To ask nursery to do this?

[Nurserypainting]

Whenever my child paints at nursery his clothes come home absolutely covered in paint, understandably as he's only little!

But it never washes off so it basically ruins those clothes. He does have cheap nursery clothes but it still adds up when I have to replace those because they are getting paint over them at least once a week.

I'm thinking of putting some of these paint covered ones (washed and clean obviously but still stained) into his bag and asking nursery if they are painting can they change him into those first.

Is that reasonable? I know they are really busy but I can't keep replacing clothes because of paint. Is there not some sort of washable paint they can use?!

I agree with using cold water to get the paint out. Soak it first, and then wash. Any heat will set the paint.

They should be wearing aprons - as far as I’m concerned part of the learning is learning to use protective equipment. My kids nursery had them drilling and hammering so they had to wear eye goggles. Cooking they had to wash their hands first. Riding bikes they wear helmets. Getting staff to help child and out of a complete outfit to paint is unreasonable but helping them put aprons on is no different to helping them put a coat on to go outside.

OP if you want to question them on anything I'd ask about the paint. It should be washable, there are lots of options out there that are. I don't think that's unreasonable.

This. Nursery clothes are rough clothes.

Not even putting aprons on sounds v lazy to me.

Do you mean putting them out? Nobody is going to be putting them on the children. They would be doing that by themselves.

It's not laziness, it's a theory. A conscious decision has been made not to use aprons. As has already been explained on the thread.

My sun never comes home in stained clothes. I think our childminder is very clean and careful though. I know they do lots of painting though.

My kids nursery had them drilling and hammering so they had to wear eye goggles

Its not entirely analogous though is it? Health and safety rather than keeping clothes clean.

Buy an apron for him and customise with his fave stickers. Send it in for him to use.

Sorry but they don’t need to get their clothes covered to have fun.

an apron is not a big deal - I don’t see why a nursery wouldn’t use it. Frankly if they don’t have the staff to put an apron on a child before painting - then I would be worried.

clothes shouldn’t just be collateral damage here! I would talk to the nursery staff about it!

I would hate this. My son never comes home "covered" in paint because they use aprons and his usual shoes don't get ruined because he has indoor nursery shoes. I would be talking to nursery to find out why they aren't using aprons and suggest kids having nursery shoes (which would model what they'll do in primary anyway so good to learn). I would also feedback to them that the paint doesn't come out just to be sure that they're aware - it might motivate them to use aprons!
I think teaching children about looking after your things, clothes included, is just as important as teaching them to paint.

if I have an issue I don't think it's terribly unreasonable to mention it

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to mention issues either, OP!

I guess as some PP have said under 2s don’t have the attention span for long activities then it does depend on your DS’s age - by 3+ preschoolers all use aprons or coverups, in my experience, but not sure about under that age. I can see it would be a faff for the workers.

I’d definitely ask about washable paint too!

At the least, if you mention it then they can reassure you they prefer to see the kids in their clean paint-stained stuff!

TheKeatingFive · Today 08:21
What are they gaining or learning from this?

Youre asking what are they learning from painting? Don't you know that? A quick google will inform.

Surely you could share a few pointers as you were claiming they were learning such a lot!

an apron is not a big deal - I don’t see why a nursery wouldn’t use it. Frankly if they don’t have the staff to put an apron on a child before painting - then I would be worried.

Its been explained quite a few times why a decision not to use aprons might be taken. Have another read of the thread.

I think you get used to stains especially once you have more than one. Paint isn’t normally so bad so not sure what they’re using if it’s not coming off at all. Worst I’ve found is whiteboard markers on school uniform. Most of the kids in my daughter’s year seem to have some marks on some items.

Surely you could share a few pointers as you were claiming they were learning such a lot!

Sure. Off the top of my head

Artistic expression
Colours
Fine motor skills
Turn taking.
Language development

But you didn't really need me to make list now did you? Surely?

DS's nursery used to let him literally roll in paint (in big trays outside). Pissed me off as it aggravated his eczema and stained his white blond hair. They only agreed to prevent it after he had a huge eczema flare after he'd stayed in a paint soaked outfit all morning (they also wouldn't make children change if they were resistant - ND DS has always hated changing clothes...).

Paint is fun, but the levels of mess some nurseries allow is ridiculous. Doubt they'd be willing to change him though.

This would annoy me. At my dcs nursery they always put aprons on them- I honestly don’t remember them ever coming home with lots of stains. Possibly a small
one here and there.

Yes nursery clothes are play clothes but……

They should be using aprons.

They should be using poster paints that wash out.

I prefer a nursery which shoes off policy
indoors. Barefoot is fine and if there was an evacuation then going outdoors on that rare occasion is hardly awful. Shoes in a bucket by the door if needed. Teaches the kids to put them on for outdoor play.

No it’s not a lesson for toddlers, it’s a lesson for those with responsibility for toddlers. It’s not really about keeping clean as such as most mess washes out. It’s more about not causing permanent stains to everyday clothes. These days there must be so many washable paint products, I’m surprised a nursery doesn’t use them.

And I for one completely disagree with that decision (which seems to boil down to “it’s harder work”) and if it was my child’s nursery I’d be raising it with staff. If helping them in and out of aprons is so difficult, keep the apron on all session. I have never minded accidental damage to my child’s clothing but I do mind him being effectively taught it’s ok to sit and paint yourself/wantonly destroy your stuff in the name of self expression.

I always put aprons on my children to save their clothes!

How about buying an oversized shirt and putting that in the bag. It will take no time atall to put that on and maybe make them re think their approach with painting. Fees are expensive ontop of everything else, so don't feel funny in just mentioning it.

These days there must be so many washable paint products, I’m surprised a nursery doesn’t use them

As already stated I do agree with that and think that should be the angle the OP takes if she chooses to raise it with them.

I would definitely ask for him to be changed or to wear an apron.
Aprons for messy play are standard at most nurseries I've been to - even my stay & play has them.
Really don't understand the people saying 'nursery doesn't have time/don't be 'that' parent' - it's not a difficult or outlandish request.

OP has never seen her child in an apron. Nursery is either understaffed or can’t be bothered. You will still get some stains but aprons do a pretty good job.

@Nurserypainting

have you tried hand washing the paint out in tepid water, then soaking in vanish in a lidded bucket, it open bucket in the sink, before putting on a tepid/cold wash.

a warm/hot wash will
often 'set' a stain.

I would ask then if they have set painting days or if you provided it would they put an apron on.

however, I thought they all had to go along with this free play crap so they can wander in & out to play & do painting/craft when they want to, rather than as a set activity? Do not really easy to put an apron on in time!

nor currently got one in nursery so not sure what the 'current' thing is.

bloody annoying to get huge stains on clothes though, like you say, everything else pretty much washes out & small paint stain 'fine' but looking like you've sat in a mound of horse muck, not so much!! Although, I suppose even an apron wouldn't have helped that one much!!

id feel like you, not wanting to send him in in massively stained clothes, but you can tell when clothes are clean but paint stained, so we probably need to stop giving a crap what people think!