Should I assume the worst?? (Long - sorry!)

I hope all goes well with your talk with the Director.. Even if they don't give him his weetbix like he usually has at home.. Most centres that I've seen have a breakfast time between 7 & 8, but then they have morning tea at about 9, so he should get something before lunch time, especially since he's so young. I mean they could even let him have weetbix during the morning tea time.. It wouldn't be that hard! As for the milk and water that just isn't on. Unless they have said, like at my sons childcare, that the children can't bring in bottles of milk, but that they can bring in bottles and the centre will supply the milk or water (something about sometimes parents mix in medications or things with their childrens milk and if other children snatch it away or the child wanders around puts it down, another child could drink it and get sick.. never thought it could happen but better to be safe than sorry i guess). Or they might have forgotten and been using their own sippy cups for him? I don't know. You won't know unless you ask I guess. But nudging him with their foot to get his attention, if I saw anyone do that to my son I would lose it. There should be an "ethos of attachment" and that includes respect, trust and a caring relationship between the caregivers, child and parents, which honestly doesn't sound like you or your son are getting any of that from the day care.

Well the director called me back. She said that she will have words with the girl about the "foot" incident, that she is young, and still learning, and just a relief worker, but that she has no justification for it. I said that was fine, just that I was a little surprised thats all.

And she said that she asked the girls in his room about the water/milk, and they said that they DIDN'T offer him his milk..... but that he had his water bottle all day....

I dunno..... I don't believe them. They have NEVER filled up the water bottle before, just left it empty if he finishes it...

Hmm..... dunno if I'm overreacting or acting on my gut instinct...

BUT - as a plus - they have agreed to let me use cloth nappies on him... small positive out of today!!

*** UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE **** ;)

DS's last day at the centre will be on wednesday. I have booked him into a local Tadpoles centre (nice and new - just recently built -woohoo!) for Tuesdays to start with.

Plus, they have a specific toddler room - which is different to what he has at the moment, which is in a room from 6 weeks to 2 years. So now he goes into one that is 15 months to 2 years. I guess that is better for him??

Decided to go with my gut and get him out of the old one.... just do it I told myself!!! And managed to make all those phone calls (including one to centrelink to change provider numbers over) whilst DS was sleeping!! Wooohooo!!
Thanks for your support everyone, greatly appreciated. *mwah*

Good for your Mel!
It is hard to take the plunge! I had a problem with not being comfortable with the group DD was in and i pulled her out (still in the same daycare though) until she can go into another group.
I agonised over it for ages then just did and and felt so much better!

lvoe the idea of a new day care centre too! flashy

yay for moving him. I have to feel comfortable leaving Cadence at kindy. I did have her at an ABC until I picked her up one day and I could smell she had a pooey nappy I thought ok maybe she just did it. When I got home her nappy was soooooo full it was leaking and her bits were red raw and blistering. When I ripped it throught them They tried to tell me they changed her half an hour before I picked her up, I wasn't going to believe that cos it would take longer then half an hour to do that and there's no way she would have wee'd that much in half an hour. moral of the story they will tell you anything to get out of trouble

Mel, that's great news. I have trying to find time to post in here today but only just managed it now. I was going to say that the way you feel when you pick him up is the best indicator - but you've figured that out anyway LOL!! I am so pleased for you, that other centre really didn't sound very good to me.

Great news for you.

I always say trust your motherly instinct - you have it for a reason.

Thanks guys... I'm excited about checking out the new centre tomorrow. If its anything like the other one that we checked out months ago, it will be brilliant!!!!!
Just means that I may have to rely on the IL's and my mum during the week a bit more cos I'm only down for one day... but STILL.. much better feeling in my tummy now..

(Oh and I've conned DH into calling the day care and letting them know that we have pulled him out - I'm too much of a wuss to do that.. lol)

So glad you got him out of there!! Didn't sound very good to me.

Although, having said that, I once picked up DS from CC and his bottle still had milk in it. I asked them about it and they were all horrified and really apologetic. I was a bit upset by it, but they said that he had HEAPS of lunch (like he normally does...he eats three times what the other kids do). It was a while ago, and I can't remember what reason/excuse they gave, but I promised myself that if it happened agian or I had anothe problem then I would pull him out, even though he loves the place, and all the girls there love him.

