Nursery painting 2-4 yo nails

[Vanillalatte1]

My 4 year old DS returned from nursery with his nails painted and said it was varnish day at nursery and that the teachers were painting the kids nails. Is this normal? The kids are between 2 - 4 years old. They seem a bit young to me.

No idea whether this is normal or not but I'd be annoyed they did it without my consent!! I wouldn't want my 2-4 year old daughter having her nails painted. Let alone my son.

They should have asked first but it’s not the end of the world - it’s easy enough to take off.

So what?

If you send your child to nursery (or child minders, or school etc) then they will experience things that you wouldn’t think of, or do etc. It’s part of the benefit!

As long as there is no danger to your child, or anything concerning re safe guarding, let them crack on. Bet kids loved it!

ps - @Dacadactyl what would happen if your sons nails were painted? Would he ‘catch’ being gay or something??

As a former early years teacher I'd find it very odd. There's so many things for them to do with the children at that age, painting nails wouldn't even be on my radar and is unlikely to have been something inspired by the children's interests.

Is it child friendly wash off nail varnish?

@FranticHare I said I wouldn't allow my 2-4 Yr old DD to have painted nails. In my opinion, boys don't paint their nails, end of. If when they're old enough they decide to paint their nails, then they can crack on.

I don't think my child doing things that I wouldn't think of is a benefit. If I've not thought of it, I don't see the benefit.

I'm surprised they did it without parental consent. We've had to sign to consent to face paint and sunscreen.

From an allergy, chemical point of view I would not be impressed for any toddler.

I’d not be happy. Little girls (or boys!) don’t paint their nails, it’s too adult.

I don’t paint mine so don’t have remover to take it off.

I wouldn't be happy without the nursery checking with parents/guardians first.

@Dacadactyl
In my opinion, boys don't paint their nails, end of.

End of what?

My DS loved having his nails painted at that age. He'd probably be horrified now if I reminded him of that but he was always begging to have nail varnish on his fingers and toes. It's only a bit of fun. Obviously it's your choice and they should ask first at Nursery I think but the whole 'boys don't paint their nails, end of' thing makes you sound a bit pompous and judgey.

It might have been the stuff designed for toddlers. My DD's friend has this stuff that DD had put on on a play date one time and it just floated off in the bath.

Was it toddler friendly, or proper nail varnish OP?

If my child wanted their nails done at home (boy or girl 🙄🤨) at that age then not such a big deal probably would with some kid friendly stuff not the end of the world. But at nursery without your knowledge / permission, no.

@Gt86 end of as in, not because he might "catch being gay", but because its not the done thing in my opinion. End of is kind of catch all for that.

@Hoglet70 that's OK, you can think I sound pompous and judgey.

So surprised at these answers. I loved the fact my kids got up to all sorts at nursery. Playing in the rain, the messy play with paint and who knows what else. The access to all the toys that most people would not have at home. They came home covered in all sorts!

They also experienced different adults with different thoughts and ideas on what to do with the toddlers.

I’d have been really sad if what they did at Nursery reflected exactly what they did at home. How dull!

Very strange you asked on here if an ott mum ask the nursery if unhappy . My dd and her friends have had nails painted aged 2 onwards...that's boys too....none are interested now aged 7....they gone through that stage. Nails painted were the pick off nail polish....my daughter aged 2-4 would have loved this...less interest nuw aged 7..in fact no interest... Mn is strange re this but in real life all children play act this ...ask real.life other parents op..

The world, apparently.

I'm surprised at these answers too. My ds aged 2 or 3, always wanted his nails painted when I did mine, but he wanted blue or green. It's just a bit of fun.

His dad acted like the act of painting his nails would turn him gay by bed time.🙄

Oh god, I knew the mumsnet pearl clutchers would be all over this when I saw the title!

I wouldn’t be happy either. One of my kids was a massive finger sucker. I know that nail polishes will have been tested but someone who spends lots of time with fingers in their mouth shouldn’t have nail polish on imo.

I agree that permission should have been sort and it wouldn’t surprise me if there had been some complaints.

I'm no pearl clutcher but I genuinely can't think of any reason for 2-4 year olds to have their nails painted in nursery. There's so many more activities which would be more enjoyable, educational or appropriate for them.

My 3 yo boys would LOVE this. My opinion would depend on how easily it came off.

My DS saw me painting my nails when he was 3 and wanted them done too, so I painted them and he was thrilled. It's a harmless bit of fun.

In the realms of face paint or glitter hair spray.