Hi there...
To make a very long story short- I believe my daughter gets good care at her school and that is the only reason she is still there... a few months ago- Miss Kathy (dcp) took Shea out in her car to do a few errands... I was disturb that she didn't tell me she had plans to take dd out in her car without notifying me... we had a discussion about it- where she got very passive/aggressive and asked me if she should call me everytim she takes the kids out for a walk :mad: I told her no, I just would like to know when you are taking them in the car... fast forward to today-

I am running about 15 mins early to pick up dd. I am pulling down Miss Kathy's street and who do I see behind me? I see Miss Kathy's caravan turning right after me... I get out and being the non-confrontational person I am I go and take Shea out of her car seat all the while listening to Miss Kathy explain that her son was starting for his baeball team so she brought 4 kids to the game... now I normally would not have an issue with her going to the game but WE HAD A DISCUSSION about her calling me to tell me when she would be taking dd in the car!! Not to mention she had Shea in a convertible carseat facing forward which is a no-no (I believe) until dd is 1 year-old.

What would you do... I am so pissed. Would you pull your child out? would you have a sitdown with dcp???



There are other issues as well, and I will try and come back to discuss :)

:complain: I would be so stinking furious if someone did that with Dylan.
First off never mind the fact she took her out without calling you. Having her in a FF carseat, at her age, is against the law. (am I right?)
I would have a sitdown and let her know for certain that if she dares to try anything like that again you will be pulling your dd out of her care.
I would also want to talk to other parents and see if they have had any issues with her taking their children out without their knowledge beforehand.

:justahug: Sorry that you do have to deal with this.

Yes, Shea should be rear-facing until 1 year old and 20 lbs. I would pull her out because I wouldn't be able to trust Kathy anymore. Who knows how many times she's taken Shea in the car and hasn't told you. You got lucky and caught her this time. Not to mention a DCP should know the laws about infants in car seats.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Dennis

Not only would I pull my DD out of her care IMMEDIATELY, I would report her to the licensing agency for your state. Not only did she WILLFULLY ignore your requirement to get prior notice to take Shea in the car, she did not use approved restraint and jeopardized your daughter's safety. Absolutely unforgiveable.

I can't believe anyone would even THINK about taking a child out in a car w/o parental permission. Obviously this woman is going to do whatever she feels like doing. The fact that she had Shea FF shold be a red flag about her overall care. At least in my opinion.

Phew... Thanks Stacey, Dennis, Suzi and Andrea! I thought I was being overly protective...

Stacey- I also believe that it is against the law...

I am just so pissed and keep thinking how many other times has she taken her out without me knowing... I am making a list of things and I guess we will have to have a sit down.

Among other things that are aggravating me... :) is last week when I went to pick up dd- There was a husband and wife interviewing her... she is due this week. Since Shea has been going to her she has taken on 2 more kids and this baby will be the 3rd- I have to double-check but she will have 7 kids in her care- including a newborn... There is a litany of other things...but I am glad you guys are on my side...

I would remove her immediately, she obviously has no care or concern for you feelings only what is convenient for her, I would be beyond pissed that she took my god daughter to a baseball game! is she watching the game or your child? You are paying her to watch your child and not a baseball game, plus adding more children to someone who already is acting like this.. well lets just say I would have lost it.

You are definitely not being overprotective, Kathryn! I think 7 kids is a little much for one person. I thought legally you could only have 6 to one person for a home daycare. Maybe its different in MA though!

Definitely look into pulling her. It *is* illegal in MA for her to be forward facing at that age. And I'm willing to bet that she's taken Shea out plenty of times before without you knowing.

And I agree, 7 kids to one person seems WAY high. I don't know what the legal number is here, but regardless I'd be looking for a little more personal attention.

here are some links that may help.



http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/PA/pa_3290.htm
here is a great quote
3290.51. Maximum number of children.
The number of children in care may not exceed six children at any one time who are unrelated to the operator.

§ 3290.52. Ratio requirements.

The operator may provide care to no more than five related and unrelated infants and toddlers at any one time. No more than two related and unrelated infants may receive care at any one time. The following numbers of infants and toddlers are permitted in a family day care home:

(1) If no infants are in care, five toddlers are permitted.

