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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DD fell down at nursery and they didn't call me

70 replies

Rudens · 08/03/2023 20:41

DD (3) has been going to a nursery for 1 year and we haven't had any problems. She's a very cautious toddler and only gets a few bruises during summer when playing outside. She's only had a papercut once at nursery and we had to sign an accident form. I was running late from work today and DH picked DD up today.He picked her up just before closing and the key worker said she's had a fall. They said it was while she was walking down from the stairs and happed on the last 2 steps. She has a big bump on her head and a big bruise that was bleeding below her nose, also she had a nosebleed shortly after. DH was too shocked to ask questions so no idea exactly when it happened but probably just before lunch as DD wasn't eating lunch afterwards and tea either. We're at minor injury unit now to get her checked over. I want to talk to nursery manager tomorrow as I'm really upset that no one called me after it happened. Like I said, she's never been injured like this before and I'm not sure if I'm overreacting or not, but shouldn't nursery call parents when something like this happens? I feel like I can't trust them after this and will just keep wondering at work whether she's ok or not.

OP posts:
CatSpeakForDummies · 08/03/2023 21:20

I'd see what they say tomorrow, it might have only just happened when your DH arrived, so they wouldn't have done the paperwork or seen a need to call (as they knew you'd be there v soon). They might have an accident form to fill in tomorrow.

I'm sure they'd have talked to you if you phoned to ask when it happened, why did you choose A&E as a first reaction?

It was obviously your first bump, when you are feeling clearer headed you and DH should talk through what to do for different medical issues, rather than jumping to the extreme.

sjnzimsm · 08/03/2023 21:21

Yes they should have called and it would be in their policy that they would have to call a parent due to a head bump plus monitoring the child etc. I hope your DD is okay!

Freddiefox · 08/03/2023 21:24

An accident form is a legal requirement, they don’t have to call you, although any good nursery would.
id be asking for their accident policy.. it might be on the website and see what the procedure is there, and if they have gone against it.

maybein2022 · 08/03/2023 21:26

Have worked in nurseries in the past.

This is in NO way acceptable. They should have:

called you
completed and got you to sign an accident form
they should have been doing regular checks following a head bump which should also have been recorded, until you picked her up

Complain, strongly. This is not ok. Really hope she’s ok.

maybein2022 · 08/03/2023 21:28

@CatSpeakForDummies re giving her a form tomorrow if it had only just happened, we were trained never to do this as something could happen at home that parents could pass of as happening in the incident at nursery (OP obviously not saying this would) or that things would be misremembered. I wrote many accident forms at 6.30 pm even if parents were trying to say don’t bother!

2chocolateoranges · 08/03/2023 21:28

I work in early years and a phone call home happens for any injury above the neck, so all face and head injuries get phoned home, you should also have signed an accident for when your daughter was collected.

definitely speak to the manager tomorrow, did the accident just occur or had it happened much earlier in the day?

Aquamarine1029 · 08/03/2023 21:30

I wouldn't be sending my child back to this nursery. Their judgment is appalling.

ToLongToCharge · 08/03/2023 21:35

I worked in nurseries for many years and have had dealings with ofsted for years…

You should of 100% been called

She fell down 2 steps, not only has she got a head injury, but a cut, a bump and a bruise and hasnt eaten anything since so has been completely out of sorts!

This is serious and needs reporting to the manager and Ofsted first thing in the morning

Prescottdanni123 · 08/03/2023 21:36

I work in a senior school and we always inform parents, and often send them home when there is a head bump. And this is teenagers. Nursery should definitely have called and completed an accident form.

Sugargliderwombat · 08/03/2023 21:38

Although head bumps ate common it would really worry me that noone thought to call...I wonder if they have some new (not very good) staff ?

Nedmund · 08/03/2023 21:51

Yes, with a big bump you should have been called and given the option of taking her to be checked over, even if they did their checks and felt she was fine.

If she's off her food and not herself, I'd absolutely get her checked out.

Original poster
Rudens · 08/03/2023 21:51

Sorry, we just saw a doctor at minor injuries unit. She said it looks like it's a minor concussion. Now we're going home and just have to keep an eye on her tonight.
We first went to walk in clinic, but they said they don't see any injuries at this centre and when I explained what had happened they said to go to minor injuries unit. I also checked on nhs website and it said to go to A&E if there's a headache after a head injury in a child hnder 5. GP was also shocked that we didn't get a phone call.

