Childminder - Is it ok to cut the nails of children I look after if they...

Question

scratch themselves badly and scratch my child too? She's drawn blood on her own neck.

Answer 1

I am a licensed home day care provider and I have had this same situation come up.  I didn't feel comfortable with making the decision to cut the child's nails myself, so I just waited and talked to the parents that evening at pick up time.  The next day the child came and his nails were still not cut.  Beofore the parent left that morning I handed her the nail clippers and asked her to cut them or give me permission to do it.   She gladly did it herself (she had forgotten the night before) and everything was okay.  

i think it's very important to establish a respect for each other.  I honestly don't think any real troube wouuld come out of cutting the child's nail yourself (it's not like you can get sued over that!), but I do think it carries the possibility of the parent getting angry, which isn't good for your realationship wiht him/her.  

Just my opinion.

Answer 2

No,Tell the parents.They need their nails cutting.

Answer 3

No, best not to cut the nails as people get so funny these days about everything that would seem to be common sense. Give the mum a ring and ask her, she will more than likely tell you to go ahead but better to check than risk a complaint being lodged with Ofsted.

Answer 4

You will have to ask permission from the parents first.  

Answer 5

Have a word with the parents. It would be better to explain the situation to them, rather than taking action yourself without their consent.

Just explain it gently to them and i'm sure that they will understand, and rectify the situation.

Answer 6

Ask the parent to do it or ask your supervisor in writing first.

Answer 7

I wouldnt mind if you did that to my children as to be honest i am nervous of doing my childrens as I am scared I might hurt them

But ask first....not everyone might be happy you doing this..but they may be be like me and be happy you offered to do something they dont like doing.

Best to be safe though first and ask.

Answer 8

i am not a parent but a little girl i babysit for her mom always cuts her nails so i would think its ok  

Answer 9

I know the school asked my mum to cut my sisters nail, so I would have to agree with every1 and say speak to the parents and ask them to do it, I know my mum didn't mind being asked just something she'd over looked not realising they'd grown so long so fast, and she keeps a closer eye now so you should hopefully only need ask once x

Answer 10

Discuss with the parent and if you are given the go - ahead you can cut it. If not, you can be sued if there is an accident while cutting the nails

Answer 11

hi,

Am not a childminder but i am a mum of 2.

I would say call her mum and tell her...she will probably say its ok anyway if she hurting herself.

Answer 12

No, do not cut the child's nails. Tell the parents what happened and  advise them to cut the child's nails. You could get into trouble if you do it yourself.

Answer 13

yeah y not

Answer 14

Tell the mother as soon as she comes to pick up the child, i would refrain from doing anything like that until you've spoken to the mother as some parents are weird about that stuff.