To think it isn’t appropriate (nursery)

[CherryCheery]

For a member of staff to kiss a child (17 months old) on the temple.

it is NOT a childcarers job to be affectionate to other peoples children and I'm deeply concerned by all of the mothers on this thread who are more than happy to have their children kissed by a virtual unvetted stranger

I disagree on both counts. Firstly, it is their job to give appropriate comfort and affection to the children they care for, and that affection will sometimes be physical in nature. A fussing baby rocked to sleep, a crying child picked up and comforted, an arm round the shoulder. Secondly, no one should be working in a nursery who hasn't been comprehensively checked and vetted.

Ahhh if I am cuddling a baby, I cant help but give them a little kiss on the head.

The children are often with me for 10 hours a day. I shower them with love, cuddles and kisses. I actually treat them exactly how I would treat my own baby.

You sound like our fabulous nursery workers. I'm sure the babies and their parents adore you.

A lot of babies and v young children are in childcare settings from 8 until 6 every weekday which would mean they were spending more of their waking time during the week with the nursery staff than with their parents. I really do hope that the staff in these settings are caring, kind and affectionate towards them and show interest in them - certainly hugs and cuddles if required, hand holding etc no to kisses on the lips but otherwise no problem
I can remember children running in for a hug in the morning (nursery)
I think life would feel very cold without it

I have worked in preschool settings, and almost without exception, the children would climb up on our laps, put their arms around our necks, offer us hugs and kisses, and generally act like a bunch of affectionate little puppies or kittens! How can you not reciprocate? As a mother, I was always delighted to see my young children being affectionate with their teachers. I saw it as a sign that they were being cared for by normal, responsive and warm people.

I suspect the current cohort of parents with nursery age children are too young to remember the horror of them coming into our awareness. I was a child myself when the worst was being exposed. The idea of children in the UK putting their arms out for a cuddle and kiss from a key worker and being told no is heartbreaking. Forming attachments to key workers and being able to be physically affectionate with them is a vital part of emotional development.

I am glad my children are older if this is the way early years childcare is going.

It isn't in the real world, honestly. I don't think anyone could do that job if they didn't genuinely love spending time with young DC - it's too difficult and lord knows they're not in it for the pay.

I understand why staff may be advised not to kiss small DC, there's lots of sound reasons. But as a parent if I saw one of mine getting a peck on the forehead I'd be delighted. Banning cuddles would be horrific, but I don't think anywhere is remotely considering that, they're too important.

If I'd have had to leave my little boy in nursery for hours on end I'd want them to show affection and whether that's a kiss or a cuddle would have been irrelevant. At 17 months old a baby doesn't know that he/she is in a professional setting, they just know that these big people are not loving them!