(2) If one infant is in care, four toddlers are permitted.

(3) If two infants are in care, three toddlers are permitted.


TRANSPORTATION


§ 3290.171. Consent.

The operator shall obtain written consent from the parent for transportation by the facility staff.

§ 3290.172. Age of driver.

The operator of the vehicle shall be 18 years of age or older and shall have a valid operator's license.


§ 3290.173. Safety restraints.

(a) A child 4 years of age or younger shall be transported in accordance with requirements for parents and guardians as stated in 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581 (relating to restraint systems).

(b) Safety restraints installed in the vehicle at the time of manufacturing shall be used by occupants.

(c) Manufacturer's instructions for use of safety restraints shall be kept in the vehicle at all times.

I typed in MA day care ration laws..
here is the part I clicked on the get the above information
CHAPTER 3290. FAMILY CHILD DAY CARE HOMES (12/27/03) (http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/;_ylt=AhL0WwCAJADNVoDX28oxcpfrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTA2bT Q0OXZjBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=12857c2p9/EXP=1116383352/**http%3A%2F%2Fnrc.uchsc.edu%2FSTATES%2FPA%2Fpa_32 90.htm) http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sch/bn/nw2.gif (http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/;_ylt=AgA29NLSbxAvzlaAND900prrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTA2bT Q0OXZjBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=12857c2p9/EXP=1116383352/**http%3A%2F%2Fnrc.uchsc.edu%2FSTATES%2FPA%2Fpa_32 90.htm)
... determine compliance with applicable laws or regulations, conducted by ... when day care children are in care. STAFF-CHILD RATIO ... or Medical Assistance (MA) benefits, if applicable. ...
nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/PA/pa_3290.htm - 155k - Cached (http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Aqfy50pJqKvUaz44R68VvmDrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTA2bT Q0OXZjBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=17dp6e83c/EXP=1116383352/**http%3A%2F%2F216.109.124.98%2Fsearch%2Fcache%3Fp %3DMA%2Bday%2Bcare%2Bratio%2Blaws%26ei%3DUTF-8%26u%3Dnrc.uchsc.edu%2FSTATES%2FPA%2Fpa_3290.htm% 26w%3Dma%2Bday%2Bcare%2Bratio%2Blaws%26d%3D01F8C90 EAF%26icp%3D1%26.intl%3Dca) - More pages from this site (http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/;_ylt=AsZrCRjqA392p28b5Cv67pXrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTA2bT Q0OXZjBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=14pf7h6sq/EXP=1116383352/**http%3A%2F%2Fca.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fp%3D MA%2Bday%2Bcare%2Bratio%2Blaws%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dslv1-%26vst%3D0%26vs%3Dnrc.uchsc.edu)

Thanks all... I did look up on the occs/mass.gov and she is authorized or approved for 6 kids... know I don't know if any of the children in her care are leaving but she will have

Shea, Colin, Carly, Sara, Colleen, Gavin and this newborn... so 7 so maybe someone is leaving... and that is me!

I have an appt this morning at a center... it is much more $ but for the sanity I need to look elsewhere...

List of aggravation
1. She no longer gives me a an activity sheet for Shea- for about 3 weeks now. I am assuming bc she took on the 2 other kids she just doesn't have time- but that means I have no odea when and what dd has eaten for the day, when he naps are etc...

2. I have walked in a few times and dd is playing in a room unsupervised and I hear dcp coming down the stairs...

oops gotta go bbl

WOW... pull your child. Seriously. I am a daycare provider - and I cant even BEGIN to consider doing what she does. She sounds so very fishy - not providing you with information on your child's daily routine... taking her out in the van without consent from you.... leaving the babies unsupervised...the carseat issue... even how she starts rambling on trying to justify the baseball issue (nervous rambling). Then, there is the issue of enrollment... yikes. Just because the "rules" state she can have 6 kids on board, doesn't mean she is qualified to handle 6 kids. :(


She sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Please - put your child in another daycare before something terrible happens :( Unfortunately, with your dcp (from what you have outlined about her), it sounds like she is heading down a path you don't want your child to be witness to. kwim?

I am totally on your side and I am so glad you have an appt with another one! I hope it works out and you get your daughter out of her care!! :)
Thinking of you!

