To have called DS's teacher about sunburn?

[PartySmartie]

A few weeks ago DS's afternoon class consisted of them playing outside with water. DS came home sunburnt. I was quite annoyed, but DS burns easily so I didn't say anything.

This afternoon they will also be playing outside. I called his teacher to ask her to keep an eye on him and to ask that if he starts to burn to call him over into the shade for a bit. She said that would be difficult as there isn't much shade. She asked if he could keep his t-shirt on and I said I have sent him in covered in sun cream and also with one of those sun-protect swimming shirts. It seemed to me that she thought I was being a bit ott in asking her to make sure he doesn't burn and that it's not her responsibility. Personally I think it's ridiculous that they let children play outside between 1330-1530 with very little shade available on days when the temperature is set to reach 36 degrees. Should I not have called her? Am I being one of those parents?

[ActiviaYoghurt]

I think schools need to be a bit sensible about this, being outside in the sun from 1330 - 1530 without shade seems cruel, I wouldn't want to be outside during that time nor would I make my dog. .

I would raise with the head teacher and I would ask DS not to take off his t-shirt, make sure he keeps a hat on and try to get him practised on applying sun cream. Sports days in this heat won't be pleasant either, I can just imagine the Daily Fail running stories about children collapsing....

[Denimwithdenim00]

Thancred sorry you need to be very careful here.

My Ofsted advisor says put sun cream in the toddlers but by aged 4 kids need to
Apply it themselves with reminders and guidance.

There's no way I would be applying cream to school age children myself as it would go against my safeguarding policy.

Can you imagine the inappropriateness of a male teacher applying cream to say a 7 year old girl? Also the teachers don't have time.

Am amazed the school allow the children to remove T shirts?

Was a cm in reception class and that's a definite no no.

Again Ofsted specifies kids need their outside breaks so any parent writing in to ask their child be keep inside due to the weather unless for medical reasons would be ignored.

We had one mum who specified her dd couldn't go out in the rain!!

Put all day sun cream on and a hat.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

His T-shirt should have stayed on. Water play is not a great idea as it washes sun cream off. I would definitely complain.

[Denimwithdenim00]

And I second joining the PTA and fund raising for shady areas. Gazeboos etc.

Working with children is a minefield and often the sensible approach is blocked due to rules and regs.

That's how society is here in the UK.

[Denimwithdenim00]

Yes the T shirt should not be removed in a school setting. Again basic safeguarding. I would question that for sure.

[eminthebigsmoke]

I can understand that all of the points about suncream etc.

The bottom line is that the teacher allowed the child to be harmed and that is not acceptable. The teacher's response when you pointed this out is also not acceptable.

If it was a burn from another source there would have to be an accident report etc. Everyone should know by now that exposure like this in childhood is linked to melanoma in later life.

I would def speak to the head about it and make sure the school had their policy straight.

[Denimwithdenim00]

Xici at our school parental permission or not we were not allowed to apply sun cream to reception class children. I was a reception TA for years.


They were reminded to apply it themselves and shown how.

Seriously I know it sounds sensible for an adult to do this but it would be regarded as a safeguarding issue in my authority.

[fastdaytears]

Were the girls told to remove their tops too? Presumably not but the "risk" of them getting splashed was just as high.

This is madness. I was at primary school a long time ago (early 90s) and understanding then was crap, no shade anywhere etc but I honestly thought things had improved

[RiverTam]

The teacher needs speaking to for the utter stupidity of getting a child to take their t shirt off on a hot day in case it got wet. It's a hot day ffs, it'll dry in seconds and of course parents don't apply suncream to unexposed skin. What an idiot.

[catkind]

That really is bad telling him to take his t-shirt off. Even free play preschool made a point of having more indoor activities this week as it is so hot and they didn't want anyone getting burned. I think a formal complaint.

And no there's nothing in ofsted against sun cream. DS old school were great, asked for them to be sent in with all day lotion already on, plus they got consent to put school's suncream on the kids if they needed a top-up, or they could bring their own. They taught the kids to rub in their own if they couldn't already so teachers just had to squirt on a few dabs.

[nokidshere]

The teacher can't put on sun cream I am afraid as it's against Ofsted safeguarding policy. I am a cm and can apply only with parents permission and only with cream supplied by parents. I only do those who can't do it themselves.

None of that is actually true! Safeguarding a child means meeting all of the childs needs including sunscreen, changing nappies, wiping bottoms and anything else that a child in your care needs. It is preferable that a child is able to apply suncream but it is not against any policy for an adult to do it for them. In schools the logistics of creaming up 30+ children means that the children are expected to do it themselves but that does not mean to say that an adult cannot do it if necessary.

