Would be happy with this message regarding bump to head

[mammamummym]

Just received this from our childminder. Do you think it's a suitable response to a bumped head?

Hi. Pedro has tripped and bumped his head on the bookcase. He’s got a right little mark. He’s fine and I’ll keep an extra eye on him but obviously with it being a head bump I needed to let you know xx

Seems fine to me!

I suppose now as thinking any head injury should be checked out. Thanks all

Absolutely shocking. See if you can get the childminder sacked for gross negligence and incompetence.

It’s a courtesy message to let you know he has bumped his head but not serious. What were you expecting? The tone of the message is friendly rather than an incident report but I most certainly would not be questioning her capabilities or professionalism based on that.

I mean this kindly, but you're going to spend a hell of a lot of time in A&E if you think every head injury needs to be checked out.

Yes, every head injury, no matter how minor, should be checked out at A&E. We get an X-ray and/or MRI scan for every bump to our DC. Best to be safe rather than sorry!

But you hardly bring them to the GP for every bumped head in your care? 99% of head bumps require treatment via cuddles and distraction. The child minder should have first aid training to spot the 1%.

I get texts like this on a weekly basis still and my DS is in YR1 now. I'm more shocked if I don't get one 🤣

mammamummym · Today 10:31

I suppose now as thinking any head injury should be checked out. Thanks”

I think so too but that’s down to you, not your childminder.

I hope this is a joke. No wonder the NHS is on its knees if not.

This is a useful guide OP.

https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/docs/default-source/luton-children's-rapid-response-advice-sheets/head-injury-advice-sheet-v2.pdf?sfvrsn=4

How old is Pedro?

You will spend most of your life in A&E if you go for every head bump.

Bumps and scrapes need keeping an eye on. Suspected concussion /Loss of consciousness / Changes in behaviour / sleepy etc all need medical attention but just a bruise- no.

I think childcare settings and school have to report every head injury. I once got a head injury form from my ds school because a child sitting next to him had removed their glasses and the arm of the glasses poked my ds on the cheek!

If I’d taken DS2 to be checked for every bump to the head he’s had we’d never leave! In fact the only time I did take him to a&e was when he fell, banged his head so hard his eyes rolled and he vomited. For the most part, it’s just a matter of keeping an eye on them, apply a compress or whatever.

OP, it seems that you are very worried and it is understandable.

from my experience (very active children):

a head bump, no bleeding / need of stiches.

you can check on the NHS website when you need to visit the A&E. from memory, it is when they are passing out, acting confused or vomiting TWICE (not once).

even then, it is usually fine - but any of those needs to be checked out. They may scan if the child vomits three times or more.

Wait till he's at school, you will get a slip in his book bag not a message. Although they are supposed to tell you at pickup but didn't always happen.

No not all head bumps need to be checked out (we'd be sending multiple children to the doctors every day if this was the case). Just a cold compresses and kept an eye on. I'm first aider at school and we will ask questions like do you feel sick or dizzy (easier with older children I know). But would only call parents if there seemed to be an ongoing issue.

There is absolutely no way a&e would even suggest an xray (what would an xray show for a head injury anyway???) Or mri for every bump.

10 years ago or so, before the nhs was in the state it is in now, a&e didn't even scan my dd after vomiting and falling asleep from a head bump that caused a lump the size of a satsuma! 1 instance of vomiting isn't a concern (although tbh I'd probably still get checked after 1 vomit from a head bump).

Nice to know my common sense has served me, and the poor nhs, well when my little one has had a minor bump and I’ve just kept an eye on her.

PP was being sarcastic.

Sounds like a reasonable message, though if I was the childminder and there was a visible mark/bump from the bump on the head I'd send a picture of it in the message so the parent can decide if they want to pick their child up early based on that

Not really no.

Can't believe I missed that 🤦‍♀️

I've now spotted that the 'get the fired' poster and a&e poster are the same, makes sense.

There was a thing about 20yrs ago the EVERY head bump/injury needed medical attention but it's just not practical,there is virtually no test or check you can do to predict concussion or similar and you would be having ct scans weekly.
It's more important to pay attention to changes in the child/person.
You may not see every head bump, you may see the fall but not realise there was a head bump, you can get concussion from a jolt landing on you arm or shoulder. I had an adult friend who got meningitis after a bang on his nose.

@DuckDuckGoose23 that’s so cute ! Bless him looking at the butterfly. I miss those days with little ones. Not the injuries obviously!

Especially given the current emphasis on concussion I can see why a parent might think every bump should be checked. The guidance another poster shared is a good guide. If you are ever unsure 111 is another option.

In this case childminder is obviously aware extra vigilance is required for a bit. This is often why we ask parents to collect, not because child needs A & E but because they need an adult carefully monitoring them. Which is hard in a nursery but easier for a childminder.