Family of child injured by gate urge caution

12 Aug 2011 12:26p.m.

concerned parent wrote:

No one wants to see their child hurt and especially the Nanny/caregiver who is responsible for looking after someones precious child. However families who employ Nannys want it all. Why was the caregivers husband installing the gate ? Did the family want a cheap job done and the husband need employment. This is all too common now days as families want it all for as little as possible. Why didn't they employ a builder? maybe he was one but isn't that a conflict of interest. I feel for the caregiver and her partner and of course the child and her family but some families want a Nanny/caregiver for some times up to 4 children, cook, washing done, housework, ironing and educator playmate for their child/children. The main role of the Nanny/caregiver is to look after the children and if time permits do other light house activities. Why wear out the Nanny with other other household stuff that really doesn't matter. The children should come first. Don't let them out of your sight and stand nearby when they are climbing etc. I know of Nannys who will not work for families that do-not employ a cleaner. These sensible families put their childs interests first. They do-not want to wear out their Nanny, want her to stay long term, pay well, pay a holding fee so she will be available for school holidays and sick days. They value her just as much as she values the family and the children. Come on New Zealand stop being such a half done society and put your children first. It appears to me that their is so much talk about child abuse and how children come first but really in reality children are valued very little.

15 Jul 2011 02:34p.m.

Concerned Mum wrote:

Sad story, I hope Ruby is on the mend after her accident.
Accidents happen in all sorts of places. In Home Care Providers have very strict health and safety guidelines in accordance with the Ministry of Education, however - accidents still and unfortunately always will happen.
No one wants to see children hurt, least of all I'm sure the educator in this case.
I wish Rubys family all the best, but I'm sure being a part of this article is not going to change the fact that accidents happen with children, and when they do, as parents we need to take time off work to be with our children(and sometimes you wont have enough sick leave to cover it so will end up taking a bit of unpaid leave - fact of parenthood).
PS: Liability insurance is fine for big business, but in home educators usually care for 4 children maximum - hardly big business! And, to risk repeating myself, accidents happen and can happen anywhere.

14 Jul 2011 06:56p.m.

Lynette Watkins wrote:

Having watched your coverage of this story I feel compelled to write. I feel this was emotive, creative journalism at its very worst. I thought much more of Campbell Live before you started covering these tabloid press stories.
I am a kindergarten teacher at Kaurilands Kindergarten in Titirangi where Olivia Butts children attend. I have known the Butt family for 4 years and have always found Olivia to be a responsible, honest, caring person and a very loving capable mum. She has worked with us on our committee and has shown a very mature working ethic.
My concerns with your story are: Olivia went inside to check on a sleeping child, this was not stated you inferred she went inside needlessly.
The other child was in face Olivias own child, again not reported. I can only imagine the pain and suffering this poor child has endured, however in your story, smiling while she weekly said "ow" come on!!!!!
The emotive peice showing some random child running across someones back garden, was this to tear at our heartstrings?
The worst insult was showing Olivias name by scanning across the incident report, our so called "baby killers" that murder their children do not have to endure this breach of privacy, this is a mum who is trying to make a few extra dollars for her family,who may of made a mistake which resulted in this tragic accident, yes it was an accident not as the money grabbing grandfather stated an incident!!! Shame on you Campbell Live, John I bet you have run inside while your children have been playing outside yeah???

14 Jul 2011 06:04p.m.

LizH wrote:

Ruby's family have the right to tell their story, and Porse too. Its about being aware - being careful in selecting a childcare that meets the needs of you and your child. Get a life people, the girl was hurt in a serious accident. To me it sounds like the mother only wants to make Porse front up. I think they tighten up their safety standards, she wrote "this was never about the money, but more about tightening up of guidelines and mandatory insurance so that it is clear to everyone, parents and educators where you stand if/when an accident happens". In 2009 I had to return to full time work, my child 6months of age, I thought about Porse (2 reasons, close to my workplace and the really good advertising about how great their care was,), so I went along to my first visit in the home, which did not meet my personal standards of basic living and safety. So that very day I made a decision not to send him into Porse care. I hope Porse do take some action to tighten the safety standards of the homes that these children are placed in. Kia kaha tonu te whanau o Ruby.

