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This past Monday, I was so angry when I noticed a three year old DCG have so many live lice in her hair because she don't take a bath for 6 weeks when the last time I gave her a bath at my house. I gave her a bath again to get rid of a lot of live lice in her hair and it took me to get it done within three hours. I know I should have call her mother to come get her and give her hell to get rid of her daughter's hair. I just felt that she might will not give her a bath. At pick up, I told her mother about everything and she got really embarrassed. I thought she might will be learned a lesson, nope!!

let me tell you about her little background, Dcg is the boss of her parents. For example, she don't have to go bed until 12am or 1am. She can eat any candy for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks that she refused to eat real foods. Also, she wouldn't take a bath at all whatever her mother told her that she needs a bath and she WOULD fight with her mother. Her mother gave up.

DCG knew she can't be boss of me because I would put her in time out. She have to follow my rules. I always tell her, "who is the boss?" and she said it is me, not her. She is so right!

Today, I got upset because she hasn't taken a bath for 4 days row. I have been venting a lot about her to my husband. He told me it is time to call CPS because CPS can make them to give her a bath and give her healthy foods whatever she likes or not. He said CPS will not take her away unless they see something is not right or whatever reasons. Is it possible for CPS take a serious about this if I make a call. I know I may be losing this child if I report it to CPS.

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My first thought when reading your thread was why is dcg in daycare with lice? How come you are allowing this child to be in care and around other children (which I am assuming you have other children) with lice? I would NEVER allow a child to attend my daycare with lice.

Also you said that dcg has lice in her hair because she has not been bathed in 6 weeks but later on in your post you said that she hasn't been bathed for 4 days in a row now? Is it 6 weeks or 4 days? I am really confused over this.

I would be calling dcm immediately to pick up her child and she would not be allowed to return until she was lice and nit free.

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Actually lice prefer clean hair so I don't see how this is possible??Maybe someone with more experience can enlighten me.
edited: oops wrong person quoted...meant to " OP"

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Any kid with lice would be out of here in 2 seconds. I'd probably wait outside on the porch until they got picked up too!

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Child hadn't had a bath in 6 weeks, op batherd child on Monday and child hastn't had a bath since-4 days since Monday.

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First of all, if the child has lice as badly as you say, then it is IN YOUR HOUSE and you need to SERIOUSLY clean. This child also should NOT be at daycare until she is 100% louse and nit free. YUCK!!!

If it is as bad as you state then yes, you need to call CPS. This is serious neglect and you are a mandated reporter.

The only other thing I suggest is that, before you call CPS, you get your facts straight, write it all down, try to be as specific as possible, including dates, conversations with mom, etc.

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I understood that DCG didn't get bathed so the OP gave her a bath and then the DCG didn't get another for another 6 weeks so OP gave her another bath to remove the lice. And now it's been 4 days since the last time that OP has given DCG the last bath and DCM still hasn't given her a bath since then.

Back to OP. In all honesty it sounds neglectful to me and we as child care provider are mandated to report all suspected child abuse and neglect. If anything CPS can help DCM by working with her and doing home visits to help guide her. If they feel like DCG's home life is extreme then they may choose to remove her from the home and the DCM will have the opportunity to improve and try to get her back.

I would call your licensor to make her aware of the situation but I have I have a feeling I already know what they are going to say ... to call CPS. Then I'd call CPS and tell them the situation and then leave it up to them to decide whether or not to investigate. At least you did your part.

CPS won't tell DCM that you reported her but because you have already talked to DCM about it DCM will know it was you (most likely) so just be prepared for DCM to pull DCG out of your daycare if only from embarrassment (hopefully not from anger). She might not pull her out, not saying she will ... only that it's likely.

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I am horrified to hear a child went 6 weeks without a bath! Seriously? That is neglect!

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I gave her a bath 6 weeks ago (it was end of October). She haven't take a bath at home ever since. I had to give her a bath again in my house last Monday morning, that is when it was last time. Now she hasn't take a bath in 4 days row this week.

Please keep in mind, she is only child in my daycare for now. In fact, I know lice prefer to have clean hair but it is baby hair that don't have oil like kids or adults. Her mother should have checked her hair to see if she have lice or not. I have to take care of her like mother should be. I wouldn't let her sit on my couch until I get rid of her lice. Oh boy, it was so, so, so, so many! I told my husband this will be my last time to give her a bath. I had given her a bath 4 times in my house and I am planning to term her if her mother don't give her a bath again or lice. She dont have nit and lice right now. I still check on her everyday. I got rid a lot last Monday morning but I told her mother that she would need special lice shampoo which I don't have. I used to put her hair in olive oil to kill all of it.

