Am I expecting too much?

[BetsyLittleson]

I probably am but wanted to ask anyway.

DS1 (3.9) and DD2 (2.7) attend a private preschool. DD2 does 2 sessions whilst DS1 does the full 4 available. There are 29 children maximum at any one session and 7 members of staff.

During the sessions they are given a light meal, often beans on toast or soup. My problem is that whenever they have these meals, DD2 invariably greets me with a face covered from nose downwards in bean juice or soup. She is learning to wipe her own face but is still a bit hit and miss with it. She's one of the worst for it (I do parent rota every so often and none of the other children get quite so dirty) and I can't fathom out how she gets so bad when she eats the same stuff at home without this happening.

I very much believe that a mucky child is a happy child and I really don't mind her being covered in paint and the remains of playdough but I don't expect her to be left for up to an hour and a half with the remains of a meal all over her face (they eat at 12 and she is left until I collect her at 1.30). Is it asking too much to ask them to give her a quick wipe down, especially when at least one staff member is washing up afterwards?

I don't think I would really expect a preschool to be involved in cleaning up the kids, to be honest. What's their policy about toilet training - this might give you a clue as to what they will and won't help with?

They happily accept children in nappies and will help toilet train.

In that case I would have a word, no harm in asking.

I had this with DD from when she turned 2 and moved into a 2 year old room at nursery, until (well actually she still comes home filthy and she is 4).

I'm guessing the nursery policy is that children greater than a certain age wipe their own faces/hands. Which is great unless you have a particularly mucky child like you and I.

I decided to let it go (but then I picked up quite soon after lunch and could wipe her myself when I got home). It's probably worth saying that your DD finds it difficult and could they give her extra help/check she's done it right (that way it doesn't sound like you having a moan at them IYSWIM).