Was it right or wrong by the nursery?

Question

I collected my daughter(18 months) in her nursery today and the girl that is usually with my daughter sa they'd been out for a walk this afternoon...KNow they do that from time to time but found out that she had taken my daughter out alone with her to go to the supermarket, 10 mins away, to get her lunch...I was in a rush so had to leave straight away but now that i've had a little think, i don't like it...first of all, im uncomfortable about other people taking my first born out but that is something i have to get over, still the nervy first time mum. But can they take the children out of the nursery like that? We live 5 mins away and i am home with our younger son, and if i had been out and saw her, i thikn i would have freaked out...am i too paranoid or shouldn't they ask us before they plan to take them out?

Answer 1

No they shouldn't take your child off of the property without your permission, unless there is an emergency like a fire or something.

Answer 2

No! U are completily right! I would have freaked out and took my child from the nursery. Places can get sued for doing that! This is terrible and against the law! By law u should have signed a permission slip for that!

Answer 3

My sons nursery also had me sign a consent form to say that they could take him out on trips and for walks and what not.  If it was a big trip then I would get an extra consent form home to sign and say all was okay but on a few occasions they would take them to the park down the road or out to the nearest shopping centre to see Christmas Lights and thinks like that.  These were quite impromptu things and as I had already signed the form I was okay with it. BUT I wouldn't be happy with it being a one on one trip such as that (you cant exactly call it a trip) I would have issues with that and I would be speaking to the manager of the nursery or the Leader in your daughters room and expressly tell them in no uncertain terms should that even happen again unless there is a group. I've never heard of that and I would be uncomfortable with that.  

Answer 4

If you know they take them out from time to time then whats the problem? It shouldnt really matter where they go.

Answer 5

No, certainly not. If all the kids went to the supermarket, then fine,but not just your child on her own. That's like a techer taking one of the pupils with her to get her lunch - highly innapropriate and unprofessional!

Answer 6

when your child starts at the nursery you should have signed a form for your child to be taken out of nursery it does not sound right to me  

Answer 7

My daughter is almost three and to be honest it would freak me out to know that while in the care of the nursery my daughter was taken out of nursery without my knowledge.  i understand the child needing more stimulation that a mother with a young child can give and this is nothing to be ashamed of or feel that you have to explain.  if you have a problem with this you can do two things..

1. tell them you do not wish your daughter to be taken out of the nursery unless you know in advance via telephone call or fire.

2. change nursery.

Blessed be

Answer 8

nursery/daycares etc. liscenced cannot take your children off the property without your knowledge. find out if this is something that occurs often-only because, they might go run errands for lunch, art supplies etc. and a different child goes every day or something, but they still should have told you are called and asked first.

i had a daycare that did that, it was small about 20 kids total with 7 teachers. everybody was real nice, and close, but they would still fax me a permission slip or call if it was last minute.

i just read what you added-that was a big no, no. she should not have taken her on her lunchbreak at all. that is even worse, becuause in actuality she wasn't even working at the time. i would tell them you do not want your daughter off the property without your permission. ever. if you are really upset, find another daycare.

Answer 9

No you are most definitely not over-reacting. I would have been absolutely raging, if this had happened with my daughter.

Yes, ok you signed to say that occasionally the nursery will go out on a trip, etc, but 1) you are given notification in advance of it happening and 2) It is unlikely that it you signed your permission away to allow a one-to-one visit away from nursery with no prior consent.

I would definitely not leave this there. I would ring the nursery and ask if you can meet with the manager so that you can be given a full explanation, as to why your daughter was taken out without your knowledge or consent. Take a copy of the contract you signed and highlight any sections about taking children out and ask them where it states that she can go off to the supermarket with one person.

If you are not happy with the response you get from the manager there, at the very least I would move my daughter from that nursery to another one (regardless of how upsetting this will be for your daughter to start at a new nursery...they obviously have proved that they are unable to care for your daughter as you would expect them to) and I would definitely look into taking this further with an educational ombudsman of some kind. Here in UK (sorry don't know where you are) they are called OFSTED, they register & inspect nurseries. Contact them for further advice.

