Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Child care children changing in the open of their classroom; acceptable? Or not?

On 14 February 2006, I wrote this email to the principal of Kinderland Child Care expressing my concerns...

"Hi Mrs. xxx,

This is Mrs. Gene xxx. I was at Kinderland for a school tour on Monday (13 Feb 06) with my daughter, Talia.

xxx has been a nice one to show me around and following that, I have a query and a personal concern to bring up to you.

Query:
I was looking through the Kinderland website and I did not see any information on whether is the school an MCYS certified centre. So, could you tell me if Kinderland is MCYS certified?

My personal concern:
I saw that the children they changed in the open in their classroom. That pretty much disturbed me as I see a boy bare his bum right in front of me and later, two of his fellow classmates, a boy and a girl, came along and watched while waiting for their turn. I had expected a proper changing area, probably a simple one with a draw curtain for the child to stay in while he/she is being undressed and dressed.
Yes, they are kids and they may not know much, but I don't know, I am just not comfortable with this arrangement. I would not want my daughter to stand naked in front of her classmates. What are your views, Mrs. xxx? I am hoping for a peace of mind should I decide to register Talia in the near future.

I shall await your return to the above.

Cheers!
Mrs Gene xxx"


To my dismay, I did not get any replies and on 19 February 2006, I chanced upon the
MCYS Child Care Link website and I decided to write in my concern using their online feedback form... A senior Officer got back to me the next day and requested for further details of this Child Care Centre which I was mentioning about, so that they can conduct an investigation. I gave it to them. And the very next day, lanky Kinderland Child Care's principal's reply popped into my mailbox... (Not sure if there is any relation to the email I've sent to MCYS, but what a coincidence...) There is a missed call too, on my mobile phone, and a voice mail, which I have not hear it yet. Procastination have caught up with me yet again...

"Hi Gene

Thanks for your interest in our school and I am glad that xxx has been helpful.
My apologies for this late reply as I have been away from the office the last few days.

To answer your query, we are an MCYS approved centre as are our other Kinderland branches. We will not be able to operate without the license from the Ministry.

Regarding your concern over the changing incident: for the K1's and K2's, we do separate the sexes for shower as well as changing
but for the younger children, the physical security of the children take precedent over separating them. The children in the 'open' gives the teachers visual contact at all times.

You brought up a very good point though, we will look into the matter. Thank you for your feedback. Do contact me at xxxxxxx if you have further enquires.

Regards
xxx"


I have yet digest her reply, nor reply to her reply... I shall be "away from the house" for the next few days shouldn't I? I am also waiting for MCYS to reply me on the outcome of their investigations. But I can't help wondering, is it just me and me alone? The overly-concern-and-oh-so-fussy-mommy going over the edge? Eileen, maybe you can help me on this...

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