Journal 6

I believe the code of confidentiality was broken with the mother the moment the Director had a lengthy conversation with the teacher from the old school without the mother's permission. Giving the new teacher his entire file was also wrong. Posting the child's registration form on the door with the father section highlighted was a violation of both the child's and mother's confidentiality. Posting his phone number on the family bulletin board without getting permission from his mother was wrong. Telling the other parents that he was a biter was wrong.  I believe there should have been a discussion concerning Eric's disability prior to his enrollment.  The meeting should have included the 2 directors, the mother, and the new teacher. I think a meeting discussing his medical history, his behavior, and how to make his transition easy for all should have been discussed.  Even taking Eric over to see his new classroom, meet his new teacher, and new classmates would have made it better. I think it would have been easier if the class had been told about Eric and shown his picture before he arrived. That way they would be prepared and could actually greet him when he arrived.  The teacher was wrong for discussing the children in public and mentioning names just make it worse.  It doesn't matter where the conversation took place, it was wrong and inappropriate. I would have an immediate staff meeting to discuss the incident, reiterate confidentiality policies, and discuss a plan of action to repair the damage done.  My first reaction would be to tell the mother to take her child and run but what would that say about me. The child may soon begin to feel that it is all his fault that he keeps getting moved and instability is so damaging for a child.  I would start over the next day with a different game plan. One that would ensure that the child was made to feel welcome, the mother is fully aware of all policies regarding lunch time and nap time. Seeing that the child was having problems i would allow a naptime friend just to comfort and make him feel safe. There are a lot of things possible to make this situation work.