Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to pose a scenario to you all and ask for your advice and opinions. I run an OSHC service, and we have in our care a child who has started school this year. After this particular child attended the kindergarten best start program (for which I volunteered to get to know some of the children and families) the school principal, the child's daycare service, the head teacher of the school as well as myself told this child's parents that he was not ready to start school this year (he is 5 in May). The child's parents did not want to hear it and enrolled him anyway.

Fast forward to this week and the child has started school as well as attending OSHC morning and afternoon, five days a week. This child spends most of his time running out of the door, unlocking the door to escape, kicking, hitting, throwing, punching and pushing. Yesterday he kicked over a bowl of food and when asked to pick it up he then ran back to squish the food into the floor with his foot, he then ran away and came back to do it again.

We had a meeting with this child's father and mentioned that we feel this child may need to see a pediatrician, get his hearing and eye sight checked, the response was to basically tell us that we were treating him wrong and that there is no problems with him. This parent then went on to explain that there are major problems at home and basically turned it around on his wife and told us that there was no way they would be looking into any diagnosis.

I guess basically my question is how would you educators handle a situation where the child clearly has issues but the family is unwilling to do ANYTHING about it and you feel that this child could be endangering other children, educators and even other parents.

Thank you so much for your help in advance

Talk to the school counsellor as they will be able to assist you with the parents. Sometimes they can also do an assessment. Sorry I cannot help you more

Hi Rae1981,

I really feel for you and his teacher who is supposed to be able to teach 25 children with a child like this in the classroom.
It is so hard when you don't have the support and backup from your families, it sounds like everyone tried to avoid this problem before this year but the family didn't want to hear it. I would refer it to a higher level within the school and OSCH, get the director of OSCH and the principle involved along with implementing the Behaviour management plan.
I really wish the system would change the age start for school to minimum of 5 years old, it might sort out some of these problems.
All the best, I wish I had a better reply for you.
Linsaa fdc

Thanks so much everyone I really appreciate your help.

We tried to suggest the school counselor, however the parent doesn't like her as they had to deal with her when similar issues arose around the older child. So we suggested another counselor but was not interested in that either.
I am the OSHC director and have already started him on a behavior plan. The parents do not see this as serious. However once you get to level three on our plan it involves bringing in a professional, so this may be one way to gain help for the child.
This week we have had him enter the staff toilets while a staff member is occupying it (the parent thought it was funny and laughed)and attempting to go through other peoples bags.

This child is clearly screaming out for help and I hate feeling helpless. I just don't know what other avenues to take but it is starting to affect the other children, I do not wish to ask him to leave the centre as clearly he needs to be there, but he has shown violence towards other children as well as staff and I am not sure I am going to be left with much of a choice if the parents will not come onboard. Thanks again so much.

We all have a duty of care to the other children and to staff. Maybe you have to let the parents know if something isn't done that you will be giving them notice to leave.

Linsaa fdc

I think Behaviour Management Plan will work for you:

Here are some basic factors:

• Define the Problem Behaviours
  Observe the Problem Behaviours
  Set Goals
  Decide on a Path

More at: http://www.kidsbehaviour.co.uk/behaviou ... ldren.htmlLINK