Need Advice on childcare - New Mum with little knowledge about childcares

Hi,

I am a mum of 14 months old boy and sending him to nearby childcare 2 days a wekk since 20th feb, 2012 (Mon & Tues). when i went to check the childcare and for tour, it was good and the staff was really nice and made me comfortable and explained each and everything. so i filled the forms and agreed on the start date of my son. i did asked about the 2 weeks orientation and they said 1 -2 hrs for one or two days is fine. So, i went for a day, stayed with my son for 2-3 hrs, made him comfortable and next day, i stayed for 1 hour. He was happy, playing with toys, talking to new kids and was happy.

Also, my son is learning to self-feed, i do encourage him, but i have to help him in eating and basically after few spoons i take-over with another spoon, so that he is tummy full (childcare girls know about this).

Now he is going full day Mon & Tues and also i am sending him extra 3 days in occassional care ( 3 hrs everyday on wednes, thrus & friday). Problem started, when myself or DH calls about our son, how is he, is he playing sleeping well - girls always tells us - we have lots of kids today and its very hard, plus always tells me - can you come and pick him up early as we have other kids to look after..... now we are playing fees and its not free service we are using, i dont know why the room leader is talking to me like that... she is nice with DH, but never gives me straight answer.

2. when i asked her - what my son had, she bluntly said to me, its all written on the board, read that, you will know... i think its rude and she doesn't care? i accidently lost my son's book, she said you lost the dairy,. we write everything about the child's day and we dont have one now. I told them to make another one or i will get one. but they never made another one for him.

3. Yesterday, when i went to pick him up at around 5:30 pm, he was eating biscuit and his face & hands were dirty and soaked in sugar and hands had sand. she just removed the bib and handed-over my son to me. when i said - aren't you going to wash his hands and face. she smiled and said there is a bathroom, you can wash him and got busy in talking with other employees. i quoted " when i drop him to the centre he is neat and clean and i expect the same at pick-up times".

when i discussed the issue with DH, he said you are over-reacting, childcare's are like that. he says employee need time to get adjusted to our son...

is the childcare's are like tat, i m thinking to change the centre. Am i on right track? i m starting full-time work from next week. i dont know what to do?
one more advice - are Goodstart learning centres (ABC Learning centres) are good?. please advice on this as well.

thanks for your valued comments and advices.

cheers,
ric

Nic,

This sounds like what happened at my DD last creche, we changed earlier this year to another centre b/c I was not happy with the change in management and the staff were getting slack & being rude. My DD attended two different ABC/Goodstart centres & like I said when she first started, all was good until the change in m'ment, so I found another Goodstart centre. My DD is alot happier, the staff are nicer and the m'ment run a tight ship. Can you speak to m'ment about the issues you are having with staff and see if there is an improvement? I'd also get another book so they can record your sons day but still don't be scared to ask for clarification about anything written. I know in the past I have sought clarification about things recorded if I was unsure or unhappy. At the end of the day, like you said you are paying for a service & one where you are placing your DS in their care for the day. The carer sounds like a b&tch and needs to be pulled into line. I don't think you are overreacting. Go with your gut, check out another centre and go from there. Good luck

I agree. My kids daycare is nothing like that. They write down what they did during the day & we read it but we also talk to the staff and they always tell us what the kids did and if they were happy or sad. They can usually answer simple questions about their sleep or eating off the top of their heads. If we ring up, we are put straight through to the staff and they are always friendly & helpful. They actively encourage us to ring especially for the little ones in the nursery room. Being busy is no excuse to be rude. I would definately be looking into another centre if you can. Also, if you can visit the centres around pickup time you can see how the staff interact with the parents. I also don't think you're overreacting. It's your child and it is very important that he is receiving a level of care that you are comfortable with.

My centre is nothing like this at all.

When we drop kids off staff all stay morning to all kids and parents.

When go to pick up always say had a good day etc if you ask about eating or sleep if they can't rememmber they will look it up and tell me. They all have diary each diff rooms do diff things some like you to read it and leave it others want you to take home.

If ring up the phone is transfered to appopriate room and can always tell me how kids are any issues etc.

My centre is very friendly and helpful.