Nursery workers drinking at lunchtime.

Ok but that's not what happened

OP didn't fear if they got fired her DC would be in danger of harm. She was worried it might make her DC be treated differently. That doesn't mean harm necessarily. Just that DC may be treated less favourably.

She also only had concerns that the workers were drinking DURING working hours. She had no issues with them drinking and eating near their place of employment. She also stated she wasn't sure that the empty glasses were theirs.

You ARE alone in stating they shouldn't be seen drinking next door, regardless of whether they were working and no, nurseries don't dictate whether their staff can go for a drink OUTSIDE OF WORKING. Any place that tried to dictate what staff did like that would find it hard to keep staff.

If you are so worried staff might have a life outside work then don't put your child in anyone else's care. Simple.

Again, OP had no issue with them drinking so long as they weren't RETURNING TO WORK

And a "sheepish" look doesn't imply a threat. And is only OP's interpretation based on her own, already perceived lay of the situation.

Lets go back to the OP.

She writes that she saw two nursery workers in a public house, next to the nursery. She said they had a glass in front of them and two empty glasses still on the table.

She has a child at that nursery. She thought it was not a suitable place for two of the nurses who had charge of her little one.

Then she said she wanted to complain anonymously , but the nursery workers saw and recognised her. She was afraid that if they lost their jobs because she had reported them, they would know who had done that, and her and her child might be endangered. Through their belief that they would not be discovered by parents, they instilled fear in the OP.

I am not alone in saying that nursery nurses should not drink in the pub next door to the nursery. It is not illegal. It is, however, unprofessional, and I would bet that every nursery, school, has a rule about not drinking alcohol in public. Some might even go as far as to ban a nearby hostelry.

In fact, I would imagine there are guidelines laid down by whoever issues the nursery licenses and inspects them. If any of the posters who do not agree with me can show me where there is no such standard/code of behaviour in the licensing and inspectors of nurseries, I will give up. I would not renounce my opinion, but I would have to acknowledge that the County Social Services, The QCQ and other bodies don't see a problem

If I were the OP I would take my child out of that nursery and tell them why, and be a bit more careful where I place the child again.

My comments have been against the nurses drinking in the pub next to the place of their employment. I said I did not think it appropriate. I still don't. I think that mother was absolutely right that she did not think they should be drinking alcohol. She would have known the difference between wine and fruit juice.

Those employees were bringing their profession and that nursery into disrepute, because AT LEAST ONE OF THE PARENTS SPOTTED THEM and didn't like what she saw. She wanted to report them. Did she have that right? She most certainly did. What she was afraid of was the revenge they could give her and her child because they recognised her.

None of us were privvy to that look. From it the OP determined that there would be recrimination if she reported them, and was afraid. Why would she feel afraid if they were innocently having a drink before going home for the day?

She had caught them doing something they should not have, because they did not expect to see one of the parents. They thought they were safe.

To be honest, I would speak to the nursery office and ask them if they were working on that particular day. If so, then it is your business because it isn't appropriate to be drinking on lunch when looking after multiple children.

Actually the discussion was about drinking during their shift....

Having one or two drinks with a meal is not bringing disrepute to the profession. They shouldn't have to travel miles to dare to enjoy themselves. And even then there's a chance they'll be spotted. Even on holiday it's a risk they have.

You cannot seriously claim to "value" these workers but then also strongly suggest they should be fired for having a drink near their work. Or to compare this to shoplifting!

If they are doing something which brings disrespect to their profession, then it is wrong, whether legal or not. They would not lose their job on a point of legality, but on a point of bringing disrepute to the nursery concerned.

How is lunch in a pub bringing disrepute?

I once saw my doctor and dentist out together with their partners having a meal in a pub .. with wine no less!

I don't think they were brining disrepute of either of their professions?

Though think the funniest part was when my colleague who'd not had any alcohol dropped the goldfish and had trouble picking it up due to the poor thing flipping around we did laugh clearly we were all pissed 😂

I recall this in working in nurseries or other child related roles. I'd have 1/2 cider with a meal with colleagues there wasnt time to eat or drink anymore anyhow. Due to parents like OP who make a deal out of this as though professionals cannot make informed decisions and to be really careful about any alcohol content whatsoever meant I then reverted to sparkling water or tonic water guess what the same result some parents need to wind their necks in.

