Nursery home visit unannounced

[fifi113]

So my 2 year old had been unwell from around beginning of December with croup, bronchiolitis etc I've kept him off nursery for the most part as I have a newborn and didn't want to get him worse. I took him on days where he wasn't coughing so bad and then kept him off other days. After the xmas hols his cough didn't go away and mainly kept him up at night so I emailed the nursery and said he'd come in next week (this week) as he's still not fully recovered. Then randomly one morning 2 members of staff from the nursery came to visit unannounced. My house was a mess after the breakfast rush. Also I looked a mess. They mentioned they came to check how DS was doing, I felt as though they were judging me. I'm really paranoid as even though they received an email from me they still came to my home. Is this normal protocol. I can understand why they'd want to see him but maybe a phone call before hand would've been better? Am I overthinking? DS is back at nursery now but should I mention it to the nursery?

Nonsense here. This is a two year old. The correct procedure if concerned about absence is to phone the GP and say we haven't seen this child for two months and Mum is saying he is ill.

What world are you living in where you think a GP Practice has the capacity to follow up a call like that ??

Holding the place open for your dc but not using it.

What do you think the GP receptionist would say to that? Depending on how well trained they were, they might direct you to the website or tell you to ring back at 8 am tomorrow!

And that's if you can get through. Last time I called the GP I was waiting for almost an hour for them to answer. The nursery staff don't have time to sit on hold or call back later, especially when they think a child might be at risk.

I think that was a good thing to do. Safeguarding should be a concern of if everyone involved with young children. Referring elsewhere initially is further delay which could be critical.

Do you have any documents/ evidence that states the 'correct procedure'.

Is this a thing? Wouldn't you need to be paying for that place to keep it open?

Absolute utter bollocks. You've no idea what you're talking about. Ring the GP?!!! If you had half a clue what you're talking about you would be saying that the nursery should have rang their local MACH.
The nursery followed their Safeguarding Procedures. Simple.

You mean MASH right? I'm a HCP. I would expect a call about this from the nursery only if they suspect something amiss. MASH safeguarding board would say have you notified the GP... because the reason given is child is ill.

@Jobsharenightmare round here it's called MACH. And when I had my Ofsted inspection this was a question asked. And when I did my local authority safeguarding course this was the protocol that we were advised to take.

It stands for Multi Agency Children's Hub btw.

I think nothing of someone who's house is an average mess when sprung with unexpected visitors. We live in a household of 2 adults and if caught unawares, ours can be an embarrassing mess. I'm more surprised when someone with children manages a tidy home given thst we don't. I doubt the nursery workers judged you for yours. They just wanted to make sure your DS was safe. Think of all the children you see in the news who have been murdered by neglect. Then view your one visit as one of the 99 times out of 100 times the nursery employees spot neglect and can report it before it's too late.

I think DD nursery policy is that they would do a home visit if I didn't make contact, so it wouldn't surprise me if she was off for over a month and they came to visit.
I would also expect it to be unannounced - although I would also be mortified if they turned up to the house and me looking a real mess so I understand your feelings.
But as everyone said, rather one unnecessary visit than missing one that could have made a difference.

What ever the reason, I thought anyone could knock on your door unless they were doorstep selling.
Asking if DC who they know is ok is fine in my opinion.
If they were asking probing questions or insisting that they come in the house or see him is a different matter