Originally Posted by Daycare Mommy:
Does anyone here really teach this stuff to preschoolers? Really? Sounds to me like maybe that's why the provider was insulted. Because what preschool teacher would take it upon him/herself to teach this at that age without the parents knowledge? I had a parent once make an off the wall request like this. After I had cared for his children for over a year, I gave them a little album with a bunch of pics from his son's birthday party. (They had signed a photo release when they enrolled btw) He immediately said he's alright with me taking pictures, but sternly requested that I never take pictures of the children with their clothes off. As if I would!!! I was so insulted and hurt by this I almost started crying right in front of him. I had just handed them a present and it really felt like he had slapped me in the face in return. I did manage to wait until they were gone to get really upset, but I did let them go shortly after.. If after a reasonable amount of time I don't have the parent's trust especially that I would so drastically overstep my bounds as a childcare provider, then I don't see the point in continuing the business relationship. I can't speak for her, but perhaps this teacher felt the same way..
The bolded part....see...for me if I heard a daycare might be celebrating ANYTHING - Gay Pride included (and yes, OP, I realize you did not say they actually WERE celebrating that day but for sake of arguement) I am thinking along the lines of maybe rainbow stickers and decorated cookies or maybe a craft with the rainbow colours in it or something.
I would never, ever suspect anything more. I think most daycare providers and centres alike have more sense than that!
I think of it no different than St. Patrick's day. We wear green and have green iced cookies and make a green craft. I don't make them all eat a lunch of hagus and/or go around sharing their spit kissing a Blarney Stone.
I too, would be hurt if a parent assumed that I would actually discuss sexual orientation or go further than that. Not only does it question my intelligence but my decision making ability, and most importantly, their trust in me.
Daycare is all about trust.