Nursery staff smoking

[Badgergirl123]

Went to see an otherwise nice nursery for DD who will be a year old when she starts. On way in and way out we saw two different nursery nurses smoking as they left the building for a break. Put me right off (I'm an ex-smoker, I know we're the most judgy!) DH doesn't think it's a big deal but it bothers me that they'll be staff who smell of smoke and also that they weren't even being discreet about it.

AIBU?

People are allowed to do what they like in their break (as long as it’s legal!). At the end of the day it’s your decision but I wouldn’t have a problem with it.

I agree.

I used to work in elderly care with colleagues who smoked. We got very close to them (turning, toilet, personal care) and I used to feel really bad for the folk being cared for by the smokers.

Sometimes the smell is overwhelming.

I used to be a teacher in a nursery and one staff member from the toddler room smoked a lot. Her clothes stunk of smoke and I often thought it must rub off on the very young children she cared for, so it would definitely put me off.

It would put me off. To the point I would look for a different nursery. Second hand smoke carries risks and I want to minimise those risks as much as possible.

I work with children and wear a really big smoking coat then wash my hands twice and chew gum before going back to work. People are shocked when they learn I smoke. I choose to smoke not other people so why should they be subject to the smell of it.

I agree with you, but I don’t suppose that many others will. And there is no real solution to it - smoking is legal, people are allowed to smoke and you can’t only employ non-smokers. Any nursery will have this issue. You could try asking that your child’s keyworker only is a non-smoker but I doubt thy would have to do this for you. Our nursery has some staff smokers who can sometimes be found round the side of the building. I’m not keen for the reasons you state, especially with very young children who might be held more. That said there is a series of pregnancies in our nursery so hopefully that means a reduction in smokers!

YANBU at all, I wouldn't want my DS cuddling a smoker and inhaling all the filthy carcinogenic particles. I'd also be really grossed out if he came home smelling of smoke.

Presumably there'll be smokers working in lots of/all the nurseries you'll go to look at, but you'd never know. If it's a good nursery, it would be pointless to veto it because of this.

I wouldn’t blame you-that disgusting smell will stick to babies they handle. Teachers here (Primary school) don’t get smoking breaks, and schools and school grounds are smoke-free zones and rightly so. Other workers seem to be able to take whatever smoking breaks they want in this country, and that smacks of inequality to me. My husband doesn’t agree (not a smoker) as he thinks smokers would be less productive if they were denied smoking breaks. I just say “Tough!”

Smell!

I agree but it's legal to smoke so as an employer it would be discriminatory to refuse to employ them as long as they smoke off the premises in their scheduled breaks. I hate smoking too, but until it's banned we have freedoms that employers cannot curtail

I think they should at least change clothes

I used to see my nursery's workers smoking, then I caught a whiff on DS and complained. Tbf the manager was mortified and said she would sort it. Haven't caught a whiff since. Super annoying as i used to make DH change clothes if he had been smoking and wanted to hold DS.

Yes i know im "that" parent

Most nurseries should have a policy of no smoking on nursery premises, including the car park. Staff also shouldn't be allowed to smoke in their uniforms. This isn't that law but just best practice. Unfortunately if the nursery manager is also a smoker, their unlikely to enforce a smoke-free policy.

I was a childminder for years & we had a nursery nurse course at nearby college they use to do job experience with us - we were told by the tutors that the students were not allowed to smoke during the day when working (fine with me we were a non smoking household) the tutor stated that the poisons from smoking lingered for an hour or more. Cigarettes contain vasoconstrictors - so for asthmatics (etc) & very young dc/babies these chemicals linger on their clothes - if you want to look after children professionally you need to consider this.

If they are working with children under 6 months, smoke on their clothes/hair/skin increases the risk of SIDS. They should change or cover with a big coat and wash hands etc. Current advice is not to hold babies for at least half an hour even if all that has been done.

It’s unprofessional to smoke where they can be seen. They are influencing young children and become a big part of their lives, part of that is being positive role models. Promoting healthy choices etc is part of their training... they should be more discreet and it would put me off.

It would bother me, part of the reason I vetoed a couple of nurseries for ds. The nursery I used to work in had a no smoking in uniform policy and smoking had to be off the school campus that we were on, a good 5 minute walk from the nursery as it happened. The manager also made sure to rota smokers away from the babies and toddlers in the pre school or holiday club where less physical contact was needed and told parents this when asked, the odd couple of smokers we had in too. No one wants their babies coming home smelling of smoke. I believe she also made it a condition of any work experience we had in. It would depend on the nursery and what other provision was avaliable locally if it would stop me sending dc.

Ds' nursery have a similar policy, no smoking in work clothes and would ask anyone who did smoke not to do it in sight of the nursery. More importantly for us the manager makes sure she knows if anyone vapes, telling them why with our permission, and makes sure they have minimal contact with ds. The one lady that does vape has been placed in a different room. We think it is a trigger for his sezuires. She's intervined with visitors too which makes me love her just a little bit more.

I would look for a different nursery TBH. I used to be a Nursery Nurse and the whole area was a No Smoking zone .This is obviously due to the childrens health and well being .But also to ensure a safe working enviroment as fire risks are very prevalent !

That would put me off.

It would put me off.

I always thought I was not judgy about smokers, having been one myself many years ago. I was always a 'live and let live' kind of person until my mum was dying in hospital.
I was holding her hand when two nurses came back on duty and came to turn her, both stunk of cigarettes and it just seemed so disrespectful. Harsh, I know, but it was horrible.

Also an ex smoker here. I would find a different nursery. I can’t stand the smell anymore and also don’t want my dc to be subjected to second hand smoke. Nursery staff are a lot more hands on than teachers. They pick up, cuddle, put kids on their lap. I wouldn’t want someone who’s just had a cigarette doing that to my child

I would love to be cool and okay with it but I wouldn’t be leaving my DC there

It’s terrible. Esp as some children will have breathing problems. Children who have asthma, viral induced wheeze, or any other respiratory problem should not be anywhere near a smoker. Even if they smoke outside the irritants remain on them, on their clothes/hair etc and these cause respiratory problems for children who are susceptible.

[Post edited by MNHQ at posters request]

I would have a problem with this. I wouldn’t be sending my child there.