I have never posted on here, but I felt compelled to share my experience with a local preschool, the Sunshine Cottage in Buda. I had my daughter in a program down the road, which I loved, but reluctantly had to take her out of because it was essentially a mothers day out program, and I wasn't getting enough hours in at work. I had the Sunshine Cottage recommended, and went to visit. I felt there was something off about the owner but it was nothing I could put my finger on, and the place seemed kept well enough. I have been on several waiting lists for a long time, and I guess I was feeling a bit desperate. Long story short, I tried to overlook the fact that she got sick five times in the little more than a month she was there (she had only been sick one time before in her almost two years of life). I also tried to be patient when I picked her up and noticed a very clear bite mark on her, took her inside to point it out and had the owner explain for 20 minutes how she was going to go back through the footage to see where the teachers were during the incident. The next day she said it was just too much footage to go through and a report was never made. Then there was the time one of the teachers was making out with her significant other over the playground fence when I dropped my daughter off, while she was supposed to be watching kids. So Wednesday I picked her up and on the way home I noticed a bump on her head. What follows is the email I sent to the school followed by the response I got from the owner:
Once again, no discussion or report. That is the part that bothers me. I know things are going to happen. I also know that the adult supervising should know what happened. I really like all of B's teachers, personally, and having been a nanny, I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in charge of that many. But I also feel like neither of those things are mitigating reasons why both incidents should not have been seen, documented, and me notified. I don't think we need to have a lengthy discussion, I just hope this gets better. Maybe having a floater or two? I don't know.
Thanks,
Katie
Kate. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. The color and couture of this mark is indicative to a very recent bug/mosquito bite.
With the time that this image was taken and sent it was well over a couple of hours that had gone by. I am very well versed in marks, bites, and bumps. This looks as though it had occurred no more that 45 min to an hour prior to you taking the image and sending it.
I would like to see another photo so that I can see what it looks like being at least 24 hours old. That way I can give you a closer time of when it could have occurred and what it is.
I will work on getting a letter dismissal out to you along with a report of this incident for both to be signed.
I truly appreciate you being so wonderful and caring. We too want everything to be everything it can be to everyone. We work hard to keep all our families expectations and needs met. Thus far we have been able to make hundreds of families very happy. I have procured several different college degrees in an effort to have extensive knowledge in many areas to employee in what I do. Grace Ann and I have a wealth of knowledge that we offer to all our teachers and our families. With that being said I am so sorry that we are unable to meet your particular expectations. I offer you two more weeks of care until the 2nd of August to look for other arrangements, but would prefer last day of care be this Friday the 21st.
Sincerely
Susan Ocker
Sent from my Iphone
There are so many more things I could say to issues I had with nutrition and hygiene. I think dum-dums given to 1-2 year olds is ridiculous and dangerous, and I also think it's not reasonable for a child to come home covered in food everyday, face and hands filthy. Her bedding always came home soiled with food, so I know she wasn't being cleaned before nap time. Since this happened I have had so many mothers reach out to me, several who have at some point been associated with the school (and not necessarily in negative ways-one was a neighbor at one point). Several have said either they, or someone they knew had a very similar experience. Apparently they don't like to make incident reports and if you complain about it, you get kicked out. It makes me sad and nervous for the babies still in their charge. I don't think there is enough competency or accountability at this facility. read more