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AIBU?

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AIBU to question preschool after inconsistent explanation for toddler's scratch?

211 replies

Roseypurple · 07/09/2026 18:16

Just need to advice on steps to take:
My toddler just recently got enrolled at a preschool and I’ve been really optimistic about it. We did the usual enrolment stuff and even attended a settling in session with her (parents were invited to see the setting and see a little bit of free play etc) and it was all fine. Fast forward to her first ever day at the setting and of course I had the usual parental jitters at leaving my toddler but I got over it quickly. I then get updated on the preschool parent app around lunch time that my toddler was basically accidentally “scratched” by an “adult”. The description was incredibly vague and basically says that she “moved and walked into an adult”. This already made no sense. I waited until collection time to briefly ask what happened and to also see the actual “mark” before decided how to proceed; and the staff member gave me a slightly different account saying that they were lining the kids up to wash their hands before lunch and my toddler turned around and “someone” (yes she used the word “someone” scratched her face. As it was pick up time and we all know how busy it gets I just nodded and she then added “everything is on the app in the report”, almost like she’s ushering me on my way. When we got home and saw the mark on her face, it was a small superficial mark showing some redness where the minor bleeding must have happened. I’m very concerned because I don’t understand how on her first day she’s been injured by an adult and the explanation is not adding up. My husband is fuming and I’m concerned he may try to cause a scene when we try to get a more thorough explanation of who this adult is and how my child ended up “walking” into her nail(s). At the moment I’m not comfortable sending her back. Even if it was a complete accident as I completely understand nurseries and preschools can have situations like this but the explanation doesn’t add up. Should I wait to hear a more thorough explanation or remove her from the setting? What if it was a genuine mistake?😭

OP posts:
billandtedsexcellentadventure · 07/09/2026 18:24

I work with children. This happens all the some. They also never name the other person. I think you’re over reacting to be honest.

Grumpyoldcat · 07/09/2026 18:24

FGS get a grip of yourself. You both sound like parents from hell in training.

Error404FucksNotFound · 07/09/2026 18:23

she moved and walked into an adult is the same as she turned round and someone scratched her face.
What's different? Moved is the same as turned moving is turning, turning is a movement. walked into someone is how someone's nail caught her.

It's the same explanation in different words.
It's a very minor incident that was recorded. It's really not a big deal.

Is it that you want the name of the person whose nail caught her cheek?

thisismeithinkorisit · 07/09/2026 18:22

they do add up.

they were lining the kids up to wash their hands. your toddler turned around / moved and walked into an adult who scratched her face.

walked into doesn't have to mean great distances. she turned around aka moved which probably involved a step or two given how unstable toddlers can be.

why could you not look at her before you got home? why couldn't you look at her outside the room?

why is your husband going to cause a scene and what does this mean? do you think someone deliberately scratched her?

rubyslippers · 07/09/2026 18:22

This is an enormous over reaction
your child will get a million knocks, bumps and bruises
at some point your child will cause an injury or bite someone
the fact you’re thinking of pulling your child out is such an OTT reaction to a common place incident
your DH has no right to go in fuming to the staff and cause a scene

Needmorelego · 07/09/2026 18:21

Who do you think the adult was if not one of the nursery workers?
Their explanation (both versions) sound like a genuine accident.
Children were lining up, your child moved and accidentally got scratched.

Angryatheist · 07/09/2026 18:21

It’s a scratch, you have years of this

MidnightPatrol · 07/09/2026 18:21

What are you implying exactly?

I’ve accidentally scratched my kids quite a few times - it happens!

hockityponktas · 07/09/2026 18:21

Very easy to accident scratch a child. I think your general anxiety about handing over your child is impacting your reaction to it. If you’re not ready to let go and trust others yet, then don’t.

AgnesMcDoo · 07/09/2026 18:21

She’s banged into an adult a got a wee scratch.

it’s really not that big a deal. You are both blowing this out of proportion.

Blimms · 07/09/2026 18:18

Kindly, I think you’re massively overreacting.

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