View Full Version : Odd daycare issue


Dennis
January 31st, 2004, 10:55 PM
I'm posting this here rather than the working parents forum because it's a more general question.

Joe and his best friend Peter moved up to the same 2-year-old room at daycare at the start of January. There are two teachers in the room (and some break subs) - Liz, who comes in early and Patty who stays late. Liz has been there for several years, and Patty has been there about 8 months, from what we've heard.

Mary usually does the pick ups and Patty always gushes about Joe, beyond the normal "he's a great kid" stuff. She says things like "He's so wonderful - if I lived near your I'd babysit him all the time for free" and on and on. Mary always thought this was a bit odd, but didn't think much of it.

Peter's mom called us on Friday and asked what we thought about the room and Patty in particular. We haven't noticed any problems with Joe, he actually seemed to adjust pretty quickly. Peter's mom said that her husband picked up Peter on Friday and asked him what he did, and Peter said something to the effect of "Patty said not to tell you."

Doesn't that seem really weird? It doesn't sound like something an almost 2-year-old would come up with on his own, does it?

Peter's mom also said that her husband saw her put one of the children into a chair a bit harshly one time when he was picking up Peter. She also said that Patty does the same gushing about Peter that she does about Joe. And Peter has been more reluctant about going to daycare.

She said that they were thinking about asking to have Peter moved to another room, but they don't want to move him unless they can move Joe as well (which is sweet). But if something is off with Patty, we'd rather not have her there at all. They are going to talk to the director about it.

We're wondering if we should talk to the director as well. We really haven't seen anything other than her weird comments about Joe, so I don't know if we have anything to speak up about. But Peter's comments really worry me. Do you think a 2 year old could come up with that on his own?

Dennis

Nocona
January 31st, 2004, 11:23 PM
My first thought was that maybe they are working on a special art project or something to give to the parents and that's why she would have said not to tell. Then I read that Peter's been reluctant to go to daycare, which leads to much more suspicious thoughts. I really don't think a 2yo would come up with that on their own.

The gushing, I think is normal-ish. They love good kids at daycares because it makes their jobs easier. Plus, I think they know that's what the parents want to hear (I know I loved it :lol: ).

I agree that I don't know that you have anything to speak up about, but I think Peter's parents need to figure out what that comment was all about and get it cleared up just in case something funky is going on!

SarahK
February 2nd, 2004, 10:05 AM
I think Peter's parents definitely have good reason to talk with the director of the daycare.

cimberdog
February 2nd, 2004, 11:22 AM
I would let Peter's parents talk to the director and see what comes of that. It could be a special Valentine's Day surprise they are making. But I would be concerned about the reluctant behavior with Peter.

Dennis
February 2nd, 2004, 11:42 AM
Peter's parents are going to talk to the director tomorrow since he isn't going today. I'm going to try to leave work early so I can pick up Joe and Frances and see if I get a feel for anything.

Thanks for the replies,
Dennis

cimberdog
February 6th, 2004, 03:34 PM
Whatever happened with this Dennis?

Dennis
February 6th, 2004, 03:54 PM
I talked to Peter's mom on Wednesday and she said she was planning to talk to the director on Thursday. We haven't heard from them yet what happened.

Dennis

Dennis
February 11th, 2004, 11:21 PM
Well Peter's mom said she chickened out and still hasn't spoken to the director. She said she doesn't want to get Patty in trouble because she seems well-intentioned, even if she is a bit weird. I'm going to try to talk to the director when I get a chance, just so we can get our concerns on the record.

Dennis

Dennis
February 19th, 2004, 04:09 PM
To update on this, Mary talked to Joe's other teacher about Patty today. She said that Patty is just over-enthusiastic, and she's been working with her to try to tone it down. She said that Patty has 4 grandchildren and 2 are out of state and she doesn't get along with the parents of the other 2 for some reason, so she hardly gets to see them, so she might be trying to make up for that. She said they are aware of the concerns and working with her on them.

Dennis

Nocona
February 19th, 2004, 04:54 PM
Well that's good. It sounds like other parents have at least made comments about her behavior too.

MizLacey
February 19th, 2004, 06:21 PM
Was there any explanation for the "Patty said not to tell" comment?

I hope they can work with Patty; she sounds as though she truly loves her job and that's the #1 thing to look for in child care!

Shanna
February 19th, 2004, 11:11 PM
I second that! She sounds like the kind of enthusiastic person we need in daycares :) I hope that we're right in thinking that!

Dennis
February 19th, 2004, 11:17 PM
Was there any explanation for the "Patty said not to tell" comment?

Mary didn't ask about it.

I also hope you're right in thinking that about her!

Dennis