Answer 10

I know some day cares and nurseries take the kids on "field trips" from time to time, but it is always done as a group. I would question why she is being taken out alone. Good luck.

Answer 11

I work in a nursery (fully qualified) & i can tell you it was wrong of the nursery to allow your child to be taken out by only 1 member of staff! Not sure where you are from but in Scotland legislation says that there MUST be at least two members of staff looking after all/any children/child all the time! Also a risk assessment MUST be done for every trip out of the nursery, even if it is just a 5min trip somewhere. I would personally log a complaint to the nursery manager - find out if he/she is aware that it happened. If you are not pleased with the outcome from that then I would take it to the next level - in Scotland it would be The Care Commission.

You are most definitely not being paranoid - the reason this legislation is in place is to protect the child/children!  I know you won't want to think about it but what if something had happened to the girl/your child while they were out. Please speak to the manager regarding it!

Hopefully it will be able to be resolved without the need to remove your child - but only you will know how happy you are with the care your child is receiving.

Good luck

Answer 12

i understand you worry but if you trust the nursry nurses to care for your child in the nursry , why not out side it?

Answer 13

If it's not in the agreement you signed then they should absolutely NOT be taking your child out.

If you didn't sign an agreement and you didn't give permission, then you should tell them to you don't want to do it again.

Even if it is in an agreement you signed (don't you love the fine print!) then I would still tell them to stop.  

Answer 14

I'm not a mum but hope to be one day. but in my opinion they shoudn't have done that without your permission as anything could have happened! if i was actually you i would warn the nursery that if anything else as drastic as that happened i would take her out of the nursery and register her in an other . where i live there are 6 so it wouldn't be a problem for me! but surely this shouldnt have happened! i coud understand if they were going on a trip to the park or something . i think you should have a word with the head of the nursery . but i can't understand why they would let your client get there lunch from the supermarket with your daughter without your permission . i'm really confused with this but its your decision , love . best wishes xx

EDIT : the other answerers are right but i know she wouldnt be aloud out with 1 member of staff unless you signed this is highly illegal and i would sue! i mean what was the need to take your daughter out with her on er lunch break to get her lunch ?????? did the head of nursery know about it???? i'm sorry if i'm over reacting but im so shocked and appaled at this!!! xx

Answer 15

ummm, excuse my language but h**l no! I can not believe she did that, that was totally out of line and grounds for firing in my opinion! I would absolutely expect someone to get my permision first and even then, I probably wouldnt allow something like that. You are NOT overreacting at all and I would definately say something to the director and the caretaker about it.

Answer 16

they have to get your written permission 1st and then its only people that you have signed the agreememt with so unless you know  them then they were out of line to do this and can get in serious trouble with the authorities as all people now whom look after and work with childrren have to have a full police check  

Answer 17

make a formal complaint.. i would feel exactly the same as you, im very protective of my daughter and if this happened to me i would FREAK out... that girl isnt ready to be working in a nursery she has to go back to college and learn the basic rules of childcare!!!

Answer 18

That is absolutely wrong!  You have the right to know exactly where your child is and unless they told you ahead of time, it shouldn't have happened.  If they go on a trip, you will know that your daughter is at the park or at the zoo or the apple orchard ect.  You had no idea where she was today (and that is not your fault)!  What if an accident had happened?  How would the nursery have explained that?  I would have some serious questions for the director of that nursery and I would ask them as soon as possible.

Answer 19

hmmm...it sounds weird...probably nothing to completely freak about, but if it bothers you that much, pull her out of that nursery.

I really don't understand why you send her to the nursery, but not your other child.  My mom kept me at home when my sister was born and feel like we bonded stronger during those few years before school started than ever since.  I really hope your oldest doesn't resent you for sending her away, like I did when my mom sent me to school and stayed home with my sister.....

Answer 20

If you are that worried why do you leave your 18th month old child with strangers?

Answer 21

you are right to be concerned (instinct) have u checked her out? are her credentials genuine? this is a hard one. I trusted no one with my child.  

Answer 22

I would have freaked out and taken my child out of that center and reported it.