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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

Accidents can happen!

21 replies

DelGirl · 18/02/2006 19:34

Hmm, not sure what to type here just want some feed back really. Honest opinions too as I'm hopefully worrying unduly.

DD, 10 months, has been going to nursery 2 full days a week for 6 weeks. Well, only full days for the past 3.

I really like the nursery and it comes highly recommended by several people I know. DD seems to love it too and always seems happy to be there and is all smiles when I pick her up.

They have an accident book and 3 weeks ago I had to sign it as dd had fallen off a low sofa. There were no marks etc and she was fine but I think they fill it out if a child sneezes! Last week, I had to sign it again as one of the boys had knocked her with a toy, again no marks and she was fine.

This week, I had to sign it yet again but this time she had a horrible bump and bruise on her forehead and today most of her forehead is slightly (and I mean slightly) bruised. She was apparently standing up (she can't do it on her own yet but can stand holding furniture). She then fell against the wall and hit her head. She has a smallish but very dark bruise above her eye. Obviously this is upsetting but I do appreciate that accidents happen.

Do I need to be more realistic and just put it down to bad luck or should I say something if she has another one. How common are accidents like this? The ratio of staff to child is supposed to be 1 adult to 3 babies and there are 6 babies in the room. Obviously there are times when 1 adult might have to leave the room. It's just got me thinking that dd is only there twice a week and this was obviously a bad fall. Oh, I don't know, just hate to see her hurt . That said, she was all smiles and laughter last night so not too upset by it.

Would you' be concerned if it was you' is, I guess, what i'm trying to ask.

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Twiglett · 18/02/2006 19:36

the more mobile a child gets the more common these accidents are I'm afraid

I remember when DS was just standing, within 30 minutes he'd fallen over twice and had 2 bruises and I was watching him like a hawk (the second time he bounced off the skirting board)

Original poster

DelGirl · 18/02/2006 19:41

thanks twiglett . She's had accidents, well 2, whilst at home but that's in 10 months but I'm hopefully worrying unnecessarily.

OP posts:

HappyMumof2 · 18/02/2006 19:44

Message withdrawn

goldenoldie · 18/02/2006 19:52

Agree with happymum - it sounds like a nasty fall. I would have a quiet word with whoever is in charge of baby room and flag up that the ratio of incidents to the number of days she is there seems high.

I would also be a bit sneaky and turn up unexpectantly at an odd time and have a quick look to see if they really are keeping to the correct staffing threshold and what is actually going on in the baby room.

I would also start chatting with other parents with babies there to see if they have had similar experience.

7777777 · 18/02/2006 20:25

it is a worry but im sure its all genuine accidents. my ds fell off my mothers kitchen chair on wednesday, 2 foot to the floor and landed on his head. on thursday he tripped trying to run (16month old)and fell head first onto my stone kitchen floor and a wacking great bruise and lump appeared instantly, poor thing.

hes too quick to catch, im sure he should have a brain injury by now but seems ok

Nemo1977 · 18/02/2006 20:46

mmm this is difficult.
I am a sahm and must say my ds had a lot of accidents..he is one of those children who was eager to do everything he shouldnt. Also if he is at playgroup etc then accidents are even more frequent. I suppose part of it depends on the ages of the other children too as they can bump each other. I dont see any harm in having a word but I would say that tots always have bumps and bruises...or mine do anyway

VeniVidiVickiQV · 18/02/2006 20:56

Yep, my two do also. DD regularly had bumps and knocks at home and nursery. The only accident reports i worried about were ones where another child was involved ie biting or something.

Atm DS, who is 10 months and at home with me has 2 bruises on either side of his forhead - one from a fall, and one where DD picked up a tin and swung round without looking and banged the tin off his head.

So yes, accidents do happen - especially when they start moving.

Hulababy · 18/02/2006 21:01

Have to say that DD was also one for lots of bumps and bruises. She was on a feet from pretty early cruising, and then waking around 10 months. The more mobile she got the more bumps and bruises she had. TBH on some days I suspect she must have had some form of topple more than once. DD had as manay accidents at home woth me as she did at nursery.

At least the nursery seem very vigilant in filling in the accident book and informing you, even over minor bumps and bruises.

If you feel concerned, have a word with the nursery just to let them know you are a bit worried as to why so many accidents.

Original poster

DelGirl · 19/02/2006 16:30

Would be grateful to hear of any more experiences. Thanks for the comments so far.

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edam · 19/02/2006 16:39

Ds has also had loads of accidents, mainly when he's with me. Lots of banging his head on the wall when he trips, falling flat on his face, that kind of thing. He did have a few of these accidents at nursery too but I knew by then that he'd have accidents at home too so wasn't too worried - they always told me, filled in the accident book, gave him a cold compress, etc. etc. I used to turn up at nursery at different times depending on when I left work and how delayed the trains were, so I knew that they were keeping an eye on the children and would comfort anyone who fell over or bumped into another child.

