Kids and nursery...

Pink_butterfly_3

I'm after a little bit of advice.

My two kiddies have recently started at a local nursery (they've been there about 3 months) and both seem happy there. The staff are generally lovely but we've been having an ongoing issue about the hours which is starting to really pee me off. Its a bit complicated but we had agreed that DD goes in Monday Afternoon, DS goes in Wednesday Afternoon and they both go in on Friday afternoon. This was a temporary arrangement until a space had freed up on a Wednesday for my DD to go in so we were just doing Wed & Fri afternoon for both. This space was due to free up at the beginning of July.

Its come to a head today as they phoned me to say that someone had written down the hours wrong and they don't have a space on the Wednesday for DD now. Now, I suppose its not really an issue but with this and a few other incidents i'm starting to get a bit annoyed.

The problem is, is that theres no flexibility whatsoever at this nursery. Once I arrived 15 minutes early with DS and they made me wait outside as they wouldn't take him until his allotted space started. Being as I have to rely on buses me being early is certainly never an issue so you would of thought that this one time, they could of done something.

I don't drive and because we live in between two bad areas I have to get two buses and then walk half a mile to get to the nursery which is a right mission with two kids and this fabulous weather we've been having!

I've spoken to another nursery today and they have the spaces I want and have assured me that they are very flexible with times and the odd extra days if needed.

If your still with me, I guess what I'm struggling with is would it be selfish to take the kids out and start them somewhere else when they are happy at this nursery?? This other nursery seems great, has an excellent ofsted report but I just don't want to upset the kids.

What do you reckon?? Stick it out or move them??

ooobedoo

Move them, flexibility is always needed on both sides, they adapt quickly. Sound like you should get a crystal ball everytime you get them there.

TheWaltons_3

Is it a chain of nurseries or a privately owned one?

I have three babies and used one nursery for a small time, having several issues with it. It depends on what kind of Mum you are and what you regard as vitally important, or something you can 'let go' if you see what I mean.

I would have been fuming, had they made me wait outside for 15 minutes. As a business owner, you accommodate your customers where possible. It may have been very possible for them to accommodate your needs in this instance (unless they just wanted to be awkward) - however, should they seriously NOT have been able to accommodate this, they should have made it plainly clear as to why.

The reason could have been, there were too many children in one room at one time for the staff members in there - in this case, they would have been breaking the Law by allowing more children in than they are legally bound to do so. This would have been protecting their business - imagine if a child had fallen over, or had an Asthma attack or any other problem had arisen.. or there was a Fire Alarm... Health & Safety would be questioning their actions.

They should have explained this, or any other reason to you, so you would have had an understanding behind their actions.

Who did you come across? A manager or a younger member of staff? you could put in a complaint.

I have found a brilliant nursery, they provide all Nappies/Wipes/Baby Milk and foods and don't charge extra for this. It is run by a Mum with 2 young children who understands Mums needs.

I would have been fuming about the ... 'oops we pencilled another child in' incident.

No, you would not be selfish moving your children to a Nursery that can accommodate your needs better. A happy Mummy means happy children.

flis21

I work in a nursery (don't shoot me down!!) and can advise that the issue with parents dropping off early or picking up late is to do with ratios and insurance. Ofsted have the adult to child ratios laid down in stone and we cannot go over those ratios, so if say a member of staff is not due to start until 1pm, but a parent turns up at 12.45 to drop their children off it could be that the ratios will not be correct and if ofsted found out about that you can be closed down straight away. It would work the same way if your child had or caused an accident in the nursery, the nursery's insurance would not cover them for that accident, so if you or another parent sued it would likely bankrupt the nursery, as they probably don't have enough money in the bank to cover the ever increading levels of compensation being awarded these days.

Basically the issue of whether to stay or not is up to your instincts. If you are really not happy then go, but if your children really like it there and have started to make friends I would consider how it might affect them changing settings.

Sorry, no answers really, but hopefully I have explained the nurseries position a bit for you.

TheWaltons_3

flis21 wrote: »

I work in a nursery (don't shoot me down!!) and can advise that the issue with parents dropping off early or picking up late is to do with ratios and insurance. Ofsted have the adult to child ratios laid down in stone and we cannot go over those ratios, so if say a member of staff is not due to start until 1pm, but a parent turns up at 12.45 to drop their children off it could be that the ratios will not be correct and if ofsted found out about that you can be closed down straight away. It would work the same way if your child had or caused an accident in the nursery, the nursery's insurance would not cover them for that accident, so if you or another parent sued it would likely bankrupt the nursery, as they probably don't have enough money in the bank to cover the ever increading levels of compensation being awarded these days.

Basically the issue of whether to stay or not is up to your instincts. If you are really not happy then go, but if your children really like it there and have started to make friends I would consider how it might affect them changing settings.

Sorry, no answers really, but hopefully I have explained the nurseries position a bit for you.

This is what I was getting at but you summed it up perfectly!

Smashing

Move them. You're making 3 journeys a week when you should only have to make 2. They won't let you in on the one occasion you were early - what would happen if you were running late?

Some flexibility is essential - your kids will adapt in no time, so give this lot the boot.

Gingham_Ribbon

I would move them. I don't think it would upset them except perhaps that they might miss a couple of friends. Maybe you could swap numbers with their closest friends' parents to meet for play dates sometimes?

I'm wondering whether to move my lad too. He loves his preschool but they can't offer more than 7 and a half hours per week and I think he could do with more.

Counting_Pennies_2

Personally I would move them to suit your circumstances.

But I have to say I don't think the nursery are being completely inflexible. It is important for them to make sure they have adequate cover for the children, and much as you might be late some days doesn't equal you being able to drop them in early if you arrive before their session begins.

In my local area the nurseries are completely over subscribed so it is a case of having to wait until places come available. My first place I received in January was very inflexible, but it was all that was available, so I took them. My son then had to have a change of days due to the nursery's need to fit the children in to match the staff in April, and now from September I will have the days I had hoped for. I am not getting annoyed with the nursery, I am just grateful I am in the nursery in my area and have a place, places are often very hard to come by.

So yes, do change to suit you, but it is very possible in the future there is going to be some inflexibility and while it might be frustrating, I would personally prefer that I have a space at the place and the staff are being sure they have the right ratio of staff to children.

Smashing

flis21 wrote: »

I work in a nursery (don't shoot me down!!) and can advise that the issue with parents dropping off early or picking up late is to do with ratios and insurance.

Then surely this should have been explained rather than just saying that he can't come in as it's not his alloted time?

TheWaltons_3

I am popping my daughter into a Nursery now after being with a Childminder. At a certain age, I believe a toddler needs the stimulation of other Toddlers instead of adult company.

She loves her childminder, however, at the moment she will still be there 2 days a week.

Spendless

I moved my daughter from a pre-school and a nursery (ie 2 places) when I started at college, mainly over travel arrangments I needed. I worried myself stupid that she wouldn't settle, but she was fine. I moved her from this place to her school nursery and again she was fine. No one knows your child like you do, my daughter is (was;) ) placid and easy going. A child who takes a long time to settle with other people is *possibly* going to more upset over a move.