Moms who use a daycare center

Is this normal?

My DD is in the Infant 1 class. When I signed up in July I LOVED the 2 teachers. Since then the asst teacher (who was amazing) left to take care of her grandchildren. They haven't found a replacement yet so every day there's the head teacher and someone else. Well this week the head teacher is on vacation and the Infant 2 room was short someone this morning and they combined the 2 rooms with 2 people who have worked with the kids, but don't really know them.

I really don't know why I left her there today. I'm sitting here about to cry. There were way too many babies for the number of teachers and I'm concerned she may not get fed on her schedule, etc.

It has been this way all week. I'm VERY upset and disappointed.

Does this happen at other daycares when teachers go on vacation or get sick? or should they be more organized? I dread having to look for another, because I was pretty thorough the first time and I'm not sure there's much to chose from in my area.

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

Unfortunately, daycare centers always have staffing problems. I am dreading this in a few weeks

The priority at a daycare center is to meet the NY regs for ratio 1st - whether the kids know the staff or not. Combining classes is very common to keep the ratio where it has to be - usually kids are absent, so its possible...

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Unfortunately, daycare centers always have staffing problems. I am dreading this in a few weeks

The priority at a daycare center is to meet the NY regs for ratio 1st - whether the kids know the staff or not. Combining classes is very common to keep the ratio where it has to be - usually kids are absent, so its possible...

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

i dont mean to freak u out...but this happens ALOT i worked at a daycare in the past and one of the reason i will NEVER work at or put my children in daycare. the infant room was always understaffed along with other rooms. normally there was about 8 babies or more with 2 people which i feel should def have alot more help. the babies only got attention when they had to be fed, changed or put in the crib. i dont want to make u feel worse but if i was you i would try and find a nanny if thats not possible maybe talk to them about your concerns but all daycares have this problem.

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

my friend works at a daycare and she is a "floater and a Breaker" this happens a lot
they always have staffing issues

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

Aren't they legally supposed to have a certain ratio?

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

OK it is common to combine classes for ex. when I drop ds off at 7:30 not all the infants are there yet. So there might be some bigger babies in his room along with him, but the ratio is always adhered to. It may be a matter of the next teacher comes in at 8am so from 7:45-8am the ratio is off by one extra baby, but it's 15 minutes and the extra baby is asleep so no biggie. At my center they make an effort to ensure the ratio is maintained because people will complain if not, it is state mandated they can't just have teachers call in sick and not have a "substitute" cover for that day. Yes that person may not know your child but it's not the norm. My center rotates lunch hours and has college girls come in to cover those hours specifically and these aren't his regular teachers all day long but they are with him that hour or so each day.

In any event I would call to check on your little one if that might make you feel better, to know that she's eaten on time, etc.

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

Totally normal but still frustrating. The daycare I switched to a few years ago is MUCH better than the old one.

There were times I would drop off my kids & hang out until another teacher showed up.

I know the feeling of hoping they don't take it out on the kid. I can tell you that after speaking to so many teachers, they wouldn't even consider it.

Re: Moms who use a daycare center

Daycare always has these problems. There staff is changing constantly and don't have much back up when needed. I worked in a daycare for awhile when I was younger.