toddler strapped at nursery frequently

[petiteHBB]

Hello,

I would like to get some opinions before bringing it up to the manager at DS's nursery.

DS is 23 months and has been attending the nursery for more than a year. Recently we have noticed 3 times that he was strapped on the chair in the end of the day. Twice he was doing nothing, just sitting and looking around on the chair. When we asked about this, the staff said when they got too busy to watch everyone, sometimes they strapp them for a short time. when we ask how long, they said like 5 min.

Recently he did throw toys and bite more often. We are trying to help and guide him to stop doing it. I'm not sure if it's related but i feel upset about this because he looked sad and it seems to happen frequently.

AIBU about this? Thank you.

A nursery shouldn't be too busy to watch the children.

I think people over-react often, but a nursery that strap children into chairs because they are busy is one I'd be removing my child from.

Bloody hell. That's awful. I'd be livid if they did that to mine 21 month old.

I would think there’s no reasonable excuse to do this, and I would be removing my kid as well as reporting them to whoever oversees their registration etc.

Remove your DC and report this to ofsted. Why would a toddler be strapped to a chair unless it’s for feeding?

Never heard of this. Is it a thing?

Report it and take him out.

I thought a child in a highchair needed close supervision anyway? You never know when will be the day they learn how to escape or tip it over...

I have never seen this in my life and would be removing my child immediately

This is child abuse and needs reporting after you have removed your child from the nursery.
Maybe your child is misbehaving like this because of the strapping.? Children are not meant to sit still.. yes strapping in an high chair for meal times for safety or in a buggy.. but just because they are too busy is not on..they need more staff.
I'm crying for him..

Honestly my ds tipped his high chair at that age cut his head on the side and everything

I would remove them

Fucking hell. Absolutely not ok.

Nope, definitely not ok. My 18 month old can get out of the straps in his highchair so they definitely require close supervision even when they’re using the equipment appropriately (i.e. at mealtimes).
They shouldn’t be too busy to look after the children safely without having to restrain them. I’d go to the manager with my concerns but honestly I properly would lose confidence in their judgment and start looking for another nursery/childminder.

So if they are busy they restrain your child so they don't have to look after him and engage him. That is disgusting.

Ds went to a nursery that had floor level chairs with straps for lunch time in the baby room, I assume you mean one of these?

I would raise a concern with management and see how you feel about their response. A nursery should be safe for small mobile children without the use of physical restraint.

@petiteHBB are they actually allowed to restrain toddlers at a nursery?????? by law, I didnt think they were!! thank goodness they dont also have straightjackets in toddler size!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/nurseries/4768916-strapped-child-in-nursery

Similar

I’ve read this post before. Last year? Maybe longer. Probably word for word.

Report this immediately. This is not ok.

There was a post earlier this year similar to this, might be helpful

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/nurseries/4768916-strapped-child-in-nursery

No, I wouldn't be happy with that reasoning.

My DD (18 months) sometimes likes to be put in her high chair at home, and watches DD1 playing while playing with some toys on the tray. So I could feasibly see that happening at nursery. I could also see it happening as a one off in an emergency, eg if there was a serious medical issue with another child that required multiple staff.

But as a regular thing because they're too busy? Absolutely not.

Absolutely not okay. This needs reporting to ofsted.

Their whole job is to watch all the children at once!!!

I presuming you mean they're putting him in a highchair that has straps...as opposed to binding him to a chair in some sort of hostage style scenario. I'd have no problem with short periods in a high chair. If they're actually tying him to a chair then that's a bit different!

That’s cruel.
Report them and remove your child.

Never heard of such a thing, and their explanation is ridiculous.

I'd report and remove my child.