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AIBU?

Nail varnish

16 replies

Chocoholic21 · 25/04/2013 17:06

My first AIBU, so please be gentle.....I'm aware I may just be being PFB, which is why I am asking!

DD is 3 and goes to a local pre-school which is attached to a primary school. She goes 3 mornings a week. They have a different topic each half term and this half term it is "princesses and super heroes". I was a bit surprised at this as thought that this was not as "academic" as it could be, especially for this end of the school year, but not much I can do about that. However today, DD came home with her nails painted with oink sparkly nail varnish as this was the activity today. The boys made super hero capes while the girls had their nails painted. DD has never had her nails painted before, and told me on the way home that she wanted to make a cape but was told she had to have her nails painted "because she's a girl".... Personally I don't like the look of little girls with nail varnish on, and so have now got to use nail varnish remover to get rid of it. I am also surprised as this was done on the same day as a letter came home with a permission slip for her to have sun cream applied while at pre-school so am wondering how they apply nail varnish, a toxic substance, without parents permission but not sun cream?! So, AIBU to say something about all this, or should I leave it....?

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crazydrunkevilhamster · 25/04/2013 17:11

Bloody help no yanbu I would certainly say something .
Infact I would take my Ds out straight away .
It's not like she was at home playing dress up with a big sister , who on earth decided that would be a good idea Shock
I'm actually stunned at this

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crazydrunkevilhamster · 25/04/2013 17:12

*hell not help Confused

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PandaG · 25/04/2013 17:14

I'm surprised you weren't asked for permission to apply the nailvarnish - in the setting I work in I occasionally facepaint the children, or colleagues may apply henna at Eid - but only with written parental permission - and for boys and girls alike.

I'm also surprised she wasn't allowed to make a superhero cape - that would annoy me more frankly, because of course she can be a superhero as much as any boy can.

THeme of the half term is unusual now - we don't do this but plan week to week according to the children's interests - and yes this will include princesses and superheroes, but would be planned to meet an interest not on a rota in advance

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PandaG · 25/04/2013 17:15

nail varnish at 3 wouldn't bother me as such, but not being asked would, and the gender discrimination even more.

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KansasCityOctopus · 25/04/2013 17:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rootypig · 25/04/2013 17:18

YANBU, this is outrageous. make a cape with her at home, write a letter of complaint, and find somewhere else for her to be educated.

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BlastAndDalmatians · 25/04/2013 17:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sirzy · 25/04/2013 17:30

The nail varnish itself wouldn't bother me but the making her do an activity based purely on her sex would piss me off. DS is 3 and would probably want nail varnish on rather than to make a super hero cap!

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Finola1step · 25/04/2013 17:36

I wouldn't be too pleased about the nail varnish and agree that permission should be sought. I would be very concerned about the gender stereotyping and would raise this with the senior teacher responsible for the foundation stage. I would probably email and cc the head and a parent governor. This should not be anywhere near the curriculum.

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phantomnamechanger · 25/04/2013 17:51

This is a joke, right?

I really cannot believe a nursery would apply nail varnish without consent, due to allergies etc. I also cannot believe they would have such a stereotyped "girls" vs "boys" activity - why cant they ALL make swords/sheilds/be knights/be superheroes? The curriculum is all about inclusion, they should not be ramming home naff ideas like "girls should wear nail varnish to make themselves nice for their macho superhero menfolk"

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phantomnamechanger · 25/04/2013 17:55

from DS time in nursery the topics for the terms were things like "teddy bears", "farm animals", "cold lands", "transport", "people who help us" each with dozens of excellent activities and no nail varnish ever!

OP, so they are actually doing a whole term of activities differentiated by gender? If true, absolutely outrageous TBH.

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floatyfloni · 25/04/2013 17:56

With the majority on the fact that the nail varnish wouldn't be as bothered by, compared to the gender stereotyping

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mrscumberbatch · 25/04/2013 18:13

The stereotyping and twee subjects annoy me more than the actual varnish itself.

Definitely have a word.

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WTFisABooyhooISBooyhoo · 25/04/2013 18:17

i'd pull her out tbh. they are sexist and non consistent with their rules in regard to permission.

on a side note. 3 year olds dont need to be doing academic learning at any end of the school year.

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Chocoholic21 · 25/04/2013 20:08

Well, I'm pleased it wasn't just me! This is the first time DD has said anything about not being allowed to do something she wanted to, and I realise at her age I need to take what she says with a pinch of salt but I have asked a couple of times in different ways and her answers have been consistent. I think I will have a chat with the leader on Monday, when she is next in, and see what she says and decide where to go from there...

Thanks for all your replies.

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Fudgemallowdelight · 25/04/2013 20:50

I think that is quite crap that the boys got to make something and the girls had to sit and be prettified.

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