Calling parents to pick up

[Busy ECE mommy]

Other than the typical health issues that would send a child home, or severe aggression, when else would you call parents to get them?
I have a child(15mos) full time, who is having severe transition issues. The child tantrums to the point of gagging/vomitting when I move 6 inches away, and behaves this way all day(including hysterical screaming/gagging during the 2.5 hrs of nap because the normal routine at home is a bottle while being rocked to sleep-not gonna happen here!) The other kids are scared of him, and no one has had a proper nap in over 3 weeks due to the screaming. After the child was dropped off this a.m., I was informed from the driveway as they pulled out that this child hasn't slept more than an hour in the last 32 hrs. OMG are you kidding me???? Needless to say we've had another lovely morning LOL!!! I think the child has alot of anxiety, but I've never had one this bad. The child also bites self and bangs head on things during these tantrums.
I need the money, but I've never been so frazzled with one like this, and the other kids are stressed out too. It is 1 on 1 care, and I've got other kids to attend to as well. Have you ever called a parent to pick up because the whole week is one big meltdown? I'm seriously considering terming very shortly. Suggestions please????
Is it worth sticking it out?

[5 Little Monkeys]

I've never phoned for that reason but I think you would be more than in your rights to do so. One hour sleep in the past 32 for ANYBODY would be difficult, never mind a new child transitioning. The parents should have called their back up this morning and made other arrangements for him today instead of making him, you and the other children suffer through it. That sort of disrespect for me and the others wouldn't sit well with me especially so early on in the relationship!

[Rachael]

I have never phoned a parent during the working day unless their child is sick. Any behaviour related issues I will discuss at pick up time and depending on the seriousness, might arrange a meeting or an after-hours telephone call so we can both take the same approach to correct.

In terms of calling a parent who is having a hard time transitioning, crying endlessly, generally miserable - its part of the job as far as I am concerned. I don't think it's reasonable to expect a parent to leave work and collect their child for any reason other than the child is sick and a health risk to other children/my household.

Do I think the parents should have kept their child home? Of course. The child at best is going to be grumpy and over tired and that's disrupting to everyone else. However, my contracts don't state that a child will be excluded just because they are being very difficult, I am being paid to provide care so the parents can work, and I don't feel of a whim, I can add a condition that wasn't previously part of our agreement.

I certainly might have been tempted to put the child down to sleep since I imagine that the lack of sleep is the crux of the issues and at least contributing to the rough day. If that child really hasn't slept for as long as the parents claim, then exhausted will hit sooner or later, and I'd be fine with the child CIO until they at least get some sleep.

But no, I wouldn't call a parent in to collect their child because of it.

[mickyc]

In this situation I would be done! I would be terminating. I had a boy like this and I only lasted 3 days. I was already calling mom during nap time because the whole house couldn't sleep for the screaming. I had never had a child like that before and never had once since. I am amazed you are still going after 3 weeks of it. I was the 2nd daycare already with this little boy, the first one only lasted 1 day. The third one was a charm and he was fine in a few days.

You need to think about the children already in your care. If my child was being subjected to a child like that in daycare I would not be too happy. It is group care and you need to do what is best for the group and caring for this child any further is not good for the group IMO. Not all children are a good fit for every daycare, I think it is time to throw in the towel. I think you gave it an honest effort.

As for them sending their child after the child has not slept - why has the child not slept? illness maybe? A child at daycare should be able to participate in the routine of the daycare or should be kept at home.

[Rachael]

I do agree that not every day care is a good fit for every child, and not every child is a good fit for every day care. If you decide this child isn't a good fit, there's no shame in that. But either terminate or continue onwards. I don't think it's fair to expect a parent to leave work just because their child isn't transitioning.

[AmandaKDT]

In this situation I would be done! I would be terminating. I had a boy like this and I only lasted 3 days. I was already calling mom during nap time because the whole house couldn't sleep for the screaming. I had never had a child like that before and never had once since. I am amazed you are still going after 3 weeks of it. I was the 2nd daycare already with this little boy, the first one only lasted 1 day. The third one was a charm and he was fine in a few days.

You need to think about the children already in your care. If my child was being subjected to a child like that in daycare I would not be too happy. It is group care and you need to do what is best for the group and caring for this child any further is not good for the group IMO. Not all children are a good fit for every daycare, I think it is time to throw in the towel. I think you gave it an honest effort.

As for them sending their child after the child has not slept - why has the child not slept? illness maybe? A child at daycare should be able to participate in the routine of the daycare or should be kept at home.

Yes, I have in my policy that a child must be able to actively participate in our daily routine. If they cannot then they must stay home. I would include a child that has not slept in 32 hours as unable to participate.