What shoes are you allowed to wear in summer?

[MerryMarigold]

I work in a nursery and I'm ashtray staying the summer. The room I'm in is a conservatory which gets v hot. We are apparently not allowed open toed sandals. I hate having hot feet and usually live in flip flops. I'm aware they're not appropriate but can't bear the thought of enclosed shoes in that room. What is usual footwear?

[MerryMarigold]

Sorry. I'm already dreading the summer

[Badgerama]

Saltwater Sharks??

[Badgerama]

https://flipflopshop.co.uk/product/salt-water-shark-original-sandals?id=1182400&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6ubUt-i74QIVypTtCh1aEgyjEAQYBCABEgLayfD_BwE

[Badgerama]

Toms?

[MerryMarigold]

Thanks. They look nice albeit quite pricey. Not sure if they'd be allowed as they seem semi open, but I could ask. Would that be acceptable where you work?

[bestbefore]

Aren't the kids boiling too if it's very hot?

[MerryMarigold]

Yes, they are but they can wear whichever shoes they like! Plus perhaps being a kid means feet sweat less.

[MerryMarigold]

They can also wear any clothes unlike our uniform of black trousers, black top and apron. Much cooler for the darlings.

[insancerre]

You need to ask your manager

[insancerre]

Badgerama
They would not be acceptable where I work

[MerryMarigold]

Insancerre. Manager just said closed toe. I don't actually get it. I know TAs at school nursery can wear whatever.

[beansonbread]

The no open toe sandals thing comes from a health and safety risk. If you need to rush out a burning building, run to an injured child etc while wearing open toed shoes, the front can get caught on the floor as you walk and create a tripping hazard.

When I worked in places with these rules I'd wear ballet shoes/pumps as they were easy to slip on and off my feet (temporarily) while sitting down. Even if I had them off my feet when there was an emergency, bare feet would be easier to run in than open toed shoes.

[MerryMarigold]

Ah OK beans. Teachers wear open toes all the time. Seems a bit 'elf n safety gone mad' but hey ho. With the ridiculous wages, large amounts of admin and pressure at work, you'd think they'd be trying to attract people not put them off!

[MerryMarigold]

(I can't wear pumps as my feet are too narrow). I guess as long as the toe can't catch it should be fine if that is the reasoning, although let's face it, if you're running from a fire there's any number of opportunities to trip on uneven pavements, small steps etc.

[GemmeFatale]

Are you allowed trainer type shoes? Lots of ‘breathable’ type options about now and usually available in black

[MerryMarigold]

Yes I would be, but no way am I wearing trainers and socks! Even breathable ones.

[ChanandlerBongsNeighbour]

What about a closed toe sandal?

[ChanandlerBongsNeighbour]

Like this?

[Holidayshopping]

I’ve got narrow feet and struggle to get things to fit. Toms are fine though.

Or look at Clarks maybe and see what they’ve got in a narrow fitting. Nurses/other NHS workers usually have to wear closed toe shoes too, it might’ve worth specifically asking them too?

I don’t envy you-I wear nothing but Birkenstocks or flips flops from about May to October.

[MynameisJune]

Not fashionable but what about Crocs? A lot of nurses wear them and they are breathable but closed toes. Can’t say I’ve noticed what shoes our nursery workers wear when I drop DD off.

[maxiflump1]

What about some breathable sketchers. These are so comfy!

Skechers Women's's Breathe-Easy - Lucky Lady Mary Janes Brown (Chocolate) 2 UK 35 EU https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B64BE08/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_CoCQCbC7GG756

[insancerre]

We tend to wear the same types of shoes all year round
Open toes and or backs are not allowed for safety reasons
It's not comparable to teachers in schoo!s, they do a less physically demanding job
I've currently got a black big toenail as I dropped a log as I moved it in the nursery garden
Imagine if I had been wearing sandals!

[beansonbread]

Not all teachers are allowed to wear open toed shoes. It was actually as a teacher that I first came across the rule and the reason behind it. Every school I worked in had a "no open toed sandals" rule but not everyone always stuck to it.

[WindowWeather]

At DDs nursery they say no open toe sandals for the children as well.

[itsboiledeggsagain]

You are not supposed to run in a fire. Just saying.