What to do With a Special Needs...?

[Unregistered]

I have a new family in my daycare, a 3 year old girl and 1 year old boy. The family did not tell me anything in regards to special needs, but I suspect he has Down syndrome. It's only his third week here (2 days per week), and I've already sent him home. He can't crawl yet and he has no mobility in his legs. His family also did no inform me that he has an inhaler and "maybe some allergies" as I just found out this AM. He cries 4 out of the 6 hours he is here.

I feel like I cannot provide for him. I desperately want to tell his family that I can't provide for special needs, but I obviously can't say that! What would your advice to be handle this type of situation? I'm at a loss of what to do, but I'm pretty close to terminating him because he needs more than what I can do for him.

[Blackcat31]

Were the children not present when you interviewed the family?

I would think some of the things you mentioned would have been something noticeable during the interview.

Do you have a trial period?

If so, just say that you don't feel you are a good fit and leave it at that.

You aren't required to give a full on lengthy explanation as to why. Just that you aren't a good fit.

[coolconfidentme]

I think I remember someone posting something about you CANNOT exclude base on special needs. You can based on policy violation.

[NightOwl]

And you can based on them lying by omission.

[Unregistered]

He was present at interview but he was sleeping. We have a trial period of a month, so this would be the last week.

Do the parents even know he's special needs? Or are they just in denial? These types of questions are in my policy handbook (medical, asthma, etc) but they did not fill it in!

I simply cannot tell them that I think he needs special needs, but I guess I will say he isn't a good fit.

[hope]

I had a mom with twin boys interview with me a few years ago. She told me her children were special needs but definitely down played their issues. I agreed to do a trial day and Like you, I knew these boys needed more help than I could give. When I explained this to the mom she was very offended. I didn't intend to come across as mean. I really felt these boys needed specialists to care for them that could teach them.
I would avoid a reason and just give your two weeks.

[NeedaVaca]

Just the fact that he's crying 4 out of 6 hours would be enough for me, he's obviously not a good fit.

[Leigh]

Just the fact that he's crying 4 out of 6 hours would be enough for me, he's obviously not a good fit.

[Second Home]

Just the fact that he's crying 4 out of 6 hours would be enough for me, he's obviously not a good fit.

Definitely

[NightOwl]

Let me ask this, does he have a patch of darkish hair on his lower back, just above his bum? On the palm of his hand, there should be two main creases that come across from each side. Are those present? Or is it one line that goes all the way across? And lastly, his ears. Are the tips set lower than his eyes? These are all markers.

I understand you've had a bad experience so far, but I must say that parents and caregivers of children with downs describe them as being the light of their lives. They are notoriously happy and (at some point) very laid back, easy going kids. I'd hate for you to give up on him prematurely.

[NightOwl]

And of course, the almond shaped eyes and tongue that is thicker than normal.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Let me ask this, does he have a patch of darkish hair on his lower back, just above his bum? On the palm of his hand, there should be two main creases that come across from each side. Are those present? Or is it one line that goes all the way across? And lastly, his ears. Are the tips set lower than his eyes? These are all markers.

I understand you've had a bad experience so far, but I must say that parents and caregivers of children with downs describe them as being the light of their lives. They are notoriously happy and (at some point) very laid back, easy going kids. I'd hate for you to give up on him prematurely.

I greatly enjoyed working as an attendant for a child with Downs but when I began with her she was not laid back and easy going. No one had taught her anything nor was she on any table food (she was 3). It was A LOT of work and I don't know that I could have done it with a group of children as well. It just depends on how much work the parents have done with the child up until the point you get them, as it is with any child really. She was a precious little girl, though, and I did love her.

[nannyde]

Does your state require a pre daycare physical?

[cheerfuldom]

I would term.

I had this exact situation happen too. mom brought little one for his day and he was clearly special needs with major delays. Mom never put him down during the interview and he was half asleep so i didnt see any warning signs. i did not get into a discussion on special needs. i just said that based on his first two days with me, i didnt feel that we were a good fit. what does your contract say about termination notice during the trial period?

what made me mad about my situation was that mom told me NOTHING about this yet within a few weeks, was posting ads for a nanny and her ad outlined his delays and needs....stuff she never told me! i would imagine that she went thru a few daycares before having to admit she couldnt hide his delays

[NightOwl]

I greatly enjoyed working as an attendant for a child with Downs but when I began with her she was not laid back and easy going. No one had taught her anything nor was she on any table food (she was 3). It was A LOT of work and I don't know that I could have done it with a group of children as well. It just depends on how much work the parents have done with the child up until the point you get them, as it is with any child really. She was a precious little girl, though, and I did love her.

Yes and there are varying degrees of downs. It's like a spectrum similar to autism.