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?

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.

YABU simply as people are free to smoke should they wish to, and if the business has no ban on it in work hours, whilst on their break, then they should be fine to do so. I'd imagine they have to go off site and not be seen by the children.

However, as a non smoker who hates the smell I wouldn't have been happy particularly myself, and would have considered an alternative if there was one.

Hopefully these people will cover their inside work clothes and wash their hands afterwards. It doesn't remove the smell though so can definitely understand your concerns. I'd not be happy if they were allowed to smoke in view of the small children either.

Childcare professionals are quite likely to be in the 25-34 age bracket, which is, I think, the heaviest smoking demographic. I wouldn’t like it either but I think it is going to happen whether I like it or not.

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. Evidence free bollocks. Non smokers will be covered in air pollution irritants etc. but these apparently are not an issue.

Actually it’s not bollocks. It’s the official advice from the respiratory unit of the major paediatric hospital here.

And evidence based

There’s a link to SIDS for babies who are so much as held by someone who has recently smoked so nursery workers should not smoke at work at all imo. Nobody wants someone stenching of smoke holding their DC.

I work in a nursery. I've never smoked but a few of my colleagues do. We are not paid for our breaks so can't really be told what to do! (Within reason of course!) Anyway, they have to change their top, they have a designated area to go to that's not too close to the building, they obviously have to wash their hands afterwards and most of them use a body spray. I've never noticed any of them smelling of smoke.

I do get where you are coming from- I can't stand the smell of smoke!

Is 25-34 really the heaviest smoking demographic? I'm surprised by that

I think so.

The SIDS link is true also. Even smoking outside and not near the baby increases the risk of SIDS.

I guess it's yet another case of anecdata not matching actual data. I'm in this bracket and I only have one peer in my social circle who smokes

I'm surprised she's allowed to smoke in her uniform. Every nursery I've worked in has it stated in your contract that you do not smoke whilst wearing your uniform or anywhere on site.

I would be put off by this .

It would be very interesting to see how many people thought their children were coming home smelling of smoke if they hadn't seen any of the staff smoking. I understand where you are coming from and get why it is giving you 2nd thoughts but I also suspect there may well be a fair number of nursery workers who smoke and because parents haven't seen them they are none the wiser.

I'd never put my DS in a nursery that had workers smelling like cigarettes. Absolutely foul.

I would definitely be put off by this. I would hate my child having to be close to smell of smoke as it really can be overpowering.

It would put me off but at same time I don't think you will find a nursery without any of the staff smoking. Staff can do whatever they want in breaks and nursery staff are probably paid a pittance for the job they do. If it really bothers you though I'd find another nursery.

Do they also drive a diesel car? Personally, I hated mums who drove them coming into my home with their children on play dates. Most of the teachers drove diesel as well.

Diesel particles are more injurious to the lungs than second hand smoke particles.

Do you know that whilst working in a care home the one person who didn't smoke never used gloves either. And she was incredibly judgemental.

I'm sure the breaks are few and far between. If you want perfect care for your child then get a nanny. You pay what you get for these days.

We’d be sacked for smoking in our uniforms!

Carcinogens cling to clothes and are dangerous. Not to mention the smell! Or bad example!

Pollen clings to clothes as well.

Visitors in hospitals stay in their car now and smoke. They arrive into wards, smelling of smoke with the carcinogens dripping off them.

If you want a perfect environment for your child then seal your windows, never let them out and certainly don't have play dates. That posh woman you know and want to befriend probably smokes outside.

When I used to work in a nursery (and was young,silly and ignorant) we all used to do it but it horrifies me now that i did! It was recommended we wear something to cover our clothes at one point I think, but it still gets on hair/breath/hands etc.IMO it should not be allowed during work shifts full stop.Same with carers and NHS staff.Smokers are given way too much freedom than they should be in the workplace!

Probably easier to find non-smoker childminders over nurseries as there's staff turnover at nurseries.

I think the whole second or even third hand smoke thing, has gone a bit far (non smoker before anyone jumps on). Nursery staff are paid min wage and likely not paid for breaks. Why does their employer get to dictate what they do on break, provided it's not illegal, considering it isn't paid.

I agree smelling of smoke is yuck. I agree that sitting in a pub for eg full of smokers, a non smokers clothes would smell. I agree that a baby in that environment would not not be great. But I doubt nursery staff go right back after their fag and start handling toddlers. I'm sure they take their coat off, wash hands, brush teeth, spray perfume, etc ,- so the smell won't really be lingering. Especially if they do it right away before stale smoke is created. And I seriously doubt that s child who is held for 10mins, a fair while after their fag, and after all those measures, is going to breathe in enough smoke to cause them asthma for life 🙄 for goodness sake as recently as 20yrs ago smoking was commonplace in pubs etc and I don't think most of the adult population know coughs their lungs up on a daily basis!

Realistically, how long are they in nursery for? I doubt they're being held by that particular worker the entire time. It's also not as though they're in a smoke filled room for hours. They're in the company or many adults, some of whom have been smoking. Much the same as in real life. You can't control your children's friends parents smoking habits.