Recurrent biting

Recurrent biting

by: newsetting - 08-08-07 18:48

We have a little girl at our setting who is just two. She bites up to 10 times a day some days. We have had so much trouble with her. So far, we have tried time out when she bites, sticker charts when she doesnt bite, providing constant (and i mean CONSTANT!) activities for her throughout the day so she doesnt get bored, sand timers, we have had the area SENCO in to monitor her behaviour, we have also have a behavioual pschyologist in to look at what we are doing. Everyone has come up with the same conclusion-Developmental behaviour. My concern is that the other parents are now (quite rightly) concerned about the safety of their own children. One parent reported us to OFSTED, saying that we must be neglecting the children for her child to be bitten so many times. We werent negligent and OFSTED did not uphold their complaint. We now have three staff members in the room with between 6 and 8 two year olds. However, I am really concerned that this child is having a detrimental effect on my business as parents are increasingly complaining about the biting. Any advice from anyone? Help me please!!!

by: joshuajones

Hi newsetting
I had a similar problem with a child a few years ago when I was working for a big chain of nurseries. The decision from above was that ultimately we had a responsibilty for the H+S of all the other children and the child was to be excluded. I have never in 30+ years excluded a child of nursery age and was not comfortable with this decision. In the end we discussed with parents the option of having a 1:1 carer for this child, (that the parents funded - they had a nanny that came and worked with the child) if the nanny couldn't come in , the child couldn't come in. Harsh and expensive I know but it worked. This level of biting is a really difficult one as it such an emotive issue for all concerned. Ultimately, you do have a responsibility to all the children in the nursery and if you have taken all the steps you can to prevent this, you don't have many options left. Did you know that a human bite carries more germs and infection that an animal bite ? and requires a tetanus jab ? I didn't until my little cherub grazed his way through half my nursery. Your options are slim, exclude or shadow with a 1:1 person which is expensive and hope it improves. I don't suppose this has been much help, but I tried.

Recurrent biting - 09-08-07 15:58

by: newsetting

Hi,
Thats exactly what im considering doing. Its absolutely ridiculous. At the end of the day, i have to protect the other kids and this child is vicious. I am going to talk to her mum tonight. Thanks for the advice. Sometimes you just need to hear what you already know from someone else!

Recurrent biting - 12-08-07 16:23

by: girly-girl

i can remember my very 1st nursery i went to when i was traning andthere was a little boy there who was very nasty towards children and staff. 1day a member of staff had saw him pulling a little girls hair so she went up to him and managed to let go of his grip and as she was doing that he bit her had and drew blood, he once threw a chair at another child and constantly threw toys.also one of the nursery nurses was pregnant and during ouside play he hit her 'bump'with a plastic tennis racket and then said "ha ha baby" all the professionals came in and said he had behavioual problems. so the owner had no choice but to speak to the parents and suggest that they pay a little more money so she could get a member of staff so he could have constant 1 on 1 attention. he hated it he would push her out the way and was really aggresive towards her as he didnt like her being around all the time. things went from bad to worst and staff members were leaving because of this child we were all going home with bite marks and bruises made a child of only 3. in the end the owner called a staff meeting and came to the conclusion of the child having to leave i can remember the owner sayin i have 14 staff and over 100 children's safety to think about. so she spoke to the child's parents and they were both very understandable and together with the owner they found a suitable childminder who had no other children on her books. a few weeks later the little boys parents came in2 say helloand told us his behaviour had completely changed and he had not hurt or attempted to hurt the childminder. so we all put it down to the child not liking to be around other children or it could of been the noise levels in the nursery. but at least the child washappy so sometimes you do have to do the worst thing to make a the situation better

by: newsetting

Well, I just had a meeting with the girls parents and they are now accusing us of not doing enough!! I had FOUR staff in a room of six two year olds today!! I had one staff member specifically for her, plus one extra on top of the usual two we normally have. I have done so much for this child! Anyway. i have arranged for a couple of my staff to look after the child at home next week (Im going out of my way to help this family-im sure lots of nurseries wouldnt!) then ive suggested that they get a nanny for three or four months, then try to re-introduce her to the nursery. Thanks for your suggestions