mindee has just told me something...

I'd make a note of it and I would also mention it to her mum, just in the sense of "X said something today which I wasn't sure about, so I thought you would want to know she is saying it"

If one of my children made any kind of "disclosure" to a carer (true or not) I would want them to tell me (unless of course it involved me being violent or abusive, in which case presumably they would have to tell the local CP team rather than me)

but I am still waiting to be sent on a proper CP course

"'An ouch' does that mean it still hurts? WTF could a tiny child do to get a smack on the behind? A tapped hand I can nearly understand, but a smacked bottom.

I would record it, it is not for you to decide whether this is meaningful or not, but it would keep you mind at peace to know you've made a note."

better get ss quick.

does work but you have to do every word individually, not the whole phrase

hmm. the striking out thing didn't work then.

Mistletoe, you are not a lone voice. My DS is heavily into telling porkies using his imagination at the moment (he's 3), and finds it hilarious to tell me "Daddy hit me in the face" and ask me to put him on the naughty step. First time it happened, I was a teeny bit worried that maybe my DH had smacked him, but its happened so many times when I've been with him, or when he's said I did it (or my 9 month old daughter!) that I just let it go. FOr what its worth, I've told DS not to say these things, and also mentioned it in passing to nursery.

OP - I'd make a mental note, be vigilant for any marks etc and not worry too much. You can tell a lot from the way the child interacts with parents and whether they have marks and bruises in areas they shouldn't. And you could certainly make a lighthearted comment to parents. It might make them think twice about resorting to smacking without being worried that you are about to call in social services!

Make a note of it, but I would second mistletoes note of caution, esp. about the acting out with toys.

My own DD was a complete fantasist at this age and it went on until she was about 5. Would talk at nursery about pets we didn't have, firework displays we didn't go to, and seeing grandparents when we hadn't! She also used to beat her dollies and bears soundly, despite never having witnessed any violence at home. She loved stories and I think she was just trying them out for herself; her fantasies were often prompted by things other people had done, or that she had someone talking about. Fortunately none of it ever caused difficult repercussions, but it was sometime embarrassing because she was so adamant and so convincing!

I would mention it to the parents, but very casually, along with everything else about the day. If they have smacked, they are very unlikely to tell you that anyway, I would think?

Record what she said to you.
Also, mention it to whoever picks her up, in passsing almost, not too heavy or accusing.
As an early years worker in a nursery, that is what I would do.

I may be a lone voice here, but there is a chance (and I am by no means saying that what the child has said should be dismissed), that the child is fabricating a little?

A friend of mine (who would never tap/ smack/ or threaten to do so) told me a story that shocked me recently. Her DH came home recently and her DC (a similar age to the mindee in OP post) immediately told him 'mummy hit me'. Her DH who knows how his DW feels about smacking asked the DC to repeat what he had said, whereupon the DC repeated it. He then calmly asked whether the DC was sure about this (DW in background stunned into silence) and the DC admitted that mummy hadnt hit him, but he had been told off.
The child (in this case) had totally made it up. Both parents were stunned and very upset. And actually discussed the ramifications of what happen if the child went into nursery and repeated the accusation. They actually went to see their GP over the incident. Unfortunately nowadays it doesnt take much for social services to start investigating....and they wanted to bring it up proactively.

Like I said at the opening of the post, by no means am I saying that what the child has said should be ignored. But I would let the parents know what has been said - I know that I would want to know.

Is she still marked?

You are the one who posted asking so why the??s

'An ouch' does that mean it still hurts? WTF could a tiny child do to get a smack on the behind? A tapped hand I can nearly understand, but a smacked bottom.

I would record it, it is not for you to decide whether this is meaningful or not, but it would keep you mind at peace to know you've made a note.

if you've recently done your CP course, you'll know then we have obligations and responsibilities when a child discloses something (even yes just this a smack).

What might be a one off or innocent can sometimes not be and sadly you need to cover yourself too - horrid world we live in.

I would definately write it down in her own words. If it happens again or other things happen you might need it. It also might not be a bad thing to share with the parents IMO if the issue needed raising with them or if you were concerned that she was saying it a lot.

Just because you mention it to the parents doesn't mean that you have to accuse them of anything. It could just be that you mention it to them if it becomes a regular thing or a regular way of playing with dolls.

I wouldn't record it.

I don't smack my children, but I do occasionally threaten to (even though I have no intention of doing it). That might not be perfect parenting, but it doesn't make me an abuser.

Also, there are smacks and smacks. A tap which doesn't even hurt might be enough to jolt a child of that age into stopping what they are doing. Presumably there would be marks on her if she was being smacked abusively?

I would record it yes, exactly as child said it.

It might be something or nothing but it might, just might be needed at some point.

If you record it then it will at some point be shared with both parents, be careful what you write.
If it makes you feel uncomfortable, I just stress to children that 'we don't smack here'
Lots of parents still smack, if you have no other concerns then I would leave it. If you mention it to mum you could be setting yourself up for dad to make a comment, you know what they are like and how they are likely to react to your comments.
Personally I wouldn't note it down.