8.26.2010

Daycare drama!

Stratton has a back tooth coming in, which I am attributing to a lot the drama that has been going on! Temper tantrums, lots of fussiness and BITING- yes, my son is apparently a biter. Last Friday at day care he bit 3 different kids on 3 different occasions. They couldn't even write them all up, because he would have been suspended for a day on Monday. I was told that he bit once when another child laid her head in his lap, once while in line to eat lunch and another time when a bunch of kids were in the floor playing with him. Well, I was shocked when they told me about it on Friday afternoon, I didn't have time to think about what questions to ask. After thinking and talking about it over the weekend we got to wondering how he could be in a line for lunch when he can't even walk on his own. So, Monday afternoon Jarrod went up there to find out what happened and see if they told him the same thing he told me. Well, the teacher wouldn't even come out and talk to him! But the other girl told him what happened and she added some things that I wasn't told like, Stratton was pushing kids down and biting?? --Uh, I don't think so. He can't push another kid! He can't even stand up without holding on to something?--When he asked her how Stratton could be in a lunch line when he can't walk by himself yet, she responded by telling him they hold his hand. . .so, how did he bit a kid when a teacher was supposedly there holding his hand?? She also told Jarrod that they are really encouraging him to walk on his own to help ease his frustrations. When Jarrod asked if they could move him back down to the baby room where the kids are less mobile, she said it was against State regulations? We are very unhappy with the way they have handled the situation and now are wondering if all those bumps and bruises that he gets on a daily basis could be prevented. I mean if they can't watch him close enough to prevent him from biting 3 different kids in one day, who's to say they are watching him at all?? I am at a loss on what to do, how do we stop him from biting and what do we do about day care? He hasn't been biting at home, church or anywhere else and how do you discipline your one year old for something they did at daycare- You can't! They will put him in time out at daycare, which I think just makes it worse. He is biting because he is frustrated at the kids all hovering around him. He teacher told me that he is the youngest and the other kids know it, they try to "help" him and play with him and he just wants to be left alone sometimes and do things himself. He doesn't know how to say "Hey, back-off" So, he bites! When they pick him up and put him by his self it's just reaffirming a pattern- if I bite I get to be alone! This is just my opinion. I think he feels bad, is frustrated that he is the only one in his class not walking and he is tired. They only take one nap a day and I think he does better with two. He is so tired and cranky at night! We are looking into moving him to another day care, one that is less stressful for him, and that will hopefully be more tailored to his personality. I think where he goes now is over crowded and their aren't enough teachers to go around and watch them close enough. They aren't very organized and you never know who is going to be there. The place we are looking at is larger, but has smaller class sizes, very clean and professional looking, all their teachers/aids are ASU Early Childhood Education students, they start the "Your Baby Can Read" program at 12 months, or younger if walking, so I am excited they will actually have a curriculum and not just a schedule. I really like it, but the only downside is it's not as close to our house and it's a little more expensive. He will only be in day till May when he will move to the Montessori School (they have to be 22 months before they can go to Montessori). I just hate to move him from the place and people that he knows and is familiar with, but I want him to be happy and be in a relaxing and comfortable environment. Argh. Being a parent is hard!

4 comments:

Kayce said...

What is the teacher/child ratio in the new class and what are the other kids ages?

amber leann said...

Oh no!! I hate that you are having to deal with all of that drama! I think you will love the Montessori school though!

kristen g. said...

Oh I am so sorry. I wish I could live next door and be your nanny and you could just drop him off with me and K and I every day. I'll be praying for you guys, I know this has to be so frustrating. Sending hugs to you :)

Laura said...

It stinks leaving your baby when you dont know what is going on! Hope it is better at the new daycare. Will be thinking of you!