Hi, it may help if you have your setting's policies and procedures to look through.
If a child tells their parent that they had been hit, bitten, pushed or scratched there would be a reason why they'd disclose that information.
It hurt, it upset them, it makes them fearful of returning, as a way of gaining attention, as a reason to explain something.
Children may not remember or know everyone's name in their setting so may choose one they are most familliar with.
Explaining that you will talk to the child about what happened and sort out how to stop anything like that from happening again helps to assure those involved you are serious about resolving any problems.
Alternatively if your role is a temporary or new one it may be recommended that you pass on information to a colleague until you are familiar with situations, procedures and practice - in this scenario you would maybe invite the parent in, organise things so that your colleague could chat to the parent.
A few other examples an unhappy parent may pop in ..
- Foods and drinks had been served that were unsuitable for a child's diet/health or the famillies lifestyle - vegetarian, vegan, coealiac sufferer.
- Child left the setting having visibly injured themselves and no follow up care/documentation was given or requested.
- Child left the setting in winter without their coat on.
- Child left the setting with wet clothing from an activity or was left unchanged when they had soiled clothing.
- Personal items- toys, soothers, hair bobbles taken into the setting had become damaged, taken out or lost.
- Setting expectations & home communications - parents are unhappy with a settings expectation to play with their child/children, to donate, provide food/clothing, return things by a date, collect things by a date, chat, read, inform, teach, show, discuss, correct, improve or better what their child does, doesn't, may or maynot know or do.
- A parent has concerns over safety - equipment is unsafe, adult to child ratio is unsafe, activities are unsafe
- Parent objects to activity ideas.
- Parent objects to multi faith awareness.
- Parent objects to links in the local or wider community being made.
- Parents are concerned when a child mentions they have no friends or that no one likes them.
If colleagues are taking days off, arriving late/not at all and expecting you to take on their responsibilities, at level 2 I would think you'd be expected to chat with more senior staff to help resolve what's going on.
Addressing prejudice and discrimination can also be awkward but a necessary part of working together - A colleague/staff member says they don't like a child, their family or the families views.
Hth xx