Nursery comment

[sarah0106]

My little boy hasn’t long turned 2 and has moved into the next room at nursery, when I collected last night I was told he is struggling to “sit long at mealtimes and tooth brushing he just wants to eat his meals or brush his teeth then go do his own thing” I was then told they’ve spoke about putting him in a chair with straps in until he knows what’s expected in that room.. I don’t know what to make of it.
I understanding trying to get him to follow routines but to put him in basically a high chair until he learns not to run from the chair at mealtimes seems abit much

Yes, forcing a child to sit for 30-40 minutes is a bit harsh for a two year old, fine if he is happy there to be strapped for safety whilst he eats or doing an activity, not so fine if he is unhappy, crying or trying to get out. If the child is unhappy in this situation, all it’s going to do is reinforce the idea that they won’t want to sit in them which ultimately won’t do the nursery any favours! Same goes with a high chair!

I really can’t see the problem. Would you rather he ran around with food in his mouth & choked??

Perfectly fine, they’re experienced in dealing with this type of behaviour. Not all kids develop at the same pace.

I haven't read the full thread but I work in a nursery and this is a HUGE NO. Speak to the further but a 2 year old should not be able to sit still for long at all!! Im 26 and can't sit and focus for long. Let alone a bloody 2 year old. Your boy sounds totally normal.

????????
»until he knows what is expected??? »

please change of nursery. They sound unhinged. Poor baby!!!

Its normal to have a two year old strapped into a high chair - because they do tend to wander off or climb on chairs etc (not safe). It will just be a fabric waist strap or something on a nursery chair.

The staff will have four children each to supervise. They can't leave three who are eating (choke risk) to chase off after the one who is wandering off.

He does have to learn to sit? Part of looking after toddlers is them learning they can't obey every impulse and need to do as adults tell them/follow rules. In this case the rule is "we sit at the table to eat lunch".

Part of the problem here is children coming from homes where they are allowed to snack on the go or pick at food while they play.

They need to learn to sit at the table. You can help reduce the need for straps on the nursery chair by eating proper meals round the table as a family at home and seating your child in a chair for snacks.

I agree. Strapping him into a chair, like a high chair is not 'strapping him down' execution style.

if they're tried encouraging him to stay seated & there's an adult nearby etc.

but if he is getting up & running off anyway (& disrupting everyone else) I'd have no problem with them using seat straps.

People are over reacting so
bad They mean those safety chairs that toddlers sit in at nursery. And why are they even brushing his teeth for him that’s your job

Then you should be teaching that at home/cafes etc not expecting nursery to do it for you. If you let them get down as soon as they've finished then you are creating the problem he & nursery now have.

Exactly!! Perfectly acceptable & normal

not at all shocking or awful!!

What did you think they were doing that horrified you? Strapping them down to execution style trollies??

Then change nursing you don't like their routines 🤷🏻‍♀️

Why do you just let him wander off when he feels like it at home, that's not teaching him anything.

Do you enforce sitting for family meals at home until you have all finished?

He does need to learn meal etiquette. My two year old is a whirlwind but he knows that he can't excuse himself from the table until everyone Is finished.

He's not a baby

they're not unhinged

its a choking risk letting small children run around with food.

🙄🙄

From another of the OPs pists

so he sits at his wee table and chair at home, only recently has he started wandering off, I understand due to staffing etc but to me strapping him in a chair has the potential to put him off mealtimes all together? He’s not one for sitting still for more than he needs too

2 years old are absolutely not ready to sit still! What a nonsense. Tell them to keep him in his previous room and if not change the nursery. Who knows how they treat children and what they don’t tell you. That’s already a big red flag they even considered such thing. Unnecessary Physical restraint and punishment based intervention for a healthy well developing toddler who’s not meant to sit still. Also report to CQC. This is not right.

Why is he sitting alone and being able to wander about?

I'd 100% rather nursery strapped my 2 year old into a low highchair than let him potentially wonder with food.

If he wanders with food then there's the possibility of him chocking and this not being noticed in time.

I do teach that at home thanks.

You’re overreacting to this. It’s a way of ensuring safe meal times in a group setting and supporting him to understand what’s expected. Children age 2 are often still put in high chairs in restaurants etc. I wouldn’t be concerned about it and would start ensuring he sits at the table for meals at home too. I personally would ditch the little table at home if he won’t stay sat at it, as he’s just learning poor behaviour. Have him sit at the table with you and use a booster seat (which you can strap him into if needed).

This doesn't sound unreasonable, small children can't sit still for hours which is why I gave up starters and pudding when eating out for years. I think learning to sit and eat their food not wander around aimlessly is a good thing.

I didn't realise using the straps available on chairs was such a controversial issue.
Presumably meal times are longer, because time is being wasted chasing after those who've wandered off.

Absolutely not! Tell them you will report them to Ofsted (or the Care Commision inspection for Early Years if you are in Scotland) if they even suggest this again. I worked in Early Years Education for over 40 years. I have never heard of such a thing. 2 year old are incapable of sitting for 40/45 minutes. What in God's name are they feeding them ? A 5 course banquet! I don't know the geography of this room but really, the toothbrushing. Do they not have toilets and sinks? Really at 2 the children should be encouraged to go to the sinks and look in the mirror whilst learning to brush their own teeth. Is this a private nursery?? I am genuinely concerned that they even had the bold nerve to suggest this to you!! It sounds like the staff want 40minutes to sit on their behinds! Don't agree to this. In fact ask for a meeting with the Head or Depute and express your concerns over this.

Safety first always. Far too much risk of choking. A shortened time for lunch would be preferred. The guidance linked above does not mention strapping children in.

However, think of it in terms of your car seat. Many, many children are strapped in for their safety, regularly and for much longer than 30 minutes. If they weren't, they would be out climbing around the car. We all accept this as a safe option.