I have recently started working in a new daycare. It is a NAYCE accredited 5 star center. I was working for a center in the Chicagoland area and due to having to move, I am working in another center in Indiana. I am a teacher in a class of 2 year old children, which I love. On my first day, everything was going great until I changed a diaper. The director immediately came into the room and took over for me. I was then called into the office and the director told me that I was never to change a diaper at the center. All toileting and diapering is to be done by a woman teachaer only. I was shocked. In all of my years teaching young children, I have never run into this issue. I am pretty sure that this is an illegal practice. If the policy was that only certain races could change diapers that would not be tolerated. Has anyone ever heard of a policy like this before? :help:
I agree, please let the admin know that you don't understand or appreciate the policy. If I may ask, are you a male in the ece field? Sometimes that is not received well by the families of the program. However, using this as a reason for education of the families in question rather than having you isolated would be a better use of your skills.
I've worked in schools and centers with similar policies. The justification was something along the lines of, "Many of our families are uncomfortable with the idea of a male changing their child's diapers, so for the time being, out of respect for our families, we will allow female staff members to handle diapers and toileting." I've also heard it called being "culturally responsive" because the school is in an area with a "culture" (not referring to any ethnicity here, just a local culture) that is uncomfortable with males doing diapering/toileting. Discrimination? Absolutely. But pretty common. Sadly.
I am a male in preschool as well, yes I believe its discriminatory as well as sexist. Female teachers assist boys and no one bats an eye. Unfortunately everyone seems to believe that all males in ECE have ulterior motives. Which is one of the reasons i am considering changing my major from ECE to something else before I spend too much on ECE classes. Centers want to minimize the risk of being accused and or sued. I love working with my little ones, but we have to minimize the risk too. All it takes is one greedy parent to make an accusation so they can try to get some settlement money and our Livelihood as well as our reputation in destroyed. I always try to stay at the threshold of the door so the cams can see me if they need assistance (boy or girl) getting buttoned and zippered I make them walk to the doorway. It's bad when things get so PC you cant hug a child without fear.
Okay - I agree with your complaint but I want to make sure that you interpreted what she said the right way. Some centers practice continuity of care and only the person who is assigned to a child may change his/her diapers so that there is not a revolving door of people caring for a child. Did she really say only a woman could change diapers or did she say a certain woman? Due to our own experiences and sensitivities, sometimes we don't hear the message really being communicated. If you are right, document and follow-through with H.R. first and then outside the organization if you have to.
This is shocking and terrible. I hope people will realize guys in ECE fields are there to teach and care for children. Just like female teachers are. Such a shame.
Maybe the policy should be that two adults should be present for diaper changes. Which is ridiculous because you were hired to do a job and changing a diaper is part of that job. My husband works in the medical field and some patients will request a woman if they feel uncomfortable about a man treating them. If possible a woman will come to help him but most often he still treats the patient because it's his job. It should be on an as requested basis, not a school policy. Personally, because of how much sexual abuse is in the news, I worry about anyone changing my daughter's diaper, male or female. If she was in daycare at a center I would be certain that I knew the people and felt comfortable with them before I left my daughter with them at all. But that is my responsibility as a parent.
