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I hope whoever reads this is enlightened by it because I don't want this to happen to anyone else. This was the worst place I have ever had the misfortune of working for. The director is Ernestine Davis, but this witch likes to be call Ernie. She seemed like a really nice elderly lady at first, but then she slowly, but surely began to show her true colors. I felt the need to post this complaint because I skimmed through the complaints of La Petite Academy, but didn't see a complaint directed towards the facility in Goose Creek on St. James Ave and it was about time this post gets out.

I was tired of seeing the children and parents mistreated, so I made the decision to leave this horrible place. I also felt if the district manager, Tricia Sheldon, who is the boss over Ernie, doesn't want to get involved in matters of this school related to Ernie than who will? I'm hoping this post will be viewed by people who have the power to get rid of the director and aren't afraid to investigate her and use it. All of the employees, even the assistant director know of what kind of person she is, but unfortunately they are too afraid to stand up because of fear of retribution, like losing their jobs. A lot of them have families they need to support and this is their only means of providing for them.

This is an understandable fear, but why stand around and allow this woman to mistreat everyone who is involved in this school, the employees, parents, and children. I have witness the director hit the children, drag them, pull them by their tiny arms, and even sit on them! No wonder the majority of these kids have behavioral problems, look at how they are being treated! I have even over heard her talking about giving this one child an extra dose of his medication to calm him down. What are you trying to do, Ernie, kill the child?! This woman doesn't know what it's like to love a child of her own because she was not able to have children nor did she adopt, at least that's one less child that didn't have to deal with her poor way of "training children".

Since it was obvious I wasn't going to get support from the other staff member's I put matters into my own hands and called DSS. I hope they will be able to catch her. When they come in she is obviously at her best behavior because she either knows ahead of time they are coming or she sees them coming in through the front desk and is warned ahead of time by her assistant. When a child would be ill or hurt sometimes she would be in one of her funny moods where she would take her sweet time to contact the parent or guardian. Sometimes the poor child would be waiting a few hours before their parent or guardian was contacted. Someone PLEASE investigate this woman and terminate her job! She does not deserve the opportunity to work with children again.

Location: Palo Alto, California

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Guest

La Petite on Clemson road is horrible with caring for these toddlers.. My baby was costantly hurt with bruises and they couldnt tell me what happened.

The director doesnt care about these babies only her baby and how many kids she can bring in and the staff aint attending to these babies... #bewareneglect #dontcareaboutthelittleones

Guest

I was recently trying to get a job here. I love children, and have children of my own.

I submitted my application, but other than the Assistant Director, no comment was made about my application.

When I was finally able to talk to the Director, I received a cold response. I didn't bother with the La Petite Academy in Goose Creek again

Guest

I worked for Ernie too. Sick children were let back into the school as soon as next day, because parents would *** the kids up on Tylenol. Few teachers could make the woman happy. If a parent thought that you blinked wrong at their child, your side of the story didn't matter. You were given a small lecture.

I was told that if I needed time off, to reserve it in advance. I knew two months in advance of an important event that I need ONE DAY off for, and I literally had to get on my knees and beg for it. ONE. DAY.

The last time I caught a stomach bug there (the third time), I called that morning to tell Ernie that I couldn't go to work (I'd been up all night, sick like crazy, and couldn't get any relief OR sleep until 4 am), I was told that I NEEDED to come into work, and the fact I'd been sick (with a contageous virus) was "not her problem". I'm sorry, WHAT?! I saw that as a liability, altaring the safety of the children. Finally, she told me to go to the doctor and bring in an excuse.

Despite that the floors were mopped and surfaces were cleaned with bleach water every evening, the facility was still dirty. Dust clung to yarn that was used to display childrens' projects, this hung from the ceilings. The overhang outside was falling down.

Everything about this place was depressing, save for the few kids that were a joy to work with. I'm glad she got fired.

Guest

Ernie has since been terminated by LPA in August 2011

Guest

As a parent, I 100% believe this teacher. I've heard horror stories from teachers that work for La Petite.

I've also heard horror stories from other parents. They stay because they need the insurance and pay. Just like you put up with *** at your job, they are conditioned (through bullying by management) to take it. I've been conditioned at my job to just take it and I have to because I need the pay and the insurance.

I've witnessed teachers' wrongs with my own ears and eyes at La Petites. I've reported it to the director. I don't know if anything was ever done. My kid doesn't attend at La Petite anymore - we left, got fed up - their approach to classroom management doesn't have any common sense or reason and the rules never apply to everyone.

