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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

Staff chewing gum

28 replies

hadagutsfull · 19/02/2012 16:05

Would it put you off taking up a nursery or playgroup place if you saw a member of staff chewing gum? As part of the management team I've said that staff should not chew gum but I know that a couple of the staff think that it isn't a problem and that I'm being unreasonable.

I think it gives a bad impression to parents and doesn't set a good example to the children. Views please!

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FriendofDorothy · 19/02/2012 16:06

Seriously, surely there are more important things to worry about than gum chewing!

MonaLotte · 19/02/2012 16:08

Could it be Nicotine gum?

JasperJohns · 19/02/2012 16:12

Not if it would put me off taking up a place but it is bloody revolting and I'd be a bit

Original poster

hadagutsfull · 19/02/2012 16:24

There are more important things to worry about Dorothy but I just wanted to get a feel as to whether it would put some people off taking up a place.

One girl does have it pretty discretely - don't think it's Nicotine though cos she still smokes! - but the other one who likes to chew is one of those who chomps & chomps with her mouth open so you can see the gum in her mouth the whole time. It's not a good look and personally I think it's pretty unprofessional but perhaps it's just me.

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SleepyFergus · 19/02/2012 16:28

Wouldn't necessarily put me off sending my DD there, but I would be a bit and not impressed. Esp if it was the obvious chomp chomp and interfered with having a conversation.

Does make you wonder what the kids make of it though, in a "what's that? Can I have some" sense.

insancerre · 19/02/2012 16:29

I think it looks horrible too. I'm with you, it's not very professional. Maybe you could ask them not to do it? I work in a nursery and we are not alowed to chew gum. The manager suggests to the staff that tic-tacs are small enough to be hidden discretely if they need to be.

Original poster

hadagutsfull · 19/02/2012 16:38

I have asked them not to do it. The majority are fine with it but there's one member of staff in particular who thinks things don't apply to her. Tic-tacs sound like a good idea!

We have a good reputation which I don't want to lose, and I know it may sound daft but things like that can (I think) put some people off.

OP posts:

Nagoo · 19/02/2012 16:41

Yes it would put me off.

I would think it unprofessional.

Get all headteacher on her ass

sleeplessinderbyshire · 19/02/2012 16:46

I really hate anyone chewing gum, it is the source of endless arguments between me and DH. I was brought up in a family who had a strong belief that chewing gum was a disgusting habit, for people of limited inelligence and whiilst in adulthodd I have learned that some perfectly nice normal people do it for me it would absolutely mean I would never in a million years want that person to look after DD. I accept I ma rather in the minority though

knitknack · 19/02/2012 16:52

I think you should consider whether or not it would be OK for teachers to chew gum, since your nursery workers are also working with young people (albeit much much younger!).

(we're not!)

There's not many jobs where it's considered OK to chew gum - it's something you do in your time off, not at work! It's like smoking or eating in my opinion. It would def put me off, btw.

knitknack · 19/02/2012 16:53

oops, should be 'there are' am trying to do 3 things at once!

joanofarchitrave · 19/02/2012 16:57

I would be a bit put off, yes. I would call it a reasonable rule for any workplace, as part of general professional behaviour. I would expect staff to be able to chew gum in their break times.

Original poster

hadagutsfull · 19/02/2012 16:57

Thanks all - I'm glad it's not just me! I appreciate your views & comments and will face the situation if (when!) it arises again.

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Original poster

hadagutsfull · 19/02/2012 17:01

And yes, they can chew gum or do whatever they want on their break, that's their own time to do as they please. I know that students we have on work placements are told by their tutors not to chew gum, wear dangly earrings, to cover any tattoos etc, so that's another reason for regular staff not to do it.

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solidgoldbrass · 19/02/2012 17:04

You could certaily explain the ban to the staff as it being on the grounds that the DC might want gum/snacks/sweets all the time if they see staff chewing/eating.

colditz · 19/02/2012 17:05

I wouldn't care. Children need to learn that just because an adult is doing something, it doesn't mean that they automatically have the right to.

Willabywallaby · 19/02/2012 17:05

I wouldn't like it.

Original poster

hadagutsfull · 19/02/2012 17:12

To be honest I'm happy to be open about the fact it's because it looks unprofessional, rather than because the children might want some. As I said earlier we have built up a good reputation and I (and the majority of staff) don't want to jeopardise that.

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dribbleface · 19/02/2012 20:51

As a nursery manager................no, would not allow my staff to chew gum, it looks unprofessional. hmmmm I would in your case tell them not to and add it to the staff handbook!

Ask her how she wants parents to view her? As a professional.........ask her how she would feel if her GP was smacking gum? Failing that ask her directly 'can you please tell me why you feel its ok to chew gum when i have specifically asked you not too?' She will not have an answer other than 'well i don't think its a problem' to which you reply, well i do and as your manager i have specifically asked you not too, so can you explain why you feel its ok to continue' (learnt this on a fab course ans have used this type of questionning many a times! usually with DH

Excuse typo's, had a terrible day with DS1 and have had a glass of wine or three

Original poster

hadagutsfull · 19/02/2012 21:56

Dribble I think I need to go on that course - love that approach and will try to remember it! We don't have a staff handbook as such but maybe introducing one would be a good idea. I also want to try & do something about facebook - having parents as friends and the type of things that are posted - but that's a whole other thread!

Sorry you had a bad day with DS - maybe another glass would help

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nappymaestro · 19/02/2012 22:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dribbleface · 19/02/2012 22:07

are you members of the ndna? they have a basic social networking policy you can adapt. if not Google it, lot's of nursery's publish them on their website, so you can borrow!

BranchingOut · 19/02/2012 22:13

I am a bit horrified that anyone working in early years would think this was ok!

Why?

It looks unprofessional, 'don't care' and sloppy.
Gives an impression of poor personal hygiene.
Gives the impression of constant chewing/snacking to children, therefore poor messages regarding diet, eating habits and dental care.

Also, what about language and communication? If you are chewing you are less likely to be talking to the children...

Original poster

hadagutsfull · 19/02/2012 22:24

I'm glad the general consensus agrees with me that it's unacceptable. We aren't members of the NDNA (Playgroup, not a Nursery) but I'll Google & see what comes up.

BranchingOut You'd probably be even more horrified if you heard/saw what some early years workers think is acceptable to post on FB but that's another battle ...

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meeliesmum · 21/02/2012 21:49

I am a neonatal nurse and it has never been acceptable to chew gum whilst working.

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