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DS scratched by other child at nursery

5 replies

fantomas · 17/02/2006 14:49

My DS (11 months old) was scratched fairly deeply on the face by another baby while at nursery this week. I was just wondering whether it's unrealistic to expect the nursery staff to be able to prevent this kind of thing from happening? Anyone else been in a similar situation?

OP posts:
Cristina7 · 17/02/2006 14:51

I was in ELC today with my 11 month old and 6 year old. DD was scratched on the face by another little girl. Her mum was on the phone and I was keeping an eye on DS (6) just then. It can happen in a flash.

madmarchhare · 17/02/2006 14:51

I dont think its realistic to expect that these things wont/shouldnt happen, particularly if it by another 'baby'.

If it was an older child continuosly misbehaving, then maybe.

Marina · 17/02/2006 14:53

Yes, it is unrealistic to expect this NEVER to happen, because at that age many are not confidently mobile and your poor little ds may have been grabbed at by a tottering baby in need of a manicure.
I would have a chat with his keyworker and see how she reports what happened, and her view on whether it was an unlucky one-off, or whether the baby who did it might need extra careful watching.
If the nursery staff seem vague about how the scratch happened (accident book? antiseptic cream applied?), or this started happening every day, that is when I would start to be anxious.

fantomas · 17/02/2006 16:11

Thanks for the advice. I'm not an overly protective mum (at least I don't think so) and I know that accidents can (and do) happen, especially at that age when they're a bit wobbly on their feet. I guess I was only concerned as I'm having second thoughts about the nursery in general - whenever I pick up or leave DS there, the staff are standing around chatting, while the babies crawl around, amusing themselves. The scratch episode just made me wonder how closely they watch the babies...

OP posts:
Novembergirl · 17/02/2006 22:37

My DS used to go to a nursery with a good Ofsted report but, despite that, I never felt comfortable.

I agonised for weeks over whether to move DS, as I wanted to be sure that I had sufficient justification (beyond a sort of mothers' instinct) to uproot him and risk his happiness.

DS was scratched twice whilst at the nursery; whilst I realise that accidents do happen, the first incident was not drawn to my husband's attention when he collected DS and the second incident, which involved a nasty scratch and red mark very close to DS' eye, was, so my husband was told when he asked for further information, caused by an older child (possibly from another room as DS, although a baby, mixed with older under-twos on a regular basis).

In the end, I was able to identify my concerns (not just the scratching incidents) and the final decision was easy to make. DS is now at a smaller, very caring nursery, where he is happy and DH and I are entirely comfortably leaving him in their care.

If you are concerned about your DS' nursery and are having second thoughts, as well as talking to the staff, try calling round at unexpected times and observe what is happening. Hopefully your concerns will be resolved, if not, do not feel bad about looking at other nurseries.

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