Bumps/scrapes

[NOG2014]

Hi,

Does anyone here have a nanny that questions them if they see a mark on their child? My daughter had a very slight graze on her shoulder (I'm not actually sure how she got it - she is a toddler so is always getting bumps/scrapes) and our nanny mentioned it to me saying she had noticed that she had a graze on her shoulder and wanted to know how she got it. It isn't the first time she has asked me about a bump/bruise. It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Like she is watching me and my husband and thinking we are bad parents or something. Maybe I am overreacting but I just don't feel like I should have to answer to our nanny like this. If she has a large cut/bump etc. I would of course explain how she got it but I think having to explain every little bruise/scrape is a bit excessive.

Yes our nanny always asks if she notices something. It's because she cares about the children, wants to talk about it so you can't accuse her of it happening on her watch or so she can avoid the same accident happening again if the child is young and learning to climb and things.

It's part of Safeguarding Children. The same would happen if you were using a nursery or childminder. Childcare providers know that children injure themselves, some more often than others. Some bumps, scrapes, bruises will occur whilst in nanny's care as well, it's just the way things are.

Accident prevention - if a child is getting the same injury regularly then is that due to something in particular, a certain piece of furniture, a loose carpet, certain toys.

Your nanny has a duty of care to your child, so they are asking you about it to ultimately protect your child. So I would hope that parents feel that it is good that a nanny is noticing things and questioning how it has happened.

Sometimes though you simply don't know how something happened... even when you injure yourself. I have two scrapes on my arm which I noticed this morning but were not there yesterday morning. Probably happened when out for a walk in the countryside but I didn't notice at the time.

Would you ask the same if you noticed something that occurred during her hours?
Equally, drawing attention to it to ensure you know it wasn’t under her watch.

Having been a nanny and a parent I would feel pleased that my nanny was observant to notice and not offended - it shows caring not suspicion.

It’s safe guarding. Nursery or cm Would be the same

Bumps etx happen

Don’t be offended. Be grateful you have a caring nanny

As a nanny, we are professionals and part of this means safeguarding children. I wouldn't be judging you at all. Obviously if I thought there was any chance of abuse then I'd be logging and reporting to the appropriate people. I usually ask the parents just to make sure it hasn't happened with me. I don't always witness what scrapes and bumps the children even do with me because they don't always cry so there's no way I'd be judging you if you didn't know either. Toddlers are clumsy and bump all the time, i see it as happy children :)

I point it out only to ensure that the parent is aware of it and how it was gotten, so that there is no confusion as to how the child received a mark and whether it was under my care.

I always ask about any injuries that may have occurred when I wasn’t around. I’m not accusing them of anything, I just like to know if I need to watch out for anything or something dangerous In the home etc