One of my mindees (20 mths) bit another mindee last week. Its a standard phase etc etc, but parents of 'bitee' very upset (took photos to show me as under clothes!!! - cue a very stressful few days for me wondering why photos etc!). When I spoke to biter's parents, he's been biting for months (I think almost a year from something they said!) at home, but only ever occasionally and only biting mum, so they didn't think it was an issue.
I have put in place a management plan (used in the past for similar incidents of scratching etc), where if I need to leave the room and can't take biter with me then they'll need to go in the playpen (with lots of toys etc) as previous bite happened when I was out of room and I need to safeguard the other children and try to prevent any further incidents. Any bites will result it short time out (as this is used at home in the situation), plus being asked to cuddle to say sorry.
But... biter's mum has contacted me to say she's not happy with this the playpen being used as biter will be upset and won't understand why he can't play with the others.
I've said I have a duty of care to safeguard the other children and until we know if its a phase or one-off this'll need to happen. If no further incidents for a few weeks it can be reviewed.
Is this reasonable? I feel I'd rather biter was frustrated by being 'trapped' for 5 mins than that other mindee (and parents) are in tears because another bite has happened.
I've texted mum my reply (in response to hers) but said we'll discuss further tonight if she'd like, so any quick responses would be appreciated.
Bookmarks