ds, aged 4 went to school on friday. He had been wheezy overnight but was fine in the morning, ate breakfast and was his usual chatty self. When he went through the door his teacher was there and I said could you keep an eye on him, I think he's fine but he was a bit wheezy overnight. I was told yes, no problem.
There was no contact from the school during the day, so I collected him in the afternoon. Instead of running out of the door to give me a hug as usual he walked slowly across the playgroun. All the other mums noticed and said "what's the matter with ds, he doesn't look very well".
When I bent down to talk to him I could see how hard he was work to breath, his chest was recessing and he was grunting with every out breath. He didn't have enough breath to talk to me. I took him straight to the GP and he was put on steroids, an inhaler and antibiotics. It was agreed with the GP that we would try and manage him at home as I have a background as a paediatric nurse. I was up throughout the night giving him his inhaler and checking that he is ok. He is much better today although still a little wheezy.
My concern is that the school did not notice a child who was obviously so unwell - unable to talk and struggling to breath. I know there are 30 children in the class and do not expect the staff to have medical knowledge but do expect them to fulfil their duty of care and notice when a child is that unwell. We narrowly missed a hospital admission. I am going into school to try and see the headteacher tomorrow. Am I BU to think that they did not provide the care that they should have done?