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Original poster

Nursery: Children painting with no clothes on?

170 replies

Jzee · 20/11/2004 18:29

I'm pretty sure I heard this correctly, but it was mentioned to me recently that so as to stop the children's clothes getting covered in paint a nursery allows the children do painting naked. I don't know if this a regular thing, or perhaps they started off with nappies and knickers and ended up with nothing? I imagine the children find it fun, but personally I think it's a bit cold and a bit unusual. What are your opinions?

OP posts:
codswallop · 20/11/2004 18:31

think it is totally ineccesary
what a hsalle getting htema ll undressed

whizzz · 20/11/2004 18:36

Just plain weird !

coppertop · 20/11/2004 18:36

At home I take ds2's clothes off (if he hasn't already done so) and let him paint in just a nappy. I can't say I've ever seen this done elsewhere though. Most places just ask parents to send their children in old clothes so that it won't matter if they get them dirty.

It seems a bit unusual but I wouldn't see anything wrong with it. Presumably they'd be in panta and nappies.

Original poster
Jzee · 20/11/2004 18:40

Well I may have misinterpreted, but I got the impression they had nothing on.

OP posts:
coppertop · 20/11/2004 18:46

I'd find it odd if they had no nappies and knickers on. Besides, from a practical point of view, children who usually wear nappies would surely just have accidents without them?

Angeliz · 20/11/2004 18:48

I don't agree with that at all.
Totally inappropriate!

spacemonkey · 20/11/2004 18:52

very odd

Easy · 20/11/2004 19:47

I think it sounds wonderful.

Just hope they turn the heating up a bit.

Hulababy · 20/11/2004 19:54

I'd also find it unusual if they were totally naked when painting. At DD's nursery they just wear aprons for painting - hence DD comes home with paint splashes on her clothes. When they do indoor water, gloop type play then they do strip down to just pants - which I have no worries over at all.

Stripymouse · 20/11/2004 19:55

I am sure they mean stripped down to underwear/nappies. Even so, personally I wouldn?t be happy with this - what is wrong with aprons? Not sure what the legal guidelines are on this one regarding parental consent etc. but would be concerned if my child was involved esp. at this time of year!
Another good reason why to send your children to a playgroup rather than nursery where you can have more parental control and contact. Not knocking nurseries which can be wonderful and I know loads of playgroups can be rubbish, just my personal view albeit rather baised and sweeping. I realise many people have no option other than nurseries but am relieved that I am not one of them - don?t mean to sound funny about it, just a thought that occured to me.

Stripymouse · 20/11/2004 19:56

regretting posting my opinion on nurseries already - please ignore my thinking out loud, too tired to apologise or justify

alexsmum · 20/11/2004 19:57

ds1's nursery used to have them doing hand and foot painting in their nappies and I can't see anyhting wrong with it.They are trained professionals who you trust your children to, so what difference does it make if they take their clothes off to avoid getting messy?
If however you feel uncomfortable with the nursery you are leaving your child with,then that's something to think about.

mrsmiawallace · 20/11/2004 20:06

WOULD BE LIVID IF THIS IS ACYUALLY THE CASE!
check it out, why dont they just ask you to send them in old clothes, they should have at least informed parents of what they planned what with all the sickos in the world.
would be v.worried!

mrsmiawallace · 20/11/2004 20:09

ian huntly was a 'trained proffesional' working in a school!

Hulababy · 20/11/2004 20:11

I really wouldn't be concerned about my child being naked per say at nursery, just think it is very nusual to be painting in no clothes. The nudity itself isn't a problem though - these are trained professional carers, and these are the same people who take the babies and children to change nappies and to the toilet.

I would ask them about the policy and if you don't like it - tell them.

Easy · 20/11/2004 20:12

What is wrong with small children being unclothed in a safe supervised environment????

Are you suggesting that all the nursery staff are perverts, getting kicks from seeing naked toddlers????

If so, I think you have lost your sense of proportion.
I think it's great that little kids can feel the freedom of painting without needing to be careful. Those nylon or PVC aprons feel horrid (and sound it too, to little ears), and being able to slap paint about, to get it washed off later seems great to me.

Let these kids LIVE a little, please.

Hulababy · 20/11/2004 20:13

However - since then all people in such positions (including existing staff in many cases) have gone through much more stringent checks.

Besides if anything was going to happen untoward I really don't believe it would be in a goroup situation where there are several children and other adults around. It'd be when they were on their own surely???

Hulababy · 20/11/2004 20:14

My DD often paints and does arts/crafts at home in just her pants Much easier than dealing with a big apron.

Easy · 20/11/2004 20:14

and Ian huntley was a bloody caretaker, not intended to be in close proximity to children unsupervised. His job was to lock up and maintain the buildings.

For heavens sake.

Stripymouse · 20/11/2004 20:14

mmw - totally agree. So unnecessary to take off clothes that it makes you wonder about the motives, sick world that it is. As for trusting people who you leave your child with - I will never trust any of them so much that I would never question this type of issue. Deciding you like and trust your child carers so much that you are prepared to trust them unquestionningly (sp?) in all cases is a dangerous game to play. It might make you feel better to take the decision that you are happy to trust them whatever and so feel more relaxed about leaving your child for whole periods of time away from yourself, but could lead you to taking your eyes off the ball.

Slinky · 20/11/2004 20:16

OMG - can't believe some of these postings!!

When I worked at a nursery, we occasionally stripped the children down to their pants/nappies whilst we did feet paintings, bubble play, foam play - this was mainly during the warmer summer months.

None of the parents complained (and I was one of them as all my kids attended same nursery!) - in fact I thought how wonderful it was to be completely free to make as much mess as possible!

The kids loved it and it was great to see the kids having so much fun!

And please don't tar us with the "Ian Huntleys" of the world - he was a sick pervert - I'm a mother who happens to work with children!

Unbelievable! Must remember to mention these posts when I meet up with the girls next week!

Slinky · 20/11/2004 20:17

And ALL nursery workers change the nappies/knickers of the children in their care - would you like us to stop doing that as well???

Hulababy · 20/11/2004 20:18

But stripymouse - trust these people to take my DD to the toilet (used to change her nappy). Surely that would be a more "dangerous" situation where they are on their own. I do think you have to trust people in such positions. Otherwise you could never leave your child with anyone.

Easy · 20/11/2004 20:18

Slinky, Thank god for some sanity ....

(and Hula, and Alexsmum, and .....)

Slinky · 20/11/2004 20:18

Aaah voice of reason Easy!

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