What would you do if you left your 3 year old at a class and he managed to slip out of his class un-noticed?

Question

On Monday I took my son to his kinder class and somehow he managed to leave the class room without the teacher noticing.She says that he slipped out and one of the parents who happened to be sitting in the parking lot found him!! The teacher says that he was only out there for 2-3 mins,that's too long isn't it?I went down to the Municipal building to file a complaint,they didn't seem too overly concerned,all they said was that they were going to install a sensor on the door to alert the teacher .Two or three minutes for a three year old to be outside is too long,right?? There are so many different things that could have happened!! Kidnapping,hit by car,lost,dog bite,the list can go on and on!! What should I do now? I filed my complaint but is there something else that I should be doing as well!!Thanks

Answer 1

I understand that teachers can't be everywhere at once, and it is good that they are going to put a sensor on the door. But to me they act like it is no big deal, how would they feel if it was there child? Yes in that time frame he could have been gone for good, your lucky that it was a parent in the parking lot. I would definitely talk to them about your concerns if your still unhappy with the results then see about moving him somewhere else. I wouldn't want someone watching my kids who acted like I shouldn't be worried if my child managed to sneak off. Did they ever apologize, and how did you find out that it happened? This is your child and you should only leave him where you feel comfortable

Answer 2

All things considered- you need to go with your Gut Reaction! If you feel like this school/ daycare is unsafe for your child then finda new one! If you feel like it was just a one time issue that happened because your child is curious and the teacher was busy- then give it a chance and see if there is a change.

In my opinon, you are not over reacting when it comes to your childs safety -

I am not sure ifthis is a public school setting or a private day care setting- but as one other person noted - most day care providers have alarms or buzzers on the front doors so that children and parents have peace of mind. Our provider actually has a desk area out inthe reception space with a person there so they can see everything happening throughout the day.

If you still have reservations - I'd suggest calming down and talking to the teacher about ways you can prevent this - if you like the suggestions wait and see - if you feel like your concerns are dismissed and it is a privtae provider- I'd change to a facility that will take those factors into consideration and have a plan for curious children like your own.

You may also want to find a book- like CUrious George and read it with your child - talk about the situations that the monkey gets into with your child- That way the discussion could be on a childs level and maybe they'll understand that there is a time to go exploring and a time to stay in the room


Good Luck!

Answer 3

I can understand how you must feel that your son was not being taken care of or watched properly. HOWEVER i don't think you can pass all blame on to the teacher. Usually the teacher has a lot of kids to watch, and things can happen. My daughter recently ended up in the ER from sliding 3 kids on a slet at school when the rule says only 2 kids per sled. The teacher just didn't see. I don't blame her..things do happen. Instead of just filing a complain about a teacher that is probably really just doing her best. How about going to the school and finding out about getting an assistant teacher or parent volunteers to help watch the kids when they are up and running around. This way you can prevent other kids from being misplaced or any other accidents that could happen. I am not downplaying what happened with your son but sometimes the best thing you can do is come up with some heplful ideas instead of just complaing. Schools and other businesses are more eager to just play down a complaint when they feel they are being accused. Also make sure to tell your son he needs to stay in the classroom at all times. My daughter just turend 4 a couple weeks ago but she knows to NEVER leave the classroom without an adult. Making sure your son knows this will help with other possible disppearances in the future, not just at school. Hope this helps

Answer 4

It isn't acceptable that you child was able to leave the class room at all. It is irrelevant how long he was outside. However, you have alerted the authorities to the situation and they will hopefully now be more aware of it. I'm sure the teacher who lost him still wakes up in the night shaking at the possible consequences, I know I would. Fortunately in this instance no harm was done and hopefully they will address the problem before any other children escape. Lots of bad things could have happened, but they didn't, so other than checking when these sensors are likely to be fitted, and what interim measure they are taking to protect your children, there's not much else to be done. Expect perhaps explain to your little boy that he shouldn't leave the classroom without telling the teacher where he's going and why it's so important that he doesn't.

Answer 5

Something like this happened to me when I was about 4 years old. I managed to leave my daycare with my bestfriend with no one knowing where we were for several hours. When my mom came to pick me up, I was gone. Luckily, I hadn't gone very far - only to the local toy store across the street. My mother filed a complaint with the daycare owner, teacher & the head person on the military base we were living on at the time.

If I were you, I would keep complaining. One time is not enough. You need to make sure that the door is shut once your child or any child enters the room. You may also want to speak with your child about not leaving and being with an adult at all times. I know it sounds silly to speak to a 3 year old about this, but I was a preschool teacher for three years and it does make a difference when the parents tell their child between right and wrong and have the support of the teacher & director of the child care center.

Answer 6

I definetly would not let your child back to the class again. I am a toddler teacher and know that every moment counts. There are so many things that could have happened. Three minutes is much to long. There is no way that the child should have snuck out. The teacher was not watching him good enough and should be fired. File a complaint with the class director.

Answer 7

Well, I don't think you are being "overly concerned" at all! If that happend with my child I would have someones head on a plate. 2-3 SECONDS would be too long as far as I am concerned.

I can't think of anything else you can do at this point, other than keep a close eye on the kinder class getting that sensor installed. Make sure thay have enough teachers and assistants, too.

Answer 8

As long as they do something to rectify the situation, I would be ok, just give them h*ll, let them know you are very very upset. My daughter got out of her kindergarten class and was missing for 45 minutes. Noone questioned her in the hallways because she is the same height as a 3rd grader. Oh believe me, they are more careful now. I just went off and maybe that's what you need to do, or sit down and have a very long talk with the teacher. Good luck, I know it's frustrating, my unfortunately, unless you want to switch schools, there's not a whole lot you can threaten.

Answer 9

Your child is legally in their care, and they have a duty to ensure they provide that care.

The fact he may have been missing only a few minutes is no defence, he got out.

What if it had been some pervert out there instead of another parent, and a sensor on the door doesn't cut it.

Is it going to go off every time the door opens, from both sides, great aid to education that, constant disruption

I would take legal advice, as at a minimum they need to be forced to review their safety systems

Answer 10

Is the kinder class a day care? If it is, there is a licensing board that license day cares and that is where you file a complaint. They will take a look and see if they are in compliance. If it is not a licensed day care, I don't think there is much you can do other than what you have already done. Some kids can't stay in one place. If your kid is one of them, maybe you want to consider different classes where it is impossible for him to get away.