I am a childminder and with relevant permission slips I suncream the children if we are out after school, even if they had it applied earlier in the day - very few of them do it effectively themselves - even the older ones!

[nokidshere]

sorry cross posted with lots!

[JassyRadlett]

She is an idiot. Skin cancer rates in this country are rising because people don't take proper care in the sun.

Children shouldn't be allowed to play in the sun without hats on in summer, and should be prompted to apply sunscreen regularly, and have access to it. Telling him to take his shirt off was completely irresponsible. Sunburn is to me a safeguarding issue.

Once a day sunscreen isn't the greatest idea in the world - they're better than not applying sunscreen but regular reapplication is still the advice from the cancer charities and the dermatologists' association. .

But I also apply sunscreen to the torso (under the top) unless the top in question offers specific UV protection. I'm quite thingy about sun exposure.

[Denimwithdenim00]

Nokidshere respectfully you know as well as I do if you are a registered cm that Ofsted advisors each offer their own advice.

One inspector advised me that I actually didn't need any written planning as long as I could demonstrate I knew and understood mindees needs and verbally knew their obs/next steps.

Another said that would have got me failed.

I follow the advice from my county improvement officer and that was her understanding.

Pollo cues on toddlers and babies are or should be different to the after schoolers.

I do not undress my after schoolers it help with toileting or apply cream unless it's medically stated and written as consent.

Sun cream application does not fall into that category. Why can't your after schoolers apply properly anyway? They need better teaching.

[nokidshere]

Denim respectfully you need to be challenging your advisor!

My after schoolers don't need better teaching they need continuous teaching! As do most primary school children! They often miss their ears, or cant reach the back of their necks properly I help the children I mind with anything they need help with for whatever reason they need it.

If someone advises you of something that has been contradicted by another professional then simply ask them to physically show you in writing where it says that.

Best practice isn't law.

[AmberFool]

it's against safeguarding policy

Never heard this before and I am a teacher. Also in my son's school, the TAs and teachers put suncream on for children who ask.

OP, is your child in reception? They can choose to go outside or not in freeflow time. I do find it bizarre that she asked him to take his top off. She should not be doing that and I'd have words with the school about this.

[XiCi]

My 4 yr old dd had suncream reapplied by her teacher today, the whole class did. The teacher sprays it on for them and they rub it all in.
I find it mind boggling that there are adults out there caring for our children that would watch them burn rather than help small children in such a simple way.

[Metalguru]

Denim what you are following is advice from your development worker (or similar, sorry can't remember how you phrased it), not ofsted regulations or "ofsted safeguarding policy", not saying there is anything wrong with the way you choose to do things but be clear it is just that, your choice. Nowhere in the eyfs does it say children over the age of 4 must apply their own sun cream, or in fact that written permission is required.

Sorry to go off topic.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

That's shocking she told your Ds to take his shirt off! I'd be talking to the head that his staff is uneducated anout sun exposure health and safety.

[missymayhemsmum]

There should be, must be shade. Not to have shade in a heat wave is a health and safety issue and should be reported and actioned as such. Phone the Chair of Governors/ or school's health and safety co-ordinator and ask to see their risk assessment for the site and the accident report for your son's sunburn.

[PartySmartie]

They were told to take swimming clothes in. So I assume the boys were in swimming trunks and the girls took swimming costumes. Except DS forgot to pass the message on to me so he was just wearing his shorts and t-shirt.

Either DS or the teacher must have listened to me today as when MIL went to collect she said they were all sitting in a small corner of shade. DS wasn't burnt so I can only assume that she did in fact keep an eye on him or DS took himself off to the shade as I told him to do (unlikely!)

[SaulGood]

At DS's preschool, they ask you to provide sun screen and they apply it before going outside regardless of the child's age. They are an outstanding preschool.

[Sleepybeanbump]

YABU.

You can get all day suncream.
This is England, not the Sahara. Playing outside in summer is nice and healthy, given a modicum of common sense. Why on earth would you want your child hidden away form such lovely weather when they're already inside so much of the day?
The temperature doesn't make you more likely to burn than a cooler day at the same time of year.
Those swimming rash vests are ott for normal wear- hot and sticky. Any normal clothing will give perfectly adequate protection as long as it covers enough.
Get him a hat.

I agree some shade in the playground would be nice.

[Sleepybeanbump]

Sorry, just read that she told him to take his t shirt off.

That is clearly ridiculous and very stupid.

[anotherdayanothersquabble]

Phew! This may sound patronising but don't forget to say thanks and perhaps explain why you are cautious. It is hard for teachers to respond to individual requests even when they are important and these are easier to respond to when people are grateful!