To say something about after school club staff sat on her phone?

[cardboardboxx]

After school club is in School, run by school staff. Went to pick up my children today, one was speaking to a parent, the other was sat scrolling down on her phone. I looked in said hi, she looked up and smiled and went back to her phone. Normally they shout my children and get me to sign them out. I called to my children and she didn't look up at all. By this point the other member of staff gave me the register. AIBU to think that she should've put her phone down (or not really be on it at all!) to speak to me? I wouldn't have thought they would be allowed to sit on their phones anyway! The children were all on the computers so we're not needing full on attention. My 7 year old says she's always on it and doesn't really speak to them, just says 'Yeah' when they tell her something.

Not not all ..I wouldnt excpect staff to be on their phones, thats ridiculous & not profesional at all..I would make a complaint

In sure that they shouldn’t even have their phones on them for safe guarding issues. Last time I worked in a child environment that’s what it is. I would check this. But. No. Thy shouldn’t be in their phone. And if they did that in front of a parent I would worry what they do when ur not there.

I do know that the other member of staff (who is brilliant) has a mobile phone with her for parents to call if they are out playing but this one was just sat their scrolling down. I don't want to get people into trouble but I'm paying for them to care for my children! And I know it's the end of term and staff are tired ( I work in a school myself!) But I'd want parents to know I'm still giving their child my 100%

It seems like it's a small thing to go to the head teacher about though. Or would you go to the head? I don't go to the school during normal school hours so I would need to make an appointment to see her. She will probably think it is a massive issue that I want to speak to her about! Over thinking haha!!

She shouldn't have it on at all. I don't think you need an appointment with the head though, send an email for the attention of head and maybe school business manager if there is one. They just need to be aware they don't need a meeting with you.

I'll send an email in the morning I think

I run a very busy before and after school club in a school and mobile phones are not to be seen anywhere in the school building, my team keep theirs in a locked cabinet in the kitchen, completely away from the children. YANBU

Thank you for your replies, I will be in touch with the school tomorrow :)

I've heard about this happening first hand from kids themselves. You wouldn't expect any other childcare professional to do this so why at an after school club, definitely complain.

They don’t allow them in my DS’s after school club. There is a mobile for parents but it’s an old Nokia with no camera that stays in the pocket of the lady that runs it. I would email in the morning

School staff should not use mobile phones whilst children are present.

It's a safeguarding issue to protect both staff and children.

I would report to that designated safeguard lead - most probably the head.

They shouldn’t have a phone on them unless taking the children off site.

They shouldn't have their mobiles out around the children. It leaves them wide open to safeguarding issues.

If not a full complaint, could you call up ask to speak to the head and say I'm not sure what your safeguarding policies are there but as a parent it was concerning to see and hear that this happens a lot with a particular staff member. Then let the head deal with it from there.

Sometimes someone senior sending out a reminder of stuff everyone should know is all that's needed.

I work at an after school club and all our phones have to be locked away- we have one non-camera phone for contacting parents etc - definitely email Head that's not ok.