WHEN THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR CHILD'S
CARE
Sharon E. Hirschy, M.S.
The First Texas Council of Camp Fire
A parent's greatest fear: all is not well in your child's daycare program. When you
recognize problems, it is critical that they be addressed immediately. Even little
problems and concerns can build if not addressed and cause irreparable harm to your
feelings about your child's program and sometimes to your child!
To take action:
- If the problems relate to the operation of the center, fees, policies,
or procedures, set an appointment to talk to the director, and if that doesn't help, ask
for a list of parents on the advisory board.
- If the problem is with the teacher, the classroom, instruction, or conflict between your
child and another child, schedule an appointment with the teacher. Address the problem in
a meeting, - not as you are picking up or dropping off your child.
- In a center, if you talk with the teacher and don't feel it is resolved, ask for an
appointment with the director, and include the teacher if possible.
- If the children in the program may be in danger because of licensing violations such as
too many children or there are safety or health violations that the program refuses to
address, contact your local licensing agency.
When you talk to a director or teacher, try the SOLVE method:
S State the problem without placing blame.
"I am concerned because _____occured" or "I see_______ and wondered if we
could discuss it?" is often a good way to begin.
O Offer and ask for ideas to solve the problem. Then, decide together what you and
the caregiver will try.
L Listen and stay calm.
V Value the caregiver. Let them know you appreciate them and are willing to work
with them to find a solution.
E Evaluate after a few days or weeks by talking with the teacher or director,
sharing your feelings and asking for theirs.
If things aren't working out, go through the SOLVE method again! "SOLVEing"
problems can provide your child with uninterrupted, consistent care, and can set a good
example of how to problem solve by working with people whenever possible.
This is part of a series of brochures with these titles:
How Can I Help My Employer Be
'Family Friendly?'
Cómo puedo ayudar a mi patrón
a ser más favorable hacia la familia
Is My Child Care Okay?
Son Buenos los
Cuidados de Guarderiade Mi Niño?
When Relatives
Provide Your Child Care
Cuando los
Familiares Proporcionan Sus Cuidados de Guarderia Infantil
What Are My
Parental Rights and Responsibilities When My Child Is in Child Care?
Cuáles Son Mis
Derechos y Mis Responsabilidades?
When There Are Problems
with Your Child's Care
Cuando Hay
Problemas con los Cuidados de GuarderÌa de su Niño
Developed For The National Network for Child Care by The First Texas Council of Camp Fire
Sharon E. Hirschy, M.S., CFLE in cooperation with The Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the Cooperative Extension System's Children, Youth, and
Family Network.
DOCUMENT USE/COPYRIGHT
National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the National Extension Service
Children Youth and Family Educational Research Network. Permission is granted to reproduce
these materials in whole or in part for educational purposes only(not for profit beyond
the cost of reproduction) provided that the author and Network receive acknowledgment and
this notice is included:
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC.
National Network for Child Care. (1998). When there are problems with your child's care.
NNCC-98-005.
Any additions or changes to these materials must be preapproved by the author.
What to do When there is Problems with Child Care
Provider
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