A mother has revealed her anger after being told by nursery staff that she picked up her daughter before she finished cleaning up with the other children.
The anonymous parent, believed to be from the US, took it upon himself Reddit to explain to her two-year-old’s teacher, Sasha expected her daughter to “clean up everything she was playing with” before she left the nursery.
She explained on a recent occasion that she had been in a rush and taken her daughter without helping to clean up – angering Sasha.
The mother revealed she received a text saying that “poor planning doesn’t mean she has to break the rules” before receiving a “verbal warning.”
After she told other users she thought it was “ridiculous,” they remained divided over whether she had acted inappropriately.
An anonymous parent, believed to be from the US, has revealed her anger after being told by daycare staff that she picked up her daughter before she finished cleaning up with the other kids (stock image)
She posted on the forum and wrote, “My 2-year-old daughter has been in a daycare for a few months now. The teacher, Sasha, is very nice. Normally I’m all for my daughter cleaning up her own mess.’
“However, I find that when I arrive, Sasha expects my daughter to finish cleaning up what she was playing with. Which again would be fine, but it delays us getting out and going home, sometimes we have plans, etc.
“I started texting Sasha after being gone for so many minutes asking her to get my daughter ready and it seemed to work.
“My daughter would sit in her coat and read a book, easy to store compared to a huge duplo project or something like that.”
She said on a recent occasion that things had been “crazy” and she was in “a rush.”
She added: “We had a lot to do this afternoon and I was behind because I had car trouble.
“When I arrived my daughter and some friends were cleaning up a big mess.
“I told my daughter to go and get her coat. Sasha told her to clean up her role.
“I said every other day, of course, but I’m late and we can’t miss this appointment.
“Sasha tried to argue that the kids need to learn responsibility and I flat out said no. I grabbed my daughter, put on her coat and left.’
She took to Reddit to explain that her two-year-old Sasha’s teacher expected her daughter to “finish cleaning up what she was playing with” before she left daycare
She continued, “Like I said, hectic afternoon so I only now had time to check my texts. I had one from Sasha saying that poor planning on my part doesn’t mean I can break any rules.
“I pointed out that this is not in the contract and that I can take my child home whenever I want.
“She accused me of undermining her authority. I was given a ‘verbal warning’ which I thought was ridiculous.’
However, other users were divided on whether her behavior was acceptable, with some saying she had acted inappropriately.
One of them wrote, “If those are the rules all children are supposed to follow, and you knew it, then you and your daughter should follow them like everyone else.
“If you’re upset, there are a lot of daycares, find one with different rules.”
Other users were mixed about whether her behavior was acceptable, with some saying she had acted inappropriately
Another commented, “I have worked in highly regarded licensed facilities for a long time. This is standard practice.
“If you’re having trouble sticking to your own schedule, it’s not her problem. It’s also likely that she’s on a waiting list and absolutely could (and should) replace your spot, since you seem to have the “it’s her job” mindset.
“I wouldn’t want to do business with you, and neither would my administration. You get 2 warnings for disrespectful behavior or policy violations and you’re out.’
Another added: “If you knew you had an appointment, you should have let Sasha know ahead of time.
“Tidying up teaches the child responsibility and she has to leave her mess with the other kids who now have to clean it up.
However, others confessed that they sided more with the mother, and some said it was her choice when she picked up her daughter
“If you have plans, let the teacher know ahead of time or when you’ll be picking up so she has plenty of time to get your child ready.” She has several other children to take care of, not JUST yours.”
One of them wrote, “Don’t be surprised if she replaces you with a parent willing to make sure their kids play by the rules.”
However, others admitted to taking the mother’s side more, with one noting, “Would it be possible on days like this to let the teacher know ‘daughter has to leave before x time because of an appointment’ so that she know in advance that you will pick her up and leave by then?
“Don’t just text ahead, let them know you’ll be out by a certain time, regardless of the mess.”
Another added, “Um no. NTA. If you say you’re leaving with your child, you can leave. She can’t keep her there until she decides your child can go.’
A third commented: ‘I’ve worked in childcare and if you have a set pick-up time, there’s no reason why the clean-up can’t start sooner.
“Then give the child an activity that takes a few seconds to put away when you get there.
“It’s common in most shelters that it’s easy to pick up for both kids and parents because it’s harder to get the child to clean things up when the parents are there.”