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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want my toddler to wear shoes at nursery?

79 replies

halfthedream · 27/01/2022 19:21

This really bothers me. She gets home at the end of the day and her little feet and socks are all clammy.

As a family we don't wear shoes in the house. At work, when I'm in the office (very small team, casual dress code) I always kick my shoes off under my desk.

I know plenty of people wear shoes all day long but small kids' feet are still soft and growing and don't need to be squished in shoes for most of the day (and she's at nursery full time). I've also seen that badly fitted shoes can hinder children's foot development and it's not really possible to know whether a 2 year old's shoes are perfectly fitting or not.

Is it just me or does this bother others too??

Nursery won't allow her to be in just socks, so I'm looking for options really of any alternative soft/breathable indoor footwear options I can take to nursery for her and leave there. I've had a quick look at those 'barefoot' type shoes but they are of course very expensive.

OP posts:
DockOTheBay · 27/01/2022 19:55

Inch Blue shoes are super cute, barefoot and not that expensive (around £20)

If you buy them from Babipur, code BUDDY gets 10% off

LighthouseLass · 27/01/2022 19:55

The Happy Little Soles website has a great range of zero drop first shoes. They can be very expensive, but I always buy in the sales in the size up from where we currently are.

TwoleftUggs · 27/01/2022 19:56

Check out inchblue shoes, they are so soft and comfortable indoor shoes/slippers for babies, toddlers and up to approx age 6. This is what my dc wore in nursery, I would not have wanted them in outdoor/rigid shoes all day long either.

Original poster
halfthedream · 27/01/2022 19:58

Wow thanks for all the replies and suggestions everyone!

RE slippers for those who suggested : I didn't want open back slippers as she's only ever ever worn closed shoes/sandals or barefoot. I didn't want closer slippers as they tend to be warmer/non breathable.

It's interesting to see what the different policies are at different nurseries. Her's isn't free-flow indoor/outdoor but I do understand hazards on the floor etc.

Will have a look through the options, thanks x

OP posts:
MeredithGreyishblue · 27/01/2022 19:58

My 9 year old's feet are always clammy too, after a day at school. I don't think it's a reason not to wear any shoes

canarycages · 27/01/2022 19:58

Poco Nido? They're barefoot type shoes, and some are on sale right now, so not crazy expensive. DS1 lived in them at that age.

Hugasauras · 27/01/2022 20:00

DD just wears the cupsole slippers from Next and never noticed clammy feet or anything.

liveforsummer · 27/01/2022 20:01

Check out bobux also. We had some lovely little sheepskin boots when dd was younger that she could pull on herself but there are loads of options. My auntie bought them for her in New Zealand but I believe there are more widely available in the uk now with more variety

mynameiscalypso · 27/01/2022 20:02

@MeredithGreyishblue

My 9 year old's feet are always clammy too, after a day at school. I don't think it's a reason not to wear any shoes
Yeah, this is the same for my DS. He's just a bit sweaty (as am I). I've never seen it as something to be concerned about.
Poppins2016 · 27/01/2022 20:07

Would socks and sandals work? (How very British 🤣)

Our nursery doesn't allow shoes indoors (for staff or children), they are given a choice between socks or slippers, because it's safer in case of accidents/little people treading on each other...

Laurelon · 27/01/2022 20:12

@halfthedream these: www.dottyfish.com/product/shop-all-girls/burgundy-t-bar/ are really good. Dottyfish shoes are podiatry tested, so won't wreck your little one's feet, and the holes at the front of this particular pair should reduce sweating

Pixies74 · 27/01/2022 20:14

The trouble is that most nurseries nowadays are free-flow with outside (indeed this is considered good practice for EYFS) so if staff were constantly having to help children put their shoes on and off, they'd never have chance to do anything else!

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 27/01/2022 20:17

Mine has to wear outdoor shoes all day at nursery as it’s free flow to outside (which is why I chose the nursery). We just go with the softest soled shoes we can find, and he has shoes off at home.

Vispa · 27/01/2022 20:20

Try Living Kitzbuhel kids slippers. My dd lived in them for years and years. They are felted wool with rubber grips so completely breathable but very unrestrictive. If you search on Amazon some sizes/styles are very cheap.

LemonLimelight · 27/01/2022 20:22

I get where you're coming from my DD started nursery at 9 months old and they insisted she had to wear shoes all day. I live barefoot at home so felt so sad for her little feet. I bought these: Baby Shoes with Soft Sole - Baby Girl Shoes - Baby Boy Shoes - Leather Toddler Shoes - Baby Walking Shoes amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YVF1CSB/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_97YNS0N8GYB2G096GDNG?psc=1]] which were perfect. Then I moved on to bobux and I 2nd the 'happy little soles' website although barefoot shoes are more expensive they do a lot of sales and offers and their loyalty scheme gives money off too (don't work there we just buy a lot of barefoot shoes!)

Minniem2020 · 27/01/2022 20:26

Im the same as you op but thankfully our nursery didn't mind if they wanted to just be in socks all day. The 1st thing we do when we get home is take our shoes off so DS did the same at nursery. However now he has moved to the school nursery the rules are different and I was actually spoken to by the teacher about DS always wanting his shoes off

SephrinaX · 27/01/2022 20:26

I second the Dotty Fish suggestion almost identical to them are Juicy Bumbles.

MamaNeedsTea · 27/01/2022 20:26

Vivo

They are pricey (£65ish) but they're like being barefoot.

Our DS wore them as a toddler. Breathable & soft.

We found them to be worth the price tag.

diddl · 27/01/2022 20:28

Ours wore slippers in kindergarten & then primary school-so 3-10!

cate16 · 27/01/2022 20:29

I worked in a nursery that allowed barefoot, then one day we had a bomb scare - loads of children barefoot outside in cold weather have had to evacuate to a safe distance. I was a nightmare.

Lockdownbear · 27/01/2022 20:37

@cate16

I worked in a nursery that allowed barefoot, then one day we had a bomb scare - loads of children barefoot outside in cold weather have had to evacuate to a safe distance. I was a nightmare.
Bomb scare is a tad extreme.

But for those reasons more fire related than a bomb scare the nurseries i used all insisted on slippers, or indoors schools rather than just socks which aren't good if they need to get kids out quickly. One had a baby room with a big fold up trolly that could quickly be opened and loaded up with babies

Kite22 · 27/01/2022 20:42

The thing is, she's not sitting at a desk. She's running around a crowded space with lots of other people stomping about, Lego bricks and other hazards, possibly free access to the outdoors

This

I've also seen that badly fitted shoes can hinder children's foot development and it's not really possible to know whether a 2 year old's shoes are perfectly fitting or not.

Of course it it. It is important to get shoes fitted, and then checked every few weeks. Yes, badly fitted shoes are not good, so get them fitted.

CorneliusBeefington · 27/01/2022 20:42

Toddler moccasins

Something like this might do? My DS wore them as a baby/toddler.

To not want my toddler to wear shoes at nursery?
MananaTomorrow · 27/01/2022 20:52

Honestly?
There isn’t a lot of places where taking your shoes off at work is ok.
Most people keep their shoes on all day long.
As soon as your dc will go to nursery/school, they will be asked to keep their shoes on all day.

It is OK. Seriously.

Muststopeating · 27/01/2022 20:54

Someone up thread recommended happy little soles.

I had never heard of them but saw them on MN. They specialise in 'bare foot' shoes.

They also have a lot of information on their website as to why barefoot is best. Perhaps you could share with the nursery (though I suspect you'll be banging your head against an insurance/HSE brick wall).