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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

Are nursery phoning me too often?

14 replies

kirstygem · 29/01/2007 20:26

Just looking for some advice or benefit of others experiences here. Started back at work 3 weeks ago and have been called to collect my 8 month old DD 3 times already. She has had a high temp and been very upset each time. have given permission for Calpol to be given but they still wanted her collected. Arrived in mad panic today and she was sound alseep after dose of Calpol. Not sure if thisis policy at all nurseries?? It doesnt make me look too good at my new job but at same time DD is main priority. This being a working mum is really hard x

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ipodthereforipoor · 29/01/2007 20:32

same problem here - just wanted you tio knowyou not alone.

He had calpol and then they called me to collect because he was overlly sleepy.

On one level I can see they dont want a poorly child there, but on a selfish level I just wanted to make a good inmpression at new job and wisjed they would keep him till 5:30pm!

In the event he was poorly for a week and couldn't have gone to nursery anyway but it makes you feel so bad

bananaloaf · 29/01/2007 20:32

my childminder only phones me if child is distressed through illness and she cant comfort them. in 4 years she hasnt called. she also takes them if ill which is an agreement with all parents. i know nurseries are stricter on this than CM hope your DD is better

JoAndTheBoys · 29/01/2007 20:37

I know it must be difficult for you, but when nursery staff are on a ratio of 1 staff to 3 babies, and one is ill, it is very difficult for them to give either the sick child or the other children enough attention/meet their needs.

She will probably pick up all sorts in the first few months at nursery but then be immune to most stuff after that.

Sympathies to you, I've been in your situation and also on the other end as a member of staff, but at the end of the day, if your baby is poorly, she needs you.

mummydear · 29/01/2007 20:37

Most nurseries polices I'm afraid. One of the pitfalls of having children in day care and working , even worse when you have two of them in day care , double the chance !.
Been there done it got the t shirt and took a career break instead .

I do have sympathy with you but I would have a close look at the nursery policy on sickness and calling parents out, I think you will find it is the norm.

mummynumnum · 29/01/2007 21:50

I have just read through my policy and it is the norm. I had this prob today. Got called out of work and dd cant go back for 48 hours, so really worried about what the boss will think!! DD is def the priority but still feel guilty about not being at work. All men at top and think they just think I am pulling a fast one. It is also frustrating that they said dd had the runs and thats why she cant go in. Since I have brought her home, there has been no sign of this and she has been usual bouncy self and wolfed down pasta and 1 1/2 bananas!!!!

pinkandsparkly · 29/01/2007 23:13

I used to have this problem frequently when I ran a nursery baby room and while I can completely understand it from the parent's point of view, a nursery just isn't the place for a sick child.

A poorly baby often needs one to one care, particularly if they are not with their parent. In a baby room with six babies, this leaves the other five to be cared for by one adult (obviously there are still two adults in the room but only one can be 'hands on') This isn't fair on anyone.

I suppose you could try looking at it from the point of view of your dd being well but another baby in her group being ill, would you be happy that her needs might only be being met as one of five instead of one of three?

I really hope your dd gets over her illness quickly, hopefully she will soon build up her immunity and you get to experience the benefits of nursery care as well as the downside.

Original poster

kirstygem · 30/01/2007 10:37

Thanks for everyones messages, glad to know I not the only one. I do of course know it must be hard on staff ratios if they have one sick baby to cope with. I suppose I would like them to see if the Calpol works instead of me having to collect DD straight away. Just want to make a good impression at work and they guy who arranges cover for my classes, am a teacher, is not exactly kind when have to leave suddenly.

OP posts:

saralou100 · 30/01/2007 10:49

my nursery has never phoned to collect ds, but he has had temps... they give him his calpol and let it work it's magic!

Original poster

kirstygem · 30/01/2007 11:50

That what i feel they not doing. i know Calpol will help high temp and calm her down but they phoning to get her collected and by time i get there it has worked its magic and she fine again. hopefully these teething problems will only be for first few weeks as they stressing me out big time!!

OP posts:

pinkandsparkly · 31/01/2007 00:19

I guess you've just been unlucky in the timing of you going back to work and your dd getting poorly. It must be hard when you want to make a good impression at work but hopefully this will only be a temporary blip.

I can understand why your nursery have phoned you 3 times, especially as your dd is still new to them and they haven't had time to get to know her properly yet. I was always very reluctant to care for babies with high temps on calpol as this usually meant they were not really well enough to be at nursery anyway. Some nurseries will only administer perscription medication to children,- no calpol/cough medicine etc... at all!

spudballoo · 02/02/2007 11:41

My son's nursery won't administer calpol/nurofen etc either. I have to say I think this is right, if a child is ill enough to need any kind of meds (especially babies) then they aren't well enough to be at nursery is my view. Plus, to be absolutely honest, i don't want anyone else medicating my child. I would be anxious about the dose/accurate gaps between doses etc. i think that's a parental responsibility not the nursery's.

Mumpbump · 02/02/2007 11:48

My nursery will only exclude children if they have vomiting/diarrhoea (sp?). Ds has often been there with a temperature of 100°F and they just call to ask permission to give him calpol. The only time he had a really high temperature there (104°F) it was at the end of the day when I was picking him up anyway. If I were you, I'd ask them to administer calpol and then call you back if his temperature hasn't gone down within half an hour.

FluffyMummy123 · 02/02/2007 11:50

Message withdrawn

Overrun · 02/02/2007 11:56

I know that there is the problem of the CM being ill and having to cancel, but ime, I think they are better with children who are slightly poorly.
Obvioulsy we would all want to be with ours when they are really ill, but its those times when capol and a hug will do, that grate.
I am a SAHM so don't have the problem. With ds1 he was at a CM for half of the week and a nursery for the other half. CM, would look after him when he was a bit poorly, and I really felt that I could leave him in her care, with a nursery, it is different.
I don't understand why nurseries are so popular for small children say up to 2. Just my point of view though

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