Letting your child go to preschool all summer can be a sign of a lack of care and lead to a report of concern.
That is the meaning of an email from a preschool in Solna which is now provoking strong reactions from parents.
– It feels like a threat. A report of concern is one’s worst nightmare, says one parent.
In an email to parents, the management of a preschool in Solna writes about summer vacation and that many children have been reported as needing care during all the summer weeks.
“A child who does not recover by being away from preschool may be a sign of a lack of care. There may be special reasons, but we want you to know that we are obliged to make a report of concern if we experience a lack of care” , the preschool writes in the email.
Feels like a threat
The email and the threat of a report of concern have upset parents of children at the preschool. TV4 Nyheterna has spoken to one of those who wishes to remain anonymous.
– 100 percent that it feels like a threat. I definitely get worried. I think many parents will be. It’s clear that you get scared when they say that, it’s the worst thing you can do to a parent.
The parent says that he understands that the staff also need vacations, but that this wording feels like a threat, especially to parents who are very dependent on the preschool.
– I think it’s really rude to pressure parents who may not be able to take a holiday or who need help like this. I got angry and think it’s done badly.
The municipality backs down
Fredrik Nordvall is head of the children and education administration in Solna City. He believes that the information that has gone out is very unfortunate.
– I can absolutely see that parents interpret the email as a threat, he says.
– We take responsibility, this has gone completely wrong. I think the principals have good intentions, but in this case it went crazy, says Fredrik Nordvall.
As a parent who is in need of preschool all summer, should you have to worry about a report of concern?
– Absolutely not, it is a completely unreasonable connection, it should not be made. We are obliged to report concerns if there is a lack of parental responsibility, but this mailing is not something that we, as the principal, are responsible for.