Good luck with your appointment today!

Just her putting her forward-facing would be enough for me to pull her out. You're doing the right thing.

I agree with everyone else - the extra money is worth it. Good luck!

I am in agreement with everyone else here. I'm so glad you are going to take her out of that woman's "care." I know it's more money, but when it comes to the health and safety of our kids, we have to do what we have to do. I'm sure you will find a great place for her!

Hi Kathryn, so what happened? Update please! Joan

I am so so sorry for not updating this... very rude of me...

this is taken from my journal
*******************************

my dcp is making me nuts again- quickly I didn't move or pull Shea from her care b/c things were so hectic and crazy with the wake and funeral and such... however- this past winter she had a inground pool put in- which concerns me and pisses me off b/c if she had told me she was building a pool I would never have enrolled Shea there kwim? anyways... I was planning on tlaking to her about the fence etc when Jason picked up dd and dcp asks him to bring Shea's bathing suit :wtf: is she flocking crazy? She thinks she is bring Shea in the pool? withouot my permission? while she is watching 5 other kids? Is she joking? So this is all homie wrote... I can't take it... but we have a contract with her? Can I pull Shea? I don't know how much notice I have to give etc?

Of course you can pull Shea. Her DCP is putting her in physical danger. :eek:
I can't believe she wants to take the kids into the pool.
Find out what you can about the by-laws about pool fences. I know around here fences MUST be up or you can be fined.
I would pull her ASAP!

:justahug: Sorry that you have to go through this.

.
Find out what you can about the by-laws about pool fences. I know around here fences MUST be up or you can be fined.
I would pull her ASAP!

:justahug: Sorry that you have to go through this.

In MA you have to have pool around your yard if you have a fence. My parents have a pool and it is not fenced in separately from the back yard (the boys have nothing to stop them between the patio and the pool).

Kate, I would pull her, obviously Kathy doesn't take your opinion seriously. If you don't bring a bathsuit for Shea, she will probably just put a swim diaper on her and not care what you say.

Kate, I would pull her, obviously Kathy doesn't take your opinion seriously.
ITA. Sorry you have to deal with yet another thing! I don't know what the contract says, so I don't know what you're obligated to.

I agree with everyone... Pull her out ASAP. The most she can hold you to, is 2 weeks in lieu of notice - even if she were to take you to court. I wouldn't even leave your child there for the last 2 weeks... it's not worth risking her safety and wellbeing. I would rather just pay the idiot off... report her to whatever agency governs home daycares in your area (I am in Ontario Canada, so I have no idea who oversees home daycares near you)... and never look back at that situation.

Does the contract say she was going to be driving Shea places without your permission while not putting her in a car seat appropriately according to the law? Does it say she was building a pool and was going to take them swimming? If not, don't pay her a dime over what you owe for the care she has actually provided.

Dennis

Kate, What did you decide to do?

Does the contract say she was going to be driving Shea places without your permission while not putting her in a car seat appropriately according to the law? Does it say she was building a pool and was going to take them swimming? If not, don't pay her a dime over what you owe for the care she has actually provided.

Dennis

OMG I COMPLETELY agree with that! :doh: Never thought of that until just now - I was coming to post exactly what Dennis said!

In MA you have to have pool around your yard if you have a fence. .

:lol: brb

hi again...
okay- I still have to finalize but we are giving 2 weeks notice- I will enroll her in the "school" near my house for 2 days and Jason's mom will watch her the other day...

Thanks for all your support. I was telling my mum- We (Miss Kathy and me) just don't have a good working relationship/communication. I feel like everyday is something that I need to talk to her about- so this will be for the best- I will let you know how it goes when we give her the notice...

glad you made a decision!!

Kate, I'm glad you're getting Shea out of there. :hug99: I was reading this thread and my jaw was dropping further and further. It may cost more with the center, but I think it will be worth it.

:thumbsup: I'd be nervous about the pool, particularly given her history of not listening to you on the driving thing. Good choice.

Wow, I'm just amazed at the nerve of the stuff this woman has been doing and I'm so glad you pulled Shea out! So what if you even have to pay for the last two weeks that she's not there - it will be well worth your sanity! :nod: