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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Sunburnt at nursery

86 replies

MiniMummy576 · 25/05/2017 08:53

Yesterday my 1 year old son got sunburnt whilst at nursery. I sent him with a hat and 50+ sunblock. They only put sunblock on his face so he got burnt on his arms, legs and the little exposed swirl on top of his head. Communication isn't the greatest with the different ladies that work in the 'baby room' - we've had incidents like they didn't know what our password was but let DS be taken out just by his birthday and I had to repeatedly tell them for about 3 weeks that they were doing his nappies wrong and giving him nappy rash (long story). Whilst I understand that accidents happen, it's pretty clear that they didn't even attempt to protect him properly. I'll have a word with the ladies when I take him back but, given how long it took for the message to get through about the nappy rash, I don't want him to be repeatedly burnt while the message filters through. I once got second degree burns on my arms because a teacher held a lesson outside, so I'm a little paranoid about the sun.
ABIU to have a word with the manager? Or am I being a bit melodramatic?

OP posts:

Lostinaseaofbubbles · 25/05/2017 14:52

In America they WILL NOT apply it in schools (except in California) and they WILL insist on children playing outside at lunchtime. Even in the desert.

I'm in the UK. I've twice had "sunburned at nursery" problems. Each time I've emailed to let them know and asked them to have a more cautious approach to the Sun when it comes to my child as he clearly burns more easily than they expect.

I also do my own layer of factor 50 first thing in the morning on the days I know it's going to be sunny.

glenthebattleostrich · 25/05/2017 15:12

I'm a childminder and now add a couple of pounds a month to each bill to cover suncream because of families forgetting.

It is applied first thing before the school run (8hour factor 50), topped up after lunch and a light spray after tea. I get through 2 bottles per week from may onwards (on average) but have never had a child burn. I couldn't live with the guilt of causing pain to a child in my care.

OP, speak to the manager. Ask for an injury form to be completed. Or put in a formal complaint, this will be on record when Ofsted inspect.

Also, a long sleeved top and a hat from h&m which ties on would help.

Hope your little one heals soon

mimiholls · 25/05/2017 15:17

I would be livid, that is a basic. I would be quite concerned about how else they are neglecting their duties to be honest.

mimiholls · 25/05/2017 15:22

*You might not have many nurseries close to you but I really think you need to move him.

It might be less convenient but convenience is not an excuse for continuing to use a poor care provider.*

^^this

Mia1415 · 25/05/2017 15:28

I'd be fuming. That is not acceptable care you should definitely be putting in a complaint to the manager.

Crunchymum · 25/05/2017 15:29

My DC is in preschool (so kids are 3/4yo) and a notice has gone up to say "whilst the weather is hot can you please make sure your child has suncream applied every day"

Most kids are full time so it would be a morning application by parents? Not sure if the teachers top up? I did see a few bottles of suncream floating around so I assume they wont let the kids burn but the onus is on the parents.

littlefurrysheep · 25/05/2017 15:49

i would be raging and would complain to anyone and everyone

Roomster101 · 25/05/2017 16:02

I would certainly complain. However, I do wonder if you are meant to put the sun cream on in the morning and then they reapply it in the afternoon. That is what always happened at DD's nursery. They certainly should be communicating this and checking that the children have it on though.
At DD's primary school they wouldn't apply sun tan lotion or let the children put it on themselves at school. Instead they put up big gazebos for the children to sit under.

Original poster

MiniMummy576 · 25/05/2017 16:06

Well, mystery solved. I've just been up to talk to the manager who was, at first, a little offended at me saying they'd let him get sunburnt and couldn't understand how it happened. She confirmed that they apply the sunblock straight after breakfast (which I knew and was why I hadn't been applying first thing in the morning), let them out at about 9:30 but bring them inside during the hottest part of the day and then apply sunblock an hour before letting them out in the afternoon. She said they have a form they fill in whenever they apply sunblock so she'd have to check that and get back to me.
She's just phoned to say that yesterday afternoon was too hot so they weren't out in the garden, but they did let the last few babies out in the evening - only for about 10 minutes before DH turned up.
The trainee girl who took them out assumed because it was so late and the garden was mostly in shade that she didn't have to apply sunblock. The manager was very apologetic as that's not their policy and she's going to remind everyone that hats and sunblock are a must when taking the children outside. She thanked me for raising the concern because it highlighted a failure in practice.

OP posts:

DawnOfTheMombie · 25/05/2017 16:11

Nah I think they're bullshitting you.

I'd go to Ofsted tbh.

Florin · 25/05/2017 16:20

I just don't think that is good enough. I would be furious if that happened to my reception age child let alone a 1 year old who has no control. We have to apply p20 before school (and they insist on it being p20) they all have white caps with the flap bit at the back which they all have to wear when outside in even a tiny bit of sun. Sun cream is topped up particularly before swimming as it is an outside pool and the teachers do it they take it very seriously as they should.

