In a jaw-dropping revelation, a Kentucky daycare has found itself in hot water after an investigation uncovered a shocking practice known as the “smack for a snack” game. Yes, you read that right. Staff at New Creation Childcare in Lexington reportedly encouraged children to line up for a whack on the hand or leg with a ruler if they dared to ask for a snack. Talk about a twisted take on snack time!
The Office of Inspector General’s investigation revealed that two male employees, one of whom has since been charged with second-degree assault, were running this bizarre and abusive game. A 10-year-old girl recounted, “The teacher said if you want a yogurt, you have to stand up to get hit.” It’s hard to believe that in 2016, some kids were lining up for a hit instead of a treat—some even in tears. Another child added, “I didn’t even want a snack, but he hit me anyway.” Ouch!
The violations didn’t stop there. The daycare, which was already operating with an excessive child-to-staff ratio, also had a shattered storefront window. Seriously, why hasn’t this place been shut down yet?
As the investigation unfolded, the daycare was slapped with intermediate sanctions requiring closer supervision. Yet, given the nature of these violations and the facility’s history of citations, one has to wonder if mere monitoring is sufficient. Parents already face the overwhelming stress of finding reliable childcare without having to worry about whether their kids are safe from bizarre and harmful practices.
With childcare costs soaring above college tuition, it’s distressing to learn that a 2007 study indicated that most daycare facilities fall into the “fair” or “poor” category, leaving only a slim 10% providing high-quality care. It begs the question: if we truly care about families, how can we allow these facilities to operate unchecked? Increased oversight and government support, such as subsidies or tax credits, are crucial to ensure our children receive the safe, nurturing care they deserve.
We’re talking about children here. We have to do better.
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In summary, a Kentucky daycare has been cited for abusive practices involving physical punishment for snacks, raising serious concerns about child safety and the need for stricter regulations in childcare facilities.