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Accident forms at nurseries - is this usual?

12 replies

tanfastic · 04/01/2012 22:40

In-between Xmas and new year ds 3.5 had an accident where he was trying to carry a box of toys downstairs which was top heavy and he fell and banged his chin quite heavily. No harm done apart from a bump to the chin and a very black bruise just on the tip and under his chin.
He went back to nursery yesterday after the Xmas break (bruise still very visible) and today when I picked him up I was pounced upon by the manager who asked me if I could fill in a firm about how he got the bruise. She was apologetic and said they had to ask etc but I was just wondering if this was normal and run of the mill?
The form was asking questions such as how he did it, what medical treatment I sought etc. I kind of felt like saying it's none of your fucking business. Am I reading more into this?

Something my sister said recently (she works in a school) has made me paranoid somewhat about how schools and nurseries liaise with social services and the fact they have to report stuff like this. Am I overthinking this? Are the nursery just covering their arses by getting parents to fill in these forms?

OP posts:
RitaMorgan · 04/01/2012 22:43

Yes, normal to do a form for existing injuries. Partly to make clear that the child came into nursery with the injury (so it wasn't one that happened at nursery) and partly to have a paper trail if a child comes in with many injuries that could be as a result of abuse or neglect.

tanfastic · 04/01/2012 22:48

Thanks. I must say I felt quite uncomfortable filling it in to be honest although it's the first time I've ever been asked to fill one in for an accident whilst in my care, normally it's because he's had an accident whilst in their care.

OP posts:
Deliaskis · 05/01/2012 11:55

I've been asked to fill in one of these when I dropped DD at nursery with a big scratch on her face that she did herself in her sleep. You feel a bit of a knob writing 'scratch on face'....'self-inflicted', but it's just procedure. I assumed that it had two purposes, so they could be assured I wouldn't accuse them of doing it/letting it happen, when I picked her up later, and also I suppose in the long run to look out for children with regular suspicious injuries.

Don't worry about it.

D

carrotsandcelery · 05/01/2012 11:59

I wouldn't worry about it.

They are covering themselves and making sure children at risk are protected.

If you take a child to A&E they will ask the child (if they are old enough) how the injury occurred, not you, to improve their chances of being told the truth.

I am sure that in the majority of cases it is a waste of time but I don't mind doing it if it helps protect that one child who is being abused or neglected.

dribbleface · 05/01/2012 13:34

yep totally normal and something Ofsted asks for, covers the nursery (have had a case when a dad dropped off DC with large bruise) mum went ballistic at staff, took an hour or two for mum to check with dad - two very apologetic parents later! and also creates a trail (if a child had a large amount of unexplained injuries etc)

nurseryvoice · 06/01/2012 16:33

Was just going to say also that it is an Ofsted requirement.

ruddynorah · 06/01/2012 16:41

Yes normal. The nursery are covering their backs and also covering child protection principles. It's nothing to worry about.

PlinkertyPlonk · 06/01/2012 17:47

Try not to take it as them being nosey, it's probably a PITA for them to have to complete too. I can't talk for nurseries (LO has yet to arrive into the world!) but it seems to be fairly standard procedure in other areas - when I was on the committee for a sports club, we were supposed to record every accident, however minor. So I suspect they are just completing their legal obligations.

I blame the lawyers Wink

Beamur · 06/01/2012 17:51

Quite normal at the nursery we used. We had to complete a form for any visible injuries - however small, plus another form if DD was hurt at nursery.

TeWihara · 06/01/2012 18:19

yes, very normal. They're certainly not going to be reporting one-off accidents at home to SS though, the way it was explained to me is that it's useful to help them spot patterns, if for eg a child is always turning up with bruises the day after granny looks after them which might not be noticed otherwise.

As well as protecting the staff from accusations.

breatheslowly · 06/01/2012 22:26

This is really normal. If I know DD has a mark in. Her from home I ask for an accident at home form as soon as I get in even if they don't notice as they need to know that she didn't get injured under their care.

Woodlands · 06/01/2012 22:58

Gosh I'm surprised I didn't have to fill one in today - DS tripped over the other day and has a graze on his forehead and eyebrow, and he was at nursery today for the first time since. I wondered if they'd ask me about it. I think it's understandable if they do.

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