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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

How should I handle problem at nursery?!

21 replies

empie · 20/04/2007 17:45

Any advice welcome, I'm seriously angry and also scared right now! Yesterday, my daughter's nursery rang to say that she had been coughing and choking and could I come and collect her - then 10 minutes later rang to say it was OK and I needn't worry.

There was nothing in her daily diary so I assumed that it wasn't an issue.

Today, I change her nappy and find a piece of square shiny plastic (the sort you use for sticking) in it - when they thought she was coughing up phlegm, she must have been choking on this bit of plastic all along.

She's 10 months old and crawling around and puts everything in her mouth, but don't I have a right to expect that they should take precautions to prevent things like this happening - something like that could (and at one point obviously was) blocking her airway, she could have died.

I have rung them and told them I am going in on Monday to discuss it with them but what should I do? and what should I be expecting THEM to do? I am really scared and would really appreciate some advice! Thanks Emma x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

corblimeymadam · 20/04/2007 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

empie · 20/04/2007 17:52

LOL yes very delicately fished out of a very dirty nappy with a bit of loo roll!

OP posts:

Original poster

empie · 20/04/2007 17:55

Oh and I am meeting the manager, but I am not sure what I should actually ask them to DO - it's all very well me going in and ranting but at the end of the day there is no point if nothing is achieved by it!

OP posts:

Blu · 20/04/2007 17:58

Hmmm
I don't thbink it is necessary a problem that your dd put the plastic in her mouth - they can't keep them in an object-free envirnment, BUT I am surprised that the first aid procedures were not clear enough that they should have checked - done a sweep of her mouth - to ensure that she didn't have an object in there.

I would ask them to comment on what happened and ask for a report into how ist aid procedures should have been applied.

Original poster

empie · 20/04/2007 18:10

I agree,it would be unreasonable to expect nursery to be object-free, but they do have a baby room which is sectioned off, and this is something that you wouldn't put near a child under 3. On top of that, someone should have been monitoring her and should have seen that she was eating something she shouldn't have or you would hope so anyway. I will ask them about first aid, thanks for the advice.

OP posts:

olivo · 20/04/2007 19:26

I might be wrong on this, but i thought the advice was not to sweep a baby's mouth as it can cause more harm than good? I'm not a pro though! you might want to check somewhere before you mention this to them!
I suppose it could be something as simple as it was sruck to another baby's clothes when he/she was brought to nursery etc etc. It's a really difficult one; i too would be worried.

Mistymoo · 20/04/2007 19:31

Was just on an accident and emergency course and was told that you do not sweep the mouth. If you can remove an object without sweeping of course it can be removed but otherwise you try to remove it by slapping back and chest thrusts on a baby.

compo · 20/04/2007 19:34

I would definitely bring up the fact that it wasn't written in her daily diary.

chipkid · 20/04/2007 19:37

for a 10 month old in a baby room you are entitled to leave her there in the knowledge that she is closely observed and that items such as this are not available to your child.

You need to find out how they say it got into her possession. You also need to ask how she was able to put it into her mouth seemingly without anybody seeing.

The ratios for children of this age are high because of the vulnerability of your child.

good luck. They will undoubtedly be more anxious than you about this meeting

Blu · 20/04/2007 19:39

yes, sorry, not sweeping - but whatever they should have done if a child appeared to be coughing and choking.

handlemecarefully · 20/04/2007 19:41

What empie said!

Original poster

empie · 20/04/2007 19:56

Thank you guys, very much. I'm making a list of the things you say so I can make sure I cover everything calmly! She really likes nursery but right now I don't feel like I can trust them enough to leave her with them. So I will have to see what they say, I guess that how they handle it will depend on whether we can go back again. It took me ages to trust them in the first place, as I still don't think anyone can look after Milly as well as her mummy! and I don't know if I can get that back again. x

OP posts:

ThePrisoner · 20/04/2007 21:21

Are nurseries are different to childminders? Childminders have to make a written record of any incidents that have happened to a child in their care.

I have had to deal with young children choking (on food), and always record it, sign it, ask parents to sign it, and give them a copy.

If the nursery rang you, they must have been concerned enough about your dd to have done so. I would have thought that this would warrant a written record somewhere?

wildholly · 20/04/2007 22:44

I am a doctor and agree you don't sweep the mouth in a choking episode but also agree with what has been said above. WTF telling you DC was choking, could you come and collect. If they were worried they should have dialed 999 and then phoned you to tell you what was happening. I find that very odd and agree quite scary.

However kids swallow all kinds of rubbish and very little comes to any harm so I wouldn't be too alarmed finding that in her poo.

Best wishes with your meeting

lelo · 21/04/2007 15:42

Are you going by yourself? Is there a DP that can go too? i always find that my dh is invaluable in situations with the nursery - even though there hasnt been anything that would scare me as much as this would. I tend to get over emotional and freaked out. Also seems to show the nursery you mean business without having to say much at all.

TheWoman · 21/04/2007 16:03

I would be very concerned about their procedure to call you to collect your DD instead of seeking urgent medical assistance for a choking incident.
I would put my concerns in writing, take the letter along to the meeting, and request that a written response is given by the nursery, clearly stating how improvements will be made.
I am glad your DD is fine, but this could have been a very serious situation.

Original poster

empie · 21/04/2007 19:28

Hello, thanks for the advice. I have been looking at Ofsted's complaints procedure and they won't even look at it unless you have made a complaint in writing, so thanks for the suggestion of taking it along with me when I go. Unfortunately my hubby is at work so I might ask my MIL to come along as I do have a habit of erm ranting

I am also going to look at a different nursery on Monday

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Genidef · 23/04/2007 15:54

Empie I have to say I would have flipped if this happened. It sounds like there's been some good advice here as to what to do though - but I would undoubtedly be going for the last option you mentioned - finding some place else!!

Original poster

empie · 24/04/2007 11:55

Hello, thought those of you that replied might like to know how this ended up. I had a meeting at the nursery, where they were very apologetic, and they have put some measures in to stop it happening again.

However my gut feeling is that I can't leave here there again and feel confident that she won't come to harm. I have been and looked at a LOVELY nursery today, which is more expensive but was full of smiling staff who obviously enjoyed their work - and she's starting there next week!

Love Emma x

OP posts:

Genidef · 24/04/2007 12:40

The right decision!

Nickynappy · 10/05/2007 14:53

Hi Emma,

I was just wondering which nursery this is so we can all know to avoid it.

Nicky

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