Toddler sunburnt TWICE at nursery

[Brozzer]

My 18 mth-yr old ds has been sunburnt twice at his nursery. I haven't had an adequate explanation or apology for this negligence - the girls all insist that they 'always' apply sunblock. The manager is rarely on the premises when I visit or ring. Her response has been to leave me a curt answermachine message after each incident saying she'll 'look into it'which she hasn't followed up.
I have now asked the regional manager for an explanation.
Is this normal nursery behaviour? Is this the price we have to pay for entrusting paid strangers to the care of our children? Any advice most gratefully recieved.

[Jimjams]

Aha the nursery I removed ds1 from was an Asquith one as well. Think it depends on the manager. I'd quite happily string the manager we had up- still- 5 years later.

[Brozzer]

You're quite right, AnnaK, it was an Asquith nursery.
Horrible, uncaring, money-grabbing bastards...

[AnnaK]

PS Name and shame!! I hope all goes well for you and the new nursery. You owe no allegiance to the old one after the way they have treated you, Brozzer.

[AnnaK]

I removed ds from his first nursery after only three weeks and reported them to OFSTED. Have you done this?
My reasons for moving included 4 babies in the room and the carer had gone to the toilet when I got there early one day. On another occasion I dropped ds off and there were 9 children in the room and one two carers. I asked them to cuddle him as much as possible but as soon as I left I saw them put him down in the corner and just leave him. It was horrendous as he was screaming his head off - terribly clingy and the separation was awful.
This was just in three weeks!

[Redtartanlass]

Good for you Brozzer, I think I would stil be tempted to inform Surestart.

[matnanplus]

I have visited nurseries in the same chain which had the same policies but all have had a differing ethos/running, this is the managers' influence

[matnanplus]

Please don't be, each is under the supervision of a manager and it sounds like the manager you have is useless, speak again the the regional manager, they maybe going to replace the manager at your nursery or she may have space for you in another nursery they run.

[Brozzer]

Thanks everyone. The offending nursery is part of a very well known, respected chain so I am a bit apprehensive now...

[matnanplus]

Brozzer, should you go for another nursery setting for your child, be clear with the new nursery on the reasons you left the previous nursery and get a written copy of their procedures.

All the best.

[Furball]

Good for you Brozzer, It's obviously going to put you in a difficult situation trying to find new care and all that but I don't understand how they can be so ignorant to the whole thing. Especially with all the knowledge these days about how harmful the sun is etc, etc.

[Brozzer]

I reported the incidents to the regional manager whilst the nursery manager was on holiday. She is now back and was so irritated with me this morning - obviously for causing trouble - that I have decided to withdraw my ds immediately. What marvellous management and people skills. They let a baby burn twice and then can't even apologise.

[Jimjams]

our nursery applies suncream- we sign saying they can and it goes in a named bag with their hat.

brozzer- I've withdrawn my child from a nursery - I just wanted him out so left a phone message, sent the written notice and paid the months fees. It was a chain as well.

Kept ds1 out for another year, then sent him to a lovely little nursery. ds2 is there now and very happy.

[mumeeee]

I workm in a day nursery for 2-5 year olds and we are not supposed to apply suncream. This came from the inspector.The chidren now bring in the spray kind and we can spray it on them and they are then expected to rub it in themselves! As this is very dificult for a two year old we usually ignore this rule and help them.
Marypop1 I have never heard of the no cuddling rule and we are certainly allowed to do this at our nursery

[patch]

At dd's school the school applies screen cream factor 25 for all children in KS1, according to dd the teacher puts it on them but they rub it in with the teacher watching. We had to sign a permission slip and if neccessary (eg allergies) you can provide your own. In KS2 the children take in and apply their own. Dd's school is private, I cannot see how children who are 4 or 5 years can apply their own and if the teachers are not allowed to apply then how many of them get burnt at school?

[MaryP0p1]

I personally ignore the cuddling rule but have been told off on more than one occasion with the 'its for your protection lecture' but as you say how can you not cuddle an upset child?

When I worked as a childminder I used to apply suncream given to me by the parents and got a permission slip. However I would be out most of the day and therefore the risk of sunburn was higher.

