Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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.

Original poster

Wrong child given to me

160 replies

Astressedmumoftwo · 28/09/2022 21:13

Earlier today I went to pick up my son from nursery. A member of staff I'd never seen before appeared with a little girl who walked towards me out of the door. I quickly explained that I wasn't her mum and the worker apologised and took her back in. I had a chat with the manager after who explained that this new staff member had been mistakenly told I was this girls mum by another staff member.

He was very apologetic, said the staff member involved was very upset about it and said they'd make sure it couldn't happen again by implementing more safeguarding procedures. They seemed to take it seriously at least

What would you do?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Ethelfromnumber73 · 28/09/2022 23:05

My friends mum once came home with the wrong Westie from the dog groomer

ShaneTwane · 28/09/2022 23:06

I probably would have been all british and too embarrassed to point out the mistake and just took the wrong kid home to save face.

Hugasauras · 28/09/2022 23:17

WoodenStackingRainbow · 28/09/2022 22:25

Imagine being so British, that you'd take the wrong child home just to be polite.

GrinGrinGrin

MrsMontyD · 28/09/2022 23:19

It's not like they offered the child to a passing stranger, no parent is going to accidentally take home the wrong child from nursery.

ShaneTwane · 28/09/2022 23:20

Tbh im laughing at the thought of someone taking the wrong kid home and leaving their own bewildered offspring behind.

withgraceinmyheart · 28/09/2022 23:29

I’d be upset too OP, and I’d definitely follow up with the manager to ask why it happened and what’s being done about it.

TidyDancer · 28/09/2022 23:42

This thread is brilliant.

Me personally, I'd check which kid they were offering before deciding whether to say anything. Both my two went through fairly hideous phases at various points and if I'd been offered a swap I can't say I'd have turned it down.

Seriously though, this is an absolute non-event which the nursery dealt with appropriately. The only thing I'd do is make sure I reassured the new staff member (if I saw them again) that it's understood that mistakes happen and there's no need for her to worry about it.

PinkSand · 28/09/2022 23:43

Call the fire brigade

eleanorsmellstrop · 29/09/2022 00:10

I’d do nothing.

You were recognised as a parent so they were hardly handing a stranger off the street a child. It was a simple mix up.

Goldbar · 29/09/2022 04:02

It's fine. Kids are mostly equally annoying. It's just a combination of biological impulses and socially constructed norms which leads you to prefer your own. You'd soon have got used to the swap.

gaymeanshappy · 29/09/2022 04:52

Totally off topic but these responses have reminded me of the poster who once (as an on-call carer) went into the wrong house and put the wrong old lady to bed.

PurBal · 29/09/2022 05:47

LaurieFairyCake · 28/09/2022 21:14

Laugh and ask if the one they brought out was a better one 🤷‍♀️

This. It happened to me although the worker knew me and was looking for the right person. Lady on desk say “oh sorry it’s DS mum, I thought it was X mum” and we had a chuckle.

girlmom21 · 29/09/2022 06:02

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 28/09/2022 22:46

I wouldn’t have said anything and hoped this child eats their vegetables and answers back less

Haaa I'm all for this!

Annonnimouse · 29/09/2022 06:12

Hmmm I don’t know why everybody thinks this is so funny. I don’t think it’s a grave error but there should be safe guarding protocols in place to make sure that the only allocated adult in collecting each child.

in all seriousness OP. I would take this as a human error , however you can ask the nursery their policy to ensure this never happens again.

Sux2buthen · 29/09/2022 06:16

WoodenStackingRainbow · 28/09/2022 22:25

Imagine being so British, that you'd take the wrong child home just to be polite.

I would be apologising for their mistake
Ooh sorry this one's not mine. Sorry about that!

Tillsforthrills · 29/09/2022 06:27

Much ado about nothing 🙄

TrufflesForBreakfast · 29/09/2022 06:28

Ffs op get a grip Hmm

cantthinkofabetterusername · 29/09/2022 06:28

WoodenStackingRainbow · 28/09/2022 22:25

Imagine being so British, that you'd take the wrong child home just to be polite.

😂😂

UnderCoverFieldAgent · 29/09/2022 06:36

They’ve already told you what they’re going to do 🤷‍♀️ Would you’d prefer it if the member of staff begged for forgiveness at your knees whilst crying?

Get over it.

Willbe2under2 · 29/09/2022 06:40

CatGrins · 28/09/2022 21:31

Are you worried someone will turn up to collect their child and take yours home instead of speaking up and admitting it isn't their child? Most all parents will correct that mistake.

I don't know, mine was a terror last night... if they gave me a better sleeper who knows what I'd decide.

Stevenage689 · 29/09/2022 06:40

withgraceinmyheart · 28/09/2022 23:29

I’d be upset too OP, and I’d definitely follow up with the manager to ask why it happened and what’s being done about it.

But OP knows what went wrong and what will be done about it. It's mentioned in their post.

rwalker · 29/09/2022 06:41

I’d say nothing there aware I’d just feel sorry for new staff who must be shitting themselves about being sacked
please don’t be an arsehole and kick off it will be dealt with

you feel how you feel if it’s a problem move your child to another nursery

listsandbudgets · 29/09/2022 06:43

This happened to me twice. The child had first name and first initial. A simple error both times by a new starter.. actually the other one was better behaved but I'm rather fond of MiniListsandbudgets thanks very much!

lannistunut · 29/09/2022 06:44

Vecna · 28/09/2022 23:01

In the moment, faced with well-meaning and pleasant nursery staff, I'd probably laugh it off. You're right though, OP, despite the sarcastic responses. It's not good enough to hand over a child to someone who isn't authorised to collect them. That's just obvious. A very basic failure on the nursery's part and I'm glad you mentioned it.

I agree/ The nursery needs to review their processes but I would expect they are doing so.

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 29/09/2022 06:48

I understand why you would be concerned, but it was a simple mistake. One staff member correctly identified you as a parent, but something got mixed up about who was being collected. It doesn't mean that they would allow someone unknown to collect a child, which would be my first concern. Ask the manager why there was a mix up, as I'm sure it'll put your mind at rest.