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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

that I don't like that my nursery strip my child if she's not in nursery uniform?

151 replies

musicfan · 19/04/2011 21:01

A new policy has been introduced.

If children (3 and 4 year olds) at my nursery are not sent wearing their nursery polo shirts (regardless of the weather), they are stripped by the carers, and put into uniform polo shirts. Parents get to keep said shirts, but are charged the cost of the uniform on each occurrence.

What do people think about this? I really want to canvass opinion on this before I speak to the nursery head.

Thanks.
MF

OP posts:
Cymar · 19/04/2011 22:52

BTW, both my primary schools were run down state primaries, so I pass on what I've been taught.

If it doesn't bother your DC when the nursery changes them, then you can take the polo shirt off and hand it back at the end of the day.

I think the main point of uniform is to stop other lovely clothes from getting ruined.

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 19/04/2011 23:13

Musicfan - what about annh's suggestion of asking the nursery for a phased introduction - specifically that children who are only going to be at the nursery for a few months shouldn't have to have the uniform.

If the worst comes to the worst, and they dig their heels in (which would seem pretty unreasonable to me) would you be able to either reuse the poloshirts and jumpers for your ds when he grows into them, or sell them on to another nursery parent, who might appreciate some little-worn uniform at a bit less than the nursery price?

SE13Mummy · 19/04/2011 23:16

It sounds like a complaint pain and, if it were my DD who was only going to be in the nursery for another 4 months I'd write an official letter explaining that DD would not be wearing the uniform as it is uneconomical to buy logo items given that she is starting Reception elsewhere in September. I'd include something along the lines of, "please ensure that all staff are aware that DD is not to be dressed in uniform as I am not prepared to pay for it".

As it's a private nursery it won't be covered by the schools admissions code which is very clear as to the steps that schools etc. must go to in order to ensure that the introduction of uniform is sensible and reasonable i.e. introducing it for new entrants only or asking that everyone in Y5 and below switch to the new uniform but Y6 stick with the old one or even by giving every existing pupil a polo shirt, jumper/cardigan and bookbag in the new colours/whatever. It might be helpful to include information such as this so the nursery can see how uniforms can be introduced more reasonably.

As for your son.... either change nursery in September or buy a polo shirt which lives in his basket/bag/whatever and ask staff to change him into his own, clearly labelled polo shirt each morning when you drop him off. Ask for it to be taken off at meal times, for painting, playing in mud, playing with water, for snack time, on rainy days, when he has sun screen applied etc. etc. etc. so that it is preserved and never needs to be brought home to be washed Wink.

ohmyfucksy · 20/04/2011 00:39

Be honest - have you sent her to a well wanky nursery?

If they change their policies, you are perfectly within your rights to withdraw her, if you don't like them.

Or you could just send her in the polo shirt, it's not like she'd care at 3

colditz · 20/04/2011 00:45

I'm going with the poster who said to buy one polo shirt, and leave it in her bag. tell the staff that you will be taking it home once a week to wash it, so they will need to ensure that she does not get it dirty at all. Of course, they may either run around like lunatics keeping her clean, or they can allow her to continue to wear whatever she has always worn.

You want her changed back into her normal clothes when you pick her up, thank you very much.

10 to 1 the t shirt never comes out of her bag.

Morloth · 20/04/2011 05:22

If you don't like it, don't send her there.

You don't need 4 tops for 4 days, who cares if nursery clothes get stained? You just run it through the machine, if the stain comes out great, if not, oh well its stained. It doesn't matter.

Private nursery equals their rules, if enough people don't like it they will lose business, but there is no point complaining about it.

CheerfulYank · 20/04/2011 05:30

What I wouldn't give to send my 3 year old DS to a school with uniforms! It's hard getting out of the house in the mornings; if we didn't dawdle over what he was going to wear it'd be great.

I don't think a polo shirt is draconian. It's not like it's a corset and bound feet for heaven's sake.

Bubbaluv · 20/04/2011 05:51

If they insist on her wearing the tshirt then I see no reason why she can't wear it with the stains she got at nursery!
Same goes for your son.
I don't agree with uniforms at that age, but if you're going to get some benefit out of it then at least this way you end up with one (or 4 in your case) horribly stained tshirts saving the other clothes some wear and tear.

Morloth · 20/04/2011 06:02

Doesn't everyone save all the stained horrible clothes for nursery anyway?

