New to Day Care

Sounds to me like they should have changed her clothes. I've used 2 different daycares and not really had this problem. My standards for clean aren't the highest but I've had very few times when I thought they came home too dirty. My biggest complaint related to this has been crust from runny noses.

Did you chose to provide 15 bibs or was that requested? I find that unusual, both the daycares I have used provided bibs.

S.

We only use a drop-in occasionally, but I always notice the same thing. My baby is just never as clean as I manage to keep her. Mine just turned 1 so she is on the go crawling and such, but she stays tidier with me. Of course, I find that she ends up a bit dirty with my mother, mother-in-law or husband too. Also diapers don't ever seem quite as securely attached. But she's usually happy and fed. On the laundry front it's a bit annoying, but otherwise harmless I think.

Every day care is different as is every teacher. I have communicated to the teachers my preferences when I note something. If it becomes a problem I then take it a step up to the director. Typically I am not the complaining type. However, I was having the problem that when I picked up my baby he was in a drenched diaper. Everyone pointed the finger to the next person because it seemed to be occurring during the transition of the end of the day when they condensed classes due to less kids and staff. Well, I started changing his diaper when I got to the day care and they had to wait until I finished to leave. They got the message. I pick up close to closing time. A few days of that and they got the message! He now has a clean diaper. I have a messy eater so my solution is to bring an extra shirt on the days I know I am going to be going somewhere after I pick him up. Or use the extra clothes. Good-luck!

We have used two different daycare centers, and both of them always changed our daughter's clothes any time when food got on them (in fact, the current one even changes her clothes if water gets spilled on them!) So I don't think your situation is the norm in daycare. If I were you, I think that I would politely ask the staff to use a bib and/or change your daughter's clothes when they get messy.

I had my daughter in daycare at 3 months old. She was always changed and cleaned when I picked her up. I would tell the daycare provider to please use the bibs and if she is to messy to change her clothes so she won't have to sit in them. If they don't, try an in-home daycare. I run an in-home daycare and children get more personal attention than in a daycare setting. The children in my care and their parents are very happy...

I would definitely be upset and I would nicely say something to the head teacher in her class the first time. If it happens again, I would tell the school director!

This is your precious child and I would really keep a close watch on everything they do and not do with/for her.

Do you get a daily report telling you what and how much she ate, when she slept, how many BM diapers, etc.?

head to toe is a bit much but then was she just fed?

as for using bibs, they tend to feed a few at a time and sometimes bibs not the best thing either, some places will take their clothes off when feeding or when playing with paint, etc.

I am not sure where you are located, but any how...I run a daycare in my home. I have never let my kids go home dirty! PERIOD!!!! A little drool is ok, but not when there shirt is soaked! It is very hard to keep babies/children clean, but that is what a change of clothes is for.

J.: Wow--that is pretty sad! I am not sure where you live but when I used to work, I opted for dropping my little one at an in-home childcare service. The lady I used is absolutely fabulous--she only watches one or two children in her home and they get her undivided attention. I felt blessed to have found her. She is in the McCandless/Wexford area. Anyone can e-mail me if you want her number. Good luck to you.

My son is a mess most of the time...at home, in daycare, you name it. I can't put clothes on him that stay clean longer than an hour (and that's a long time for him). Daycares do tend to cause a bit more dirt, but frankly, I'd rather them be stimulating his brain and development rather than making sure his shiny clean. I can't keep him shiny clean...I wouldn't expect them to! They always change him when he's wet or has been playing in the sand too much (we can't keep him away from ths sand at daycare). If there are things about the daycare that make your gut think twice...listen to your gut...it's usually right.

Hi J.!
I have a 21 month old and she started day care at 6 months and I didnt have this problem! I know my friend, her little girl is 7 months older than mine and the first day care she went to, her daughter used to come home w/ food all over her. Long story short, she ended up moving her to a different day care. It wasnt just the food thing, there were other things too but this alarmed her, too. The other day care she went to and continues to attend, she didnt have this problem.

I can see that accidents happen but your right, why not use a bib or change him/her when something gets on them? I think these are potential signs and you should keep a close eye on things and yes, I would say something about it, in a nice way and see how they react!

My BEST advice to you is to listed to your mommy gut! I listend to mine and I am so glad I did and didnt think I was just being a first time mom!

Good luck!
K.