OP posts:
Carrotpuree · 08/03/2023 21:53

Our son had a nasty cut next to his eye at nursery requiring stitches , they did fill in an accident form but it was so vague about how or where (inside, outside, near paint, sand, gravel?) the only thing the A&E Doctor said it advised of value was his name. We moved him to a different nursery a few months later as I just had no trust for his safety.
Any injury to the head requires an accident form and a call to you, especially so if there’s been a change in behaviour, but really this should be in an SOP. Toddlers can’t speak for themselves so it’s on the nursery to communicate. Given the amount of bumps and falls small kids have, as a nursery manager I would be fastidious about documenting every incident and how it was managed / communicated to prevent litigation.
Raise when you drop her off tomorrow with the manager.

Original poster
Rudens · 08/03/2023 21:54

It definitely happened before lunch, probably around 11 or 12 when they go outside usually because she didn't have lunch. So I only found out after 6 hours. I will definitely speak to the nursery manager tomorrow and see where we go from there. I know bumps and bruises happen, but I definitely should be informed

OP posts:
Mammyloveswine · 08/03/2023 21:59

It's policy in my school that any head injury is a text home but I always phone if broken skin/ visible bump!!

I would be raising merry hell op!!!

Hope your lo is ok Flowers

Doveyouknow · 08/03/2023 22:03

Our nursery would've called for a head bump. I am not really sure why though if they are happy to keep them at nursery. They always told us at handover. The school they are at now sends a text but obviously they don't do a handover so letting parents know is more important.

PollyPut · 08/03/2023 22:11

You're not over-reacting - they should have called.

Original poster
Rudens · 08/03/2023 22:13

Just found their policy on accidents. It even has a section on head injuries and it says if a head injury occurs, the parent will get a phone call and will be asked if they want to collect their child. So they definitely failed their own policy. Also the handover was done by the room leader and her key worker who's been with the nursery for more than 10 years, and the accident was witnessed by another staff member who's been there for 5+ years. Not sure what happened today

OP posts:
Scarfywarfy · 09/03/2023 09:02

Good luck today. Hope she's OK. I had concussion a few years ago and it made me quite tearful, bless her x

Yoshithegreen · 09/03/2023 09:04

My DC had a bump on their head and they rang to tell me. Said he was fine but wanted to pre warn me before I turned up as it’s bruised etc.

Rocked up and I couldn’t even see this bruise but had an accident form to sign and they called me right away after it happening.

They should have called and you should have paperwork to sign for the accident

user567543 · 09/03/2023 09:15

It’s a bad sign that they can’t follow their own policy on head injuries. And you know if they’d phoned you could’ve got her earlier and she could have chilled out at home.

Original poster
Rudens · 09/03/2023 13:57

I went to see the managers today. At first I could tell they were thinking I'm overreacting. They said they would only call parents if it was a serious head injury and the child was feeling unwell afterwards. My DD wasn't complaining of pain and was playing afterwards so they thought she was well. When I mentioned she wasn't eating after the meal- why didn't they call me then. They said kids can be picky with food. She always eats her lunch and tea, and even has seconds so that should tell them something was wrong.
They did seem concerned when I mentioned she had a concussion. They promised to talk to all staff and inform me straight away if any other injuries happen in the future.
Their own policy clearly states that I should have been informed. What should I do next? Is it enough to inform Ofsted?

OP posts:
Scarfywarfy · 09/03/2023 14:46

Well it sounds like they were more interested in defending themselves than the wellbeing of your daughter. They didn't follow their own policy and your DD now has concussion.

I'd be off in a flash! x

ToLongToCharge · 09/03/2023 15:19

Inform Ofsted

I would personally take my child out

OhNoitsHappenedAgain · 09/03/2023 15:25

A similar thing happened, my child came home with bruises across head, nothing had been said on door, no form. I think it is because they're understaffed, underpaid and didn't notice! The bruises were minor but it is unusual for them.nor to do an incident form, I think standards have slipped, and working conditions worsened since my older dc attended.

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