smokers at nursery

helenrowland

I wonder if I could get some opinions. We have recently moved and my son is due to start at his new nursery next week. Yesterday whilst walking past the nursery I saw one of the carers outside having a cigarette. I was pretty shocked as I am anti smoking and even more so around children. I realise she wasn't smoking next to the kids but she would have gone straight back to the kids breathing her fumes over them (proven that it takes 30 mins for fumes to go). Should I say something to the boss? I understand people have their rights but when it comes to other peoples' kids I'm not sure that should be the case.
Any views would be greatfully received!
Thanks
Helen

wigginsmum

I wasn't aware it takes 30 minutes for fumes to go; you might want totake a copy of the research with you if that is the case. You're within your rights to speak to the boss if it concerns you that much, and withdraw your son if you're uncomfortable with the situation.

skippy64

Most likely the best thing to do at this stage is to establish that the nurseries policy on no smoking also extends to being just outside the premises/within the boundary of the nursery grounds. If so you could be justified in pointing it out. The info on the residual passive effect of the smoke on their breath lasting for up to 30mins is one that you are best getting detailed & documented literature on before just bringing it up in conversation/discussion with the nursery.

jellyhead

you shouldn't find it too hard to find information - the government is having a big drive against smoking around children at the moment. my sister was given a leaflet stating that even though her bf smokes outside, he must always wash his hands and brush his teeth before he touches the baby.

but i'm not sure about this really - the care worker was presumably on a break and was smoking outside. if the children were outside with her and she was smoking in the garden with them then that would be out of order, but if she's outside the building away from the children i don't see how her right to smoke can be taken away from her. a lot of people smoke, something like a third. there must be lots of smokers working in childcare and in most occupations there's one or two tea breaks in addition to the long lunch break, so that's 3 opportunities to smoke during the working day. can people manage with only being allowed to smoke during the lunch break? (allowing the fumes to go before going back to work). i can't really see that the girl is doing anything wrong.

i'm anti smoking but my baby comes into contact with the occasional smoking family member. he pulls away if their mouth or hair is close to him, hates their breath and smelly hair. but he likes them, thinks they're fun people as long as they keep a bit of distance. long term if your baby is with a smoker for 40+ hours a week there may be a danger, if you're very worried perhaps you could ask other childcare facilities if their workers are smokers, or find a non-smoking childminder or nanny.

speaking to her boss probably won't achieve anything - it's not illegal to smoke on a break. childcare workers are people too, they have rights.

jockettuk

if i worked with kids i would be on 60 fags a day a bottle of whiskey and prozac...

i dont agree with smoking around children but sounds like the worker didnt and who knows mabey she did go in and brush her teeth or mouthwash and wash her hands..

margaretclare

skippy64 wrote:

Most likely the best thing to do at this stage is to establish that the nurseries policy on no smoking also extends to being just outside the premises/within the boundary of the nursery grounds. If so you could be justified in pointing it out. The info on the residual passive effect of the smoke on their breath lasting for up to 30mins is one that you are best getting detailed & documented literature on before just bringing it up in conversation/discussion with the nursery.

The idea that there's a no smoking policy inside the building but that it's OK for staff to go outside for their 'nicotine fix' seems to be changing gradually to extend to the grounds/car parks etc. Our local hospital recently brought in this change, not only within its walls but extending as far as the boundary with the pavements surrounding the hospital property. It used to be revolting, every time you went through the main entrance into OPD's main waiting area you had to pick your way not only through a screen of cigarette-smoke but also negotiate around patients in wheelchairs and on crutches, staff in uniform, all enjoying their habit.

Recently a local psychiatric hospital has announced that it is doing this, to a chorus of 'how cruel it is' in the letters page of the local paper.

I was amazed on Monday when we were watching the Air Show on the sea-front. A woman next to me, obviously recovering from chemotherapy (hair growing back) was smoking, and smoking...I really was surprised.

I agree with you about children. And I have been amazed again, about how many people smoke around their little ones, even bending over them with cigarette in mouth.

Margaret Clare

lynzpower

I am a smoker, and I also worked with children ( altohugh not directly, I was a social worker) for about 4 years. Id never smoke in front of them. I worked in a hospital, so yes, out of the grounds of the hospital is the norm where I was.

I think you might come up against a lot of human rights issues ( can your employer really tell you what you can and cant do on your breaks? Of course they can tell you not to smoke in the grounds. but if you go to a local cafe or park for a fag halfway through the day on your offical lunch I couldnt see how the employer could enforce it.

essexhoney

margaretclare wrote:

The idea that there's a no smoking policy inside the building but that it's OK for staff to go outside for their 'nicotine fix' seems to be changing gradually to extend to the grounds/car parks etc. Our local hospital recently brought in this change, not only within its walls but extending as far as the boundary with the pavements surrounding the hospital property. It used to be revolting, every time you went through the main entrance into OPD's main waiting area you had to pick your way not only through a screen of cigarette-smoke but also negotiate around patients in wheelchairs and on crutches, staff in uniform, all enjoying their habit.

Recently a local psychiatric hospital has announced that it is doing this, to a chorus of 'how cruel it is' in the letters page of the local paper.

I was amazed on Monday when we were watching the Air Show on the sea-front. A woman next to me, obviously recovering from chemotherapy (hair growing back) was smoking, and smoking...I really was surprised.

I agree with you about children. And I have been amazed again, about how many people smoke around their little ones, even bending over them with cigarette in mouth.

Margaret Clare

after reading that id hazard a guess that ur not that far away from me :rotfl:

Chell

It would be worth finding out what OFSTED's rules/reg are on staff smoking and where its allowed.

wigginsmum

My husband's a teacher and is not allowed to smoke anywhere on the school grounds or in front of the school grounds. This isn't OFSTED or school policy, but the borough's policy on all public buildings.

SammyD_2

I think this is completely unacceptable. First, there is plenty of evidence that young babies should not be handled by smokers due to the increased health risks this causes (this is even if there is no smoking around the baby), most seriously, cot death. (I have read this in plenty of places, not least of which was the NHS guide I was given three years ago when I had my son).

The nursery should operate a zero tolerance approach to staff smoking. If they do it on their own time, so be it, but on work time - no.

It is just completely unacceptable in my view to have staff smoking during their working day when they are working with young children and worse, on nursery property.

I do have sympathy for smokers who are trying to give up. But that does not mean that we have to tolerate behaviour which may increase the chance of the next generation smoking. Everyone knows the health risks - people now only start smoking for social reasons...if it is socially unacceptable to smoke then it decreases the chances of any individual starting. What better place to start saying "no" when it comes to smoking than in a childcare facility...

I turned down a place at my local nursery because I saw three staff driving off the premises all with cigarettes hanging out of their mouths...