Hey there...I'm not a parent of a child currently in DC, but I have friends who I work with who have children there now. My kid is older and doesn't require it. Anyway, I have noticed all sorts of wierd things going on at this Day Care Center, and I've spoken with teachers there who confirm. Nothing extremely bad, just things like a teacher who came to work sick with the pink eye and they wouldn't let her go home, parents whose children come home without underwear or socks or whose children go around barefooted all day; Kids who are swapped around between teachers all day; managers who don't show up for days to work because they are family members of the owner; Teacher who spanked one of the children without permission; a cook who caught the kitchen on fire and the management wouldn't let the kids go outside because she was afraid a parent might notice what had happened --- and a host of other things. I don't want to cause any panic among the parents but I am very concerned for the kids there. Does this go on everywhere? Am I blowing this out of porportion? Who do I contact about this?

This particular daycare is touted as being one of the best in the state and they advertise on local radio about being so concerned for the child's well-being and that they cost more because they are more --- baloney! Any comments??

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It's the overall shady-ness and wanting to hide things that is very concerning. Also the lack of management making sure employees are there and that if they are there they are healthy. I would contact the licensing division of the area you are in and make a report.

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My kids went to a center that was run much like the one you're describing. Most of the information I obtained was from one of the employees who had the most interraction with my kids. After some talking about her minimum wage pay and how stressed I was over paying so much when the one actually caring for my child got so little, she put in her two weeks notice and I did as well. She was my nanny for about a year after that until I moved and during that time, I paid her what I had been paying the center.

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I would contact the child care referral agency in your area to find out what to do. You'll probably end up in touch with whoever does the licensing in your area. Good luck

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As a child care regulator I strongly encourage you to report your concerns to the agency who handles regulating child care in your area. A good place to start if you don't have any contact information, is your local Department of Human Services or Family Services. They can give you the name and number of the person in your area you need to speak with.

Although child care regulations vary between states, what you have described leaves me concerned. We always encourage parents or other individuals to call with their concerns. Although we do our best to monitor the regulated child care centers and homes in our area, we still can't be there every day. We rely on parents and other concerned citizens to voice their concerns so that we can follow up on them. The safety of the children is first and foremost. Even if the regulator visits and is not able to substantiate anything, it is better to voice your concerns.

Never hesitate to speak up if you are concerned about the safety and well-being of a child. They can't always speak for themselves!

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The parents will complain if they have a problem. Why are you talking to the teachers there if you don't have a child there?

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