Baby injured at childminders - advice needed please

I don't think it's that, littlebit.

It's just that, as people have rightly said, whoever told you that applying sun cream was 'a child protection issue' is misinformed and is relaying misleading information. Just because someone's teaching you it, it doesn't mean it's correct! Who was the training provider - private company??

I think many on here are skeptical of claims about the evils of 'chemicals'. You sound like a nice childminder, and I wouldn't have a problem using you because of your beliefs about these things, but I certainly don't agree with you on those points.

Squash - pah. Aluminium and chemicals in creams - again, pah. Pales in comparison to real risks of sun exposure. Bio washing powder - pah. Only thing it's missing is enzymes. And the human body is full of those .

Matriarch dreams.....I expect that when you drop off your little one and I say....have you put suncream on, you will say yes, or no, but I'll do it now.

That's what has happened successfully so far

I don't want to be the one to say this but I know what would be going through my mind..... The doctor says its second degree burns. Can this happen due to sunlight for half an hour ? Seems remote to me. Is it possible your ds got burnt due to something else on his face?> I really do hate to raise this but would feel worse not to and then OP sent him back to childminder and something else happened. OP if this upsets you feel free to pass over/ignore but it was in my mind. Not suggesting a deliberate injury but could it be your ds got hold of something at hcildminders that he shouldn't and childminder panicked and blamed it on the sun? Just think the 30 mins outside is stretching it for second degree burns. AFter all it is April and England not August in the middle east

hsmmacm. So you were told not to. What if you are happy not to?

Should I go against my training and what I believe is a healthy way of life because the parents won't apply suncream to their own child?

I don't leave them in the sun and I care for them really well....but I feel like people are all having a go when the solution is really simple......put it on your child before your little one comes here.....

They will be having a fab time here, yet it's been suggested that I parent should be boycotting me, for something the parents won't find 5 mins in their
day for. I feel that's a tad hypocritical.

OP, I'm so sorry, that sounds like a horrific experience for you both, really hope that you get good care tomorrow and your son soon recovers.

Littlebit, doesn't that really restrict what you do with your mindees? Your garden may be shaded but if only one child's parent has forgotten to apply sunscreen or has not realised/predicted how warm it's going to be on any given day, you have to stay in on that day, no trips to the park or walks around town, no walking to/back from school/pre-school. The fact that my child will be able to do these sorts of things has been a big factor in DH and I choosing for her to go to a childminder's when she starts in childcare next month.

Littlebit - several of my mindees parents would be happy with your policies. I take the children out in long sleeves and wide brimmed hats, but I do apply sunscreen if they are out in the sun for longer than 15 mins (also dependent on child's skin reaction to sun). I was also told in training that I should not be applying sun screen, but I do, because I have parents permission.

Hope he's feeling better soon and that you get some answers.

Thanks 5madthings but your husband wasn't on my course.

I am using sun protection, just not suncream. As I have said, shade, limited time, and of course sunhats and long sleeves. I'm not neglecting them in my garden for heavens sake

I won't give calpol unless I have a signed medical form.

What's so bad about getting parents to put on the suncream?

How can applying sun cream be a child protection issue when you are in a position to change their nappy??? I'm sorry the training was either shut or the interpretation is shit! With parents consent there should be no problem. I wouldn't use you because with super fair skin my child would get burned!

There is not an child protection issue re applying sunscreen, my dp works with child protective services and you are talking crap.

The issue is as reet says that you need permission for any cream, calpol etc and to know the child is not allergic, hence asking parents to send in their own which is what most pre-schools, nurseries and childminders do.

I wouldn't send my child to a nursery or child minder that wouldn't apply sunscreen if necessary. I tend to go for loose baggy clothing and a big hat and then suncream if necessary, but it really is essential at times, unless you don't care about sunburm and increased risks of skin cancer...

and op, i am very sorry to hear about your poor ds. have you told your cm the latest news? what is her reaction? i would be completely mortified if this happened to a child i was looking after. there is someting odd about this, i feel.

as far as im aware, cms are not being trained to not apply sun cream.

how far would you go in your policy on this littlebit? you say you won't smother children in chemicals - does that mean you don't use any creams of any sort? what is so terrible about sun cream?

i ask parents to provide their own which i then apply. this is to cover myself should their child have a reaction to my brand and also because it's bloody expensive!!

