THE police (GPF) and the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) are investigating the operations of a daycare centre in Smythe Street, Georgetown after two toddlers who attend the school recently had their hair cut off by someone at that institution.What is puzzling to the mother of one of the children is that the hair of her 15-month-old daughter was cut off at the exact spot on her head where a 12-month-old girl had her hair cut off a week before this incident.

A source at the CPA told this newspaper that in the first incident, which occurred two weeks ago, the parent of a 12-month-old girl reported to the CC&PA that her daughter’s hair was clipped by someone at the school, and officers from the agency visited the school and warned the administration and staff about the incident, and cautioned them against any recurrence.

It was noted that the school disputed the claims by the parent in that first incident, and alleged that a sibling of the child may have been responsible.

However, on Thursday last, one week after the first incident, another parent reported a similar occurrence. According to this mother, last Wednesday morning, she dropped off her 15-month-old baby at the daycare at about 07:00 hrs. She said that, at the time, there were only two teachers at the school.

The angry mother noted that when she returned to the school, at about 17:00 hrs, to pick-up the child, she noticed the toddler’s hair had been cut short. She said when she inquired what had happened, a teacher alleged that the child was taken to the school in that condition earlier in the morning, a claim the mother disputes.

The mother said she became annoyed and started crying, and the head teacher ushered her into the building and begged her not to report the matter.

COMPENSATION OFFERED
She said she asked the school for the hair that was cut-off but this was not provided. However, the school offered her compensation but, according to the mother, “No amount of money is worth my kid’s safety”.

The young woman said she called her husband, and the two tried to ascertain a timeline as to when the child‘s hair may have been cut. She said that, based on what she was told, the child’s hair may have been cut soon after she had dropped her off.

It means that the child’s hair was cut even as this mother was outside the school awaiting transportation to get to work.

She said that, the following day, Thursday, she visited the CPA and officials referred to the incident that had occurred the week before, which concurred with her report.

According to this mother, she has been informed that the child in the first incident has texture of skin and hair that is similar to her daughter’s, and that girl’s hair was cut off at the exact spot on her head as her daughter’s.

The mother said what has annoyed her is that the school has said nothing about her daughter’s hair, and that the administration seemed quiet as to what had transpired at the school.

The upset woman has posted this incident on social media this past weekend.

Both matters have been reported to the CPA, and officials there are reportedly investigating the incidents. The CPA has since called in the GPF, and both entities are set to visit the school this week as part of their investigations. According to the CPA, those responsible for the incident are likely to be charged.

On Sunday, several calls made by this newspaper to the number provided for an administrator at the school went to voicemail.

By Alva Solomon