14 Jul 2011 12:39a.m.

Andrew wrote:

Hi, My name is Andrew, I am the dad who started the Childcare Advisor - http://www.childcareadvisor.co.nz website earlier this year after our 4 month old baby boy was left alone by his PORSE nanny for a number of hours. I would really like for Ruby's mom to get in touch with me as soon as possible. If you get this message then please contact me, or if someone reads it who knows Ruby's mom then could you please ask her to contact me? I would really appreciate it. (andrew@childcareadvisor.co.nz) Thanks so much and we wish Ruby a fast recovery. Kind Regards, Andrew Gous www.childcareadvisor.co.nz

14 Jul 2011 12:00a.m.

Loup wrote:

Surely when you opt for Porse care you opt for a home care environment, do accidents not happen in the home? Of course they do. No parent or caregiver deliberately puts a child at risk but accidents happen. I am sure the caregiver is distraught at this accident. A 5 minute move is a toilet break, let's put that in to perspective. Would the parent want a court hearing over a legitimate accident at home?

13 Jul 2011 11:49p.m.

t wrote:

It does not matter who installed the gate clearer the educator wasnt aware that this was going to happen. My partner and i not only put up 2 gates but also all the fencing for my property and i am a home educator. We do not get to write off putting up a gate as a tax expense like commercial daycares and the quotes for me to get ours done professionally was half a years income. So yes most educators do their own gates thats doesnt mean anything and was the gate not visable for the mother to see that it was getting built when she dropped off her child. When one of my gates started coming out of the ground one of the fathers of a child in care offered to fix it I find it hard to believe that this mother had no knowledge of the state of this gate and if she did and still took her child there then she cant exactly complain to the news about it can she. Accidents happen that educator will be feeling horrible and this should have stayed a personal matter. I remember when i girl tripped who was learning to walk while i was holding her hand and her shoulder dislocated i thought i was going to go to jail for it I was in tears over it for 2 days imagine how you as a mother has made that educator feel despite saying youve been happy with care till this happened, all those people who agree that this needed to air to bag on Porse clearly havent considered how the educators feeling. I am worried constantly of a child in care getting hurt a child some how climbing over my gate and getting out it only take a min for an accident to occur and we are only human we go to the toilet we ger glasses of water for ourselves we sometimes go inside while the kids are outside to get a camera to take photos or put on a jumper. News says left unattended is just to make Porse look bad and if the educator was there 6 steps away watching them play her pressance wouldnt have stopped that gate falling. I have seen children right in front of me get hurt and i have been right there and i couldnt get to them fast enough to catch them. In regards to Porse offering little help they always 100% there for incidents and they do safety checks every month on a different aspect of care

13 Jul 2011 07:50p.m.

Ruby's mum wrote:

I too was sent the Porse statement today, and I too found it upsetting to read that I was accused of being misleading when, in the same breath they were being very misleading themselves. Ruby has been in Porse care since she was 2, and until the incident we have had nothing but wonderful things to say about inhome care. This was mainly due to Ruby's regular caregiver who has become a member of our family. Ruby misses her terribly. To clear up a glaring mistake in the Porse statement today, Porse ARE NOT paying for Ruby's nanny. I continue to pay, as does the government through the childcare subsidy. Porse are topping up this payment and it comes nowhere near to the 6000 they claim to have paid. I have the contract to prove it. Also, this was never about the money, but more about tightening up of guidelines and mandatory insurance so that it is clear to everyone, parents and educators where you stand if/when an accident happens. It saddens me that Porse chose to go on the offensive rather than learn from this.

13 Jul 2011 07:42p.m.

KateP wrote:

Lets get some facts straight. Liability insurance would not have covered this educator as the gates were installed by her husband. Porse do not TAKE the family's money. They administer the payments on behalf of the educator's request and charge a nominal administration fee a week. The whole sad story in this is that this family have gone out of their way to destroy all the good & fantastic work that does happen in the Porse network. I believe that after all of this, they still have another kid of theirs in Porse care? Uh, hello? I pity that educator taking on this damaged family. They are a liability in themselves. Get it right Campbell. Nothing short of mob lynching.

13 Jul 2011 06:13p.m.

David Ross wrote:

Hello all,
Just because the injuring party does not have public liability insurance does not mean they are not liable - it only means they are uninsured, so sue them anyway.
Regards, David Ross, Dunedin.