Op-ed by Jessica Symonds of Mason City –
As a parent, it is crucial for me to ensure that the childcare used by our family is safe, trustworthy and responsible in its operations.
In recent months I have raised concerns with management about an employee at West Town Charlie Brown, where my four year-old attends early childhood education. This person is also a parent, and living next door to them I have witnessed and recorded instances of abuse that have occurred in their home.
Someone who abuses their own child should not be employed in a childcare and education service, but following my reports of this situation, leaders at West Town have failed to take action. I have continued to observe clearly abusive behavior by this employee in their residence, and on New Years Day heard a string of physical threats toward the child. Following a prolonged period of screams, it was obvious to me that the child was in a state of distress. I approached their apartment, and the parent came into the hallway of our apartment complex. I was viciously attacked, pushed down a flight of more than twenty stairs and left with contusions, abrasions and two broken bones. This violent conduct confirms that the employee in question does not have the interpersonal, anger management or judgment skills necessary to care for children for a living, and I again contacted Charlie Brown management.
My concerns, however, were met with poor regard. I was told that if I am dissatisfied with their employees, I should move my child to another school. I have done so – but many families have not, and young children are still at the hands of an employee who has committed acts of abuse against her own child as well as assault against a fellow adult. I am offended at the treatment of myself and my family, and shocked by the failure of management of West Town Charlie Brown to take action.
-Jessica Symonds
