daycare director does nothing

[Unregistered]

My son who is now 14 mos old. attends a Christian daycare. I work part time in social work so my schedule isn't usually the same every week. He attended this daycare since he was 2 mos. old and everything went great until he turned 1 and went into the toddler room. During that year I started receiving reports from staff that there were children there that neglect was suspected of the parents. I instructed the staff to report their suspicions to the local DCS office. They already went to the director and she wouldn't do anything about the situations. One time I actually walked in and found my son in the care of one of these parents that she decided to hire even though she knew about her staffs concerns. (director was out the day I witnessed this so I had to tell her the next day my son attended) I spoke to the director and found out that she had quit as soon as she started and she stated that she would not allow her to work there again. I soon heard from a teacher that this person (who now has a open case with DCS and I cannot tell the director because of confidentiality) is coming back to work at the daycare. I questioned the director and she stated that this girl had called and wanted to work there but the director had not returned the call. She also felt that giving her a job there would give her the opportunity to minister this young mother. I never heard anymore about the situation and the girl didn't show up. Then I noticed that my son had finger marks on the outside of his upper arms. I instantly thought that my 5 yr old daughter was picking him up and talked to her about being gentle with baby. The bruises healed and we went on until one day I go to pick my son up and observed his "teacher" pick him up by the arms. I told her that she cannot pick any children up that way and that it must be painful. I told the director and she said she would talk with her. Then on Wednesday I get a call that my son was hurt at daycare. They said that he hit his eye and had a black eye. When I got the story I thought that he was clumsy like most 14 mos old. Then, I got home and noticed that he wasn't talking (making baby noises) When he finally did I noticed that he had no voice. I was off the next day so I didn't see any of the other teachers. I received a call last night stating that my son got the black eye from the teacher forcing him down onto a cot. I met with the assistant director today that informed me that this isn't the first time a child was hurt in her room and the director will not do anything about it. Needless to say I pulled both my children out but the big problem is that I live in the smallest county in the U.S. and this is the only daycare. There is only a few home based daycare's and they are full. What do I do now? I have to quit my job I guess. I have a meeting with the board of directors monday but this doesn't help my daycare situation. The reason I need someone in the county is because my daughter is starting kindergarten this year and I will need someone before and after school. I need to know if anyone would ever trust this daycare again even after restructuring. They have suspended the teacher but how do I know the other teachers arent like this?

[Unregistered]

Alot of HEAR SAY----------get facts-document-find a pattern-then report-go over the directors head-she isn't the law-

[Unregistered]

I did take my son to the pediatrician to make sure there wasn't any damage. The eye is documented. I have the letter from staff asking for my help to report these parents. The board of directors never called me back and the teacher in question is allowed to work alone with these young children. They told me that she was suspended but she is not. When I was talking with the asst. director another mother came in and said that she had reported this teacher a few weeks ago when she witnessed her grabbing a baby's arm and dragging him in from the playground. So, this is report #2 and nothing has been done. A teacher there is a friend and she also told me that she witnessed her slamming a baby into a chair and reported it to the director but nothing was done. This makes report #3. All of these people are willing to document because now it has been a week since the incident and nothing has been done to this teacher. My kids are safe now because I pulled them out but do I have a duty to the other children to report the incident? This is a very small county and one of the board members is a police detective that has already called my friend at DCS to inquire if a report has been made. She stated that he wasn't understanding of my situation. I just don't want this to effect my job and my life here in this county. I know it sounds selfish but I don't want any problems. At the same time there are kids there being hurt by this teacher and I feel like my hands are tied. Should I report them or not since the board is aware and I have discussed with DCS that agrees that we don't want my son's name in the system as a victim. Should I let it go, report it or keep hounding the board for changes?

[lilbiddapopcorn]

Children are everyone's responsibility. You should absolutely continue to do everything you can to protect them! Look at it this way - what if you were the parent who didn't know and everyone who did know didn't want to get involved? How will you feel if you don't do anything and then you're watching TV one night and find out a child in that center was hurt badly or even permanently brain damaged? If she's done it this many times, she'll continue doing it because there's no one there to stop her. Be the one who does!! Any mother in your community can understand that no matter how small it is.