So I live next door to a woman who apparently runs a day care. As far as I can tell, she’s either there alone during the day, or her retired husband is there with her. In either case, she watches 8+ kids a day, who happily spend 90% of their time out doors. In her backyard. Which is next to my back yard. Which my apartment overhangs. She does not watch these children when they are outside, and therefore, they do what any respectable kid would do without supervision, they scream as LOUDLY and OFTEN as they possible can. Which is quite loud and quite often. I never noticed this before, as I was working during the week and the kids weren’t there. But now, I have to keep my windows closed, and the door to my bedroom shut so I don’t develop a deep and piercing headache. I love kids. I intend to devote my life to helping them. But the shrill cry of a 6 year old who is screaming just to hear herself scream is something that I know the parents out there are quite familiar with.
I thought they’d be going back to school today. When I was a kid, school started the week before Labor Day. WELL? 8 AM this morning, I am greeted by the soothing sounds of “JOHNNY, GIMMIE IT. I MEAN IT. NOW. NOOOOOOOO!” I am on edge. My cat is confused. Help me. When will these little bundles of noise pollution be religated to the public school system? Parents? Teachers? Anyone?
Swiddles,
This situation is crying out for a water gun. Keep it in the fridge. Just a few shots of ice water from the heavens might shock them into silence for a bit.
If I were in your position, the next time I caught my neighbor outside, I would politely ask if she is licensed with the state to be operating a daycare center out of her home (in my state if you “care” for more than 3 children other than your own you must be licensed) and if she isn’t bring it to the attention of the proper authorities. If she is within the law, casually bring up, how you feel that social services may be interested in the way she is running it (ie. unattended in the back yard with no supervision) This is how I would try correcting the situation, assuming you have already talked about the “problem” in a neighborly fashion with her. Or you could just tell her to keep the little “noisemakers” quiet, or else you are gonna come over there and put your foot up her ass. Either way, the choice is yours
Anyway, as to the question in the OP, it depends on where. In AZ school starts in mid August. In the northeast, and here in Virginia, it starts after Labor Day. I don’t know when it starts other places.
Your story says California all over it… max! I had the same situation when I lived there.
I will bet you dollars to doughnuts she has no license, let alone insurance (new acronym: LAI: (L)et (A)lone (I)nsurance); send the authorities in if you think they will do anything. After that, I suggest INS.
INS? While I enjoy the idea of deporting the whole lot of them, I’m pretty sure they’re all Americans. And I’m in Vermont, not Cali.
It’s been decidedly quieter around here today, dare I hope that they are all the problem of the overworked, underpayed public school system’s teachers? YAHHHH!!!
Most schools started today. Almost all of them will be back in session by Monday (I don’t know of any that won’t.)
Belive me, I’m heaving a sigh of relief, too. I work for the Department of Ed. half-tme, and Monday was the first day that the teachers were back in. It was also the first day that the phone didn’t ring right after you set it back in the cradle since June.
