Concerned with Nursery...but a i expecting too much?

hngrymummy

It sounds as though a childminder might suit your requirements a bit better as the ratios tend to be lower, so it's easier for them to take children outdoors, and remember to follow special requests. My son is a little older and goes to a childminder. He goes outside most days, does dancing, singing, playdoh, colouring etc etc. I chose his childminder because she likes to spend time outdoors, and I know my son does too, whatever the weather.

We've been doing finger 'painting' with him since he was about 9 months, which he loves; and dancing and singing with him since he was born.

If you want your child to have a drink with lunch, then they should follow that request.

If you're not happy with the way they're looking after your child, then have a look around and see if there's anything that suits you better.

go_cat

Does she seem happy because to me that is more important than attending sensory classes

rachbc

why do you want her to have water? is she constipated or showing other signs of being dehydrated? as others have said it can fill them up too much as stop them eating enough - food at this age will be fairly sloppy still unless you re doing blw and milk should still be her main drink.

Painting and dancing are not really activities 7 mont old can do or get much out off and very few nurseries take children out on trips due to staff ratios etc.

Make-it-3

I agree at seven months there is only a limited range of activities your baby can participate in. As long as the staff are interacting with them, singing and stimulating with toys. My 16 month old is only just beginning to do more structured stuff like join in painting sessions, join in story time etc. I'm sure your nursery meant that this is something that the older ones do.

My LO has never been on a walk, I think its too difficult to organise with the young ones, as it would require 1:1 cover with pushchairs. She does play outside on nice days, but even that would be difficult for a really young one until they are on their feet.

It is good to get LO's into the habit of drinking water, but how good is she at doing this at home? Mine only took occasional sips of water until she was older. If you are concerned that she is thirsty and not having her needs met they do press the point with her keyworker or nursery manager.

Its hard sending babies to nurseries, they can't give individual care all of the time as we would, you need to let go a bit, but if you have any deep concerns re her care then do bring it up with her carers there.

jfh7gwa

I'd say to trust your instincts on this. BUT personally I'm with the posters who say that at 7 months it's a bit much to be expecting the all-singing, all-dancing activities that (for example) a toddler would need.

It does sound like you've got a slightly unrealistic expectation of what the nursery should do vs. what they are doing though... for example, concern over not getting a drink with lunch... if she's dehydrated or not getting enough fluids overall, that's clearly a massive concern... but it's not if this is generally fine and you just want her to have a drink with her lunch. That's not a concern, that's overly prescriptive.

Still, at the end of the day, just like when we had ours at a nursery, if you have concerns and there are potentially better alternatives, you're free to move if you would feel more comfortable. But without more detail about what's happening (i.e. the drink example above) from this I'm erring on the side of overly-prescriptive parenting. Sorry.


Edited to add: Actually I've just seen your post about what they said happens compared to what is happening. Clearly if the nursery has promised that they do the sensory sessions and walks and there is no evidence they happen, this means they're not doing what you're paying for. That's clearly not a case of you wanting them to do something and there being no actual need/promise to do it. So, I revoke my original comments on that score!

ska_lover

Nicki wrote: »

I've never had a child in nursery but I am a mum to three who have been looked after at home

Ay the age of 7 months, a baby is only just able to sit unsupported. Some may not even be able to do this and will need a cushioned back rest. They will not have a pincer grip and their palmer grip will be crude at best. They definitely can't walk even supported. Their attention span will be very short.

On that basis, yes I can confidently say you are being completely unreasonable to expect that your 7 month old child should ever be offered painting or dance sessions. At that age, I would expect them to have tummy time, and exploration play and maybe some music.

I strongly suspect that when the nursery discussed the regular painting and dancing they meant this to happen in the older children's room and that your child will graduate to this when they are 1 or when they are walking.

As for water, I personally didn't offer this with meals either, because as others say it can deter babies from eating or drinking their milk. Have you asked for a chart of food and drink over a day to see whether the baby is being offered drinks at other points in the day. Though at 7 months my children weren't drinking a lot other than milk to be honest.

What a great post

junior_j

As a a nursery nurse working in 3 nurseries before in the baby room we carried out activites such as painting where the babies able to sit unaided would sit on a laminated floor with a big rag type sheet under them and leave them in nappy or "old spare clothes" And they could get as messy as they want exploring , the feel of the paint ect. The younger babies would sit in bumbo seats with paper and painting hands to explore it this way , every day we had circle time with babies which included showing them a photo of themself and singing good morning followed nursery ryhmes. Other activites including practicing clapping , musical instruments , building with bricks , garden time , the younger babies , (3-6 months) would have a softer area with softer toys and bumbo seats/bouncers and play gyms. The babies were never left alone bored in a bouncer unless they were sleeping in them!

