Nursery smell

[Caterina86]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of a dilemma and wondering if anyone faced a similar situation. My daughter recently started going to a local nursery with very good reviews and rating. She only went for 2x1h settling in sessions, and she seems happy there so far, but when she came home, I noticed her clothes and hair have a musty/ old building smell. How do I raise this with the nursery manager, without sounding offensive? My guess is the staff probably got used with the smell, and don’t notice it, so I would not want to offend them. On the other hand, I want to raise this and l make sure it’s not due to mould or mildew, as I wasn’t able to visit the nursery, due to the Covid policies implemented. Anyone had a similar experience and how did you approach it? Thanks!

What's the building like? Is it a pack away setting? Is it an outside dusty smell etc?

No children come back from nursery smelling fresh and lovely. YABR

Mine always come home with a distinct nursery smell. Never thought about raising it to be honest.

My daughter always smells oh nursery every day when she's picked up. It's inoffensive and I've grown to think of it as she's enjoyed her day so much she's bought it home with her. Plus get gets bathed every night so goes to bed smelling fresh. I don't think it's a big deal unless you find the smell hugely offensive.

Are you sure it's not a faint chlorine smell? Certainly what my nursery smells like at the moment.

I remember that too - I can't explain the smell, but it was odd. Mine eldest two only went two days a week, so maybe I never got used to it.

My son comes home with a nursery smell too! My DH can't smell it but I notice it the second he comes home. I've put it down to cleaning products, and put him in the bath when he gets home.

I always thought it smelt a bit like boiled vegetables or something so assumed it was a cooking type smell. So weird that apparently there's a distinct nursery smell!

I had separate clothes that only went to nursery. Paint or mess proof. So as soon as LO came home, in the bath. New clean clothes on. Got rid of the smell.

Think it’s a combination of cleaning stuff, wee, poo, vomit, snot and play doh that creates the special aroma.

My kids smell too after nursery. It's pretty standard I think.

My two had a very definite "nursery smell" when they went. I can still remember it now and they're both in secondary school 😄.
Boiled veg is a great description of it @LoopyLoulley! Boiled veg/mustiness/hot sticky little hands 😆

Definitely a nursery smell here too. I think it's the food, as they cook everything there?

Haha DD has a nursery smell when she comes home too. It's not really on her per se but her clothes are pretty whiffy. Never really thought anything of it. I wouldn't say anything to the nursery.

Oh yes, nursery smell. It's standard I'm afraid, lots of toddlers/preschoolers in one room can really make a stink

Another one familiar with nursery smell - DS also brings his bedding home on a Friday to be washed and it smells the same. Like PP, I sort of like it in a strange way.

My ds comes home smelling of the staffs perfume, especially his hair!! I know he's had lots of cuddles and play time with them because he smells of them. I even know which member of staff has been in his room now just by the perfume smell in his hair!

Yes our kids have all picked up a definite “nursery smell”. The place is spotless so I’m not sure where it comes from.

Don't raise it, you'll look like a loon honestly. It's very normal. They wouldn't have passed all their checks if it was covered in mould!

Thanks everyone for your comments and sharing your experiences, it looks like it’s something pretty common, so that’s reassuring . I am not going to raise it, -as it may come across as offensive, and tbh when she came back home today I wasn’t as bothered by it .