To report what this colleague did?

[StrawberryFields2025]

I have recently started as an apprentice at a nursery. Today a child was wondering into a different room where they wasn’t meant to be. Instead of my colleague picking him up carefully or gently redirecting him, she grabbed and picked him up by one arm and walked with him like that with him off the ground quite a bit by one arm. This made him cry. Other colleagues found it funny but I didn’t.

The people that laughed are as bad as the Worker who did it. How dare they.

This must go to safeguarding. If the manager dismisses it, escalate to ofsted

Please do the right thing OP as hard as it is being new. Hopefully there are cameras to back up what you're saying?

Really worrying others laughed.

Absolutely please report to your manager. What your colleague did was completely unacceptable and could injure a child. It actually speaks volumes about the culture of the workplace if other employees laughed and didn't intervene. If the manager doesn't take your concern seriously, report to OFSTED.

What's the manager like? Hopefully good.
I'd have a word with them and say you're worried about what you saw.
Tbh if they don't take it seriously or if they dismiss it I think you will have to report to ofsted and probably leave as (a) it's not thr sort of place you want to work and (b) it will get difficult for you most likely.

But I'm sure the manager will follow it up.

I completely agree.

FFS some posters will do anything to have a dig at the OP.

OP is an apprentice. She is learning how to do the job and part of that is asking questions.

No one should ever be shamed for asking questions, especially someone who is a trainee.

Some posters make people not want to post and that’s such a shame.

As others have said, this is a safeguarding matter. Please report it without delay!

OP, all credit to you for asking the question. It’s not easy working in a toxic culture and not easy to speak up when you are new to the job. Ignore the people being nasty on here.

You might have heard of Winterbourne ? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13891855.amp. This is what happens with toxic work cultures go unchecked.

Raise the safeguarding, it is absolutely the right thing to do.

The first rule of safeguarding is you should report everything you have a niggle about, however small. If in doubt, report it.

Absolutely report. The nursery worker who killed Genevieve Meehan was ignored by other workers, which gave her the confidence to go further and further. If there's bruises on the babies, you will all be suspects.

I didn't realise straight away how bad some of the practice was in my first setting. Because it was my first setting! And when everyone else seems to think it's normal, it is easy to convince yourself that you're just too sensitive or something.

Your gut instinct here is right though, that is completely unacceptable (even when the child does something much worse!). It is difficult to report something when it involves colleagues, but it is 100% the right thing to do.

I wouldn't want my kid to have been picked up by one arm at that age.
This is physical abuse and it's a safeguarding issue.
Your colleagues think this is OK.
My advice is to get out of that nursery as fast as you can. Apply for other jobs.
You have to report it for your own sanity. Have you been given a whistle blowing policy at all? Address your concerns in writing - via email to the manager.

I think I would look for another setting. If people are laughing the general culture sounds bad. I bet the colleague wouldn’t lift the child by one arm in front of the parent. Yes, report, but expect to make waves and brace yourself.

I know how it feels when you are the only person. You are right. Everybody else is wrong. Well done for standing up for somebody who can’t stand up for themselves. Talk to your manager and if she minimises this, go higher. Well done @StrawberryFields2025

Another day, another thread that shows why I'd never ever put my child in a nursery.

Thank you for your replies.

I forgot to add that the child was crying obviously after she had done that and she put him down. He wanted comforting and she said a very mean way ‘‘I’m not picking you up’’ He had done absolutely nothing wrong at all either. I went to be with him and she sort of just glared as if to say I shouldn’t and should leave him.

Absolutely report it, to the manager initially and if you don’t feel they have taken it seriously you can contact the LADO (local authority designated officer) yourself - details should be easily accessible in your setting but if in doubt google LADO + your area.

Also, apparently the member of staff is the ‘go to’’ I. The room. As somebody said today. As she’s been at the setting for a while.

"wandering"

Please report it. That poor child needs someone to stand up for them.

And the child only started working not very long ago really, in the last month or so. He is just 15 months.

She’s an apprentice asking for help! God some people on here are awful.
Yes OP, please report this. That poor child.

Sorry, typo. **walking. Not working.

Please report the incident. The thought of this child being hurt and sad at nursery is breaking my heart. It might feel like a tricky conversation but you will be doing the right thing, good luck and well done for being a human with a conscience among many who aren’t.

OP as a SW trainer if concerned about ANYTHING have the conversation with your manager/safeguarding lead.

That is horrifying 😳