Child Neglect in a Daycare?

Question

I recently started working at this preschool with two other teachers. The main teacher I'm working with is the problem. She's older, probably close to retirement age. I'm worried about the way she treats the children. For instance, the first day I worked there, one of the little girls wouldn't go to sleep during naptime. The teacher, getting fed up with it, pulled the little girls legs out from underneath her while she was standing, sending her backwards onto the mat hard (I heard her hit all the way across the room). Also, this teacher seems to think that every problem the kids come to her with is a cry for attention. Also, on my first day, another little girl got her finger caught in the door hinge. She started crying and the teacher ignored her, saying she wanted attention. The child's finger was blue and swollen and she was holding it as if it was broken (found out yesterday that it's not, but still). And yesterday, two little girls (twins) were both cranky and clingy.

Answer 1

You should immediately report this!!! That should be... um child abuse? Anyways, the fact that she's treating children like that does not seem that she liked working here. A good talk with her(not to her) would be good.

Answer 2

This is a double edged sword and you best handle it with care lest you are cut. There is cause to be concerned if the actions you described are factual, BUT remember you are the new kid on the block, and she is the seasoned veteran. Before making any move, unless of course a child is actually HURT, you need to document, and get sufficient evidence to back up your allegations. The teacher's actions are suspect at best, and I would be concerned if I had witnessed her sending a child backwards just because she wasn't laying down for a nap. Remember, the teacher has been there for a lot longer than you and obviously the Center has confidence in her, so you do not want to come off as anything other than a concerned employee whon is looking out for the BEST interests of the children and the Center.

Answer 3

Not only is this neglect this is abuse--pulling a child's legs out from under her.  Tell your director.  You must.  How would you feel if that were your child.  You know what she is doing is wrong.  Of course they want attention--they're little kids.

Answer 4

I would definately report it. If she is treating the children like this it is a case that need's attention. Children are not as strong as adults and they need extra care. They can easily be hurt especially if they hit their head.  I would report it to the manager and if you need to go further report it to a social worker  and they will investigate and make sure the children are getting the care they need. These are not your children someone else has trusted the daycare providers can take care of their children so you should make sure it is a safe place for all of the children.

Answer 5

yes that is child neglect, and if you don't say anything, you're just as much fault as she is. it might be a time where she really get fed up and something serious could happen. so put your feelings aside for this chick and let her know that it is wrong. you do have that right, she should be reported.

Answer 6

Yes you must report this to your manager immediately before a serious incident occurs. Dont approach this person let the manager deal with it.

Answer 7

I would definitely report this behavior to your manager, in writing! Document what you see going on, date it, make a copy for yourself and give a copy to your manager. If your directo does nothing, report what you have seen to Child Protective Services.

If you see a teacher being abusive (pulling the child's legs out from under her, making her fall is abusive) then it is your responsibility to report it. If it comes out that this teacher is abusing children like this, and that you knew it and did nothing, you could get in trouble as well! Not to mention it is just the right thing to do.

It is not an easy thing to do to report this behavior, but it is what needs to be done before a child gets seriously injured in this woman's care.

Answer 8

It sounds like you already know what you should do. It must be tough at a brand new job, but this lady is mean. If this was my child, I hate to think what I might do. Yes. You should report her to a higher up, even if you end up losing your job over it. That's just wrong. Nobody's perfect and small children can drive anyone nuts on a bad day but we can't hurt them, or ignore them when they hurt themselves. Report her hon, and know you did the right thing.

Answer 9

I don't want to seem like I am taking sides- but I do see where the older teacher is coming from.

However, there comes a time in life when you need to ask yourself if what you are doing is what makes you happy.

I work at a day care and it is really easy to become frustrated and annoyed when you're trying to organize things and there is one child that refuses to listen and talks back.  

I have been accused of being "mean" to some of the children I work with- but never do I put my hands on them.  I would never force a child to do something that they out right refused.

Normally- I give the child a few options and when they refuse to pick one that's when the tears come and I tell the child to go sit down in a chair until s/he is ready to play with all of us.

I have really good classroom management because I don't stop and cradle every single child - and I treat them  all the same.  However, my advice to you- as someone that works with very young children is to express to the director or supervisor that you are not comfortable working with this woman.  If it's that bad then I suggest you leaving the job and writing a letter to dyfs.  

DYFS will come in and do an investigation if you explain to them the situation.  

Good luck

Answer 10

Children are people too.  We help and protect those that can't help themselves.  You owe it to children, parents and as a teacher to protect those children.  Would you want to be behind bars for somethings she has done.  You have already admitted on your computer you knew this was going on.  That makes you an accessory to the crime.  Set yourself free before it's too late.   "Stop Children Torture".

