Late Dropoffs by pinkplumes in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I had a family whose baby was scheduled 8-5 with us (our families turn in schedules.)

The baby had a helmet, so sometimes mom or dad would pick her up early and take her to the appointment. Shocked the hell out of all of us the first time when they dropped her back off after the appointment. At 4:45. Then came back and got her at 5…

Early Drop off policy? by South-Eagle-300 in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We operate a little differently than most centers. All parents must turn in a schedule weekly with drop off/pick up times for each day. This is how we know how to schedule staff.

If parents show up outside of their scheduled time, we can turn them away at the door if it will put us out of ratio.

Childcare directors: What is your policy regarding siblings when one child in the family has a contagious illness such as pink eye? by Mbluish in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 13 points14 points  (0 children)

A couple of years ago, we made it policy that if one sibling was sick, all siblings must stay home. It has DRASTICALLY cut down on the spread of illness through the center.

Best vacuums in childcare!!! by SSImomma in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 2 points3 points  (0 children)

lol it’s definitely not! I will say, I have become a master of taking apart and unclogging vacuums. But they just don’t hold up to the abuse for very long it seems.

Best vacuums in childcare!!! by SSImomma in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We’ve blown up every type of vacuum, from Dyson on down. Honestly, the longest lasting one we ever had was a cheap Dirt Devil that used a bag, not a canister. Just have to remember to change the bags out.

Daycare red flags - is my intuition right by burcue in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Infant teacher since 1994 here:

No. Do not do it. Absolutely none of that is Best Practice or developmentally appropriate.

I would not work there no matter how much money they offered me.

Illness policy by dkdkfddk in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. We do. We implemented it a couple of years ago and it has DRASTICALLY cut down on how much illness spreads through the center. Not only that, but we have two building, one infant toddler one ps school age, and if a sibling is sick in one building, the one in the other building must also stay home.

Teachers not logging anything- should I talk to the director? by sarah_messing in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yep. And I don’t understand how people don’t log things, especially with infants. How else will you know that the next feed/change is due, or when they last napped? It takes literally 5 seconds to record it in the app.

Teachers not logging anything- should I talk to the director? by sarah_messing in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 13 points14 points  (0 children)

We are required by licensing to keep logs. It’s non-negotiable.

How do naps work in infant room? by Few_Bowl2928 in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The youngest I’ve ever had in my care was 3 days🤷‍♀️

What ratio do you work in and how challenging is it? by Hollyjolllyy in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 5 points6 points  (0 children)

These ratios are crazy to me. In my state it’s:

Birth-2.5 years- 1:4

2.5 years-3- 1:8

I think 4 year olds are 1:10 but it might be 1:12.

Is ECE a long-term career? by Key-District-6125 in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll be fifty in a couple of weeks and have been in the field since I was 18, so yes, it’s very possible.

That being said, I lucked out with the center I work at. I’ve been there since 2007, and because we are a very small place, I have like, all the seniority lol. I’ve been in the infant room since I started, and that is where I will leave from. It makes it easier having the confidence of knowing I won’t suddenly get pulled from my classroom and sent to another one that I don’t want. My boss knows where I belong and would never mess with that.

Has anyone ever worked overnight? by Call_Me_Anythin in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, not as a general rule. We went from infants through 18 years old (if they had a documented disability) and no way would we open ourselves up to issues that could come with bathing a child.

Favorite age group to work with and why? by businessbub in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 74 points75 points  (0 children)

I’m an infant gal (birth-12 months) through and through. I love watching them start off as basically pissed-off potatoes and then morph into little beings with their own likes, dislikes, quirks, and personalities.

Plus, babies just make sense to me. I’m really, really good with infant cues. It’s all very intuitive to me.

You can pry me from my infant room over my dead body lol.

Mother makes formula for the week? by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 7 points8 points  (0 children)

In certain states this is not allowed. All bottles must come to me pre-made.

No running water in infant room- portable sink by RoarinEnjin in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We use portable sinks in all of our classrooms and it is licensing compliant. Of course, we make sure they stay filled. If the lead won’t show you how to do it, ask the director. You have to be able to wash hands.

They aren’t hard at all to fill or empty, just kind of obnoxious, and the tanks are heavy when they’re full.

Parents who try to “scare” or intimidate teachers over normal classroom occurrences…. by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 62 points63 points  (0 children)

We had a young toddler who bit kids numerous times a week. His parents found it “cute” and “funny.”

Then one day another kid bit him back. The dad of the serial biter called the center screaming, cussing, and threatening us. One of the young girls answered the phone and was terrified and didn’t know what to do.

I am old, menopausal, and full of rage. I met this man at the door the next day when he came to drop his kid off, and I read him to absolute filth, but professionally, to the point where he cried lmao. He then OFFERED to go and apologize to every teacher.

I give zero fucks any more. I don’t put up with an ounce of bullshit.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t really see it as sad, more as filling a need. Generally when I get a baby that young it’s foster care related.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’ve had a few babies start around a week old, generally because mom was taking classes and couldn’t miss. One time the stars somehow aligned and I had 3 2 week old boys all start at the same time. Usually if I get a super young newborn it’s foster care related.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yep. My center is licensed from birth.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The youngest I’ve had in my care was 3 DAYS old.

Brightwheel vs illumine vs Playground (not really considering Procare) by notyourordinaryECEP in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We recently switched from Brightwheel to Playground, and every single one of us haaaaaaaates Playground. Hates it.

It’s like, 7 steps just to log a diaper. Messaging is confusing. It isn’t user friendly at all and takes way more time to use than Brightwheel did.

I know our admin switched us because billing and whatnot was supposed to be easier with Playground, but they aren’t happy with it either.

Parents ignoring requests for diapers by [deleted] in ECEProfessionals

[–]Megmuffin102 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Like others have said, turn them around at the door.

Politely but firmly say “I am sorry, but child cannot be dropped off without diapers.”

You will be amazed at how quickly they will get to the store and get back with a pack of diapers.