Do you have anything in your contract/policies regarding...

[fruitloop]

...anything about bumps and bruises? There seems to be more and more issues with this popping up from providers lately about parents freaking out because their child has come home with a bruise/scrape/bump/etc. and I'm wondering if some of you have anything in your contract/policies about this. I'd like to add something addressing this in mine, but I'm a little unsure of how to go about this and wording. From my recent experience, it is now something that HAS to be addressed with parents unfortunately because there seems to be more and more helicopter parents out there who have unrealistic expectations/views about daycare (and children in general sometimes) and their child possibly getting hurt either on their own accord (new walkers who fall because of still being unsteady on their feet) or with the involvement of another child (whether it be an accident or not.) So, what do you have in your policies that addresses this...and do you mind sharing it and how you bring this up with families.

[Momof4]

I've never considered that before. I have clauses about behaviour issues like biting but I never really thought about what I would say to the parents of a child who was bitten. Whenever I've had a child with scraped knees or hands or a bruise I just tell the parents at the end of the day exactly how it happened and they usually just wave it off as normal.

Hmmmmm, something to think about. It strikes me that this is a trust issue. If the daycare parents trust you completly as mine do, then there shouldn't be an issue. But there are all kinds of people that we have to deal with over our careers aren't there?

[fruitloop]

I've never considered that before. I have clauses about behaviour issues like biting but I never really thought about what I would say to the parents of a child who was bitten. Whenever I've had a child with scraped knees or hands or a bruise I just tell the parents at the end of the day exactly how it happened and they usually just wave it off as normal.

Hmmmmm, something to think about. It strikes me that this is a trust issue. If the daycare parents trust you completly as mine do, then there shouldn't be an issue. But there are all kinds of people that we have to deal with over our careers aren't there?

I've normally just told parents about it before too and like you, they just wave it off as normal behavior and say "it's to be expected, kids fall" but it only takes 1 parent to make you change your policies to cover your butt even more than you've tried to cover it before right. Some people have unrealistic expectations of group care and expect their child to never (or very rarely) have injuries. Kids need to explore and learn to do things and sometimes they fall while they're doing that. It obviously was a trust issue (and I should of known that at the interview when she started crying because she had to go back to work and had to trust someone with her child) and this was a new issue for me since I've never had any issues like ever.

Reggio, that is a great consent form!

[Inspired by Reggio]

....Reggio, that is a great consent form!

Ya I am one of those 'anal people' who has a policy and form for every possible 'issue' that might arise to cover my ass - worked to long in centre care and thought I had saw and heard it all but sadly 20 years and counting and I am still shocked by some clients expectations and thoughts of what childcare service should offer them or better yet what their fees 'entitle' them to

[jec]

I have a boo boo log that I record any incidents. Any time something breaks the skin, I call the parents but bumps and bruises are part of being a kid and will let the parents know at pick up if something happened when they fell and a bruise might happen.
I have parents who have called asking me if something happened as they see something. I don't take it personally- either their little one had a clumsy day or I don't know how it got there.
You can't record every bump and bruise they get but I do my best. Once I have filled it out, I will email to the parents for them to have.
Nothing in my contract but boo boo log is in my package that I give to parents when they come for an interview.

[Momof4]

Booboo log!Too funny!

[jec]

Booboo log!Too funny!

I thought the title fit

[Inspired by Reggio]

I have a consent form that covers 'first aid'

First Aid & Topical Ointment Consent

Young children are active and as a result bumps, bruises and scraps are a normal part of childhood as children learn how to take risks safely and master their environment - sometimes children do not even let us know they are 'bruised' and just get up and go again after a little TLC to sooth their egos however other times first aid will be required.

When first aid is visible required and access to warm running water and soap is available all minor first aid needs shall be treated with running water and soap.

Topical ointments will be available in the first aid kit and applied only in the best interest of the child and only if required for treatment of minor first aid of cuts and scraps, etc. while away from the program. All accidents requiring formal first aid will be reported in writing, reviewed and signed by parents upon arrival in the evening and kept on file. In the event that a child requires more then minor first aid the parent will be called immediately to discuss action to be taken.

I authorize the application of first aid both onsite and offsite and the use of any topical ointments (Including but not limited to soap or cleanser, After-Bite, Baking Soda, Ozonol, etc.) to my child by the provider if off site.

 Yes I agree  No only treat first aid with soap & water only

I also verbally discuss with them that 'sometimes a child will fall and seem fine and a bruise might appear later - if you find a bump or bruise that I did not have an accident report filled out for please just let me know it could be an incident of the child toppling but getting right up again and not appearing injured or distressed so it slipped my mind as needing to be passed on.

But seriously as long as the bruises are in the NORMAL areas for trips and falls for children learning to walk, climb, run and so forth clients have to accept that a certain % of these are normal!

[fruitloop]

I'm the SAME way! My policy/contract (aka "package") that parents go home with is almost 20 pages long. I have my ass covered for every possible thing I could thik of...but apparently I missed 1 Would you mind if I used part of that to add to my contract? You wording is fantastic!

[mom-in-alberta]

Ooh, Reggio... may I snag the wording as well?
I have a basic form for any "notable" occasions. If there is a visible injury or the child was very distraught, it details the date, the time, the party/parties involved and a description of the events. There is a spot for "further action to be taken" as well. I sign, the parent signs, and it gets kept in the child's file.