Toddler hit at nursery

[ColdShouldersWarmTummy]

If your toddler was hit on the forehead by another, would you expect a lump and bruise?

Nursery called today to say that another child had hit DD (she's 16 months, other child same age or younger). No mention of any objects used. Apparently DD cried but recovered pretty quickly. When we got home it became apparent that she has a raised bruise around the size of 50p on her forehead

It just seems weird to me. I don't think for a minute think that they're lying, but she's only ever had lumps like that from falling face first on something hard. Then again she's never been hit before (thankfully) so nothing to compare against.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Sounds like they hit her with a toy or something - which is very common at that age,

You either believe them, or you don't.

You said you believe them, so what else do you want is to say?

If you're worried about her, e.g.she's got a headache or drowsy or whatever, call 111 and ask for some proper advice.

Yep probably hit by a toy, its fairly normal and a bump is a fairly normal consequence.

Thanks @Soontobe60, yeah maybe.

Why would they lie and say another child had hit her instead of her just falling? It's not unusual for toddlers to fall, so I'd think it unlikely they would make life more difficult for themselves by bringing another child into it unnecessarily!

Yeah sounds like a whack with a toy. I’d ask for more details and track for reoccurrence. Unfortunately it is common

@Starcaller no I don't think that at all, I really don't think they'd lie. Given what's been said here I think the other baby probably had a toy in their hand but the carers didn't see it.

Any thoughts?

Sounds like you think nursery staff are lying

My 3 year old got an injury like that from another child lobbing a wooden brick. None of the teachers actually seen it happen but responded to my crying child with fresh bruise and the culprit made himself known and explained.

I work in a nursery and deal with this all the time. We never lie about what happens and always fill out accident/ incident forms x

@HumphreysCorner thanks. In your experience can a hit with a hand/fist cause a bruise like that or is it more likely an object? I'm not trying to place blame on anyone but I would like to understand what happened.

A child of such a young age is most likely to have hit holding a toy. Their hands alone are unlikely to cause a bruise/lump. X

Most likely a toy and maybe not even intentional at that age. Did you sign an accident form? I work in a nursery and we have to put every detail and whether it was witnessed by a staff member. It’s not always witnessed even though there are always staff nearby, turn your back for a second and something can happen.

I can’t imagine a hit alone would be enough to cause a bruise, I imagine other child was actually holding a toy but nursery staff didn’t see properly. Just mention it to them if you want so they can update their accident form.

Oh yeah. Super common.

DS once got a black eye as a toddler when another one wanged a wooden toy across the room and it hit him in the face. Also had - pretty nasty bite, and he’s had a few lumps on his head where he’s been walloped by other kids holding toys.

In our experience they stop doing that kind of thing quite so often around 3 - combination of better motor skills (less flying toys!) and better understanding of appropriate behaviour.

It’s not nice, but it’s part and parcel of having 15 x 2 year olds in a room together.

Also your kid will absolutely already have or will at some point bash another child. You just don’t hear about it (unless it was done deliberately / with intent).

Thanks all that's really helpful.