Not so funny kinder story

Yesterday I spent the afternoon driving around to our local kindergartens putting DS1 name down for 3 year old kinder. It's not likely he will end up attending, but on the off chance that my parents do end up retiring this year then I want to have my options open.

Anyway, I turn up to my third kindy as the kids were finishing up. There were 3 or 4 kids hanging around the room waiting to be collected. I had a bad vibe for the place right from walking in, but thought I'm here so I might as well fill in the paperwork.

I ask for the form from the coordinator (again more odd vibes). While we are talking one of the children moves to walk out the front door. She looks at the child and says "oh, I've completely forgotten that insert name was supposed to take him home. I must ring her." Then she looks at me and proceeds to get the form.

That was it for me. In my best firm voice, I said, "Don't worry about the form. If this is the type of place where a child can be forgotten like this, I don't want my son to go here." Then I walked out.

In hindsight it was probably a little rude, but I was just amazed! It was a real eye opener for me.

That's scary! I don't blame you for walking out, I'd have done the exact same thing!!

WOW that is a little scary, i can see how it would be easy to forget (hell sometimes i think i'd forget my own kids randomly) but when you do it day in, day out surely it's something you would try and remember.
Or the person who was supposed to be taking him should have... eeek?

Argh yes that's a worry. Your comment may be the wake up call she needs

To be fair. It would have been the other mother's responsibility. Not the kinder teacher's. If parent has organised for another parent to collect the child it is up to that parent. Yes she would have known about it because that's policy. But she didn't forget, the other parent did. I've seen this happen before.

To be honest, I would be more upset at the person who forgot they were supposed to pick up a child, it's not the preschools responsibility. As a parent I need to notify the preschool that there is a change in pick up arrangements and authorize someone else to pick my child up, but I wouldnt expect the preschool to tell this person to take my child home.

Pick up time can be pretty busy, and not an ideal time to be talking to a potential new parent. Her priority should have been on the children, and she should have asked you to wait until everyone is safely where they should be.

Unless the centre has a bus and "insert name" was the driver.

If you got a bad vibe, go with it. That is pretty alarming to me.