Nursery Problem---Please advise

emma_b_4

hi
i have been qualified in childcare for over five years and have worked in a variety of settings, private day nursery been my least favourite. they are a business when it boils down to it, pay the staff the minimum they can get away with, and the hours are long with few breaks, due to understaffing, been too busy, etc etc. this leads to staff been peed off at work, which doesnt create a healthy atmosphere. i would say most ppl i have come accross in the various settings have been low achievers academicly (sp) and many go in to CC as you do not require qualifications. i howver am one of the many exceptions to that generalisation, having 10 GCSEs , 6As 3Bs 3Cs, 2 AS level grade B, and im now training to be a paediatric nurse.
the trend i have seen is that in council run nurserys the staff are older, wiser, more exp, happier and the atmosphere is better. the staff are paid well too. i worked for council nurserys for nearly 2 years and still do relief for them now. for a quick comparison, at private day i got min wage , at council, i got £8.70 ph.

ppl ask me all the time now, when i meet families in community or hosp on my placements .. what should i look for etc but the only thing is to make sure you are 100% happy with the place.

in this case, i would write a formal complaint, make three copies.. give one to nursery, one to ofsted and keep one for your records. if nothing happens within a week eg the manager talking to you, telling you what has happened, ring ofsted.

Lucycat

I sent my daughter to a local private nursery part-time from being 2.5 (she just started school this week), and it was absolutely fantastic - I can't praise it highly enough. All staff remained there for her entire time, which was a very positive reflection on the management & working conditions, and I had absolute confidence in them as (more importantly than even the regular progress reports) my daughter absolutely adored them all. :j

In direct contrast, my friend sent her son to a nursery attached to his future primary school and had problems from day one due to massive pressure regarding potty-training on both her and her son from staff (her son was also 2.5 when he started and not quite there yet), not being informed who her son's key-worker was, no reports other than nappy-changes and related 'accidents'. It put an awful strain on them both, and she's quite sure it worsened the situation, particularly as he was told off for accidents in front of the other children.

Completely agree that once trust is gone, particularly in child-care, it can't be rebuilt - I'd have whipped my daughter out of there like a shot.

Lucy.

fesdufun

After reading this thread. I would just like to say not all nurseries are like some of those mentioned above. My two boys go to a private day nursery. All the staff have been there for years and there is even a male carer (not many of those around). There is a healthy mix of young and old and apparently once the staff join the nursery they rarely leave.

Some pointers about picking a good nursery -
1. Ask how long the staff have been working there
2. If you ask to visit be vary of those who make an appointment. My nursery told me to turn up anytime as I would be more likely to see it as it is.
3. Go with your instincts - if you child seems unhappy try to get to the bottom of why try visiting the nursery and watching at a distance (if possible).
4. When you collect perhaps turn up a few minutes early. Stand outside for a minute and listen to what is happening in the classroom.
5. If you see a child who is crying watch to see the staff reaction. Do they try to comfort the child or ignore them?
6. Ask how long the waiting list is - usually the good ones have a long waiting list

I chose to send my boys to nursery whilst I work part-time. They do much more there than we do at home and have learnt loads. Both my boys are very confident and have a small circle of friends. Also I know staff shouldn't shout at the children, I just wish I had as much patience as the staff my son's nursery.

At the end of the day there are positives and negatives about sending your child to nursery. Being a parent comes with enough guilt anywhere without "scare" stories abour poor nursery care. Yes, I know they do exist but so do good ones but we rarely get to hear about those do we.

Anyway enough of my waffling just wanted to say something positive.

emma_b_4

agree with above and want to point out i was generalising from my own experience in my thread, one fab question to ask is how long staff have been there

Hootie19

daisykate124 wrote:

I know people have to work and sometimes parents have no choice but to put their children in to day care but personally i do not believe in it. I would never send my little girl to a nursery as I dont beleive in strangers bringing up my child. I Knew this sort of thing would go on at these places and this just confirms my suspicions that these things do.

I have just gone back to work and am lucky that my mum and my Hubby are able to take care of her while I am at work. I know she is safe and being loved.

I have many friends who send their children to a nursey and they say themselfs that they have missed so much of them growing up and thats something i do not want to miss.

I dont think these nurserys can look after your child as well as you can

sorry to go on this is just my opinion no offence intended, I know sometimes there is no other choice but to do this.

Sorry but this is just the kind of smug post that helps no one. I can't believe that no one else has picked you up on it.

So you are lucky enough to have family who can share your childcare responsibilities. Well that's great for you.

But to post something like you did is only going to make parents feel even more guilty about "leaving strangers to bring up their children". The majority of parents who do go to work feel some guilt at not being at home all the time with their children, but circumstances dictate that it's not an option for them. They do the best they can for their children

And just because a child is at home with its parents is no guarantee that it is "safe". Remember Jasmine Beckford, for example?

I think you should keep your opinions to yourself, on an emotive subject like this. It helps no one, and only causes distress.

black-saturn

daisykate124 wrote:

I know people have to work and sometimes parents have no choice but to put their children in to day care but personally i do not believe in it. I would never send my little girl to a nursery as I dont beleive in strangers bringing up my child. I Knew this sort of thing would go on at these places and this just confirms my suspicions that these things do.

I have just gone back to work and am lucky that my mum and my Hubby are able to take care of her while I am at work. I know she is safe and being loved.

I have many friends who send their children to a nursey and they say themselfs that they have missed so much of them growing up and thats something i do not want to miss.

I dont think these nurserys can look after your child as well as you can

sorry to go on this is just my opinion no offence intended, I know sometimes there is no other choice but to do this.

I agree. Thanks for a great post.

trickytrolleys

i agree too!!! So many posts on here are about how bad nurseries are yet not one parent has said i will look after my own children

finc

mcelhinney wrote:

i agree too!!! So many posts on here are about how bad nurseries are yet not one parent has said i will look after my own children

There are times and circumstances where this is not an option. The OP asked for advice on her situation, not a judgement call on whether she should use any childcare or not.

trickytrolleys

finc wrote:

There are times and circumstances where this is not an option. The OP asked for advice on her situation, not a judgement call on whether she should use any childcare or not.

and generally its not an option because parents arent prepared to give up the flash cars and holidays

ooobedoo

My son has been in full time childcare since he was 6 months old, I personally know that it was the best thing over for him. I don't have flash holidays or cars, I come out with about £230 a month and that is £230 towards the mortgage.

I just don't know why people who don't use nursery's have to make others that do, feel bad. Yes, in an ideal world we would all be able to spend every second with our children but you know what? I like having adult company, I spend QUAILITY TIME with him, but I also like having time away and that makes me appreciate him more.

I know that he is so much more switched on, and more interactive than he would of otherwise been.

There is no need to guilt trips, smugness or down right nastiness