Help im a daycare teacher???????

Question

I am a daycare teacher of 3 year olds. A parent has been repeatedly complaining about another teacher that their kid has been placed with. I am the teacher of that childs sibling is there anything i can do in this situation?

Answer 1

In a very professional way tell this parent that you do not have control over which students go with which teachers.  If she really wants to discuss it as a problem, she should speak with someone in charge of assigning kids to classes, like your superviser I would think?

Just like to give you a "been there experienced that hug"!

Answer 2

Stay out of it, and keep your mouth quiet on both ends.  If the parent has a real reason for having problems with this other teacher, the two of them need to work it out together.  And, joining in on gossip with the parent about the other teacher will not work in your favor either.  If the parent has gone to the other teacher to make a complaint and it hasn't been solved, they need to go up the ladder to the director.  Your center should have a "grievance process" in their parent handbook that details the "chain of command" for addressing concerns by parents.  This would be something like:

1. Talk to the teacher directly

2. If it can't be resolved with the teacher, the director will be called in to discuss with both parties

3. If a solution can not be found with the director, you may take your concerns to the Board.  The Board has 45 days in which to resolve the matter.

The next time the parent says something to you about the other staff member, hand them a copy of the page from the handbook and say, "I understand you have concerns, but I am unable to help you in resolving them.  Here's the grievance process that we suggest at our center."  This way, you take yourself out of the equation, and you are modeling appropriate behavior/ettiquette to the parent.  It is not appropriate for them to discuss concerns about a child that is not in your classroom, nor is it appropriate for them to discuss another teacher on your staff with you.  They need to take their concerns to the director to have them addressed in the appropriate channels.  Working with women (as the majority of us in child development do), there can be a lot of gossip... you don't want to be a part of it.  It sends a very negative message to your superiors, and coworkers will not feel that they can trust you.  Professionally, you should direct the parent to the person who can appropriately address their concerns.

Answer 3

I would let her know to talk to the Director of the center since you have no control over that situation.  

Answer 4

I would simply suggest to the parent to go to that teacher for a problem solving discussion or have a discussion with the director of that preschool.  Please remember your purpose there.... to teach the students.  Be professional and do not get caught up in a battle of wits between a parent and co-worker  I have seen such situations become "he said, she said" with no real resolution.  Be as professional as you can and don't get into a gossip issue.

I hope you find what you are seeking.

Answer 5

It's possible that the reason she is talking to you about it is that she is fishing for information.  She wants to know if she is correct in her thinking about this teacher, she wonders if her child has anything to do with it, she wonders if the other teachers don't like Mrs. X, either.  The thing I have observed about parents of preschoolers, is that they don't have much experience in solving school/teacher problems, or even know what a true problem is.  Because of that, there is a lot of fumbling that goes on, a lot of inappropriate gossip, etc.  The other answers are correct- don't say anything bad about your fellow teacher, and refer the parent to the director.  

Answer 6

stay out of it as it may back fire on you. Tell her go to the supervisor, Principal etc.

Answer 7

Stay out of it. If she is complaining to you , refer her to the person in charge of the daycare or the owner.

Answer 8

I would evaluate what the parent is saying about the teacher.  Is the parent's concern a legit/valid one?  Either way, I would share this with the director of the preschool and ask for some guidance.  After all, the director may have a protocol that she would like you to follow.  If not, you may be able to come up with a solution that will work in this particular case. I would also let that parent know that the director is the person she should be talking to (not other teachers). Hope this helps.

Answer 9

don't put your dog in this fight.  kindly explain to the parents that although you understand their feelings you really can't discuss another teacher with them and that they should go speak with the director.  the director should then schedule a meeting with the parents and the teacher.