So, my almost 4 year old daughter had her first day of preschool today, and since she doesn't nap at home anymore, this was a big question for me, I was told that she would be allowed to read or even do puzzles for quiet time. Well, my daughter told me that they make all of the kids lay on their tummies and the teachers put the blanket over their heads, my daughter took hers off of her head, and another teacher came over and put it back on her head and told her to leave it. Have you heard of this before?? Is this weird, or is it just me? Do other preschools or daycares do this?? Also the teacher uses a stick and taps loudly on the table and yells "be quiet!" Is this normal or not normal? I'm feeling unhappy about this, and unsure if my feelings are justifiable.. thoughts?? Thanks Moms.
I think that's weird. At my daughter's daycare/preschool they have to be quiet, but they can read a book and stuff while the other kids nap.
It sounds rather cruel and strict to me. Scarey to a small child. I would go visit tomorrow during nap time to see if this is true, and if it is, Id take my child home with me and they wouldnt see me again.
Whoa hold on a minute, they should absolutely not have the blankets on their heads. As a former daycare/infant care teacher I can tell you that yes nap time is normal, but no they should not be making the children have blankets on their heads that is absolutely unsafe and you should speak to the director about it. If that doesn't work file a complaint with the state. Also daycare/preschool teachers should not be yelling at the children. Here is some info regarding the state daycare licensing and minimum standards:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/childcare/licensing.s...
This is what the standards say about discipline:
b) All child care personnel must comply with the facility’s written disciplinary policy. Such policies shall include standards that prohibit children from being subjected to discipline which is severe, humiliating, frightening, or associated with food, rest, or toileting. Spanking or any other form of physical punishment is prohibited for all child care personnel.
Here is the manual:
http://ccrain.fl-dcf.org/documents/2/470.pdf
If you can't get anywhere with the director, I would find another daycare. I had to go through a few when my son was that age, trust your gut!
I am with K's mom. Follow your gut.
Talk all concerns with the teacher. She is your best ally. Tell her your daughter does not nap anymore and ask if she could sit quietly at another area to read or play quietly. My grandaughter's class was allowed to bring to school one favorite toy for those occasion when they could not sleep. Sometimes they decide they'd rather nap than play by themselves.
About the stick, I find it harsh. You think you could suggest they clap their hand instead?
Most daycares in our area have naptime, but few preschools do (ours didn't).
Ours rang a little bell between works times or clapped hands outside when it was time to go in... but my head would have spun on a stick if someone was banging a stick on the table and yelling. SO unacceptable. In no small part, because it shows that the teacher has very little control or influence over their class.
As others have said; blankets over heads is neither normal, nor safe.
No.
Have not heard of that before.
What they told you, and what they ACTUALLY do, per your daughter per naps and 'quiet time'... are two disparate things. It does not jive.
That is terrible, to put a blanket over their heads and to MAKE them be on their tummies.
What, torture.
The whole thing, stinks to me.
Document what your daughter said. SPEAK to them, calmly, or find another Preschool.
I would.
I don't know, you're going by what your 4 year old told you instead of seeing it yourself. I would try to stop in at naptime the next day (without letting your daughter see you) or just ask the teachers what their naptime routine is. Your daughter may be exaggerating or seeing it differently
Since you know your child best, do you think that there is a chance that she is exaggerating the situation? If not, is there another preschool that your child could attend? My child is well out of preschool, but this doesn't sound normal to me. It seems to me you should trust your "gut feeling" and try to make other arrangements.
My daughter started preschool last month ( i posted a Q on the same thing)
They have to lie quietly on their mats, my duaghter never naps at home any more, but do you know? She naps at preschool now! They get tired out, and used to the routine. I am sure the teacher wouldn't rap on the table, as this would wake up all the other kids, and negate the whole nap time. I went in and spent the day at my daughters school, and I was please with what I saw - maybe you could do that.
yea I wouldn't like that at all.. the tapping is just scary for a little kid to me. The blanket thing almost sounds unsafe. Sometimes my son wants to hide under the blanket w/me. I can only be under there for so long and it gets SO stuffy I HAVE to get out! I mean do they sleep w/blankets on their heads? This is weird and if it's going on I think you need to find another preschool or talk to someone. I mean you are paying them to have your daughter there. Trust your gut, I would not be okay w/someone making my son lay down with a blanket on his head!
That is very odd. I teach in-home preschool and if the kids don't nap, they get to look at books quietly while the other children sleep. I would NOT keep my child at a place where they require a blanket over their head (scary for some and stuffy!) and with a teacher that slaps a stick? Very not normal.
You have enough responses that say go with your gut, so I won't add to that (though I could ;>).
When you talk to the teachers/principal about this, they may say (as some posters did), "your daughter is exaggerating". It is important that you are your daughter's champion and that you believe her. Your long term relationship is with her, not with this school. It is her perception that she is being treated badly, even if others say "that's not so bad", so you need to take is seriously (which you are, I just don't want you to be talked out of it). People will try to get you to believe that your child, who you know and love, will lie to get her way or to get attention. It's not true. Trust her. Trust yourself.
If the school won't let you observe at nap time (unannouced, so they don't change their routine just because of your presence), find another school or better yet keep her home.
Google Natural Learning or Unschooling to open your mind to the possibility of life without school. ;>
What do YOU think????
