Thank you all so much for your replys. It is so good to have some other opinions, makes me feel alot better.
I went again today, and while it was a lot nicer - no pushing in the playground today, maybe a different group I dont know. Today would be her regular day. However, they left a little girl screaming and crying at the gate without comforting her which I know is what many people would do but I never think a cuddle hurts. And the told the other kids who wanted to see if she was allright, just walk away from her. This didnt sit well with me, but I said something about it later and they said she does it every day because there's a new baby in the family so thats why they just leave her. And the second thing was that when I went to find out about the place, I asked about the orientation procedure because my dd hasnt been in childcare before and her leader said, I could stay the first day, then for a while the second day and then go and they will ring me and tell me how she goes and then we will follow her lead and take it from there. Well then today was her first day and the leader told me to leave today because 'if I didnt leave today it would be really hard next time'. I really didnt feel comfortable with that yet so I said I will just wait outside which she was ok with (they have tables out there). Anyway I left her there till lunch and she was mostly happy (and was comforted the one time she cried) and when I came back in she heard my voice and had a bit of a cry so the director said go in now and have lunch with her which I did but again I really didnt feel welcome. The leader seemed a bit grumpy today. One kid spilled his lunch so instead of saying oh well lets clean it up, she gave him a big frown and said well thats what you get for turning around (he was looking at me) and said we have this every day, he spills his lunch. And then we were sitting there, my daughter still eating her lunch and she said well are you taking her? abit abrubt. And I was like ok sure we're going
Anyway, sorry another longy. Overall, I love the director, the centre is nice. The staff seem a happy group. Not fussed on dd's teacher. She seems nice and experienced and the kids listen to her, but not really a happy warm lady. And again, no structured activities. They have free play outside in the morning and afternoon, free play inside in the morning and afternoon (every day). And I think the did 5mins of painting before lunch. Not a craft activity and I didnt even see it.
I think Im going to leave her enrolled, maybe just for the one half day a week, because she really needs the socialisation and I think she enjoyed herself. But I will keep looking I think we can do better... Well I hope we can??
Any reccommendations anyone?? Im in Brissy South East
Hello, sorry if Im annoying - I just can't make my mind up. I looked at 4 other places today before dd had enough and I was heading out again this arvy but she is still asleep! I havent found anything else with a vacancy, but I think if I dont love the place she's in I should pull her out sooner rather than later. What do you think, leave now and keep looking or keep her there while im looking? Im scared about cancelling the enrollment, yes Im a big wus
If you are in the position to, take her out. Carers play too big a role in their development. We took DS out of a centre because things weren't what we thought they should be. The little things tell you a lot about their attitudes towards the kids. The center you are describing makes me uncomfortable and I wouldn't leave my child there. It sounds like there is also a discrepancy between the centre policies and reality (eg. the policy is you can stay the first day but the carer discourages it).
If you don't feel welcome, you should probably leave.
Structured play is a bit 1990s, and all the literature suggests that free play is the way to go, and that following the child's interests and extending on them is the best way forward. Sounds like that might be the bit that's missing though.
I'm in Brissy, have worked in the industry for 9 years (this week!) I can't PM you yet (not enough posts!) but if I knew what suburb you were in, and where you're willing to go, I could make you some good suggestions.
Where are you going to uni? I'm trying to find somewhere decent that is near you or maybe ont he way to uni (after this long in the industry, I'm able to suss out the quality places pretty quick) but there is a massive drought of quality childcare in the area! No wonder you're having troubles!
East Brisbane Community Centre have a really good FDC program with about 20 different carers. That would be worth checking out, I think, and woul suit the half days you're looking for.
There's also one in Tingalpa (too far? wrong direction? let me know) that I think would be worth a check.
With regards to your OP, "new or flash" is a red flag as far as I'm concerned. There are so few new quality services being built that I would be far more wary of a new building than a place that is 20 years old (like the one I work in, which is beautiful, but in the western suburbs, and probably too far for you!)
When you search online, don't use echildcare, use the NCAC site, google it.
Good luck - I'll get back with more details soon!
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