Question

I just started at a child care facility, but I am concerned about the rules there: we can not use any type of disinfectant any where, we must only use cold water on the floors, even on the changing tables, and most of the workers don't wash between changing dipers or even wash the changing table down with a wipe. also my trainer seems a bit rough with the children, taking away there blankets and telling the children that they were bad so there treasured possesion was thrown away.She is very rough at handling them when parents arn't around, and talks bad about the parents and the owner to me and others. she has worked in day care for a long time, and this is my first real day care job, what should I do?

this is a day care in the US

Answer 1

I would start looking for another job. This place is terrible.By state law every childcare facility, preschool and head start must use disinfectant. You are suppose to have bleach and water spray bottles at every changing table in that place. When you change diapers you are suppose to disinfect the changing table every time you change a diaper. You must disinfect the toys everyday because children put them in their mouths. This place is very unsafe for the children and the workers. I would talk to the person in charge about the disinfecting and the way the co-worker is treating the children. If nothing is done I would definitely report them to the state. I am a preschool assistant and we disinfect every day.

Answer 2

If you are afraid of losing a job you want to keep call your licencing representative the number should be posted with your emergency numbers that should be by every phone. The way your co worker is behaving is a direct violation of the behaviour management policy. If you don't report her you are just as guilty. You can call and ask the licencing agent to stop in for an unannounced visit. Disinfectant is a must and the spray bottles must be clearly labelled with whats in them and have WHIMIS sheets to match. As a new employee you could ask to see the labels and sheets and where the product is stored (should be locked up) so you know where they are kept this is part of your job anyway so you should know. This way it will seem like you are trying hard to do your job while letting your boss know (coyly) that there is only water in the bottles of disinfectant. Sometimes people who have worked at the same job for along time lose their passion. Can you rekindle her love of children? Are there any workshops offered, can she change rooms and work with an older age group? Sometimes working with older children because they are more verbal and can tell their parents if the teacher is mean or hurtful is a good solution. She may take more care because the children will tell. YOU can help by modeling appropriate behaviour. You need to approach the owner and let her know what's happening. Its part of your job description to keep children safe and secure. Your co worker is also breaking confidentiality rules by talking about parents and the owner. Please stand yup and take action for the sake of the children.

Answer 3

You are SO right to be concerned! I have been a preschool teacher for 14 years, and I have also seen several sub-standard preschools (luckily, now I work for an incredible one!). In the US, they have to disinfect the toys, surfaces, and especially the diapering areas!
EEEEEWWWWW! I can't imagine not washing hands after changing a poopy diaper! Here's a great game to play with co-workers that shows the spread of germs:
Get a white (or other light colored) ball. Have everyone sit in a circle. Give each person a different colored washable marker. Have each person color their fingertips with their marker. Then play "hot potato" with the ball. Note how the ball gets everyone's different color on it. The idea is to show that everything you touch spreads germs, and that you are now touching the germs everyone else had on them. It is a really easy to grasp visual of the effects of not washing hands. Is the owner on the site? A director? Talk to them about the trainer's attitude. This is not an ok way to deal with preschoolers! If the director or owner seems unwilling to deal with it, call licensing. You are obligated, as a childcare worker to protect those children, and if she is verbally or emotionally abusing them, you need to report it. You cannot be fired or in any other way reprimanded for reporting such an issue, but you can be fined and imprisoned for NOT reporting it. Contact the licensing bureau in your state to file a complaint. In the meantime, please protect yourself by using gloves during diapering (or at the very least, washing and using universal precautions). You can also call OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration) to get pamphlets and state regulations for cleanliness and diapering proceedures. At my center, we have to go through a yearly instructional training on blood-borne pathogens and diapering procedures. This is not only to protect our children from getting diseases, but us too! Working in a center, you are not privy to information that parents may not want to tell you- such as if their child has HIV. This is confidential information that they do not have to disclose to you when they start their child in your center. It is to your benefit to make sure you protect yourself from contracting any diseases like this or Hepatitis through contact with blood, urine or feces. Just because this is your first "real" job, doesn't make it the best... if you feel there are changes that need to be made (and obviously you do, or you wouldn't have had your conscience nagging you to ask here) then you need to speak up. If you still feel uncomfortable after reporting this information to the licensing agency, get out of there! This is not the environment you want to be in... you aren't learning anything productive to your own professional growth, and children are not being taken care of. Good luck!

Answer 4

You have every right to be concerned.... what is happening is wrong. Do you have a close rapport with your boss? Ideally she would be the first person to talk to, if you follow correct grievance procedures. But I do understand that there are certain cases, where this is not possible. I am not sure if you are from USA or elsewhere, but here in Australia, there are "licensing boards" to contact, where they could drop in and do spot checks, and follow the matter up, if they feel there is a need. So where ever you are, find out who the "governing body" so to speak is, and definitely contact them!

Answer 5

welcome to American child care. Definately a center where it is unsanitary and emotionally damaging to kids. first, check out state- licensing regs. I have a link below to find your state regs. You may be able to check the licensing report for the center on-line. Many states have that info as public record. If they have numerous citations, you are in a bad center. Best of all, get written documentation (get copies if you can of any screwed up paperwork). if ya can sneak a photo of the mess, maybe that can work. I've used the video of my digital camera, they thought it didn't have audio & I was just taking a snapshot. Maybe an undercover news story for TV? Sadly, you probably will need to move on to another center. Yes, it is hard to leave kids in such bad state, but government studies show that 25% of American preschoolers are receiving basic to below average care that can be detremental to a preschoolers well-being or health. Parents continue to send their kids to junk centers. ?lying to themselves that it's a nice place? When I worked for state-licensing, we were told it is harder to shut down a day care center than it is to shut down a dog kennel. You screw up after two inspections at a dog kennel, you have to go to court to get the keys back and make a security deposit for the needed repairs or supplies. Day care however, you are told on a report to make improvemnts, and if you don't you get another report over and over again. If you improve in just a couple of areas they can't revoke your license. So, while the dog kennel gets shut down, the day care keeps in business. oh, and I will add this second link to a website to help give you ideas for teaching, along with a sharing board to communicate w/ other teachers, and check out licensing requirements. hope this helps!

Answer 6

At the very least this situation sound like neglect and borders on abuse. You as a day care worker are a mandated reporter.I would suggest calling you licensing agency or hot line for abuse and neglect. Be prepared to be interviewed and have the center possibly shut down. Before you are named in any lawsuits for allowing these things to occur and not reporting them I would encourage you to speak up for these children they obviously have now voice in this matter.Good lokk to you and please don't allow this cold and unfair treatment to go on.

Answer 7

I am a preschool teacher and I would call the health department or whom ever is over the district health care. Everything you mentioned is so very wrong and I would go and find another job fast before you get in trouble as well.

Answer 8

Call Licensing and tell them what you have observed. If they ask you who you are, tell them that you used to work there. If you don't know who licensing is, all child cares have a license to work with children and they have to answer to licensing. licensing will come and check it out without notifying the center first. Maybe you could go to your county, they should have a children's services and you can let them know what happened. If worst comes to worst, get out of there and on your way out let the parents know what is going on.

Answer 9

They need to be reported.
And stop watching other peoples kids, And start telling the parents to ge there kids out of there.
that makes me sick when I think about it.
Also who is in charge.... they should know about that persons behavior.
People need to watch and raise their own kids, if they only knew about this stuff....

Answer 10

report her she is not fit to take care of young ones anymore