to think my 4yr old DD needs help applying suncream?

[Mij]

Nursery have told me that there is a rule (not theirs apparently) that they're not allowed to put suncream on the kids, but the kids must do it themselves.

We always plaster fair-skinned DD1 in it before she goes, but when she's there for the day, she needs a reapplication after lunch (we use a sunscreen that doesn't last all day cos it's the one that doesn't make her itch).

I have a feeling that if this rule has come from on-high, it's a misinterpretation (at best) of some bit of child protection legislation somewhere, or (at worst) a bureaucrat throwing their weight around and making really stupid rules.

DD1, however competent and sensible (she's both), is at infinitely greater risk of sunburn than she is at risk from a small amount of entirely justifiable contact with a staff member.

To be fair to the nursery, they've allowed me to write a letter giving them permission to 'help' DD with the cream. But does anyone know where this rule may have originated? Is it statutory, or local authority, or something else..?

Posting this late and now have to deal with waking baby, but will be back tomorrow...

its not about inappropraite touching of kids etc

its about allergies and time (so i was told)

imagine a class of 30, with 30 different creams to apply, and having to wash your hands between each one incase one child is allergic to the previous cream you have used on another kid.

the staff are allowed to squirt the amount of cream on the child that is required, but the child has to rub it in themselves. even for that they need signed consent. as do childminders I believe.

my nursery encourage the kids to put it on themselves and help their friends but they finish the job (3 and 4 year olds not being that thorough)

so would be surprised if there is a rule!

xpost with peed

that's interesting - I guess I did sign consent all those years ago

Oh look what I found in a Day Nursery/Pre-School Ofsted inspection report:

Staff protect children from the hotter weather by applying suncream to their faces and limbs and by ensuring each child wears a sunhat while they play outside.

Written consent form would be necessary but assuming that consent was given, the inspector in the above case didn't have an issue with staff applying suncream.

POWN may well be right regarding the amount of time it would take plus preventing cross-infections/contamination.

When a nursery says that there is a rule which is not theirs - ask for a copy of it. Then at least you know who to write to to complain. It may be local authority rather than national regulator.

I would cover the child up completely or find a cream that you can apply once at home.

Childminder has consent form. Nursery never asked for/issued one.

There is a staff:child ratio of 1-3 for under 5s and it's a tiny nursery. I take the allergy point although there must be a way round it. And yes, it's the 'finishing off' that's required - even adults find it hard to reach every bit or get even coverage. DD is a very 'hot' and very active child. Insisting she either stays in the shade (so off the best equipment) or wears sleeves she finds clingy and irritating seems unfair, when all it would take is a quick dab to fill in the bits she'd missed.

I wonder how I find the origin of this 'rule'. Call the Ed dept..?

scurryfunge haven't found a cream yet that both lasts and doesn't irritate her skin. Hence the issue.

From Surrey County Council - an Early Years Health & Safety Policy in which it mentions parental consent for staff to apply suncream.

Then get one on prescription and it then becomes a medical issue that the nursery can't ignore.

No cream will work all day long. Children sweat and rub things and might wash once in a while.

As a CM I have a consent form to apply suncream provided by the parent. There's no way I'd leave it up to a child of that age to apply their own cream. It needs to be thorough, and you need to reapply!

Piz Buin 1 day long works, otherwise, cover up completely.

Mij - ask the nursery for a copy of the rule documentation they were given by whomever gave it to them. Also try asking the local authority Early Years department (call Families Information Service and ask them to transfer you to someone who deals with Nurseries).

Ultimately the nursery has the rule so you don't have much choice but to follow it - though by questioning the rule it may make them look again at what the current guidance is regarding such matters - if indeed there is any guidance.

Guidance for Northamptonshire Schools - worth a read as it outlines some of the potential issues.