Would this bother you?

[June628]

DD has been attending nursery for a month; she is 14mo
I have a few things bugging me but I don’t know if I am being extra

1. sitting her in the dirt/mud outside without waterproofs (when they have been provided) they changed her clothes after but I don’t understand why that is what they did
2. clothes getting very messy after food
3. not wiping face after food
4. not wiping bum properly so finding little bits of poo left when she comes home
5. saying oooh she really likes her food - implying she’s a fatty almost
6. constantly talking about her “catching up” she doesn’t crawl but has recently started walking. Still needs to go between two people/ a person and an object and doesn’t just let go but she’s getting there

I know I feel like no one will look after her as well as I will but unfortunately I have to work. She’s only been there for a month so changing settings seems unnecessarily unsettling.
She smiles and waves when she sees the key workers and is happy coming out at the end of the day so she has settled there, other than not napping properly which that’s one of those things.

I think you’ll get a lot of people saying you are being precious about no5 but to be honest I’d hate this as well - probably nothing meant by it though.

It does seem to indicate not brilliant standards of care.

Points 3 & (especially) 4 are neglectful and I would urgently speak to the manager & log a formal complaint. We would get an absolute bollocking if we did this at our nursery!
If nothing changes, log a formal complaint with OFSTED/Care Inspectorate.
The other points, I might mention, but I wouldn’t get worked up about...clothes wash.

None of these things are great but perhaps if she's happy generally they can be sorted? Have you spoken to the person in charge? In my experience nurseries often have large numbers of young and inexperienced staff who are actually kind and love the kids but just need pointing in the right direction. My gut feeling is that a gentle chat in the first instance might make all the difference.

I'd only be bothered about 3 & 4 on your list and I'd just mention it at next pick up/drop off.

Thanks everyone. I haven’t discussed with nursery yet as I didn’t know if I was being OTT.
Point 5 annoys me massively but I’m sure is meant with no malice. Will mention 3 & 4 in the first instance.

The only thing I'd think was at all something to raise as a concern is the not being wiped properly after a nappy change. If it happens every day, it's an issue. If it happens sometimes, not such an issue. You know it can be really hard to change a screaming, flailing baby of that age and if they are trying to be gentle, sometimes they can only do so good of a job. If it's every day and is causing nappy rash, it's something I'd raise. The rest of it wouldn't be a concern for me. Kids are meant to get dirty and muddy at nursery, as long as they are changing her to dry clothes when they come in from playing. Even wearing waterproofs, mine still comes home with a couple changes of muddy clothes many days. The comment about her eating well sounds very normal. I think they are trying to tell you that she is eating plenty and seems settled. I think you are maybe projecting your own issues about food onto what is normal, healthy toddler behaviour.

Point 4 would be worth a mention for me but none of the rest of it is a problem (for me).

Thank you for your reply. It’s really helpful to get other’s perspective as I’m new to it all.

3 and 4 would really bother me. The rest not so much, except 1 if it's cold and she's getting wet. Speak to the manager if any of them are regular occurrences, most likely what will happen is the manager will have a word with the staff in her room to be more on top of things like this. Particularly the nappy changing thing - it may be that staff are in a hurry, so management could add cover during nappy changing times, for example. Or a member of staff new to childcare needs an update on how to thoroughly clean the child. I've seen it before! They don't know unless you say something.

Echoing others, 3 and 4 are worrying, but i'd give them a chance to address it.

Talk to the manager about your concerns especially 3&4. Though point 2 is a bit ridiculous not to expect mess from eating however if no bib is being used at all then I could see how you would be annoyed. Point 5 I think you're being ridiculous to think that they are implying that.

@June628

Thanks everyone. I haven’t discussed with nursery yet as I didn’t know if I was being OTT. Point 5 annoys me massively but I’m sure is meant with no malice. Will mention 3 & 4 in the first instance.

Point 5 could just be their way of telling you she does well with her food for her age, I work in a nursery and some kids are either really good with food and will try them where as other kids not so much.

Point 3 and 4 are the only issues.

My nursery tell me every pickup that DD loves her food. It makes me SO happy as DD1 is a terrible eater and I’m delighted DD2 eats everything & seconds 😂 both DD’s come home filthy, sign of good day in my opinion. I hate mess & dirt, so I’m glad they get to do all that outside of my house! DD2 wears a bib as I’ve seen on photos on the app.. but as at home, still gets food everywhere, they are clumsy eaters until much older.

I would be bothered about them not cleaning her bum properly if it was happening daily. Occasionally, not so much. When you say her face isn’t wiped.. do you mean she’s covered in food or rather, there’s a smear of banana on her forehead or in her hair and a hint of food in the corner of her mouth? As that’s quite normal in my opinion.. again, kids hate having their faces wiped & they probably just missed a bit!

As a nursery practitioner most parents biggest worry is that their child doesn't eat and is starving through the day. Perhaps they are just trying to reassure you? I would only be worried about the nappy thing. The rest is OTT children and clothes wash learning experiences are far more important than being clean

I would be more bothered about the face wiping and nappy changing. I would mention it and then if it does not improve then talk with the manager. We have nursery clothes at home. I do not worry or care about what my LO goes in. The ones I do are home clothes 😅

As others 3 and 4

How dirty is her face? Has it not been wiped at all or is it just a couple of grubby bits? If the latter than that wouldn’t bother me so much they always come home looking a scruff from nursery 😂

I think 4 needs sorting and 3 if possible. 5 wouldn't bother me at all as I say it about my own dd all the time and she is tiny, but absolutely does love her food. It wouldn't cross my mind that this could be taken as saying she's overweight ( really dislike your use of the word fatty).