Neighbor of mine worked at a day care.

[milestogo]

She's young, and this may have been her first job out of college. One of the children had a seizure. She notified her supervisor, but she wasn't allowed to call 911 or call the child's parents. The supervisor told her if she did either of the above she would be fired on the spot. "If nobody saw it happen, it didn't happen". There are no cameras, and her view apparently didn't count.

When the parents came to pick their child up, she told them about the seizure, and the parents were angry that they were not notified. She explained to them that she was not allowed to call anyone.

Apparently there had already been an incident like this, and she was told not to 'overreact'. In that case she was also up front with the parents.

This week she quit her job, and reported the incidents to the state.

I'm really stunned that a daycare would do this. Maybe the daycare is trying to protect themselves? But I would think they run a much greater risk by not reporting something that could be medically serious.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. What the actual fuck.

[Brainfodder]

2. Useful yelp/glassdoor reviews in the works?

[milestogo]

9. I think that the parents should be the ones doing that.

And now that at least one set of parents knows, I expect the word will spread.

[multigraincracker]

3. Aren't there "duty to inform laws" there.

Most include educators and medical.

[PatrickforB]

14. Yeah, but because of the Republican penchant for passing on more and more

cost to consumers while allowing corporations and billionaire parasites to gobble up the profit like pigs at a trough, childcare centers can only afford to pay their people minimum. Seriously.

Because of the greed inherent in our system and its policy-tilt toward profits over people, the most precious beings in our lives, our children and grandchildren, are cared for by people who don't even earn a living wage.

We're lucky they show up each day, maybe...and to expect them to be able to discern what and when to report? Well, that's a bit much for someone who makes so little they must often choose between rent and food for themselves.

That's how it is here in 'Murika. Nickel and dime, nickel and dime.

But hey, the average CEO 'earns' $14.5 million a year, while the median earnings for all workers in the US are $36,280, annually, which comes out to a whopping $17.44 per hour. Child day care workers don't even come close to that.

I know it gives me a very warm, very fuzzy feeling when I know Elon Musk is 'worth' $219 billion, Jeff Bezos, $171 billion, and it comforts me no end to know we now have 745 billionaire parasites in this country.

Yep, a warm and fuzzy feeling. Or is it nausea? 'Scuse me I gotta go hurl.

[LT Barclay]

18. Right on point! And don't forget the same happens to the elderly and now whether folks have noticed

or not, it is rotting the rest of our healtcare system.

[Rebl2]

20. I would think so.

[LisaM]

4. I worked at a daycare where a child had a seizure.

We called 911 and they came immediately. We also called the parents right away. It was a good thing we did because it was a febrile convulsion and it turned out she had them before, which lowered the panic level significantly. I don't understand that reaction at all unless there was something else at the daycare they were hiding - a code violation, too many kids onsite, or something else.

[MyOwnPeace]

5. Daycare is the "Cinderella" of the 'Education System'.............

The government doesn't want them (well, SOME do, but Moscow Mitch and Munchenema say NO!), so they are provided by (1) a business entity (corporate owned), (2) a social entity (community/church run), or (3) a private person/group trying to 'do some good' and make some money (and the 'money' is not the driving point for them because it really ain't there!).

The 'pay' for workers is usually low (groups 2 & 3 usually don't count the 'pay' as to why they do what they do) and 'conflict' is avoided AT ALL COST (that is IMPORTANT - they DO want to avoid ANY costs!). In many cases the 'staff' is made up of young college grads who did not yet get a 'real' teaching job and are over-qualified for the position they are serving - and WAY under-paid. Others on the staff may be people just looking for a way to 'serve and help' without financial concerns regarding personal income. BOTTOM LINE - the 'pay' sucks!

The true problem is that 'EDUCATION' does not have a priority in our society. Schools (day-care, public schools, colleges) exist to provide BETTER citizens - people that will be able to make better choices and have goals/dreams/visions that would make our country/world a better place FOR ALL! If we count on "for profit' - they exist 'for profit,' not for what could make things better. If we count on 'private' (yes, CHURCH SCHOOLS or 'Exclusive' schools), we can expect a 'dedicated' curriculum and/or steep tuition, and not a 'vision' that would include ALL AMERICANS.