I never put DS in anything nice for nursery cause it was just going to get manky and/or not come home anyway and he would be wearing someone else's stuff by the end of the day having ripped through his own spares.

The are supposed to be mucky at nursery, sign of a good day. No point sending in the nice stuff.

cumbria81 · 20/04/2011 06:11
  • it's just a polo shirt. It's not a shirt, tie and boater. I don't really see the problem.
Bubbaluv · 20/04/2011 06:22

Morloth - all my boys' clothes are stained so they have no other option! I buy new clothes for any events that require them to look smart Blush

bonkers20 · 20/04/2011 06:40

I do think it's ridiculous to introduce a new uniform policy when some children will only be there for 4 more months. Did the policy go for approval through the governors? Are they really expecting parents to fork out for uniform for just a few months?

She really should not need a clean top every day. I am only now considering getting my 12 YO son a clean shirt every day because he is entering puberty!

Perhaps you could speak to the staff about using aprons or overalls for painting and cooking etc, it does sound like she's getting overly dirty.

Bucharest · 20/04/2011 06:44

Dd went to a nursery with a smocky top thingy uniform. In pale pink and white check (FFS) (at least orange would have been practical) I bought 2, one on one in the wash.
No big deal. And at least you don't have to decide what to put them on in a morning.

Morloth · 20/04/2011 06:48

DS1 wears a lot of dark blue Bubbaluv, over the years I have found it shows up the mess the least.

His school uniform gets soaked in napisan on the weekends.

He is a shocker.

SlightlyScrambled · 20/04/2011 07:07

I'm agreeing with Bubbaluv and Morloth. Just let her wear their polo shirts and ignore the stains. It's only the staff who will see them anyway. You can change her clothes as soon as she gets out.

This may be a good way for the nursery staff to see that their polo shirts aren't looking so spiffy after all.

Sounds like a sergent major has taken over. Will they be issuing rules on hair lenght next?

I am wondering why you have to buy their polos. Do they have a logo or emblem on them to make them cost so much more?

5ofus · 20/04/2011 07:13

Are you claiming the free nursery hours for three year olds OP? If so, there's a chance you could ask for your local early years team at the council to review the policy.

Ours is strict. Nurseries who operate within the funding must not charge a fee, and that includes compulsory uniform. Might be worth a try.

Additionally does your nursery have a parent council? Ours does (private nursery not community preschool).

Or vote with your feet. That's an outrageous new rule. Are you in London?

SherbetDibDab · 20/04/2011 07:25

I don't get the number of people who say just because it's a private nursery you should just go by any rules they choose to enforce.

I'd speak to them, find out the reasoning behind the rule and express my concerns. It doesn't have to be a fight.

exoticfruits · 20/04/2011 07:28

I would have thought that if it is a private nursery they can do what they like-I would find a different nursery.

SherbetDibDab · 20/04/2011 07:34

They can't do what they like. The charges have to be legal for a start. Can they force you to pay for a shirt you don't take home?

exoticfruits · 20/04/2011 07:40

Regardless of what they can and can't do-do you really want your DC to go to a place where you dont agree with the ethos and have to fight it? I would choose a nursery where I felt at home with the policies.

ScarlettWalking · 20/04/2011 07:41

For God' s sake what a fuss. Just buy a couple and give them a wash which presumably you do once a day? What do a few stains matter. They are not " stripping" your child how dramatic.

Morloth · 20/04/2011 07:43

Shrug, if I am paying someone for a service and they are not providing what I want (in this case the ability for my kid to wear whatever) then I simply take my business elsewhere, a bit of a no brainer really.

exoticfruits · 20/04/2011 07:48

I can't see the argument. Either get the shirt-stains don't matter at nursery- or change the nursery. I don't expect the DC cares about what they wear.

mrz · 20/04/2011 08:01

musicfan Tue 19-Apr-11 21:31:54

Grabaspoon, you are incorrect. She has been there two days and both days she has come home with paint on her top.

wash them?

having said that I don't think they should be forcing parents to buy uniforms for 3 year olds.

woollyideas · 20/04/2011 08:04

I can't believe all the posters who think it's reasonable to shove a baby/toddler into a uniform. I'd find this really sad to be honest. I can understand it for outings, as a means to identifying the children outside the premises, but otherwise? They'll be giving them homework next!

Sounds like the nursery is trying to make money out of the parents. When you can buy a three-pack of polo shirts in M&S for around a fiver, why are they charging so much?