What are some pet peeves you have about day care teachers?

Question

I'm a daycare teacher, and I would like to know from parents who have their children in daycare or have withdrawed them, what things have bugged you about their whole daycare experience. I want to know this so I can better myself!

Answer 1

Well I'm not a parent but when I was in daycare, we had this teacher who fell asleep alot. She got fired. Thank goodness.

Answer 2

My child is not in a day care, for a number of reasons. However, I have been a day care teacher at two different day cares. What always annoyed me was how they would pretty much hire anyone who walked off the street.

While working at both places, I was certified in everything I was supposed to be, plus had great references. Some of the other people that were hired were the kind I would never leave my child with. Teenagers that were hiding their cell phones in the pockets of their scrubs, woman who I *knew* smoked pot during their lunch breaks etc...

If you have a great relationship with the parents, and truly like your kids, then I'm sure you're doing a great job.

Answer 3

None of our kids have been in daycare but I do have a friend who withdrew her child from preschool because her daughter contracted rotavirus from the preschool, ended up in the hospital for a week and was VERY sick because of it- she actually almost died! The preschool, come to find out was not properly cleaning the toilets and so other children also became sick. Yuck...So, I guess I would have to say that if I were to give you any advice, I would say make sure your preschool is REALLY clean- every single day.

Answer 4

Not hiring the right employees with schooling and education on how to teach children. The children become warehouse children just for monetary income. We now look to see what qualifications that daycare workers have to teach children.

Answer 5

You know what...there are a lot of, in my opinion, obvious things...like sanitation and such...but I have kind of a different pet peeve...

I hate it when teachers power play.  I know it seems weird but I have witnessed it.  Like, saying no to something just for the sake of saying no.  My daugher's teacher this year is great but even she said she's seen it in the school before.  Saying no to things that don't REALLY matter, no big deal kind of stuff...it drives me crazy.  Because to the teacher it probably doesn't seem like it should be that big of a deal to the child but, seriously, to a child what is going on at that moment is their whole world...it means everything to them.  

When my daughter has bad dreams she'll talk in her sleep and it's always about getting to the swings first or getting her favorite book before someone else gets it...those things are no big deal, swing 2nd, read the book when they're finished with it...but to her-that's the most important thing ever.  Understand?

So if a child asks if they can have the blue one instead of the red...just give it to them, ya know?  That's kind of a lame example but do you get my point...?  I'd love it if once in a while some of the teachers would stop and just ask themselves, is it really that important, that big of a deal, is it really going to hurt to let them...?

But you know what...you're most likely an awesome teacher.  A less than stellar teacher would never think to ask for this type of feedback!! :)

Answer 6

I worked in a day care for three years.  It was the best time.  I got to teach children things, it made me feel like I was given a gift.  Just remember to love them as if they were your own. they can never have to much of that.  Clean, Clean, Clean.  They catch everything.  Make sure you talk to the parents as much as you can and develop a good relationship with them as well.  You will be amazed when they go to school, but still remember you.  You will feel blessed as well.  Good Luck and God Bless.

Answer 7

As someone who has worked in day cares as well as taken my children a time or two, I would have to say the main pet peeve I would have was when you go to leave your child with someone who seems frazzled, obviously does not like children all that much, and seems like they really don't want to be there.  I KNOW it can be frustrating working with children sometimes, but dealing with coworkers who were complaining all the time, and just wanted to go home would drive me nuts.  Honestly I just wanted to say, "if you really can't stand being around kids all day, get another job!"  Because kids aren't a product, or a client, they are young impressionable people, and it's just so important that they be cared for by someone who truly finds their job rewarding.  It just really takes a special person to thrive well in that field.

EDIT:  Lani, you make perfect sense . . . why not pick the battles?  The child is often having a hard time dealing w/ being away from mom, why make a big deal over particulars that don't matter?  Focus on what does.  You sound like a good intuitive mom.

Answer 8

I was a daycare worker also for quite a few years in my late teens, early 20's. I loved it and took it seriously. I can say it's interesting to look back now that I am a mom of 2 young children. I mainly worked with 1-2 year old, and even though you don't like to admit it, I think all the teachers have their favorites. I know I did. There were just some kids that I enjoyed more than others of course. Now, being a parent I realize how no one will ever love my kids like I do. Thankfully I have not had to use daycare, but if I did, I think I would worry if my child was one of the more liked ones. I would just say to do your best to enjoy each child for who they are, knowing that they mean the world to their parents. One thing I always did that most parents seemed to appreciate is telling them something their child had done that was really cute. Something as simple as "she went over to 'Eric' and kissed him when he was crying."  Parents miss these moments, and most liked hearing the cute things their children had done that day.

I think you asked a great question.  

Answer 9

I have had four children in daycare. My biggest pet peeve  is when the people who work there suppose to know more what is better for my baby than i do. my second child had his bottle until he was 2. it angered a worker at the daycare, i just told her: don't give it to him when he is there,(let him cry for you) but when he is at home he can have it he will drop it when he is ready. he did. just listen to the parents and remember they are the parents. i am a teacher and i try to follow this advice with my older kids