CM Club: unintentional neglect of 1 yo

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I am sure you have all experienced this in some form or other.

My 1yo mindee keeps turning up in inappropriate clothing. On Friday it was freezing outside. He arrived wearing socks, slippers, jeans, a vest, long sleeve t-shirt, a very light home knighted cardigan that had three buttons on the top and short sleeves and a very light jacket. No hat, scarf or gloves. He was in his buggy which has a huge warm cosy toes but imo it was way too cold for what he was wearing. he did have a hat but it was on the buggy hood. His mum had a long coat and scarf. When mum came to collect him we were discussing a different area of concern I have with him and so I didn't immediately get a chance to bring it up. Mum was putting him into his buggy as we were talking so it was only when they were about to leave that I noticed he didn't have his jacket on, I was so shocked that I blurted out '(mum's name) it is freezing out aren't you going to put his coat on?' to which mum said 'oh it's okay, we are only going to the car and I will put his coat on when we get to the park'. They live 2 streets away but even for that short journey he should have been appropriately dressed, she did however put his hat on . I was so in shock and still reeling from something she said from our earlier conversation that I just let them leave without saying anything else.

I went on the school run shortly after they left and it was so bitterly cold that I had to put my gloves on. The whole situation has really upset me to the point where I don't feel I can look after him anymore. There is always some 'concern' I have to raise with mum and I know that it is not intentional neglect, which imo makes it worse. We all know what we would do if a child turned up with marks or bruises.

Most mornings he turns up at 8.30 with no hat and his coat open and he has a really bad chesty cough. I know what I have to do and I will speak to mum straight away if I notice anything concerning. Of course I know I run the risk of creating a poor working relationship and if that happens I will probably give notice.

i had a similar situation on thursday, child 18mths came wearing just tights and a long sleeved vest top!!! as if she had forgotten to get her dressed but i dont know how to approach the mum because she has had pnd and been in hospital recently because of it!! dont want to rock the boat but felt so sorry for the little girl too....but i wouldnt stop working for them because of it i will just make sure i wrap her up whilst she is in my care.

I don't see an issue with a child wearing

socks and slippers

jeans

vest, long sleeved top, thin cardi, thin jacket

if she was putting him in a pushchair with a cosey toes or going to the car. It sounds like she has dressed him for a day at home and then the occassional out to the car/walk round the corner to school/home.

I would probably have put on a thicker coat and or some gloves - but some children don't want to wear hats/gloves so sometimes easier not to, especially for such a small distance.

I would be more worried about Vicki's little one.

I know some situations are worse but this is an ongoing problem. The car was parked 2 streets away and then they were heading to the woods to walk the dog so not straight home.

i have had this as well and tbh though it annoys me i brought cheap gloves, and hats from primark for use in the setting, also sun hats.. and of course blankets for use in the pushchair.. just keep the receipts and make sure you claim against tax!!

some parents and children seem to go everywhere in a car or indoor shopping malls and dont actually walk outside for any length of time.. its not intentional neglect just not thinking..

you get the same in the summer with suncream and no hats!!! oh dear..

What I do is give parents a newsletter informing them what I expect the children to be wearing.

If they ignore the letter, I remind them verbally and in person. No excuses.

If they persistantly continue to ignore me and my requests for proper clothing, then I would consider it as a form of neglect.

I would remind the parents of my child protection policy and state to them that I am legally obliged to keep their children safe from harm, and that includes appropriate clothing in cold weather.

I haven't had to say the above. In the chaos of the morning rush, I appreciate that things get forgotten. Hence why I have plenty of spare clothing in different sizes.

As I said, it would only worry me if they ignored my request.