Racism? in childcare

Hey mamas, I need to vent for a sec.

My son’s nursery has been great overall, but something keeps happening that’s really bothering me. There’s another Black boy in his room (adorable but looks nothing like my son), but for some reason, the staff keeps mixing them up. I’ve literally seen the other child wearing my son’s clothes (which are clearly labelled with his initials, in my sons cubby also labelled with his name, in his backpack that ALSO has his name). Today they gave us photos to purchase… of the other child, labelled with my son’s name. They even uploaded them onto our parent portal. Now…. I work for the nurseries head office so this is just unbelievable for me.

This isn’t a one-time slip-up. It’s happened multiple times now. I have handled it all previously with grace and respect. When the other boy was wearing my son’s clothes, I told his key person and they tried to take the clothes off his back and hand it to me. I respectfully said no, keep the clothes on him and have his parent wash and return it to me whenever they can. They still took it off the other boy and gave it me in that second. And while I get that mistakes happen, it’s frustrating and honestly concerning that two children who just so happen to be Black boys keep getting confused like this. Our kids deserve to be recognised as individuals, not mistaken for each other because of lazy assumptions.

I’m bringing it up with the nursery, but I wanted to ask—has this happened to any of you? How did you handle it? It’s just disheartening and exhausting to feel like our children aren’t being seen.

Sending love to anyone else who’s had to deal with this.

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Hello, Sorry this has happened but I don't understand that it has so for me it's a huge red flag!!! I would take my child out and report the nursery. It's even more upsetting because if after one genuine mistake they should of put something better in place if they really had a dum worker there but they haven't. Which tells me they don't care and something in the pit of my stomach tells me they are rasist.

I would not put it down as racism yet, perhaps the key person has some psychological problem with registering and recognising faces. Is she English? How old? Etc
Maybe bring this up with his/her manager privately, discuss how it negatively impacts you mentally and stressing you because you worry about your child and ask if there was anything wrong with the key person’s health.
If not, then he/she is just probably lazy and/or disrespectful and that will have to be addressed too.

I find people from different races and backgrounds so fascinating and interesting, each of us brings something unique in this world and the love and respect we can give ourselves and others are so good and positive, I really don’t understand how and why a person could and should be racist.
I know I may sound like a hippie but I genuinely hope people would finally learn to forget how to be racist. <3

his key workers are all young! But you’re right some disabilities aren’t seen!! And I agree in that racism is a learned behaviour and I just don’t want me son to even experience it. It’s so painful honestly

idk friend!! It’s so hard for me to report because he’s SOOO happy there. I’ve emailed the manager and will keep you all posted xxx

Okay I met with the manager. Wasn’t good. They are deffo racist.

That is so sad :(

I'm so Sorry. If you need it for childcare I hope there are others close by you like. If you don't need it for childcare they don't need to go at all, it's a myth. There are other type things where the parants can stay. My inbox is always open. If you can try to report as what If your child or the other child had diabetes and they gave the wrong child meds etc. Your muma instincts kicked in and I wanted to say yesterday the only reason it seems your child was happy there is because he comes from a happy home and he's happy when he's with you. Hugs to both of you xxx

I’m so sorry to read about yours and your son’s experience and that you felt the nursery experience with the manager wasn’t good. I hope you can find a way forward for you and your son x

Tracey this was so sweet of you thank you so much. I need childcare as I work, but I’m definitely looking elsewhere.

thank you so much xx

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