As has been pointed out over and over again, it seems that the RepubliQans want a less-educated populace because, well, they're more likely to be MAGAts and willing to be 'sheeples' and follow their road down to wherever it is that these idiots want our country to go and become.

[milestogo]

8. Yup.

Its a low paying job. And why should you have to compromise your values at a place that threatens to fire you for doing the right thing?

I cannot see how they can keep good staff.

[barbtries]

6. My daughter hyperventilated

and her day care thought she had a seizure. they called 911 first, then me. the paramedics were leaving as I ran in, I took her straight to the doctor, who confirmed that she had not had a seizure.

I would think it criminal that they took that attitude. Seizures can be fatal.

[milestogo]

7. This young lady has seizures herself and knows a lot about them.

She noted the child's temp going up and coming back down after the seizure.

Its horrifying. But I imagine that the day care will deny it since their is no proof.

[mopinko]

34. well, testimony isnt proof, but it is evidence.

just sayin.

[Evolve Dammit]

10. I would have called the parents and sought immediate medical attention. No excuse for anything less.

[MyOwnPeace]

11. You are asking......

for this person to have the courage of Cassidy Hutchinson - EXTREMELY rare and quite honestly, NOT for us to ask.

The 'teacher/worker' was told that she would lose her job.

A young adult having a desire to 'serve' - to do 'good' in the world - and told that he/she would be fired by doing what you suggest?

Sorry, the 'no excuse for anything less' just does not compute when a person has a career on the line - the hope/dream of 'serving' the community.

What if 'the call' had been made? Would the "Child-care Center/Owners" have supported 'the caller' in a lawsuit? HA! The day the papers arrived on the desk of the 'owners' that person would have been fired!

And then what? Where is your career? Who is there on YOUR side?

Not a decision I ever had to make - nor would I want to be in that position. But I'm sure not gonna' come down hard on somebody that was put in that position.

I DO NOT disagree - the safety of the child is paramount. The law is making it more and more remote - and difficult to assure...... (unless you're a fetus....)

[3Hotdogs]

13. She might have lost her job.... But she also might have been sued and prosecuted

For failure to seek medical care…. Negligence.

She’s a college grad, fer chrissakes.

[milestogo]

16. She was put in a shitty, no-win position

and she did the best she could with it. She was not supposed to inform the parents, but she did anyway.

And then she left her job and reported it.

In this kind of situation you expect a manager, higher-up to get involved and do the right thing and not to threaten you.

[MyOwnPeace]

21. Seriously Hotdog!?!

You've got a young kid looking to keep or get a better job - and you expect him/her to go against the boss's instructions?
Hell of a thing to have on your resume:

'I could have been sued and prosecuted for failure to seek medical care - contrary to my supervisor's instructions - BUT I'M A COLLEGE GRAD, FER CHRISSAKES!!!!'

Yeah, that'll go far......

Hate to have you sitting on the other side of the interview table next time he/she interviews......

[3Hotdogs]

22. Yeah? Well I'd hate to be her in front of a Civil jury, explaining why didn't she call 911

about the kid she was supposed to be supervising and she saw that the kid was seizing. ... or a jury for criminal negligence.


Background --- I was responsible for employe safety and truck, over-the-road safety and compliance at the company I worked for. As part of the job, I sat through hours and hours of compliance courses.

POINT #1. If it looks stupid, it is stupid. If it is stupid and looks stupid and you (compliance officer) knew about it and didn't stop it, you are civilly and criminally liable. And "My boss told me to do it or ignore it," is not a defense.

I get the OSHA bulletin every month. Two years or so ago, a safety officer at a California company was sentenced to two years in the slammer after an employee was killed on the job.

I hope this helps.

[MyOwnPeace]

33. And I'm guessing you had far better training.....

as well as compensation, than this gal in a day care center.

That being said, I'm willing to be ANYTHING that she did not have the opportunity to sit through hours and hours of compliance courses.

And THAT is one of the problems! There are so few regulations regarding these pre-school/daycare centers that are opening up as fast as corner 'Farmers' Markets.' These are not an 'industry' that is regulated like an over-the-road company - they are not needing to comply to as many state or local 'codes' as other industries are.

But they are SO important - they are guarding and training our future - and for people to be sending their kids to places that are not complying to common, civil rules, they need to be protected and assured that their children will NOT have somebody saying "If you didn't see it happen, it didn't happen."

