Nursery staff smoking

[Rosebel]

A new member of staff has started at my son's nursery. She's not his key worker but does work in his room.
I have only spoken to her twice at pick up time as I usually see his key worker. Both times the smell of cigarette smoke was really strong.
I have worked in nurseries and the staff who smoked were expected to wash their hands and face, clean their teeth and change their tops after smoking. I appreciate that won't be the case everywhere.
Today I noticed my son's clothes had a slightly smoky smell and I'm really not happy. No one in either my or my husbands family smoke and nor do we so only one place the smell has come from.
I don't want to lose this woman her job or get her in trouble but my husband is angrier about it than me and wants me to speak to the manager. He can't do it as I do all the pick ups as I finish earlier.
I understand his feelings as I do feel the same but nursery work is hard and the staff are allowed to smoke if they want to but the smell lingers.
I'm not sure if I should or should just accept that some people smoke and put up with it.
YABU don't say anything. She can smoke if she wants
YANBU have a word with the manager (or the woman herself?)

I think the bigger part of this is that your husband wants you to complain. It isn't hard to write an email. Why is it often left to women? Get him to do it op.

It’s not really your place to be worrying about her losing her job. She’s a childcare professional and if she is behaving in a way that can cause harm to the children in her care then any consequences from that really aren’t your fault.

I would just send an email to the nursery management saying your child is coming home smelling strongly of smoke and that you’re understandably not happy with him being exposed to smoke in this way.

Or your DH can send it. You can send emails 24 hours per day. Doesn’t matter if he does pickup or not.

Totally unacceptable I’d be complaining until it’s sorted. Smoking during work ours in a childcare setting should not be allowed. Too risky. Staff addiction should not take priority over child safety

Hours*

@Findahouse21

I'd start by asking what their policy around staff smoking is and go from there. If you don't think she's adhering to the policy then you can challenge it, if the policy is too wishy washy/non-existent then challenge that

Agree with this.

I would definitely complain. And I'd move him if they don't do anything about it

Unfortunately, this may end up being an “argument” about third-hand smoke again (the theory that dangerous chemicals from smoking can stick to fabrics and to people after they’ve smoked). And the answer is yes, it’s real, yes, it’s dangerous, yes, it’s been studied, and yes, we have definitive proof, as of 2020: news.yale.edu/2020/03/04/third-hand-smoke-no-joke-can-convey-hazardous-chemicals

So no, you should never smoke and then directly hold a baby.

My nurseries policy is no smoking on site.
So nothing stopping them going out on dinner and having one but I agree they should change clothes etc.
I would find out your policy, ask manager what happens in regards to her staff smoking, then challenge it, i would most definitely complain.

Not sure about your nursery but we have an app with all the policies etc on there so you may be able to find out before hand, or their website

I'd have less of an issue if she was brushing her teeth /washing hands/changing her top but I don't think she is as the smell is quite strong
Then I noticed his clothes also smelling of smoke and that was when I became more concerned.
Yes I know I leave my baby with strangers and believe me if I had the choice I'd be staying home with him but bills need paying. However like I said there are things she can do to lessen the smoke transfer and I'd prefer she wasn't breathing smoke over my son.
I can't remember the smoking policy at nursery so I'll have a look on the website and if it's not there I'll ask today.

@Slimmingstar

When you joined you would have had the opportunity to read through all their policies (including smoking) and accept them. When I worked in a nursery there were staff that smoked and you could smell it on their clothes. Also a staff member with a medical condition that meant she had a horrendous BO smell like fish/eggs and old sweat. It would fill a room and transferred to the children’s clothes. She worked in the baby room.

Parents complained, but there was nothing to be done. This is what happens when you hand your child to strangers to care for them. You could vote with your feet………

Oh bore off. 🙄

I think you should complain but since you know other staff smoke and don't know that it's specifically this member of staff I would make a broad complaint or a general enquiry as @Findahouse21 said.

"I've noticed A has come home smelling of cigarette smoke and would like to ask what the policy is regarding staff smoking while as work as I am concerned about the risk of second/third hand smoke."

No need for the nursery worker in question to be implicated/lose her job ... and to be fair to the girl, as you said she has limited children contact (not sure what her actual role is) it may well be someone else.

I don't know if other staff members smoke. The staff I was referring to with regards to changing clothes etc was ar a nursery where I used to work, not the one DS goes to.
She does work with the children. She's a key worker in the baby room but not my child's key worker if that makes sense.
I haven't smelt smoke on anyone else so even making a general enquiry could make it obvious who I'm talking about and that's why I'm hesitating.

I wouldn’t hesitate op, they’ll put stuff in place (hopefully)