I totally understand where you are coming from. In the history of our childcare program (over 10 years) we've only asked 1 child to leave. That child was biting/hitting/kicking staff members when asked to wait to play with a toy, or told no. Every effort was made, including collecting data in an ABC chart, asking for an observation from our local school district and referring the family to their doctor. We also had spoken with the family of 1 child that if a behavior didn't stop (biting as a 3 year old). The child was going to have to leave. They family chose to withdraw after that meeting.
The harsh reality is that early childhood education is not funded properly. I live in a rural area where the poverty level is high. We follow state guidelines for ratios, but cannot afford to higher a one on one aide for children. Additionally, our school district is underfunded. We have about 80% of the student body on free and reduced lunch and have a high percentage of students who qualify for special education. Sadly, with those numbers being so high, the child has to have some extreme needs before they receive help. Additionally, parents can refuse help. What is a center to do in that case?
I agree that policies need to be in place and followed. However, there are times when a child isn't the right fit for a place and vice versa.
------------------------------
Heather Finnegan
Preschool Teacher
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with School
Delavan WI
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2019 03:07 PM
From: Tamara Gray - Red
Subject: Expulsion
In response, I have tried the directins and assist in the child's behavior. I do know we are to help the children yet I can not ignore the safety of the other children. If the mother is not willing and in denial her self as well the doctor is telling her about her child, what else are we to do? I couldn't allow the other babies to continue be in the line of fire when he gets a "no please do not hit or she had that first so may she have it back, or just a plain no you can not do that try this". I will talk to my CCRS and get more clarification and ask them to help more than just give a number.
------------------------------
Ms. Tamara L Red
Owner / Provider
Unlimited Red Expressions Licensed Home Daycare
Danville Illinois
Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2019 08:09 AM
From: Jennifer Wertz
Subject: Expulsion
In PA, the Office of Child Development & Early Learning requires quality programs to create Suspension & Expulsion policies in an effort to prevent children being asked to leave a facility. The policies include very clear steps that the program will follow to do everything possible in the interest of helping the child, before they would consider suspension or expulsion. PA defines suspension as any time a child is removed from their regular learning environment (taken out of the classroom or sent to the Director's office) and an expulsion as any time a child is removed from a program. That is not to say that there are not circumstances where a child is removed from a program... but every step of your policy should be followed before that can happen. The steps can vary but often start with the staff making observations about any concerns. One of the first steps is typically a screening tool - Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a popular one and in PA it is completed within the first 45 days of a child's enrollment at a program. The Social-Emotional component of the ASQ is huge in some of the behavioral concerns that are observed. Parent meetings and putting action plans into place for the child are also typical steps in the policy. Programs need to discuss these policies with families from the time of enrollment so that families understand that they are going to do everything necessary to get every child any support that he/she needs. As such, the parents are expected to cooperate with this process. If that relationship is made with the family from day one and these expectations are discussed, that parent meeting and evaluation request can go so much easier. I know there are times when a child needs to be asked to leave a program in order to keep that child and the others safe - but you have to ask yourself, what has happened to that child to cause these types of behaviors? Will the child be getting the support that he/she needs if they are asked to leave program after program? Again, I think family engagement is the key and the relationship made with the family is going to determine the success of that child. A good relationship will enable you to have difficult conversations to explain why an eval/support personnel, etc. are necessary to help the child. I know how hard these situations can be, but we have to remember, we are here to help every child reach their fullest potential.
------------------------------
Jennifer Wertz
Quality Coach
York PA
Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2019 08:33 PM
From: Tamara Gray - Red
Subject: Expulsion
Now, I had a child that was bullying and had a very aggressive behavior. I had to think about the child that was being bullied as well of the others. I have tried to commuicate with the mother as well helping the child yet the child decides to push a child and hit him with a stick while on top the child, I do considered that a good term for termination. The mother and I had several to several communication on helping the child to the point the doctor agreed that the child has a behaviroal issue. The mother refuse to get a control on the situation. So how, am I to tell the other Provider when she calls what happened? Also, since when termination is considered expulsion? And how many trials of trials should a Provider be given to a behavior like this and several to several communication efforts help to the parent? I feared for the other children well fare as well. What screening should Provider's considered when accepting children who are undiagnosed and doe not present such behavior at the initial interview and the parent is in denial? Is expulsion for home daycare or termination?
------------------------------
Ms. Tamara L Red
Owner / Provider
Unlimited Red Expressions Licensed Home Daycare
Danville Illinois
------------------------------