The babies were also given what ever drink parents supplies boiled water / juice ect was giving at every meal and at least twice during the day. The babies also had sheets explaining , food/fluid consumption , nappy changes , sleep periods and what they had done. We also had photo boards showing some activities we had done all together.

Your baby most likely will have a learning journey at nursery which will have comments about what they have learnt/done and photographic evidence to back this up. This helps nursery nurses complete period progress reports using the Early years foundation stage as a guide. You have the right to ask to see the learning journeys.

Look around at display board and take a look at your babies surroundings. See if you think its equiped enough. Unfortuently weather and staff ratios can effect the amount a nursery can take children out. Especially babies as the ratio is stricter and they are in buggies.

Hope that helps. x

sugarbabe1

junior_j wrote: »

As a a nursery nurse working in 3 nurseries before in the baby room we carried out activites such as painting where the babies able to sit unaided would sit on a laminated floor with a big rag type sheet under them and leave them in nappy or "old spare clothes" And they could get as messy as they want exploring , the feel of the paint ect. The younger babies would sit in bumbo seats with paper and painting hands to explore it this way , every day we had circle time with babies which included showing them a photo of themself and singing good morning followed nursery ryhmes. Other activites including practicing clapping , musical instruments , building with bricks , garden time , the younger babies , (3-6 months) would have a softer area with softer toys and bumbo seats/bouncers and play gyms. The babies were never left alone bored in a bouncer unless they were sleeping in them!

The babies were also given what ever drink parents supplies boiled water / juice ect was giving at every meal and at least twice during the day. The babies also had sheets explaining , food/fluid consumption , nappy changes , sleep periods and what they had done. We also had photo boards showing some activities we had done all together.

Your baby most likely will have a learning journey at nursery which will have comments about what they have learnt/done and photographic evidence to back this up. This helps nursery nurses complete period progress reports using the Early years foundation stage as a guide. You have the right to ask to see the learning journeys.

Look around at display board and take a look at your babies surroundings. See if you think its equiped enough. Unfortuently weather and staff ratios can effect the amount a nursery can take children out. Especially babies as the ratio is stricter and they are in buggies.

Hope that helps. x

Thanks for your post...this is really helpful so that I can have a guide as to what a good nursery should be doing. I am not seeing any of this...but this have given me the confidence to go and ask for some of these things ie learning journeys.

georgiesmum

best to talk everything over with the nursery before yo do anything drastic. There is no point in taking your baby away to start her in another nursery, that will upset her and she will have to start getting used to different people again.
I think that babies get a lot of fluids from their meals and don't need extra water as well.
Her behaviour should tell you if she is happy or not. Does she get cranky when she goes in, although that is not always a good indicator. My 9 month old grandson used to cry going in but the staff persuaded me to stay and hide and watch him, which i did for 30 minutes. Within 2 minutes he was laughing and playing with the other children and as happy as Larry.
Is she sleeping wel and seem contented?
At the end of the day you will have to go with your own instincts. But most nurseries are very good and the staff love the children.
Also you should have an itemised list of everything she eats and drinks during the day. That would bother me if it wasn't supplied.

MrsC2be

As a previous nursery worker myself I can say that the daily schedules should be almost jammed packed of things to do.. When in the baby room, we done arts and crafts EVERYDAY - from painting with brushes and sponges, to water play in nappies, sand, gluing & sticking.. this was done with all babies.. there was a scrapbook to show what the child had created and this was sent home when it was full..

At meal times, the babies and other children were provided with water to drink and that was provided by the nursery, of course they had the option of sending in their own drinks but there was always a drink available.

We too had a daily report sent home with the child concluding what the child had taken part in that day.. ranging from playing with mega black, musical instruments, dress up, feely box, song time, outdoor play, bouncy castle.. This was all part of the daily routine. We had quiet time and free play so there was never a part of the day where there wasnt something fun to be done..

From working in this environment I can see how important activities such as this are paramount for the development of babies from an early age and would make sure that if I was to put any of my future kids into a nursery, that this routine and type of stimulating building was on offer..

Maybe its worth having a word with the nursery and explaining that you would like to be sent home more art work from your child as she never got the chance to do this before? Make it known that its important for them to provide this to your little girl. If they fail to take recognition then I would consider moving your baby as her development and over all well beiing should come number 1!