Answer 11

You have a responsibility to the children first and foremost.  If you don't feel comfortable approaching the teacher yourself, tell the "principal" or manager.  

The preschool is in danger of a lawsuit should someone tell the parents what happened.  Go to your supervisor immediately and tell him/her what you have witnessed.  Submit a written notice to the supervisor, sign it, have him/her sign it and keep a copy for yourself.  Name the children and the teacher involved in the incidents you witnessed.  this will offer you, personally, some protection.  Do this 3 times before you report it to the authorities, giving the manager and the teacher time to clean up their acts.

Should you see no change in the teacher's behavior toward the children at this point, go to the supervisor again and tell him/her you will have to report the center to the authorities.  

This can be considered child abuse.  If you stand by and do nothing, you are opening yourself up to lawsuits...and the center, too.

Answer 12

If you feel that there is a possibility of inappropriate behavior by the teacher, you need to talk to your director first.  I would say that this teacher sounds as if she is burned out and ready to get out of this line of work.  Crying is communication- it is up to us as the teachers to figure out what the crying is communicating... could be attention, could be they really are hurt and need to be acknowledged as such!  Sounds as if she is at the end of her rope, and this is probably not a place she wants to be anymore.

Regardless of the reason, it is not okay to ignore children who are legitimately hurt or expressing emotion.  It is not okay to jerk a child by their legs.  You, as a childcare professional, have a duty to look out for the best interests of the children in your care- always.  If you feel that this teacher is hurting or otherwise treating the children in a negative way, it is your voice that can make the difference.  Besides... you are a mandated reporter- which makes you liable if you don't talk to someone to try to get this situation remedied (you can face up to a year in jail or a $1000 fine for not reporting).  Talk to your director first, since it is their job to oversee the employees in her center.  If that gets you nowhere, call your local CPS (child protective services) office.  You have to protect the children FIRST.  Document every situation you have seen and see, and present your facts to your director.  A responsible director will immediately look into it, whether that means that they pull the staff member into the office to discuss the situation, or that they observe in the classroom.  But, any time you feel the safety of the children is in question- err on the side of caution and report it.  I tell you, if someone at our center did this, they would have been dismissed and reported.

Answer 13

well first of all i run childcare in my home well i just have my one today and she is sleeping but i do not make her take a nap nor do i do mean things to her that's not my place to punish that child oh my this upsets me you know i don't think she needs a job like that!! if she has a temper like that she may wanna look to another job!! i think you need to tell the your boss if not id tell the parents if this woman ever harmed a child she and the school would have a big lawsuit on there hands ain't she even worried about these kids telling on her anyways gosh i remember when i was in kindergarten i had a teacher she use to squeeze my arm and if any of us feel back in our seats she would make up stay there all day long! i remember i told my mom about it and she would see where that teacher left marks on my arms my mom went to the school and complained but she was there the years to come! i dont know how laws are today but that's been years ago lol I'm now 31! but anyways that old lady shouldn't do that one of those kids are going to tell and she is going to get a parent in there and knock her around if she don't watch it!

Answer 14

I would definitely go to the director of the daycare immediately and discuss your concerns.   You definitely need to let a supervisor know right away...ask your supervisor if you could meet with them as soon as possible and let them know what you saw. Good luck!

Answer 15

hi, you should definetly report all of the things this other teacher is doing. Furthermore, you should just talk to the teacher because the things she is doing to the kids is terrible and it wouldn't hurt anything.

Answer 16

It is not only neglect but could be considered abuse plain and simple. You have an obligation to turn her in to child protective services. Children should not be treated like this.

The easiest thing to do is to turn away and not do anything but someone needs to protect these children.

God Bless!

Answer 17

Yes you should defintely talk to someone. I am a parent and I would be furious to know someone like that is taking care of my children. That lady should be not taking care of children at all. She does not have what it takes. The kids are being cranky and clingy cause of the treatment they are getting.

Answer 18

Maybe approach the manager in a way of asking hypothetical questions.  Then if he/she agrees that those situations are inappropriate, I would suggest he/she pays close attention to whats happening @ their daycare.  Hopefully they will take notice and it will be done without you having to "rat" someone out and feel awkward about that.  If the manager brushes your suggestion off, I would contact a higher level whether it be the owner or even a government entity.  Best of luck.

Answer 19

Document your findings.  Everything you've seen, write it down, date it... and give it a time.  Bring these things to your Director in a fashion that doesn't suggest your tryin' to get the teacher fired (even though that should be what happens) but because you care about the well-being of the children.  If she doesn't handle it asaply, call your state reps and have them come in and do the dirty work.