[beckybrastraps]

Ah - I understand Marypop. Sessional daycare is different. Ds's preschool asks parents to apply cream before they bring the child. As it's only for a couple of hours, this makes sense. Couldn't possibly work with full day. On really sunny days I usually put my kids (and me)in long sleeves. Seems bizarre I know, but I'm really light skinned and I would rather cover up than constantly apply cream, and the same goes for them. I have burned through "sunblock" before.

[vickitiredmum]

Complaining high up is the way to go.

Dont know about this not applying sunblock thing MaryPOP though? The nursery my DD goes to insist on applying it or the child doesnt go out, whether its their own stuff or stuff you bring in. Must have hats, never out in the midday sun etc. They even asked me for some cream to use for DD's eczma because she was scratching herself mercilessly during the day.

My DD goes to a large nursery chain. Dont know if that makes a difference. I have had problems with the nursery before but found after the incident in question (have mentioned many a time before - her key worker fed her macaroni cheese for lunch despite being very aware she had milk allergy - said she didnt know macaroni cheese had milk innit, I had to take DD to A & E ..... Nursery sacked keyworker on the spot. Demoted a load of others, changed all their internal procedures, got a district nurse in to show how to use Epipens, kept me well informed all the way so didnt see the need to change nurseries after I deemed they must be well aware of whats what by then), they have been fantastic. Shop around for a better place if you dont get a good enough response.

[Redtartanlass]

EEk misread your posting. Applying suncream banned not cuddling. Sorry

[Redtartanlass]

If my nursery did not cuddle or kiss my child, I would take him out the nursery. It amazes that this banned? Am I the only one?

What do they do if they fall and hurt themselves, how can you comfort a hurt, crying child without offering cuddles?

And please Marypop2 I'm not having a go at you at all, but I have visted over 400 early settings in my current position and have NEVER heard of no cuddling.

[MaryP0p1]

And that is exactly the problem. If you apply suncream to the children and they become burnt you are liable. Further you can't give children a cuddle and kiss in a nursery environment without eyebrows being raised and leaving yourself open to all sorts of acusations that many people refuse to touch unless absolutely necessary,. Hense many nurseries opting for the policy, parents apply cream BEFORE nursery and keep the children covered and in shade and only out for short periods at a time.

[Furball]

You can still burn in the shade. I do and have done on many occassion. If you are even the slightest bit concerned that suncream is not being applied a)properly or b) not at all (which IMO is disgusting with all the known facts etc, etc, etc) to safeguard your childs skin, it might be worth investing in something like Ultrasun (the SPF28 one) or Piz Buin (The Piz Buin unfortunately brings ds out in a rash, but I use on myself) They are 'once a day' suncreams. So you apply it in the morning before nursery then at least you know he's protected.

[MaryP0p1]

From my understanding the ONLY nurseries that may take a different approach to the one I outlined is the one which offer full day care. I only worked in sessional nurseries. We have even put up articificial shade for the 1/2hr or so they have been allowed to play outside to ensure sunburn does NOT happen. I have never had a child in my care sunburnt and that includes my own and I currently live in Italy.

[spursmum]

My ds came back once slightly burnt but I found out that he would wipe most of the cream off!!! His nursery have just put up very large sail type shades to cover the playground as they didn't believe in depriving kids of the outdoor time. All kids still have to have cream and hats on though.

[Brozzer]

btw, the kids at this nursery are ALWAYS outside in the midday sun and there is no shade in the garden whatsoever. The carers swear they apply cream but clearly that is not always enough.

[Brozzer]

The regional manager has been on the phone saying she's 'disgusted' and is launching an enquiry into why this happened and why no-one appeared to give a shit.

I'm looking for a new nursery which means poor ds has to leave his mates and have the stress of a new place. What does one do though? It feels wrong to leave him in the care of these morons. Anyone withdrawn a child from nursery?

The first burning incident was in early August, Cod, the second was on the last very hot day we had here in London about two weeks ago. It can still be viciously hot in September, partic for a very fair-skinned 17-month-old.