Problems with my Daughters Childcare Centre

[AvasMama]

I work two days a week , my mum is able to look after my daughter on one day cutting the cost of childcare but the other day she goes to a local day care centre.

On a number of occasions I've noticed that she hasn't drank any of her milk and only half a cup of water for the whole day. As our little girl is only one and unable to communicate if she's thirsty it worries me that she will become dehyrdated.

I"ve raised this issue a number of times with the child care centre but it hasn't seem to made any difference. Has anyone else had similiar issues/problems with their childcare and could offer some advice as to how they approached the issue before changing centres?[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[Ffrenchknickers]

:( I dont have any advice expcept maybe pull her out. No one wil lever be able to look after your child as well as you do:(

I hope it works out for you

[Mamaduke]

I've never been in your position (of having to put my children in childcare) but I was told by a friend of mine who used to work in a privately run childcare centre that if the babies/children didn't eat/drink in the alloted time, they weren't necessarily offerend anything again.
She also told me that at her centre the heater would be turned on in the mornings when the parents were dropping their babies/children off and then it was switched off until about an hour before the children were picked up...cost cutting...and that happened all through Winter...can you believe it?:eek:

[kiwibird27]

They may offer her water in a tippee cup during the day???? And not write it down, Would ask them, and just say u were a bit concerned, judge for yourself how honest the reply is??!! How many nappies does she go thru each day???? If she isn't using many then would be worried, I'm the first person to criticize long daycare's but generally the management and / or directors I'm having a go at, often the staff do do their best, and honestly want the best 4 your child, why else would they work there - it's not 4 the money or conditions, Remember the quiet parent is thought to be a happy parent, so have a chat with them - ask the group leader otherwise they will assume your totally happy!!!!

Sorry just re-read your message and you have already spoken to them??!! Have u spoken firmly with alot of noise and extreme concern with all nursery staff and then the director?? You need to really demand an answer, also children that only attend one day are often unsettled, and often don't eat or drink much - has she settled in well??? Does she sleep well???? Or maybe for 2 long????? If she hasn't settled would try increasing to more days to help her become more settled before pulling her out - push the staff to tell u how she really is during the day
One day a week as a common rule never works for this age!!!! But the director won't tell u this because shre needs to fill that one day and staff are stuck in between!!!!
Hope this helps!!!

[Brooksy]

I would bring this up with the director so she is aware of the problem and that she knows that you have already spoken to the carers already about this and nothing has changed.


Kiwi bird is right about the one day per week, as I work in ccc usually children who come in one day are very unsettled compared to those who come in two days. I know at the ccc that i work at we encourge parents to put them in two days , but ultimately its up to the parents how many days they want their child in day care.

[nemosmum]

Hi,

My son attends daycare and I often think he doesnt drink enough at kindy as when he gets home he will skull about 500mls :eek: :D

When his at home he drinks alot of water, but I find at day care he is often busy and doing stuff so doesnt drink as much.

I have worked in a nursery and know that bubs/children are offered drink at meal times but there are also time during the day were water is offered (in the older rooms water is always available for children to access themselves. But as like you said your bub is still very young and cant ask for water, the carers accomodate for this and should offer your child water through out the day.

I would make it clear to the director (who can then pass it on to the staff) that you are concerned and would like your daughter to be offered water often throughout the day, also if the staff could note down how much water/milk she is having (at my sons centre they note down meals,water, nappies, sleep and a little run down of what my son has done that day in his communication book:) )

Hope this has helped.

[busylizzy]

I also had a similar problem with my (14mth) son's daycare centre. I had a firm word with them & I also write a routine (including a reminder of giving him water) and repeatedly tell them to please make sure he gets his bottle. I have also started calling throughout the day to check that he has had his bottle. Now they know I mean business they seem to really make more of an effort:thumbsup:. You really do need to be firm with them & don't be afraid to call and check on your child. The only reason I kept my DS in childcare was b/c he really loves going there & has made friends. But I have cut him down to 1 day a week (I'm lucky enough to have this option). This hasn't made him unsettled. As soon as we get there he says hello to everyone & waves me goodbye (no tears).
Liz.

[jarrahsmumma]

we encourge parents to put them in two days ,.
This makes sense, but the sucky thing is many people simply cannot afford it! Esp the ones who are at work with a higher income than if they were at home.

[AvasMama]

Big thanks to everyone that replied to my post. I'm feeling more confident now about approaching the carers again on my concerns.

The CCC staff are very approachable but I think that unknowingly I have being playing the passive parent rather than the assertive parent.

I need make it clear of my expectations of them when they are caring for my child.

Thank again for all the responses it really helps to hear from other mum's and dad's experiences especially when it's your first child. :)

[cwsmum]

On a number of occasions I've noticed that she hasn't drank any of her milk and only half a cup of water for the whole day. As our little girl is only one and unable to communicate if she's thirsty it worries me that she will become dehyrdated.

How do you know she has only drank half a cup of water? Is it written down somewhere or are you just going by the ammount left in her cup? My DS's daycare has always just refilled the kids cups so some days I would pick him up and it would be full.

The milk thing would definatly worry me tho, they should make more effort to ensure she has it, even if it means sitting with her at a different time to the other bubs. At her age her day should still basically follow the routine she has at home.

Some foot stomping and serious discussions with the staff is definatly needed. If bub is happy in the centre I would try and avoid pulling her out just yet.