It might seem inconceivable that a responsible parent could contemplate drinking and then driving with their children, but nursery managers report that it does happen. Part of the problem is that people can easily find themselves subject to tremendous peer pressure to share the festive spirit at their work Christmas party. So, how can childcare professionals protect their charges if a parent over-indulges?
Rosie Pressland, principal of Pocklington Montessori School in Yorkshire, says the answer is to 'deal with the problem very tactfully but firmly, keeping in mind that the number one priority at all times is the safety of the children.
'We have had one case of a parent who had been to such a function. Despite a few protestations she allowed us to drive her home. We sent two cars. One member of staff drove the three children and took the mother with her in the passenger seat. Another staff member followed so she could drive her colleague home. In fact, they both stayed a couple of hours. They cooked the children's tea as one child was really very young and saw them safely to bed.'
Rosie Pressland adds, 'I think the mother was quite grateful we did step in. Certainly the incident has never been repeated. In the cold light of day she would have realised the children are the number one priority and no-one should ever have children in the car and attempt to drive when they have had more than the legally permitted limit.
'Generally, I think there is huge awareness among parents about the dangers of drinking and driving. If you suspected someone had been at an office party you would try to discover diplomatically if they had been drinking. For example, I would ask, "How's your day been?" And then go on from there and ask if they would like a lift home.'
Sandra Hutchison, proprietor of the Primley Park Children's Nurseries in Leeds, says, 'This is fortunately not a problem we have encountered. But the staff know that if such an incident happened they should refer it to me. I would ask the parent nicely if I could help by driving them home.
'We get cases of parents who don't strap their children in and have them in the front of the car beside them, even after all the car safety campaigns. I find the most effective way of dealing with it is to put out car safety leaflets and put a reminder in the regular newsletter along the lines, "West Yorkshire police have asked us to remind parents about car safety".' Senior staff at workplace nurseries obviously have to rely upon even greater diplomatic skills if confronted with a parent who has been over-generous with the Christmas spirit.
A manager of a workplace nursery who has dealt with such an incident and wishes to remain anonymous says, 'Two years ago people working in the building had enjoyed a Christmas lunch. One father came to collect his child and it was obvious he had been drinking. We had to be discreet. I took him off quietly and spoke to him. He wasn't drunk but I could smell alcohol on his breath and so I said, "Why don't I call you a taxi?" He was very reluctant to begin with but I urged him not to take risks and he soon saw sense.'
The problem does not arise just at Christmas. Julie Addyman, proprietor of Nippers Nursery in Knaresborough, Yorkshire, recalls dealing with an alcoholic father. 'He wasn't falling over, but I felt he was very much under the influence and should not be driving. I fibbed and said his wife had called and asked him to wait for her. He waited and played happily with his son. I rang his wife and asked her to come and collect them.
'I explained that I was legally bound not to let the child go with an adult I felt could put him in danger. It does not matter if that adult is the child's parent. I have a legal obligation for the safety of the children and when I hand over a child I have to know I am handing him or her over safely.
'The mother came and although she was very embarrassed she was most grateful that I hadn't let him drive the boy home. The father was very embarrassed that he had turned up at the nursery in that state, but I don't think he ever knew I had called his wife.'
Sylvia Archer, joint proprietor of the Children's House in Stallingborough, Lincolnshire, says her local early years partnership is going to help settings devise a policy for coping with such problems.
'Some of our colleagues working in settings in more deprived areas have had to handle parents who are alcoholic. If they fear the child is at risk then they contact social services.
'One person told me they are seeing a rise in the numbers of parents affected by drugs, which can be harder to detect. Drugs are more difficult to spot because there is no smell.' NW