Received Thursday, July 19, 2007
I witnessed an incident with a Day Care group on Park Slope, where several of the children- all under or just above a year old, were placed in a wagon and pulled across a busy street. The issue I have is that the wagon, in the middle of the street, fell apart. The green bars along it's side was either not fitted properly or just broken. A rush was made to correct the issue but still, such a thing is not only dangerous but apparently commonplace for this so called school. I know it isn't a nanny but still a caregiver is a caregiver and I think this is important for this site.
Please supply additional details of the incident -JD
48 comments:
Didn't someone request a Park Slope posting earlier on a nother posting? Here you go.
Anyway, this sounds awful. Do you have more details?
I can't believe that people use (GASP!) group child care in Park Slope! How common.
I'm not sure I get where the negligence is.
Are you saying that they knew the wagon would fall apart as they crossed the street?
Or did the wagon just randomly break? If that's the case, unless the caretakers are pyschic how could they have predicted what would happen?
Can't get it up for this.
8:42 Do you get that a daycare shouldn't be transporting infants across busy streets in a wagon that falls apart? And, apparently, often?
The all-Caps posting you did on purpose wasn't funny or even clever.
Did you see the news item about the truck carrying a load of peaches that spilled onto the highway? Do you think the parents who pay for these daycare services are expecting their darling little peaches to spill out onto the main roads of Park Slope? No, I'll tell you they don't since you are so dense that you can't understand why anyone would be alarmed by this sighting.
Doofus.
First of all, unless it's 4th Avenue, the streets here aren't THAT busy in Park Slope. Surely not busy enough for cars to race through a pile of fallen children. I highly doubt that any of them actually fell out though.
Secondly, it does not sound like something these daycare workers would do on purpose. You'd have to be really, really odd to purposely beg for that to happen, no?
What is the name of this daycare? The OP must know since she claims to have prior knowledge of other incidents.
I will gladly call and get the scoop.
So which one was it? I'm hard pressed to think of one that operates with kids that young.
I live in Park Slope. I am sure the daycare could not predict that the wagon would fall apart while crossing the street. Accidents do happen. Were the children spilling out all over the place? I have to assume the caretakers protected the children while this happened and you are just being over dramatic (at least, that is what it sounds like to me). More info would be nice though, like, where this happened, what daycare, etc.
Accidents do happen, and products get recalled all the time due to faulty manufacturing. How is it the daycare's fault or the fault of the teachers? do you really think they meant for it to happen? I'm sure they let the director know as soon as they returned to the daycare: I have worked in daycare and if that were to happen, I as well as each and every one of the people I have worked with I'm sure, would have reported it. Daycare teachers do not want things like that to happen for a number of reasons. They want to keep the children safe, first and foremost. I am sure they were horrified that it happened.
Jmt, I think you are a doofus, personally. Every time I read one of your comments, I feel like retching. You are such an elitist snob. I really cannot stand you.
It's true that one cannot predict when accidents happen - but a good daycare would take precautions and do good maintenance on their equipments to prevent accidents. I think what the OP is trying to say is that they are not doing a good job of keeping up their equipments and thus, can put kids in danger. Wagons, playground equipments, toys, etc., should all be regularly inspected and checked so that they do not break, collapse while children are on them. And if the daycare isn't doing this and wagons keep breaking apart - then the parents should be alerted.
9:58
The wagon did not "collapse", it said that the green bars along the side fell off. I know what type of wagon they are talking about. Sometimes equipment that is regularly inspected can in fact break. You have no idea whether or not the wagon is routinely inspected, nor how often. You have no idea if it was a substitute teacher, or a new teacher who did not install the bars properly. If it is indeed an honest mistake or accident which I suspect it was, notifying parents will only worry them needlessly. The daycare could have done everything right, and still this could have happened.
It is so easy to point the finger when you think of daycare providers as low-lifes, isn't it.
Reminder:
Comments left in all caps will be deleted.
The OP implies that this has happened before. How we she know that informaton? What is the likelihood of her observing the same incident more than once? It's sounding weird to me.
I know this site is called "I saw your nanny" but this is a good reminder that you don't always know what is happening to your child in daycare either. I saw something similar a while back: I looked into a daycare in the South Slope and a few days later I happened to see the daycare ladies taking all their charges on an outing, crossing 5th Ave (which, contrary to a previous post, is PLENTY busy). First, the babies were fitted four to a double stroller (as in, two legs sticking out of a space meant for one). Then, the ladies were saying, "wait, did you say we had 10? I only count 9" in an offhand, unconcerned kind of way.
