How would you handle problems in day care?

So today my dad went to pick up my daughter from day care and the teacher told him they noticed she had a bite mark on her little arm after lunch time when they were washing her hands. I was upset when I saw it and my husband was outraged. Lately i've been noticing she has been coming home with either scratch marks or now today, the little bite. This is her first time in day care and i'm still new to all of it. How do you handle a situation like this without going overboard and taking it to the extreme?

Public Comments

1. Is she an only child, is she used to sharing toys ?

   Bring it to the schools attention and request that someone watch her for a few days to see what is happening as its one of 2 things.

   Not to say its your daughters fault but I have heard of children who are the only child having issues sharing when they first start daycare with sharing toys and when they try to take a toy from another child they get bitten , scratched, pushed or hit with the toy.

   I have also heard the opposite that the new to daycare child is playing with a toy and another child takes it then when your child tries to take the toy back the other child retaliates by biting or hitting.

   Once you bring it to there attention give it a few weeks to see how the daycare deals with it . If it keeps happening and the daycare does not appear to care or be doing anything about it then find another daycare.



2. Just talk to the teacher and make sure that they are trying their bests to prevent the problem. However as a previous daycare worker I can tell you that in daycare centers you always have one biter who will start it all then it works its way around, you may actually notice your daughter start to repeat such behaviors, that is very common. Unfortunatly the daycare teachers can't be everywhere at all times so accidents will happen. Make sure they are writing up incident reports at the daycare center everytime this stuff happens and if they notice who is doing the biting they need to make sure to talk to that childs parent(s) about the problem. I have known kids to be kicked out of daycare for repeatedly biting children, the one daycare I worked at it was actually the directors son that was the biggest biter of them all. He was still biting when he was 3 years old.


3. You need to first discuss this with the teacher of your child. Another child might be picking on her when the teacher isn't looking. Make sure the teacher is keeping an extra eye on your little one to see what is going on. If this does not solve it talk to the supervisor/director of the daycare center. If, after all of this she is still coming home with scratch marks and bites take her out of the center. Kids will be kids and do bite, hit, scratch etc....but those people are there to watch your kids, and at least know what went on!


4. I would talk to the lady who runs the daycare, tellign her that she has left the house with no marks, and you feel one of the other kids is doing it. You need to make sure they are paying attention to your child as well as the others. If you see that the problem continues call someone to report her daycare, and you feel your child was neglected, then pull her out, and make sure that if you put aby money down to get it returned, also take pictures if u can like of her in the morn before daycare, then in the afternoon afterdaycare, just so you ahve proof


5. Send her to a different daycare.


6. this is why noone watches my kid except my mom! i cant do it.

   my daughter has never went to daycare, and she hasnt been sick in over a year. she is never sick. i just cant leave her with anyone!!!!!



7. its sounds like she's being bullied. you should talk to her abou these marks and then talk to the people who run the daycare. send her to a different daycare if you feel the necessity.


8. Parents don't like to think about it, but biting and other 'wounds' are a typical aspect of childcare. Children aren't meant to be in big groups with other children, most childcare environments are very unnatural and children lash out at each other.

   I would talk to the teacher and ask if other children are being bitten or hurt, you will find that other children are experiencing the same things as your daughter. The teacher can't tell you who is biting your daughter, it's against the law, but the teacher can explain the situation and together you can make a plan to help it happen less often. The teacher should already be trying to limit the events by having a more organized classroom and enough toys out so the children won't fight.

   Good luck and try not to overreact, as you daughter gets older, you will find that the children are able to verbally 'lash out' not physically. You can start by teaching your daughter that biting isn't ok and make sure that she doesn't begin to bite others.



9. the first time my son had a bite mark, I asked where the incident report was (because IF the personnel noticed it, there must, by law, be a report); I loved the staff in his daycare, but they could not answer when, where, or by whom he was bitten. (He was13 months) The second time he had a bite mark, I whisked him out so fast his head spun, and despite the fact that I loved all his caregivers, I called the regulatory agency on them. I quit my job, at a considerable loss of income for my child's safety. Good luck!!


10. It is normal for kids to bite. But the teachers should be giving you an injury report about each bite. Once teachers learn which children bite, they should be shadowing that child to prevent him/her from biting others. If it seems like she is getting bit daily, talk to the teacher. If you are not happy, find a new center. Sometimes children bite when nobody is paying attention. But other times you just can't get there fast enough. Talk to the director.