And there should NOT be an employee afraid of losing their job by doing the right thing.

[MerryBlooms]

24. Better than explaining to a grand jury why as a mandatory

Reporter, of child protection, she failed in a legal responsibility. Found guilty, she'd really been screwed. Her First responsibility was to the child, no one else, not covering her bosses ass, which is what she ultimately chose.

I was an administrator for a school program, before/after care program for many years. My staff was trained in first aid, legal responsibility and childhood development. We also paid for extra classes in health and welfare. I gave many depositions in abuse accusations during ugly divorces, depositions for school counselor... Staff number one responsibility is the children they care for, period.

The parents could still sue, and probably should, in order to protect future failed policy and inadequate staff, putting children in danger. All children in that daycare are at risk.

[3Hotdogs]

28. Thank you. Your response is more to the point than mine.

[MyOwnPeace]

32. So tell me Merry, when, as a supervisor, did you say this.....

"The supervisor told her if she did either of the above she would be fired on the spot. "If nobody saw it happen, it didn't happen"."

That you did what you did with your job and staff - great!

Unfortunately, it did not occur that way for this young lady.

I agree - the children in that daycare are at risk, but it is wrong to blame it on an inadequate staff (as far as we can tell from this post - and the response from the young staff member does not indicate such).

Do we know that she had all of the resources that you had provided to your staff? We would certainly hope so - but it doesn't appear that way, especially when the 'boss' says "If nobody saw it happen, it didn't happen...."

[MerryBlooms]

36. No, we don't know what resources or training

Was required, offered, met or accepted. Don't know if it's an accredited facility, my guess would be, not, or lapsed. I'm glad her warning bells went off, but I still believe the child was in danger and at high risk. Scared as she was, 911 was her first instinct and the correct one. The shady manager is ultimately responsible, and will hopefully come under serious scrutiny.

[Evolve Dammit]

23. It's a job vs. a life. Easy call for me. I know it's not for others. Jobs are easy to find.

[MerryBlooms]

26. Children come first, period. Time for the state to investigate

Doubt all is in order in regards to licensing. Shady shit going on.

[MerryBlooms]

25. Exactly.

[Ziggysmom]

12. Everything horrible in the US us due to the conservative GQP!

[paleotn]

15. In the richest country the plant has ever seen. It's a travesty.

[MerryBlooms]

27. Only way there's no camera, is if it's a shady operation,

Which, obviously is. No way, this place continues if proper authorities are brought in.

[MerryBlooms]

30. And don't put this place as a reference.

[Rebl2]

19. Maybe

the daycare had been reported before and got in trouble and fined. Glad she quit and reported them. Years ago (70’s) I worked in a daycare center and the state sometimes made surprise inspections. I remember a time or two the manager of the daycare I worked at would get a heads up from other local daycare’s that a surprise inspector had been at their d.c.

[dsc]

31. She was wise to go to the parent and to leave

that center is playing with fire. They may well lose their license.

[Novara]

35. I'm glad she reported them.

Good for her. If it's a licensed facility, in most states they are mandated reporters. Most of the mandated reporting laws deal with abuse or neglect, but I think failing to provide care in an emergency would fall under neglect. I wonder what sort of contract the parents signed with them? Did it include for providing emergency medical care?

A licensed day care facility may lose its license if they fail to report a health emergency and someone is harmed. This child could have been seriously adversely affected.

Not to mention the parents have a right to expect their child is cared for properly and they be notified in an emergency.

I'm glad she reported them. Obviously they're afraid people will find out they are not caring for the children properly and they'll lose their license. Well, they should. No child is safe with them.

[MerryBlooms]

37. So, you have had time to find out if it was her first job

Out of college or not? Did she take childhood development classes in college? Was her major in childcare? You have made sure to give just enough minimal information to ensure support for your friend's accounting of this situation in her favor. If there was even one class in childcare, she knew she was a mandatory reporter, regardless of the shady daycare manager.

Like I said, the shady daycare manager or administrator, whatever she was, is ultimately responsible. However, staff who are in immediate care of children, have due diligence to protect and report.

If Any staff member/s on site that day witnessed a child prone to seizures, had a seizure that day, and also didn't act, they too are culpable.