I decided to stick with my nanny after that.
That sounds like ghetto daycare.
I live on 5th Avenue on one of the named (versus numbered) streets. It's not bad at all.
I have seen in my travels many unimaginable daycare sightings, mostly in parks, but not limitted to them.
I have seen daycare workers smoking, walking ahead of the pack of kids out on the street without looking back, doing the counting thing as you mentioned and looking puzzled, and just generally not speaking to the children as one would hope the would.
I will also stick to my nanny.
I recently saw a public school kinfdergarten class on the F train, and the "teachers" started counting the kids AFTER the door shut and the train pulled away. I even went as far to say "it's a little too late to count now, isn't it?"
The kids were all wearing blue t-shirts that said "ps 42" on them. Most of them were Asian. I'd be afraid if my kid went there. The 3 teachers were all talking about how tired they were from partying the night before and were not speaking very nicely to the kids.
When I was younger, I worked in several day cares and would NEVER put my child in one. That's not to say there aren't some good sone somewhere, but they seem few and far between. At least in these parts.
ones, not sone...typo, sorry.
11:55, 12:05 and 12:17,
As far as counting children, it is practice of childcare centers and schools to make several counts including before and after boarding. You may not have heard the first count. Daycare teachers are constantly counting their children, it is common and correct practice. And since there are usually more than one teacher, it is common and correct for them to check with each other.
As far as four babies in a stroller meant for two, it must not have been an accredited daycare center because that is clearly and obviously against regulation. I cannot say anything about that except that daycare was indeed wrong.
But to bash daycare in general is ignorant and unfair to the many people who make their living from it or bring their children to them.
1:24 I didn't bash all day cares, I even made the point to say that I was sure there some good ones and made it clear I was speaking from my own experiences.
That said, your comment that bashing day cares was unfair to those who bring their children there; I think that the opposit is true. Maybe incidents and comments like these hopefully will make parents check out their facilities a bit better.
I can say FROM MY EXPERIENCE ONLY, that at the various places I had worked, that were bad, the parents had no idea how their children were being treated. I actually got punished until I quit (being unable to fire me over the incident) for telling a parent of a sweet little angel that she was abused by a worker. By LAW, I had to tell! By law, I was supposed to call Child Services. I told the administrator...she didn't care.
Again, I am sure there are good places out there, but I urge parents to walk in unannounced and do checks on places. Most parents don't (again, in my experience) and have no idea what is going on.
I'll say it again, Accidents Happen! Hopefully they learn from it, but with toddlers, things will happen regardless.
I'm with you, 4:50. My nanny worked at a daycare and the horror stories she told were enough to make me cry. She got out of that business ASAP. And she worked at one of the better known daycares in Park Slope.
Horror story from a daycare worker:
Worked at a daycare where a teacher and the cook were having sex after hours in the classroom. I found out about it and told my boss. This was after a used condom was found under a cart in the corner of the classroom next to the trash can. Guess they missed. Anyway I would love to tell you where but I can't but its at a very well known daycare center. The whole establishment was screwed up. Thats why I left not to mention the fact that one of the girls there was having an affair with the director (who was also a teacher) within a week she went from a teacher aide to a teacher with her own classroom. It was sick. I told parents who pulled their kids out. Ugh, to think that these people still work with kids....I have stories to tell....including a teacher who spilled hot water on a 3 year old and was allowed to come back to work 2 days later. The director would hide her in a closet when the parents came to pick her up. Sick. I left after 7 months!
6:49...Thanks so much for your input. I could tell stories just as bad from several centers in the Cincinnati, Ohio suburbs (before I moved to Grand Rapids).
I worked at Bright Horizons for many years and it was a wonderful daycare. I still babysit for some of the families who take their children there.
I have also worked at crappy daycares when I was younger. There are good ones and bad ones. I think the sex story above is not really the norm, not from my own experience anyway. That is just crazy.
My opinion is that the very tone that people on this board take when they refer to "daycare" is judgemental. Of course they are not advocates for quality daycare, most of them either have nannies or are nannies.
This board is not making childcare better in our country. It is just a sounding board for wealthy stuck-up snobs.