Cutesbabasmummy · 25/05/2017 16:50

I'd have a word with the manager and consider changing nursery if they keep making mistakes like that! Our nursery provides suncream and my DS (2) came home slathered in the stuff yesterday! He was sticky but not burnt and it all washed off in the bath.

SafeToCross · 25/05/2017 16:52

She is really minimising and passing the buck. I do not believe your baby got burnt in 10 minutes of evening sun in shade. And also, why was one part of him protected and not the other bits?

Roomster101 · 25/05/2017 18:01

She (or whoever she spoke to) is bullshitting. I'm really fair skinned as are my children and there is no way we would burn after 10 minutes in the shade.

TheRealPooTroll · 25/05/2017 18:43

Is your child usually that sensitive that they would burn in 10 minutes of evening sun in May? I would find that hard to believe tbh as the parent of very fair blue-eyed kids. 10 mins at midday with no sunblock maybe.

TheSkyAtNight · 25/05/2017 19:54

They're fobbing you off. The password issue is a safeguarding failure that is enough alone to have Ofsted put them in special measures. The repeated neglect with nappies & now this means they have inadequate systems for care. If you're not moving nursery, it's formal complaint time.

MissJSays · 25/05/2017 20:09

Disgusting! I've spent the last 3 days with my hands and uniform absolutely covered in suncream because we apply it every single time we go outside. This is our policy, why would they apply suncream an hour before they actually go out? Or have I read that wrong?
I'd be absolutely fuming.

As a nursery nurse myself I am so paranoid about children getting burnt I didn't even want to take them out in todays heat! We put suncream on, played for 5 mins and it was just so so hot I got all the children sat down in the shade sipping cups of water, we then played for another 5 or so minutes and sat them down again in the shade and we read a story outside, after that I just felt it was too hot for their baby skin so we went inside.

No excuse for children getting burnt, I'd be putting a formal complaint in. Also i don't understand how staff in a nursery struggle to communicate, it's the most important part of our job! Sounds awful I really would put all of your concerns in writing and get them to the manager as they might not even know how mad things are

MissJSays · 25/05/2017 20:12

And don't even get me started on the password thing that's a safeguarding issue in itself! Negligent nursery! Annoys me so so much I wish I could go in there and sort them out

Mixedupmummy · 25/05/2017 20:13

Just read your update op. Glad you got to the bottom of it and there's been some progress. Your circumstances and nursery sound very similar to mine. I didnt 100% trust them when dd1 was there (definate pfb!) So even when it was 20 degree + had her in thin leggings and long sleeve t-shirts! They're much better now with these things, got dd2 there and she's 1. Or I'm more relaxed . Would be fuming if she came home burnt. hope your dc is ok.

BarbarianMum · 25/05/2017 20:15

OP that sounds really suspicious to me. 10 min at 5.45pm in the shade and he burnt? I don't think that sounds right.

Marmalade85 · 25/05/2017 20:19

Absolute rubbish OP. I would remove my son and find alternative childcare. Mine is very happy at a childminders and I prefer the one on one relationship I have with the minder - perhaps this would suit you also?

AndNowItIsSeven · 25/05/2017 20:22

What is an exposed swirl op?

Fruitcorner123 · 25/05/2017 20:30

Reception kids at our school are allowed free flow outside all day. They aren't even allowed to bring sunscreen in. Parents are told to apply it in the morning ad provide a hat. There's never been a problem

Really surprised at this. Cream should be applied in the morning and reapplied before lunch. It is not safe to take the risk it's not just a bit painful and sore it's a skin cancer risk. All schools and nurseries should be reapplying cream at lunchtime.(or giving the children the opportunity to do it themselvesif age appropriate) no child should be at risk of sunburn. This is particularly disgusting in a nursery caring for a 1 year old. They should be keeping the children in the shade on a day like today.

Please complain and apply cream to your baby before taking him in every morning. The nursery are guilty of neglecting his basic needs in my opinion.

Fruitcorner123 · 25/05/2017 20:34

Only just read your update. They are lying to you. You should apply it in the morning for a start and not trust that they are doing that after breakfast.

This is such a basic thing that I would be looking for another childcare arrangement. Especially with what you've said about nappies. These things are not luxuries they are standard things that would lead them to fail an Ofsted inspection.

Coloursthatweremyjoy · 25/05/2017 20:36

I don't think they are being honest with you there OP. 10 minutes at that time of night? No way.

Sunblock is a really difficult one. The last pre-school I worked in refused to apply it AT ALL. I hated that...we spent all summer worried about going outside for anything longer than a few minutes. Stupid.

My current nursery allow us to squirt it on but make the children rub it in themselves. Also stupid. They are 2, 3 and 4. Badly applied sunblock is as bad as having none on.

When I am in charge we will slather it on and actually be assured they are safe, every time we go out, like a PP said...now I just have to get in charge.

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