Need Opinions on How Daycare is handling child violence.

[betsy]

I am a mom of an almost 3 year old who is in group daycare 2.5-5 years. My daughter attends 2-3 days a week. Two weeks ago my daughter came home and told me one of the girls, we will call her Jane, bent her finger backwards. I said next time this happens make sure to tell one of the teachers. I was concerned but my daughter was fine and I took it as a one off. Last week I pick up my daughter and she had a scratch (now a scab, large) under her left eye. Jane scratched her according to the staff. It occurred over a sharing dispute. I chatted with the teacher there and I felt she down played it by saying my daughter was more hurt emotionally because her and Jane, who is older, are friends. Okay fine I asked for them to keep a good eye on them when playing together, I didn't want things to escalate. The next day I walk in and my daughter is crying and being comforted and Jane has bitten her wrist. I am horrified. I understand kids have tempers and can lash out but I don't want my child being the victim all of the time.

My question is how should the daycare be handling this? I know how I would like them too but I would love some perspective.

Thanks!

If the teacher is not handling the situation, then the next step would be to go to the director of that facility. If nothing is being done, I would definitely pull my child out of there.....or, teach her to protect/defend herself.

The same thing happened to my older kids when I was doing daycare years back. My after-school girls were complaining about being bullied in school, and that the teacher didn't do anything about it. Their father already talked to the teacher too.

I've always taught my kids not to hit. But seeing they're being victims, I changed my policy by telling them, not to hit FIRST.