Nursery put Henna on my child.

[Pencilcase123]

When my DH picked up our DD (4) from nursery one of the staff said she had drawn DDs initials in Henna on Dds hand because Dd insisted. DH did not complain.

I am baffled as to why the nursery would have Henna out in the first place. It is brown Henna and I don’t think it is particularly dangerous but I am quite miffed that nursery staff thought it was ok to give my 4 year old a temporary tattoo. Would you complain about this?

@MissPollyHadADolly19 to be honest I haven't even touched the religious aspect. I can't wrap my head around that being an issue. I'd have thought it's nice for kids to learn about all the happy aspects of cultures and religions.

Who cares.

Most of the brown henna you can get in the UK has preservatives in, even if the package states "natural".

And a lot of people react to the preservatives, so I would want to be told about this in advance for me to decide if my DC could take part. We've had mild skins reations when the DC were young, and DS in particular did have eczema but has largely grown out of it now.

@contra lemon is used to darken it, it's not part of henna, henna is a plant. It's like saying you can't drink gin because some people drink it with tonic and lemon.

I'm with others.
My DD is majorly allergic to Henna. If it's brown they put hair dye in it.
She totally forgot and had her eyebrows done a little while ago and they are still blistered 2 weeks later.
She's 21 now and we found out many years ago when on holiday.

I find the posters telling OP she was wrong to question this really OTT. A parent has the right to care about things that happen with their DC, just because you are happy for your DC to have henna of any colour or similar doesn't mean that OP has to agree with you.

@sashh lemon was an example. The nursery were negligent on not getting consent.
If a child had reacted regardless of wether or not the allergy was known previously they would've been liable and up shit creek without a paddle because the parent would be able to hold them accountable.

There will be people allergic to henna. The nursery should've notified parent.

YANBU OP!

I'm livid today for the same reason.

DD3 came home from nursery this afternoon with her hands and wrists covered. One all lovely and pretty because of the staff done it. One done by herself.

No communication from the nursery beforehand and we've got a family wedding on Saturday.

And to a pp who mentioned permanent marker - I'd be livid if my child came home from nursery covered in permanent marker as well, they're not appropriate play things for nursery age children.

Who cares?

just because you are happy for your DC to have henna of any colour or similar doesn't mean that OP has to agree with you.

But she asked whether other parents would complain. What is wrong with saying that we wouldn't, and explaining why?

@lyralalala are you at a Bright Horizons nursery chain too?

One of my children has a blood disorder and cannot have henna put on him. I wouldn't necessarily have informed the nursery of this as it would never have crossed my mind that they would have henna there. He's sensitive to mothballs too; the same logic applies.

@pencilcase123 No it's just a standalone business.

I'm very much looking forward to DD starting school as the standards have slipped a lot recently with things like permission slips and the likes.

DD and her cousin (who also goes to the nursery) are going to look a right treat in the wedding photos.

@lyralalala It is a really unacceptable thing for them to do. Why would anyone think giving a nursery aged child a semi-permanent tattoo without parental permission would be OK? I am going to complain to the nursery that they should have actively sought consent.

Will you be complaining?

Omg this is ridiculous

For anyone asking "why are you so worried?" this explains the consequences for some children.

adc.bmj.com/content/85/5/411

@pencilcase123 My DH complained at pick up. Initially he complained that it had been done when DD didn't have a permission slip then when her keyworker said there was no permission slips sent out he spoke to the manager.

His cousin whose child also attends has hit the roof as her DD is allergic to a lot of things (face paints in particular) so she's really surprised and horrified that they've done this on her without permission. Thankfully her DD is fine, but she's absolutely hit the roof with the nursery.

Anyone saying they had a 'reaction' to regular brown/red henna is probably making it up, it has basically no allergic potential.

There's are options that fall between 'fuming (idiot word) impotently' and 'making an official complaint to OFSTED in hopes of having the whole place shut down and all workers barred from any contact with children ever again'. You could act like an adult and realise it's harmless even if it annoys you, and calmly and politely tell the staff you would have preferred they'd asked you first. Or just say nothing and have a glass of wine or a bath and stop trying to find things to be angry over.

you would have preferred they'd asked you first.

It's not preference. It's good practice, and it should be standard.

@snuffalo "making an official complaint to OFSTED in hopes of having the whole place shut down and all workers barred from any contact with children ever again'."

Has anyone said this or are you making your own straw man?

Anyone can be allergic to anything FFS. Of course people could have a reaction to Henna.

Grass is 100% natural but many people can die from they're hay fever.

Shame on the nursery for trying to learn kids about all the happy aspects of cultures and religions. I mean it’s just inexcusably inappropriate not

Henna is normally black in colour, not brown, your child is not harmed in anyway shape or form, please get a life and educate yourself on the teachings of society.

Shame on the nursery for trying to learn kids about all the happy aspects of cultures and religions. I mean it’s just inexcusably inappropriate

Funnily enough the nurseries, and schools, of my older four kids all managed to teach them about cultures and religions whilst getting permission for anything that would leave a lasting mark on their clothes or skin appropriately.

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend so much of what you just said is so wrong it's laughable.