What would you think if this happened to your baby at his first day of daycare?

Question

my 5 month old son started his 1st day of a home daycare. i do not know if i am just being paranoid here or if i should take these as signs. first, my son has a red mark on the top of his head, size of a quarter, he also has scratches on his neck, inner leg, butt, and on the lower side of his face. i know this because he never gets scratches at home with me unless his nails are growing he might give himself one on his nose. could the kids at daycare with him done that? these scratches aren't deep but i just wonder... also, she didn't have anything packed for me, she knew the time i was coming too. i left behind a teether, a new toy of his, a bottle, and a little sports bag with his extra clothes and bibs, i dont want to seem rude but i thought it was weird that ALL that stuff got left the first day, is that normal? i don't want to be overreacting here, so i just want to know what other moms would think.. because i know i worried about him.

Yes, i do plan to ask her, i just wanted other moms opinions on this, i know scratches happen, but when my son goes to his dad's house for a day he never gets scratches or marks, and they have alot of kids there and more people to pass him around. i also didnt notice they marks until i gave him a bath about 20mins after we got home, the red mark on his head i noticed after i was taking him out of his car seat.

(the scratches arent huge, like small fingernail scratches. when i checked her out, she had good references that she gave me, but i am starting to wonder.) i do have another home daycare i liked much better but it was across town, i will probably just go to her. when i went to visit/interview the current lady, she kind of rushed me out of the house. i went to this lady cus she is closer and her hours were later/better for me.

Answer 1

First I would say bad sign if she rushes you out the door. Always go with what you feel, just because the other lady is across town you did like her better and had a better feeling so I would take her there.Mommy knows best. Yes I would definately ask her what happened with the mark/ scratches and if something did happen she should have mentioned this to you, unless of course she wasn't watching her closely.

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Im not a mom but that would definitely worry me. If i was you i would find a new daycare because i dont think little babies culd give yours all those scratches.-i hope nothing else goes wrong! good luck finding a good daycare.

Answer 3

I'm not a mom, but I believe those other kids did do that.  My little cousin used to go to a home daycare.  He does not go there anymore.  I think he is about eleven now and he hasn't gone there in years.  I remember he said the kids would pick on him while he was at the daycare.  This is probably what happened to your kid.  The other kids picked on him.  This is a typical situation.  Some kids are mean.  Right?  

Answer 4

Why are you even asking? I'm worried that you don't know what to do at this point. Leave him out of the day care, I'd even consider reporting her to the police on suspicion of abuse.  

Answer 5

If you are concerned, and not sure of this lady now, and yes I would want those baby things of mine back in my possession each time I take my child home...who knows who is touching them and or using them when your child is not there.  eeeeewwww...I think that you should follow your gut instinct with this one.  You will never be comfortable when you leave him there.  It may be worth the trip across town to leave the baby with someone that you trust and know.  Go with your gut mom...that is what God gave it to you for.  

Answer 6

change now!

Answer 7

Trust your instincts.  You aren't comfortable with this woman, and the scratches you describe couldn't have been made by his own fingernails - at least not on his inner leg and butt.  The red mark on his head is also suspicious.  If it's on his forehead, he could have hit himself with a rattle or something, but it it's anywhere else, he didn't do it. References aren't foolproof.  A good childcare provider should not have so many kids or so little help that she can't take the necessary time to talk to you or get your baby's things ready to go home.  It's not worth it to leave your baby with someone that you don't completely trust.  Find another child care.  

Answer 8

d**n u got every right to be concerned or over-reacting

its ur baby

honestly my opinion is that aint a good place

like... go's back home with scratches and marks?

if it was my baby i would take him or her out of that daycare immediately and go to a much better daycare

well suit ur self i rekon it isnt normal

peace

Answer 9

i went to this lady cus she is closer and her hours were later/better for me. ....hmmm that right there isnt good....you have to be picky that is your baby, and there is only one of HIM you need to get him out of there, and explain to your work the circumstances....your baby can't speak for himself, and a red mark on the head??? NOT a good sign. Get him out of there quick, go to someone because they will be good to your baby...not because its open later, thats not a good sign either, she obviously isn't very attentive if she is going to be open later and not give herself a break...

Answer 10

i would be very worried too. it sounds like this lady doesn't watch the kids very closely and lets them run amok, which is probably why your baby got hurt, and all her toys got left behind. some of the other kids probably started diggin through her bag and wanted to play with her, not knowing she's just a baby and not a babydoll.  the fact you said that she rushed you is definatly not good, she should've at least gathered the baby's things and told you how she was all day, but lack of communication is not a good sign. i would go with what i trust and know, you said that the other sitter is good, but lives across town, i know that sucks, but its alot better to sacrifice time and distance to be safe, then go with someone who on your first day your gut is telling you is bad news.  babys can't tell you what happened, but if you can see it and feel it, i would definatly assume the worse and part ways.

Answer 11

I feel for you! I am so sorry you are in this position with your baby.

Obviously, you have to work.

You need to go with your gut. References are not enough you must also do a background check on  anyone who is watching your child. In the state your in and their home state.

Is there any family that could watch him?

Could you find a daycare that videos the children in the daycare "live"?

This  lady once told me that is where she had her daughter and she could watch her live online.

Or...if you find someone from a company or through a reference and do your own background check.  Put video cameras in the rooms where they will be and instruct her she is not to take the baby out of those rooms.  I would tell her that there are hidden cameras everywhere as a deterrent.  I would explain to her that you have had issues before and not to take it personally. Maybe, you could find out how to make it live video online so you could watch.

I am very careful with my daughter more than average because I have had a lot of bad things happened to me from people who my mother left me with.

Oh...don't forget the better business bureau!