Should the creche pay my doctors bill?

ysktnfro

My 2 year old son put a small piece of crayon up his nostril today while in creche. They couldn't get it down and by the time I arrived at the creche, the crayon had lodged further up. I took him to his doctor who also couldn't get it. He sent us to an ear, nose and throat doctor in a local hospital who eventually managed to get it out.

My question is: should i send my doctor's bill to the creche or should i pay it myself?

dublinlady

I would pay it myself..... Children will be children where ever they are and whilst yes they should have been keeping a close eye on him, my little one will stick anything in her mouth even when I'm looking directly at her just to get attention or out of nosiness! I'm wouldn't sue if I tripped in a shop.... Just cos i just tripped for no reason like wet floor un marked etc.
If you have any issues whether they are neglecting him that's different - but lots of kids stick things up their noses... Maybe check they are first aid trained and have all the appropriate qualifications to highlight the issue but I'd leave it at that...

Karen23

I suppose it can be seen as negligence on their behalf but I agree with dublinlady , no matter how much you watch them you can't watch them every second.

It could also make things awkward in the creche if you think they should pay and they disagree.

ScouseMouse

Karen23 wrote: »

I suppose it can be seen as negligence on their behalf but I agree with dublinlady , no matter how much you watch them you can't watch them every second.

It could also make things awkward in the creche if you think they should pay and they disagree.

How can you show the creche was negligent?

Kids will be kids and you cannot blame anyone.

The Royal Scam

I would just be thankful my child was ok. Why would you think the creche should possibly have to pay?

pwurple

Unless a creche worker put it up there, I don't see why they would pay for that. He shoved it up there himself.

Edit... actually stick it on the 2-year-olds tab. He can repay when he is earning something.

Trotter

Your child stuck a crayon up their nose.
You had to take your child to the doctor.

I really think you should pay the bill.

meathstevie

Since the creche probably charges you an arm and a leg to mind your child and the incident happened while in their care you should look for your medical expenses back.

Karen23

superscouse wrote: »

How can you show the creche was negligent?

Kids will be kids and you cannot blame anyone.

I'm not saying they were negligent as I don't believe they were and don't think they should have to pay. My point was by the OP thinking the creche should pay is more or less accusing them of being negligent.

morton

Yes, of course you should pay the bill.

Fast forward ten years, I can see similar questions - "my 12 yr od son broke a neighbours window, should I pay?"

Fast forward 15 years , " my 17 yr old scratched the neighbours car( by accident), should I pay ?..........

NextSteps

You should pay. You don't want bad feeling with the people minding your child - that's a relationship that's really important!

wmpdd3

The creche will not pay because if they do, they will be admitting liability. If you want payment you will have to bring a case against them.

PS, isnt this why kids in the UK aren't allowed to play conkers!

Moonbeam

In the case where a child is injured in the creche,the creche will often reimburse the doctors fees.
Personally once I am happy that my child was being looked after and just being a child I would not follow it up.

caprilicious

wmpdd3 wrote: »

PS, isnt this why kids in the UK aren't allowed to play conkers!

You'd have some job getting one of those out of a kids nose

No I don't believe the nursery should have to pay. You accept that when you place a 2 year old in creche they are being minded at a ratio of 10 children to 1 staff member.
It is physically impossible for one person to watch 10 children all of the time, so these things will happen.

ysktnfro

Thanks everyone. I think I'll just pay the bills myself. I've relaxed a little more about it now - I was just angry that it happened in the first place, so I was trying to blame the creche. I see now that they couldn't have done anything to stop it.

lounakin

I think it's just a question of being reasonable, sticking something up the nose is nothing in itself. I bet most kids in creches spend their time 'tasting' toys and sticking them into various holes, without a caregiver constantly taking them out immediately, so the crayon getting stuck is just an unfortunate side-effect. Had it been a sharp pencil it would have been another story as it would have been negligence on their part to have let a toddler get hold of something dangerous.

Sparklygirl

meathstevie wrote: »

Since the creche probably charges you an arm and a leg to mind your child and the incident happened while in their care you should look for your medical expenses back.

My local creche charges 180 euro for a 4 day week of 8 hours a day, that is about 5.62 an hour for minding the most important thing in the world, i.e. your child. It is not expensive and actually very cheap.

catrionanic

As a matter of interest, how did they get it out?!

Arciphel

caprilicious wrote: »

You'd have some job getting one of those out of a kids nose

No I don't believe the nursery should have to pay. You accept that when you place a 2 year old in creche they are being minded at a ratio of 10 children to 1 staff member.
It is physically impossible for one person to watch 10 children all of the time, so these things will happen.

A crèche that has a ratio of 1 staff member to 10 children is breaking the law. You might want to bear that in mind the next time you bring your kid to your crèche.

pwurple

Arciphel wrote: »

A crèche that has a ratio of 1 staff member to 10 children is breaking the law. You might want to bear that in mind the next time you bring your kid to your crèche.

Not if the child is 2.5 years old. It's 1 to 10 for that age group. 1 to 5 for the younger group 1 to 2.5. And 1 to 3 for the under 1's.