#15 (15 of 20 for June 7, 2000)

daycare tragedy

Daycare Services, Other

From: Sandra McGee Email User

Date: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 09:35 PM

In January of this year, my husband and I went to Tutor Time in Medford, LI. We spoke with the schools director, and decided to enroll our daughter who would be 3 in February part-time, 4 hours a day M, W, F. I was amazed in the transformation in just 4 short months. In the beginning things seemed to be going well, however, by mid-May, she was coming home with her shirt soaked and nobody could tell us how it happened, when it happened, why nobody changed her since she had clothes in a bag in her classroom and just who was that in the classroom when my husband had picked her up. He spoke with the director, who instructed him that her teacher was out to lunch and they would need to speak with her. She who later swore that she was dry when she left her. I know 3 year olds are gaining there independence at this age, however, her attitude was far worse than could ever be expected. She was picking up the habits of the 4 and 5 year olds in her class. By her last day of school, she had bruises on her arms from her other classmates and was saying things, I certainly have never said. How many 3 year olds do you know that say "I'm not talking to you." The next day was her last day and when my husband went to pick her up, her shirt was wet again to find out that she had been drinking out of the water fountain on the playground and unsupervised by her teacher, she was soaked. Upon leaving, my husband made went to make a comment to find two other children being taken care of. One had bitten the other so hard, he had drawn blood. I later come to find out, that there are other Tutor Time schools just like it where children are throwing temper tantrums outside of the school to avoid going in. I have also spoken with someone who had worked at another Tutor Time and she told me she wouldn't be surprised if they didn't know how my daughter's shirt got wet and she wouldn't be surprised if she had been playing in the toilet. They'll let them do that, she said, to keep them quiet. So please I beg you, this was my daughter's first preschool/daycare experience and I know it will not be her last, but I know a lot better now and I hope you do to.