Creche not taking 'disabled' baby

[krysalyss]

How awful! I hope you get a good response from the manager of the centre. The general staff at our pool leave a lot to be desired too. The other day we were just about to get into the pool when the attendant blows her whistle and starts yelling "get out of the pool" in a voice like you would to someone doing something stupid. We all looked around to see who it was and realised she was yelling at everyone as she saw lightning off in the distance. Umm a bit of improvement in manners wouldn't gone astray. Anyway sorry to hijack but hopefully the person you dealt with was just a pleb and the management there will sort it out.

[briggsy's girl]

ok, so the attitude was appalling - TOTALLY appalling - BUT, a creche at a swimming pool isn't likely to be run by people with appropriate training for special needs children - so it is possibly policy that they take on no special needs children because of the potential for liability. Personally, i have no idea what to do with a child in a brace, yeah, i'd learn if i had to, but in the society in which we live (people sue over everything), if they weren't trained and took your child into care and his harness was damaged or moved by something they did, you could have a field day.

now, that sounds like i'm defending them - i'm not defending the attitude at all - the way she spoke was terrible - and the lack of follow up from management even more appalling - i'm just speaking from experience. my mum used to do FDC and had additional training so that she could take on children with additional needs (both physical and intellectual) - there was only three members of the FDC team in our whole shire (ZF can attest for how large an area that is) that had training for a looooooooong time. so they got all the children with additional needs...

[Nai]

My understanding is that a creche at a pool or gym would still need to adhere to the same standards and guidelines that other creches/childcare centres do - I know that the one I go to does and that the carers have to be trained and accredited. With this in mind most pools have swim instructors who are specifically trained to teach swimming to the disabled and the carers should be trained too. I think the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission should be getting a letter from you about this - it is disgaceful, and I daresay illegal to discriminate at that level.

[meow]

My understanding is that a creche at a pool or gym would still need to adhere to the same standards and guidelines that other creches/childcare centres do - I know that the one I go to does and that the carers have to be trained and accredited.

Same. DoCS may not be who to call in your state as Im not sure where you are. But it needs reporting. If they are accedited then call the NCAC too.

[Daytona's Mummy]

I Totally agree with Nai (well said hun)
and besides if it is their policy she was trying to adhere to, she could have said it better or atleast put it in an explanation like"I'm really sorry I wish I could but ....."
I also think it's disgusting you havn't received a reply to your letter yet, I would have thought they'd be quick to sort it out considering it IS discrimination!
If it were me, I'd be contacting my local paper, they'd be REALLY interested & maybe that would get the attention of the swimming pool place??? They'd be quick to respond with an appology then!

This treatment really irrits me, My sister has Prada Willi Syndrome and the way she was treated growing up was absolutely disgusting, I used to get so mad, & being so young myself, I never held back on letting people know! I think I used to really embarrass my mum sometimes lol!

I'm really sorry you & your little man had this happen, I really hope you get the appology you both deserve! & I hope they change their attitude quicksmart!

[Just Me]

That is discrimination - even if your child doesn't have a disability and I would be calling the anti-discrimination board.

Even the fact that she referred to him as a 'disabled child' is non-inclusive language. People with disabilities should never be referred to as 'disabled people' but rather 'person with a disability' so that they are not defined by their disability but rather as a person first. Same with babies/children, they are 'babies/children with a disability' not 'disabled babies/children'.

I'm sorry you had to go through that. It is completely unacceptable and if you have the energy, I definitely think you should pursue it further. It's not okay to exclude people because they may (or appear to have) a disability.

[DiannaQ]

that is disgusting!! I say write a letter to your local paper - name of centre included etc (you could stay annonymous) - your son is not disabled - he's just becoming more able (hope that doesn't sound weird) - people have no right to speak to you that way- in future they may want to chose their words a little better - how offensive!!

FWIW - I'm sure your little guy is just fantastic!!

[nickle730]

What a thoughtless response to your enquiry! On a positive note, at least you discovered that the pool creche employs cold-hearted cows BEFORE you left your child in their 'care'.

[MamaPan]

this is just a terrible situation. would love to hear how they respond to your letter. i am shocked at this situation.

[bridee]

Both my daughters have been treated for hip dysplacia. The DD2 was in a DB bar - she was in a swimming pool creche while I took DD1 to her lesson. They were absolutely fabulous didn't treat me any different if anything they gave DD more attention. If they are experienced child care professionals they would have cared for a babies with hip dysplacia previously (which is what the staff said to me, it was no drama they are regularly having babies in here in a brace).

I wouldn't be going back there because clearly not experienced enough. But certainly should be following it up.