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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think that nursery staff should not kiss children?

143 replies

BigBlueBubble · 07/09/2018 23:04

www.itv.com/news/2018-09-07/majority-of-staff-not-allowed-to-kiss-nursery-children/

“Sue Learner, editor of daynurseries.co.uk, said: It is very sad so many nursery staff feel unable to show affection to children by kissing them”

AIBU to think it’s totally correct and not allowed all sad that nursery staff dont kiss children? It’s unhygienic! Literally yesterday it was in the news about a baby who almost died due to contracting herpes.

OP posts:
SwordToFlamethrower · 09/09/2018 11:40

I used to be a childminder. I discussed this at induction stage.
"Are you ok with cuddles and kisses?"
I treat my kids like they were my own. They were very loved and that why I had them from babies until school age.
Any parent who declined kisses/cuddles were respected. Parents choice.
The point is, we had full disclosure. Kids were happy and so were the parents.

Shireslass · 09/09/2018 13:42

My daughter adores her key worker and if she couldn't give her a kiss and cuddle she would be so upset. I remember one of the things I asked when I viewed her nursery was if they cuddled the children and showed them affection. It is so important.

coffeeforone · 25/07/2019 17:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SummerInTheVillage · 25/07/2019 17:33

Mostly just you, OP. Weird.

newmomof1 · 25/07/2019 17:33

@coffeeforone this is a historic thread. Guessing you meant to post on the 'AIBU tO take a 50k pay cut' thread

SleepingStandingUp · 25/07/2019 17:34

Zombies are coming, zombies are coming...

herculepoirot2 · 25/07/2019 17:49

I wouldn’t want to send my child somewhere to be cared for knowing she wasn’t receiving any physical affection. She’s an affectionate kid and she would be confused.

herculepoirot2 · 25/07/2019 17:49

Urgh.

Soontobe60 · 25/07/2019 17:53

Personally i think it's not staff's place to kiss the children, but I do think sitting on a knee, hand holding or a little cuddle to soothe is fine.

swingofthings · 25/07/2019 17:54

It's very sad and really a pathetic state of what our society is becoming. My kids were in nursery ft. The staff were an important part of their lives. They build strong bonds with them and some staid in touch for many years. They showed them affe tion by giving them hugs and appropriate kisses. I'm so glad my kids were not deprived of this.

coffeeforone · 25/07/2019 17:59

Oh dear - not sure how that happened?!? Sorry everyone.

coffeeforone · 25/07/2019 18:00

@newmomof1 yes - that's the thread I thought I was on!

Babdoc · 25/07/2019 18:03

Unless the staff member has open cold sores, impetigo, lice or scabies, I don’t see anything wrong with them kissing the kids in their care!
Personally, I think on the lips is a step too far, but a peck on the cheek or top of head is normal human affection, as is sitting on a lap for a story, or having a hug if upset, or after a minor injury like a scraped knee.
I’d want my DC to receive the same level of comfort and affection they’d get if I was there myself, instead of being away at work.

Lweji · 25/07/2019 18:08

Anything but gloves and tongs to handle children is unprofessional and unhygienic, really.

Hmm
maddiemookins16mum · 25/07/2019 18:16

It’s a sad day when someone caring for a young child isn’t ‘allowed’ to pop a gentle kiss on the forehead of a wain.

H2OH20Everywhere · 25/07/2019 18:20

I'd be your worst nightmare, OP. I work in a childcare setting PT (0-12yo) and I hug and kiss the kids all the time. Not the older ones so much, but if they come for a hug (which they often do) I'll kiss them on the head. I don't allow them to kiss me on the lips, but one or two have when I've not been quick enough turning my head away. Both times I've told their parent in apology who have just laughed at me (and apologised on their child's behalf).

When I first started working there I assumed that kisses were out of the question, but my manager assured me that we were supposed to be a home away from home, and kisses were more than welcomed. There was one child who I did ask ask about and was told not to by his parent, but he was a newly-arrived foster-child which was fair enough. 2 years' down the line, and with permission from his parents, he gets treated the same as everyone else.

BarbariansMum · 25/07/2019 18:21

The thought of people not only agreeing to but actively wanting their tiny children to spend days being cared for by people who cant hug and kiss them makes me feel quite sick actually.

TheGoogleMum · 25/07/2019 18:46

When I was choosing a nursery for DD one of the things I checked was that they would give hugs. I didn't ask about kissing, but I don't really mind if they do or not so long as they do give her affection. I agree lip kisses would be a bit much

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