In the same way, I ask parents whether they want me to give calpol should their child have a temp. i obviously try to avoid this if poss, but if it's a toss up between calpol and a fit, i'd rather go with the 'chemical' option.

i don't think cms are being advised or trained anything - i think it is down to the individual to do what they see is fit.

i would say though littlebit, i think you are playing a dangerous game if you are using no sun protection on your mindees and am very surprised that parents are happily signing up for your service - sorry!

Worry not worth

I did my training last April.

I was told not to apply suncream since it was a child protection issue.

If there is no issue then why are there people on here admitting to having to get parental consent in writing before applying it.

It is completely different to nappies and such because they are a necessity, suncream isn't.

Babies and children are pure, little things, you worth about what they eat and their diet, yet youdont worry about the chemicals they are exposed to?

How many of you switched washing powders to non bio when your baby came along? Why? Because you didn't want harmful chemicals next to your babies skin.

I'm so sorry about your ds x I hope they have him feeling better soon

littlebit - I am genuinely interested to know whether all CMs are now being trained not to apply suncream for child protection reasons or whether it only relates to certain areas. I used a CM about a year ago and signed a form consenting to application of suncream. Not having a go but just wondering as surely it would be a disadvantage to CMs over nurseries and other forms of childcare.

:( your poor little boy. I hope the docs are able to give him something for the pain and that he'll get better soon.

It's entirely possible that he burnt in 30 minutes. All depends on how he reacts to the sun, which given he is only little, you probably haven't had chance to find out yet - until now.

However. I don't think I could use the CM again. I just wouldn't trust her. Surely she noticed that he was burning? I can't imagine he didn't at least look uncomfortable??! What the hell was she doing!

Thinking of you and your little boy.

littlebit so long as you make the parents quite aware of your policy and your 'training' in this matter, and that the parents are comfortable with you using your shady garden as the only sun protection when they're out there all day. And your feelings about nasty chemicals of course.

I'd run a mile and certainly wouldn't sign up for your childcare.

How scary. OP.

I hope he managed to sleep tonight - you too, and that tomorrrow goes well.

X

'How is that negligent??????????'

I didn't say you were negligent.

I am so sorry to read this :(. Hope he is doing OK OP.
I would terminate the contract. I suspect she left him out a little longer than she is admitting to (as she is scared and horrified by what's happened) but even 30m in full sun is too much for a baby. I don't think you will ever trust her with him again, will you - which is a reason in itself to end the relationship.

Outraged. I was trained not to do it, my policies say that I won't. I ask if suncream has been applied when the children are dropped off. If it's in the bag the parents can put it on themselves, if they want to.

Armed with the information about how well protected, or not, then children are, I set up suitable activities in the shade or in the sun. I limit the amount of time they spend in the sun.

How is that negligent??????????

I don't believe in covering them in chemicals when there Are suitable alternatives, but then I also don't belive that a bit of squash in their water bottles are a good idea either. They get water. It's good for them, and it's about as natural as you can get these days.

I also don't believe in television for the little ones whether is good clean air and plenty of space to run around in. But I suppose they won't get any bumps or scrapes or sunburn if they sit indoors either.

I promote a good healthy outdoors in all weather's lifestyle and I'm amazed at some of the responses I've had.

I sincerely hope op's little one will recover soon, but using or not using suncream is not always the issue.... What other steps did tbe cm take to protect the lo?

I hope your baby gets well soon . If its any reassurance I've always burnt easily and badly and in my teens had 2nd degree burns ( from the sun) to my legs , I had burns dressings and massive swelling ,it was extremely painful but there was no scarring .
littlebit I'm staggered that you have any clients but each to their own !
OP , change your care arrangements ,even if it turns out that it was a 30 minute mishap you will never trust this lady again and will spend all your time worrying about your baby . Good luck and best wishes for tomorrow.

I cannot tan ever and burn after 20 mins in the sun. I always get caught every year. I only once got burnt on my shoulders and back which resulted in blisters and felt very ill indeed. This was after a day at the beach with a friends parents who didn't realise how fair I was.

My childminder let my DS's cheeks get slightly pink as she didn't realise how easily she burns but really was gone in two days and she felt terrible!

The all day creams are the way to go although my CM tops up anyway now as is paranoid!