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Question for OP....how do you KNOW the child did not have a bath for 6 weeks?

I ask because that is a significant allegation and unless you KNOW this to be a FACT and not just speculation, I would tread very carefully.

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You need to report them to CPS, this is neglect.
you have already spoken to mom about this problem and she has done nothing about it. CPS will most likely put them thrugh a program that helps them Parent better. hopefully.

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Don't worry, I clean my house everyday with power vacuum and I spray with rid killer. I am very lucky my children don't have it because I checked on them everyday! My husband and I checked each other to make sure we don't get it.

I know she shouldn't be in my daycare, I know that but I do care about her and I just need to give her a bath. She sure don't like it and she knows that she cannot control me like she does to her mother. I just feel lost. I have two new kids will be starting in January and I hope she still have nit and lice free for now.

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This is also what I was thinking.

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Because of her stuck hair and she wrote her pen on her leg from her home the next day after I gave her a bath. I know I need to be very careful. I know her parents very well for a long time before she exists.

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If you are certain that dcg has not been bathed by the mother in 6 weeks and you have documented everything leading up until this point I would call CPS. That is serious neglect and gross! I feel so bad for the little girl.

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Um, this is terribly upsetting if it's true... a child not bathing for several days in a row is negligent - 6 weeks is abusive... there is NO reason for this.

I will say one thing... I've had kids come with pen marks on them for WEEKS, but they'd have baths during that time. Some kids will not let you scrub them, I know because I WAS that kid one time.

Obviously there is something wrong if this child keeps getting lice though... are the parents dirty? Does the child/parents smell foul?

I too would document everything (including photos) and inform CPS asap.

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My head started itching like crazy when I read this! Seriously though, you really need to call CPS. I know it is hard to do. I had to do it last week, and I will not discuss the details of this online anymore. CPS can help the mom. If the child does not need to be removed, they may give the mother a typeof probation that requires her to take parenting classes. She will learn how to be a confident mother and how important it is to keep children clean and healthy. She may thank you for this in the end. It is also a confidential thing so she would never know it was coming form you. For all she knows it could be her neighbor. Call for the mother and child.

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Why didn't you report this after week 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 with no bath? Never mind the lice, how can a child that filthy be allowed to attend? I am thinking CPS will be wondering this as well.
And how do you spend 3 hours bathing and picking through her hair while other children are in care? I'm sure you care a lot about this girl, and it seems you are friends with the parents......but this, if it is true, is definitely neglect. I could not imagine having such a dirty child for 6 weeks and not doing anything about it until lice shows up.

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Even my child, who was abused and neglected by his biological parents, bathed more frequently than every 6 weeks. Mind you, the tub had feces in it but he still bathed.

I would absolutely report this to CPS with no hesitation.

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call cps and explain the situation. Maybe something is going on in the house, but if she has had lice for a while then something needs to be done. I know you want to do good, but sometimes people just need a wake up call. Does she at least come in clean clothes.

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In some cases if the courts are involved (though I doubt it would get that far in this case) they try to make it part of the agreement that the child stay in their current child care so that they can keep an eye on the child better and see if the provider notices any changes. But it is rare.

I would add to your contract and policies/handbook (if its not a part of it already) that:
As a family child care provider, I am also a mandate reporter and I am obligated by law to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect or any reason to believe that their are health and safety issues and risks in the home including but not limited to: unusual marks, any mention of violent acts at home by a child, constant drug/alcohol use by parents, any constant pain or illness a child may expierience, lack of hygine, and/or lack of food. If I notice any of these signs or anything else I see as harmful to the well being of the child then I, as any other child care provider would, have no choice but to make a report." you can add this to your contract/handbook and make a copy and have all current parents sign it.

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My sentiments exactly. A child who hasn't bathed even after two weeks, even taking bird baths, would smell horrible and have skin issues by then. Plus, if the OP bathes and takes care of the child as.she says, it seems she woukd have given her a bath somewhere in there.

I don't know.... I've had dirty kids, but six weeks is out there

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