But do talk to nursery about it if it's worrying you. Agree that they should be watching babies very carefully, especially when they are first standing/walking. Sometimes you just can't reach them fast enough, though...

Original poster

DelGirl · 19/02/2006 18:47

Thanks Edam. Think I'll mention in a 'she's being adventurous now but unsteady on her feet, can you keep an eye on her' sort of way and hope that does the trick.

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Novembergirl · 20/02/2006 12:22

At DS's previous nursery, when he was about the same age as your DD, he used to feature in the accident book on a very regular basis; sometimes a couple of times a week and even on consecutive days!

Ds has always been an active, adventurous, baby and by the time he started nursery he could cruise furniture and try to climb it! Once, when I turned up at his nursery during the day, I spotted DS hanging onto the tray of a highchair! No wonder then he had accidents at home and at nursery.

That said though, and this has got me thinking, at DS' new nursery he has not yet been in the accident book (fingers' crossed now I've said that). I know that the new nursery takes the accident book seriously and they even have an information note to give parents if a child bumps their head (which DS did at his old nursery). So, maybe it is because DS is steadier on his feed now or maybe it is because the baby room is smaller (both in terms of size and numbers of babies) and the babies are never mixed with older, more lively, children?

While accidents do happen, if you are concerned, I agree that it would be a good idea to have a chat with the staff at your DD's nursery and also call round unexpectedly a few times.

scotlou · 20/02/2006 12:38

My dd (3.5) has been at nursery 2 days a week since 5 months old - and I reckon I could paper her room with teh accident reports I've had during that time! All for minor stuff - usually falling over. I knwo the staff are vigilant - and staff levels are good. They fill out reports for very minor stuff that you would not even notice at home. If you are happy with the nursery - and she is happy - I wouldn't worry.

Anchovy · 20/02/2006 12:51

I am very relaxed about this sort of thing and to be honest, a couple of the things you have mentioned wouldn't even pass as "accidents" at home, I think! My DS and DD both went through phases of tumbling around all over the place and, shall we say, "interacting with other children in a robust manner" (biting, if we're being honest with DD!) I would often come home from work and find one of them with an impressive looking bruise - usually on their head. Ocasionally there had been a specific incident, but often our nanny could barely remember how it happened! I also remember sitting at home talking to our nanny when DS - aged about 14 months - wriggled out of her lap and somehow fell upside down straight onto his head onto the floor (fortunately onto carpet!) That was with a ratio of 2 adults to 1 child!

This wouldn't worry me about a nursery on its own. By all means be more vigilant if you have other reasons for being concerned about the nursery, but otherwise I would say welcome to the world of movement and its effects!

Original poster

DelGirl · 20/02/2006 16:53

Thanks, you've all put my mind at rest. I kind of knew she'd be into all sorts, it's just the 1st knock she's had and it ain't nice. Still, i'm sure there'll be plenty more scrapes.

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aprilmeadow · 06/03/2006 19:41

Hi Delgirl, Jack (10mths) is very regularly in the accident book. I put it down to him being far to impatient and wanting to get to the'new and exciting places'! What age does the 'room' that your dd is in go up to? Most of Jack's accidents where when he was in the 3-10mth class and happened when he was getting to the 10mth stage, where there are lots of little toys and bouncy chairs to get in his way. Now that he has moved to the 10-15mth room that has bigger toys and slightly less clutter on the floor he is in the book nearly as often.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 06/03/2006 19:44

When my DS was that age we used to joke that we would buy him a season ticket for A&E.

He has never been to A&E, but we went through a phase of fully expecting to have to go, IYKWIM.

Original poster

DelGirl · 06/03/2006 19:46

hi, the age range is from 4 months to 2 years but she's the youngest and the smallest too at 10 months. I can see how it happens, the last couple of weeks she's not still for a second and if the staff (there are 2 in the room) are dealing with another child and can quite see how it can happen really. Part of growing I guess though it's still a worry isn't it?

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fisil · 06/03/2006 19:46

Hi Delgirl. DS2 is nearly 10 months now. I sign an accident form virtually everyday at nursery. Personally I find it hard to believe that it is only one a day - on days he's at home with me he is forever falling over!

kid · 06/03/2006 19:47

Both of my kids have had lots of accidents. DD somehow always manages to fall on her head, even now at the age of 7.

DS always has bruises on him somewhere or other, his legs look painful with the amount of bruises. He also has a lovely one on the top of his nose thanks to a boy at his nursery.

I'd just make a mental note to yourself and if they get more serious or you notice bruises or bumps that the nursery don't mention to you, then I'd be concerned.

Original poster

DelGirl · 06/03/2006 19:50

dd is never still for a moment now apart from when she's asleep. Well, not even then actually . I think they need a staff ration of 1-1 but me thinks it'll not be worth going to work as it'll cost too much!!!!!!!!!

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