Since this happened, they have put a white board up in the kitchen with every different kids meal routine/diet requirements etc on it. Was glad to see them do something about it, not just pay lip service to it.

But if the other girls were all talking about how poorly it is run etc, then you have totally done the right thing. I hope you are all really happy with it, and I hope DH enjoys making that phone call...you chicken...be-gerk!! :)

Gudi - that's brill news! Will tadpoles let you use cloth too?

Well done. I don't blame you to get your DH to ring to cancel!

Let us know how the new centre goes! I'm so glad you're moving him. Honestly- he didn't get offered water or milk. They're fibbing. No one refills the bottle the same level and replaces it in the fridge- especially young relief staff.

Gosh....poor little man...and poor you. How awful that your baby 'may' not have had any liquids all day. Good on you for approaching them. At least they know your onto them. Keep a close guard on everything......
Do you know any other parents there ? Maybe whilst walking to the carpark or something you could casually ask one of the mothers/fathers 'you had any probs with this place?'. Put your feelers out....good luck...

glad to hear you were able to sort out an alternative, hope it gives you good feelings hon, you have to do what is right for you and your baby boy!!
and wow are other centres allowed to dictate what nappies you send your child in????, we certainly aren't our policies are based on the individual needs of the family so if you want them to wear cloth....they wear cloth!!!!
good luck sweets xxxxxx

Blizz - I think its more a case of can they be stuffed bothering with having to work with cloth rather than disposables..
But yeah, hopefully Tadpoles don't mind!!!

mbear - you know, I have never really spoken to any of the other mothers there?? They don't come across real friendly (I think its the area that its in, sorta.. not snobbish.. but cliquey if you know what I mean??)

Ren - spot on dude, thats what I thought too..

SL - yeah its not the first time he wasn't given his milk, but they have been good for a bit (and I never got explanations as to WHY they didn't give him bottles when he was still on bottles) plus I've had stuff stolen from there from other mothers.. like seriously.. who wants a sippy cup with "Aricyn" written on it.. :wall:

Good to hear Mel!!! As PP mentioned, we have mothering/gut instinct for a reason hun and what a crock - they wouldn't admit to not giving him water/milk even if they knew so are definately covering for her. Glad you found somewhere you feel comfortable with! :hooray: Had to have a giggle at you getting DH to call them - haha!

**Update***

DH called the day care this morning and told them that because I've basically been retrenched (little white lie... well I'll be on maternity leave, and we don't know for SURE that I'll still work here, everyone else says yes, but I'm not coming back for a crappy position that I don't want to do.. ) that this will be DS's last week.... so his last day is on wednesday.. they said that it was fine, and that they would miss him..

So I called up just before to check how he was going (sleeping, yay!) and got told that he had been having a really wonderful day, and that the carer was REALLY going to miss him because she loves him a lot...

Now I'm getting the guilts... what if I've done the wrong thing?!?! What if he really likes it there?!?! What if he hates Tadpoles!?!? ArGGHhhhh.... so much guilt... feeling so bad now... :(

I know its been a while since your original post but I have just come across it and wanted to add my 2 cents in.
First - congrats on getting him into a different centre - think thats the best thing you could have done.
Next - I spoke to the director at my centre and she said that it is a LEGAL REQUIREMENT for the carers to document feeds/drinks etc every day - more so for under 18mo than other ages. Do you know if that centre did that? Every afternoon when I collect C from daycare I read about her day - her last feed, sleep, BM etc. Gives me the best idea as to when she needs her next.... Every centre also needs to have a dental policy. Liek after every feed they swish some water around or have a bit of cheese or apple.
I know this doesnt help you now but I guess it might give you something to look at when you take bubs to the new centre.
And don't get me started on the whole foot thing.............

Rebecca,
They have a list up on the wall, just most of the time it isn't filled in :rolleyes: I'm lucky if it has the time of his sleeps (so I can know how grumpy he is going to be in the car on the way home!!) but it never says how much to drink they have. Oh, and I know that Tadpoles do a list that they give to you at the end of the day about the kids days, plus they have the thing about the cheese at the end of every meal - which DS will love cos he doesn't eat much more than that these days!! lol

I know its probably best.. just wish I could take that one carer with me!!!!