Q: Staff members are increasingly wearing long false nails. I'm not sure whether we should be allowing them because of hygiene reasons and also the risk to children when they are pointy. What do other settings do?
Lucy Stafford, manager, Blue Giraffe Nursery Droitwich Spa
‘Our policy states that staff are not allowed to wear long, false nails. This is for hygiene and health and safety purposes. We use gloves for changing nappies and feeding babies. Nails with long points are quite sharp and could pierce the gloves. They also pose a risk of scratching. If nails come loose, a child's hair could get stuck under them. Also when doing food prep, a nail could fall off into the food. They are not very hygienic.
‘We tell staff this rule as part of their induction. It is part of our rules for their appearance. Short nails with gel polish are acceptable.
‘We have had times when practitioners have come in with them. We have explained that they need to get them removed as soon as possible – before their next shift ideally. We also often have this problem with students coming in to do their training. We explain they need to follow the rules even when they are studying.
‘We try to be understanding if staff have a special occasion and want to get their nails done, for example, before going on holiday or for a wedding. But we ask them to leave their nails until the last minute.’
Danielle Wright, manager, Meadow View Day Nursery Newport Pagnell
‘It is important to maintain professional standards while also allowing employees the opportunity for personal expression. At our setting we do permit nail varnish and gel nails, provided they are kept a short, practical length with no sharp edges.
‘Pointed styles, such as stiletto or coffin nails, as well as any form of nail art involving jewels or embellishments, are not allowed because they pose risks. These include scratching and the potential for a choking hazard. Our staff accept this policy – it strikes a fair balance while maintaining high standards.
‘We aim to offer staff this balance of personal choice and nursery standards throughout our uniform policy. Our team wears a uniform to promote a consistent and professional appearance. But we offer a wide range of options to support comfort, inclusion and individuality. Workers can choose from several variations of shirts, trousers and cardigans, which we introduced following a Childbase Partnership company-wide survey. The options include items that meet cultural and religious clothing preferences, and breathable fabrics for colleagues going through menopause.
‘Our staff are also allowed to wear their own trainers, provided they are safe, supportive and appropriate. We are also proud to be signed up to the Halo Code – a campaign that reinforces our commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all hair types and styles, particularly those that are culturally significant.’
Clare Crowther, head of nursery, Atelier Nursery
‘The safety of the child is always paramount, as is setting professional expectations from the beginning. It is important to have a strong staff charter so your team understands your expectations.
‘For us, false nails are a real no – both from a hygiene and health and safety perspective, for example, when changing nappies or wiping faces. False nails can get smelly and dirty underneath. That is also a problem when cooking or serving food.
‘You should explain this rationale to your staff. Try and describe it to them from a parent's perspective. Parents leaving their babies with nursery staff are looking for someone who is really clean, tidy and well presented.
‘We do not ask our staff to wear a uniform, so they have some individuality. People are different shapes and sizes and we want them to feel comfortable in their own clothes. But we have a dress code that sets professional standards. Staff must not wear skirts that are too short or long, or anything revealing. Shoes must be flat so they can run and deal with emergency situations – for example, evacuating the building with a child in arms. They must tie back their hair, and nor wear perfume or strong body spray.
‘Being professional is part of increasing the value placed on the early years sector. An NHS nurse would never have long nails, and the care our practitioners provide is just as important.
‘We do offer some flexibility, such as if staff have a special occasion.’