I just think back to the things I should have done or said - too late now. Parents, if you ever see something that isn't right, don't bother reporting it to the director, call licensing and report it. La Petite will do anything to cover these things up and blame the kids for stuff that happens. You are better off pulling your kids and going to a locally owned center instead.

I don't doubt that the director being discussed in this thread really did that - my child was down right afraid of the La Petite director we had. The director was down right mean to the kids - for my families confidentiality's sake, I won't give more details but just know to not ever put your child at a daycare where they make kids go to the office alone with a director if the teacher thinks they are misbehaving. A proper daycare/preschool will put children of age in a timeout inside the classroom and be able to deal with it immediately themselves without intervention from directors.

All the La Petites I've ever seen have 1 teacher classrooms starting with the 2 year old classrooms. All other small centers have 2 teacher classrooms.

Suze Sea

Hi NoMoreBS, thank goodness for those not afraid to stand up and report what they have seen. Even with "mild" abuse, a kid may or may not have bruises.

The kids are allowed to play on playgrounds, and as we all know kids get bruises that aren't always suspicious. My mom works at a La Petite, and has for 22 years. Recently there was a complaint against her that she was "sleeping" in one of the rooms,while watching children. I don't know the accusations, but I know my mom.

If she fell asleep watching the infants while they napped,which is usually the ones she cares for (she is 72 years old), no wonder she dozed off. She would have jumped at any noise including the door opening, or a quiet cry. The room is quiet, warm and soft music playing. She is an outstanding employee, has received awards for her service and never had a complaint.

She is one who needs the money desperately to support herself and my dad. Her job provides them with insurance they need to provide medical care. She is currently suspended with no pay until an investigation is complete. That could take forever, in the meantime, she is without pay.

I wonder how many of the administration in this company have watched 10 or 20 children everyday for the low pay of their employeees? 22 years of loyalty. Mom might make $10 hour. No child has ever been injured in her care, she has reported suspected abuse, and rarely takes days off or sick days.

I recently had to call school board to save my child from bullying from the principal at a highly appraised middle school, one of the first Blue Ribbon Schools under Bush's admin! I'd love to find other employees that have been wronged, and I wonder if they are trying to find a way to fire her and hire a younger replacement and pay less money. If you have more info or others who have had problems, please email me @ Sueliachi@***.com.

Thanks for having the balls to post! :upset

Guest

I find it hard to believe that this stuff is going on and to assume that just because she doesn't have kids that she can't take care of other kids. The person who wrote this is obviously a very disturbed and very cruel and should be embarrassed of themselves.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-194666

I'm sorry dear, but I actually worked there, so I know what went on. Unless you were on the inside, you know nothing.

Perhaps youre the one who is clearly disturbed and cruel? Or perhaps you're Ernie herself...I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-194666

Your child used to attend this location? Perhaps you're the mother of the little terror that was always kicking, punching, slapping, and biting teachers.

It wouldn't surprise me. That kid was a spoiled brat and his parents never did anything to curb his behavior.

That sounds like the kind of child you might have, based on your response here. Yes, I worked there, and I can attest to Ernie's demeaning behavior toward the staff, some parents and children *if you weren't one of her favorites*.

Guest

Reply to "annoymous, on 24-09-2010 16:15"

The article makes sense, also if you knew how to read and comprehend, you would see this woman DID try to contact the District Manager and it didnt work either. Why do people always assume the person is disgruntled, sounds like YOUR trying to judge someone you dont even know.

I would at least give this article some thought and check her out, by asking several people who ACTUALLY work there.

Have you ever worked at this particular daycare in this city? Exactly!

Guest

okay I am seriously disgusted by this article!

Lets thinks about this people. If this women was doing all of the alleged thing don't you honestly think that a child would not have been bruised or marked up?? A child being pulled by their little arms?? seriously their little arm would have been pulled out of the socket! and the parent of that child would have been able to see that!!

No employee in their right mind would stand around and let this women abuse a child!!!

If you were an employee there then why did you let this go on for so long before saying anything???

How low and so unbeleivable coldhearted of you to slam a women for not being able to love a child because she could not have one!!!!

I find this article hard to believe because you seem like a disgruntled employee to me

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-193754

Are you kidding? Bruises and any marks she might have left were probably best explained by writing up an incident report, saying the child got into a fight or had an accident with another child at the daycare. Get real honey because it happened.

NoMoreBS

Thanks for the support in Ga! :)

NoMoreBS

girl i feel you same in Ga

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