What to Do When Your Child Is Bitten at Daycare

The Initial Conversation

• After your child is bitten at daycare, your first point of response will likely be with the daycare staff person who informs you of the biting incident. Ask about the details of the bite. For example, find out what precipitated it, whether anyone on staff witnessed it and assess the severity of the bite. Find out how the staff cared for your child after the bite. For example, did a staff member wash the wound and apply ice? The daycare may also provide you with a copy of an incident report.

Comforting your Child

• Check your child physically and emotionally to assess her condition. Give her a hug and say something such as, ̶0;I̵7;m so sorry you were bitten. Biting really hurts, doesn̵7;t it?̶1; Look at the bite to determine whether the bite broke the skin. Talk about the bite with your little one to get her perspective about the incident. Provide reassurance that you will talk with daycare staff to try to make sure the biting doesn̵7;t happen again.

Physician Consultation

• If the bite broke the skin or you see redness and swelling around the area, consult a physician, advises the California Childcare Health Program. Check your child̵7;s vaccination records for tetanus and Hepatitis B vaccinations, urges the Canadian Paediatric Society website. It may be necessary for vaccinations after a bite. If the area gets red or swollen in the days following the bite, call your physician as this could indicate infection. Warmth around the bite and pus from broken skin could also be signs of infection, according to The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Dealing with the Daycare

• Contact the daycare to discuss biting at the center. Ask about the daycare̵7;s biting procedures so you understand how the center handles the issue, suggests the UW Cooperative Extension. Biting prevention should be an important facet of a daycare̵7;s biting policy and strategy. Supervising children closely and interceding in hot disputes can minimize bites. Teaching kids acceptable ways to communicate with each other is also important. If the daycare doesn̵7;t have a prevention plan in place, ask daycare staff daily about biting incidents to stay informed. If the biting continues, request additional prevention tactics such as separating the biter and your child into different rooms or assigning one staff person to supervise the biter continuously.

Parents of the Biter

• You may feel troubled and anxious about the biting incident and the other parents may feel worried, guilty or embarrassed about their child̵7;s behavior. You and the other parents may feel reassured in knowing that biting is very common in kids under age 3 due to limited communication skills and their inability to understand how biting hurts others, according to the National Childcare Accreditation Council. Depending on the situation, the other parents and you might have an opportunity for input with daycare staff to prevent future incidents. Avoid blame and anger toward the other parents; instead, assume a proactive approach to help prevent future biting incidents.