Is this bad practice???

Is this bad practice???

by: Ciara Campbell - 08-06-12 10:25

Hi everyone, I have a question/concern about something that has left me unsettled.

I started a job as a Nursery Assistant (it's my first childcare job after finishing my studying of a Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies). I worked 2 full days this week. I am not enjoying it at all and I want to quit already!

But that is another issue..the Issue I want to share with everyone is this.,There has been quite a lot of biting going on in the room I have been placed in (1-2 year olds). So much so, the parents on one boy have been very upset and angry that their child has been bit a few times and they have said if it happens again they will remove him from the Nursery.

Yesterday, the boy got bit by another child and the nursery assistants dealt with it with a cold compress etc. They discussed among themselves if they should tell the manager like they're meant to. They did go and tell the manager and she told the staff "if the bite mark does not elevate then don't mention it to the parents".

This is really playing on my mind...I strongly feel that the manager said this as she knows the parents would probably withdraw the child from the nursery therefore the nursery would lose out £40 a day.

Any thoughts? (Sorry for the essay)

by: Janet

I am sorry to hear about your stressfull days. Biting is common with this age group and can be very stressful for everyone, including the staff and manager. I would definatley tell the parents.

We had a spate of this a while ago and I felt at my wits end. My manager dealt with it brilliantly. She provided a letter, leaflets and a coffee morning with a health visitor to put the parents' minds at rest. She also arranged some training and support for us practitioners which provided practical tips and most importantly let us see that we weren't to blame. She also relocated a student to my room who was an extra pair of eyes and used the experience towards her training. By being vigilent we managed to prevent incidents.

Don't give up. It gets better.

by: Ciara Campbell

Hi Janet, thanks for your reply! I understand how commin it is for this age and it is part of age and stage development.

However, 2 days into the job, and it is the manager telling the staff NOT to tell the parents. I really still am not sure this is right, especially from the manager....

by: lizzie (Scotland)

Hi Ciara,

Yes you are absolutely right this is bad practice! The manager should be ashamed of them self... I bet they would not openly admit this. We all have a duty of care to the children, parents and employees and the same applies to employees who also work to a code of good practice, let’s face it you went into childcare to ensure that the welfare of each child is paramount... to work in partnership with parents... need I go on.

This is obviously having an impact on you so you need to do the right thing that will ease your conscience. There are loads of organisations and individual managers out there that share your view and would not see this as acceptable.

You don’t say if you work for an L.A. charity, private sector or other however, if your organisation has a Union speak to them first then to your manager. If you are not happy with your managers response speak to Ofsted, and if you do not feel comfortable speaking to your manager go to Ofsted direct for advice... they are there to protect you too! Go anonymous; pretend you are a parent whatever it takes to initiate an investigation.

I am shocked and appalled that you only got one reply! Janet has given you good advice, it is all about working in partnership which includes educating and reassuring parents and devising action plans.

Good luck and if you do the right thing you will not regret it.

by: Kathy Brodie

Hi Ciara,

This is a really difficult situation and good on you for being concerned enough to raise it. 

Check out the Government's Protection of Whistleblowing advice as well http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ResolvingWorkplaceDisputes/Whistleblowingintheworkplace/DG_10026552  which covers improper and negligent behaviour in the workplace. Do you have a whistleblowing policy? This may give you some guidance on how your employers expect you to make internal complaints.

Very best of luck

Kathy

by: sparkie

How terrible for you. i agree with everyone this is bad practice and shouldn't happen. Unfortunately though it does. All the advice is what you need to do. As for leaving only you can deciede what to do. We are all different. But please don't think all of us managers would do that!

by: Ciara Campbell

Thank you all so much for your fanstastic replies!! It took a while to get replies...so I began to wonder if I was being ridiculous as I thought more people would be able to offer their views!!

I took care of things and I no longer work there..only worked there 2 full days but I just did not feel it was right for me to continue..what a shame.

Again, you are all brilliant, thank you!

by: Janet

I'm sorry about your bad experience. It takes courage to stick up for what is right. Good luck next time.