Sorry. Phone playing up

1. Give them some credit that they know drinking on duty is immediate dismissal so they surely wouldn't do it next door knowing they could be seen.

P

"Bringing disrespect to the nursery" is rubbish

OP said they were not in uniform so to the rest of the pub goers they were just 2 people having lunch. A simple phone call by parent to nursery would have put their mind at rest.

Logic would also dictate to parent that

1. How would it be feasible to have lunch and 2 glasses of wine in 1 hour (if indeed that's how long they have). As PP have said, it's usually half hour.

1. Gig

If they are doing something which brings disrespect to their profession, then it is wrong, whether legal or not.

Having a glass of wine in a pub is not bringing disrespect to anything. You sound really messed up.

If you cannot see the difference, then I am sorry for you. I gave those points as an example because I consider what they done is as serious.

Well that's just ridiculous. Why do you have such an odd reaction to people having a drink?

Of course it is not illegal. Did I say it was? Nursery nurses are perfectly entitled to go to the pub and drink whatever they like.

BUT This thread is not concerned with the legal side of drinking, is it? The discussion is about whether people whose profession it is to care for the babies/children of others should drink alcohol in pubs where they are likely to be recognised. It is about whether those with a duty of care are acting responsibly by being seen to drink alcohol next door to their place of employment.

If they are doing something which brings disrespect to their profession, then it is wrong, whether legal or not. They would not lose their job on a point of legality, but on a point of bringing disrepute to the nursery concerned.

If you cannot see the difference, then I am sorry for you. I gave those points as an example because I consider what they done is as serious.

You clearly don't have a clue. Children are very capable of forming more than one bond, even if they see a staff member just in mornings or three days a week.
I only worked part time, fully qualified and I had a fantastic bond with the children. I actually had parents request me as a key worker because they knew I cared about the kids (usually because I'd looked after an older sibling).
Oh and nursery was outstanding so I don't think your strange theory holds up.

I work 8-2 PT.

My cousin often works 8/1. As others have said, a lot of the children are on funded hours and only attend AM sessions.

Honestly, it was a fairly normal MN thread until Nurseries don't employ part time staff unless it's a shit nursery and nursery workers must be appreciated but are not allowed to be seen wjtba drink because that's negative behaviour which will turn the babies into raging alcoholics

My Dd works 2 days 8 hour shift and one day 4 hour shift which suits her and her family. Her colleague works 4 days 8 hour shift. Both mid thirties and fully trained.

Numerous children get funded hours which are either mornings or afternoons so Dd looks after the same ones each shift on her half day. To say there's no part timers is batshit.

This thread has turned out more batshit than I could ever have imagined 🫠

@CatamaranViper do tell her, it's absolutely correct! Without a doubt the situation nationwide everywhere!

Poor SIL, I wonder if she knows!

No they can't, and if they do, it's because they're training or it's a shit nursery @Cazareeto1 knows, she's had three children don't you know!

DS2's key worker was part time. Mornings only. Perhaps I should have been spying on her to see if she ever had a glass of wine with her lunch 🤔

Nursery workers absolutely can work part time. Yes I've had a kid go through nursery and 2 nieces who I collect from nursery every week, but my main piece of evidence is my SIL who is a part time nursery practitioner and has been for about 15 years in a brilliant nursery.

I know fully qualified (excellent) EYP's who are part time because they have their own small children.

I know fully qualified (excellent) EYP's who have reduced their hours and become part time while they are coming up to retirement.

And in Scotland (I can't comment on England), the 1140 hours means there are a number of local authority settings which are year around rather than term time so staff can be on annual leave at various times through the year. There is a setting (with a very good reputation) nearish me which is open 7am - 6pm so that staff work different shifts.

You think they deserve praise but condemn them for having a normal human life?

ODFOD

Having a drink or two with a meal isn't negative behaviour or abusing their position. It's not like they were downing shots, getting naked and getting in a fight with their dealer...