physical restraint

[Changethetoner]

In the nursery where I work, we have a young child (2yr old) who does not always do what he is asked. Sometimes, when he is playing outside, he will come in for snack if you approach him, tell him it is snack time, and take him gently by the hand, and lead him indoors.

However, sometimes he does not. He is a toddler after all. Do you think it is reasonable in this circumstances for the staff member to physically lift him and carry him indoors, where all the other children have gone, for snack time? He doesn't cry if the adult does this, but does wriggle and squirm and refuse to walk, obviously not happy about being restrained. But once indoors, is happy to have snack.

Am just wondering and probably over-thinking this. He also does it at going home time, sometimes he doesn't want to stop playing and go home, and the staff have to physically lift him to get him indoors to get ready for going home, while his parent/carer is waiting at the entrance door for him.

Is it ok to carry a toddler?

Yes.

This doesnt sound like a physical restraint just a nursery staff member picking up a toddler - I think you're overthinking it x

We regularly have to carry one of our two-year-olds inside to have his nappy changed, because playing in the garden is far more fun than boring old nappy changes for some reason. Sounds pretty normal to me.

I've been thinking about this thread and where it comes from. Do you find that if you take him by the hand and lead him gently inside, he comes willingly? Do other staff also take him by the hand and lead him? Who carries him - one staff member in particular, several, you?

I'm wondering if you have a problem with a certain member of staff or with general practice. Does the child have a favourite staff member, who speaks to him in a manner that he understands, and so will go with them inside? Does he respond differently to other staff?

In no way is this physical restraint. Physical restraint is something that is deployed only when a child is at risk of harming themself or others, and should be recorded - you should know this, and know where the form is located. It is okay to pick up small children, especially little ones who might not respond to "snack" but on seeing food and their peers sitting to eat, know that they want it.

If your concern is actually that other staff members are not connecting with the child, that he responds to you and only you - not saying this is the case, just thinking about how it might be in my setting - then perhaps the solution might be to make sure other staff have time with him, allowing him to trust staff other than you.

If you are concerned of course you should speak to your manager. If you feel this is truly physical restraint then obviously you should! At least to reassure you. Please do what you think is best.

I would be totally happy for my son's nursery to do what you describe. He is also 2 and, like many two year olds, will happily ignore you when you ask him to do something he doesn't want to do at that precise moment.