I use Bright Horizons on average once or twice a year if I need back-up care. I normally employ a nanny. I have had good experiences with them during the very few times I've used them. All in all though, I believe that children benefit more from one-on-one care under the age of 4 or so. I wouldn't feel comfortable with full-time daycare, but that's just me. I realize that what works for my family doesn't work for everyone.
I think reports of any child minder who is negligent, careless, cruel and puts a child in imminent danger should be posted here where maybe, just maybe, someone will catch onto them and give them the heave-ho.
6:49 I frekin know exactly who you are and WHERE you are talking about. We worked at the same place but in different classrooms. The place is Kindercare. I remember the condom incident like it was yesterday. The girl that did it used to be in my classroom and had written about the incident on her myspace page. Thats how she really got caught. I had heard about her page but didn't get a chance to see it. Right after she put it on private! The hot water incident I know about as well. There was alot more things that went on there and I left after a year. But when I left one of the teachers had an affair with a parent. It was like Desperate Daycare Workers. It could have been a television show!!!
Kindercare? They are nationwide, are they not?
Yeah but I know who this person is that posted it. The details are WAY to similar not to be. I doubt that the same thing happened at another Kindercare in another state. It would be WAY to weird!
KS In what state was your daycare where all this happened? It would narrow it down.
Oy. There must be so many daycare horrors. In order they probably go daycare horrors, followed by babysitter's boyfriend hurts the child, followed by mother/father hurt or neglect the child followed by nanny hurts/neglects the child.
11:44,
Oy?
Do you really believe that? I don't. You think daycare abuse is wider spread than parental abuse? Do you read/watch the news?
You're ignorant.
Oy.
Some of mine happened Kindercare too...although they were surely not the worst.
730 I do believe that daycare abuse is wider spread than parental abuse. There is a thing called maternal instinct which MOST mothers have and daycare workers are working around children who are not their own.
That eliminates a huge protective element.
While parental abuse is widespread, I do agree with you 7:49. Sad, but true fact.
I disagree, and anyone with half a brain can see why. How many parents are there in this world? And how many childcare providers?
Statistically, it just stands to reason that there would be more parental abuse.
ble, your "facts" lack evidence. As per usual.
9:55 I see your point, but I also think the parental insticnt issue brought up by others (I did not come up with this opinion, that you so kindly called out only me on, I simply agreed) speaks volumes. Perhaps there are statistics somewhere.
I can say for sure, as a person who has woked extensively in childcare and has known many, many parents, that the cases of caregiver abuse WAY outweighs the cases of parental abuse. Then again...maybe I know different kinds of people than you.
BTW...anonymous, your "opinion" lacks guts (like your anonymity). As per usual.
exactly, ble. Exactly.
ble,
you are an idiot. "there are statistics somewhere?" Please.
And implying that I associate with child abusers? That's an interesting method of reasoning.
And it doesn't bother me if you think my opinion lacks "guts": would you actually have me post my personal information on the internet just so my comments have more validity to losers like you? You're either insane or just plain stupid.
Or both.
8:44 You are the idiot. You don't have to post "personal information" on this site. Just identify yourself with initials or any random word, especially before personally attacking someone who is polite enough to identify herself with more than "anonymous 8:44 AM". It's cowardly to hide behind anonymity. No one takes you people seriously.
jmt,
I can't stand you either. And I'm so hurt that some nameless, faceless idiot like you calls me a "coward." Wow, what will I ever do? You have hurt me deeply. I may never recover.
8:44...you are the one who said STATISICALLY in your comment. I was simply suggesting that perhaps there were statistics somewhere to back you up.
I also never implied you associate with child abusers. I simply said perhaps you knew different kinds of people than me. You were the one who claimed to know it all about abusive parents...siting your statistics and all. At least I was willing to admit my knowledge of day care abuse came from actually working around it.
Thanks for the back up, JMT, although this commenter is clearly not worth wasting anymore time on.
Agreed BLE.
Cheers!
If the children had been injured, wouldn't you be singing a different tune?
Jennifer....not sure who that comment is intended for.
7:14 PM You're such a moron.
Stay at home with your kids. No need to make 6 figures and worry more about living in the trendiest nabes. Why not go old school for a while until your kids are old enough for kindergarten. Trust me it is worth it!
I think the best way to avoid such incidents is to find a reliable school for day care programs. I'd recommend enrolling your child in Williamsburg Northside, a well-known schools offering several programs for infants and toddlers. You can fins further details on www.willnorth.org.
Post a Comment