Question about punishment at summer care facility?

Question

My daughter goes to the Boys and Girls Club for summer care. She really enjoys it. However, she told me yesterday that the kids were being too rowdy, so for punishment, they were made to sit outside on the bleachers for an hour in the blazing sun. It was 103 degrees in our area yesterday. Actually broke the temperature record. She was nauseas and listless all night because of this. Needless to say, I am furious! That is child endangerment! I have called and left a message for the director to call me back. I have a serious issue with this method of punishment. One of those kids could have had a heat stroke! What would you do and do you think this "punishment" was completely out of line? The kids ranged in age from 6-12. My daughter is 11.

Answer 1

That is not safe at all!!! But be sure to be calm when you handle this situation-it would be best to be the less aggressor then the aggressor-let them get all defensive. Try to find a solution. Sitting on the bleachers and not getting to play was a good idea, but taking into account that the sun was blazing that would not be the best idea at that time. So maybe help them find a solution: Next time they can sit on the wall in the shade and not get to play? They had a good punishment but not a good place to sit. So be positive when you handle this-the outcome will be more pleasant. Your daughter likes going there-you do not want the people there treating her poorly because her such and such mother(in their own words) came and rippped off our heads, ect... So finding a solution will help plus you can use the three C's rule: Compliment, Compare, and Correct-this makes a more happier outcome. Trust me!!I worked in a daycare and this helped to avert any problems with parents.

Answer 2

UNNESSACARY. There are far better Punishments than forcing an 11 year old child to sit outside in 103 degree weather for an hour because they were rowdy. The First time a child DOES have a heat stroke = MASSIVE lawsuit. Making a child have a time-out, taking away of privilages, even a call home to the parents that evening would be a better Punishment than that. Your anger is justified, however make sure you verify what your daughter says, then Rip the camp director several new holes.

Answer 3

Kindercare. I think they have many locations nationwide. My children are 1 and almost 3. Monthly cost for the older one is $950. More expensive for the younger one. Children are kept is separate rooms: Infants, 1-yr old walkers, 2-yrs, 3-yr old potty trained, etc. The facilities are clean, and toys are sanitized daily. Kids wash hands before eating. Safety: For parents to get into the facility, we enter a code. Once a month, they do fire drills. Discipline: They don't do time-outs. They would tell the child to not , and separate from other kid if they were fighting. Potty training: Teacher said she will tell us when he is ready to be potty trained, so we didn't do anything... until last week! I agree that he was not ready earlier. Now the teachers are potty training several kids at the same time. The restroom has 2 small toilets, and they round the kids up every interval, and line them up to use the potty. Seeing his friends use the potty has been working to let our son use it too. Meals: Meals are cooked on-site daily, and consist of nutritious food with veggies and fruits. I like this facility obviously, but still check the local center. The people there might be different from the ones we have. Every place is different.

Answer 4

Oh my goodness! How can any one think to do this? You're so right, any one of those children could have suffered or even died in 103 degree weather! This was obviously an easy way out for an impatient counselor; not only do the kids get punished, but they're out of her hair for an hour. What needs to be done is a report to the manager of this Boys and Girls Club, or whoever is in charge of the summer care
program! Ask other parents to make reports as well. Also, until that particular ABUSIVE counselor is fired, suspended, or at least warned, I would pull your daughter out of that program if I were you, and advise other parents to do the same!

Answer 5

I agree with Jellycole. You need to be calm but firm in this. Going and ripping someone a new one is just going to make you that crazy mother that people put off because they don't want to deal with you. I would call the director back if she doesn't call you back within a few hours and tell them they need to call you back immediatly as you are very concerned about the treatment of the children and need an immediate mediation. Tell them it could become a legal matter if not dealt with accordingly. Tell them your daughter enjoys it there, but you are really questioning the judgement of the careworkers and if they could do this, what else could they be doing? If they don't call you by the end of the day call and request the director's bosses number. Sometimes general directors are not versed in legal situations, but you can bet their bosses are. Like I said firm, but not nasty. The person answering the phone probably doesn't have anything to do with it.Good luck.

Answer 6

I would be furious too!! That punishment was out of line. Couldn't they just have put the kids in a corner in the room or something? I don't understand how they don't know that the kids could get a heat stroke especially kids. And it was 100 degrees?!?!?!? Maybe you could rally up other mothers to complain with you. Power in numbers. The director better call you back soon and I hope they don't think that this is not a big deal because it is. You put your kids there because you feel it is safe and they turn around put your kid in harm's way?

Answer 7

I think not only was it out of line, but it was dangerous as well. You can let the leader know that you are with them 100% on disciplining the children for doing wrong, but that it needs to be appropriate for age and weather conditions. Let them know that if this happens again, child protective services will be called.

Answer 8

Yes, I think it was out of line. Those poor kids. It's not good for anybody to be out in that kind of heat. You're right, one of them could have really gotten sick and it sounds like your daughter got a little dehydrated. I hope the director calls you back. That's awful!

Answer 9

That doesn't seem like a legite punishment. If one of those children had a heat stroke or something of the like they'd be in a huge heap of trouble. I'd keep calling until you get an answer.

Answer 10

That is WAY over the top! You don't punish kids by putting them at serious risk like that. Whoever ordered it needs to be fired!