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How would you raise this with nursery, if at all?

10 replies

workingtitle · 18/08/2014 19:46

DS (10mo) seems very happy at nursery and we have always like it. It's freeflow so can feel a little hectic at times. DH came home today with some concerns, and I don't know if we are being over-anxious so would welcome opinions please.

When DH went it, 45mins before collection time, DS's key worker was mopping up in one room and DH walked in to another to find a nursery worker alone with 5 children (varying ages). DS was sat seperately from the rest, in plain sight but with his back to the group (he can't crawl/walk yet). When DH picked him up he smelt of poo, and obviously needed a nappy change.
I appreciate that with freeflow sometimes the numbers of children to carers can be off for short periods of time. DH felt uneasy though, and felt that DS's key worker was effectively clearing up when she should have been with DS.
This is the first time we've had any cause for concern, and I don't even know if this is something to be concerned about..? And if it is, how do we raise it diplomatically with the nursery? He's still so little and it's long days for him, I hate the thought of him not bring 100% ok.

Sorry for the essay, wanted to give as much info as possible.

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MrsWinnibago · 19/08/2014 01:15

Well if this is the first ever time that something like this has happened I wouldn't worry too much. Of course it's not nice to see your baby left alone and needing changed but the poo might not have been there long. has he ever come home dirty before?

Sitting with his back to the group might have just been an organic thing...can he wiggle? Does he seem happy when you leave him there?

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HayDayQueen · 19/08/2014 01:22

You've got it wrong, a key worker is NOT supposed to always be with the child they are a key worker for. Not at all. ALL of the staff have a responsibility for the children. All of them are key workers for different children. Do you think NONE of them should be tidying up?

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workingtitle · 19/08/2014 04:36

Thanks both for the replies, I'm grateful. Yes he is happy there, I was just surprised that DH seemed bothered--he's usually a good judge of things.

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fackinell · 19/08/2014 05:16

I think you're misunderstanding the role of the key worker here. It's more an overseeing of individual care package and record keeping. Part of a nursery worker's job is to promote a clean and safe environment for the children. They have to clean up at some point.

The member of staff probably didn't notice your son had soiled himself if she was busy with the others. She wouldn't have been able to change your son at that precise moment as another four children would have been left alone.

I wouldn't worry about this as an isolated incident. The ratio is one to three for that age group but you have to allow for toilet breaks and tidy ups. Ofsted would be fine with that I'm sure.

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workingtitle · 19/08/2014 07:46

Thanks also, fackinell. Yes, we're new to this and still learning - feel reassured.

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fackinell · 19/08/2014 09:37

Smile It's daunting, I've seen it so many times over the years. Your son's KW will be happy to have a chat with you about any concerns.

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Loletta · 19/08/2014 13:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

frazzeled · 19/08/2014 14:03

Agree with the above - but if you are going to fret over it it is worth just having a chat with one of the staff. Concerns are easily put at bay - and as long as you are polite and nice in the way you bring it up they shouldn't mind you discussing a concern.

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chelsbells · 19/08/2014 20:32

I work with this age group and unfortunately we do have to tidy up at intervals in the day and it's unfortunate that it was being done as your DH got there, I know we try to get it done as quick as possible so that we can all be 'hands on' with the children and not be cleaning.

Catching a child's dirty nappy is not always easy if your in your own with a group (we also operate free flow so I know what it's like to be on your own for short periods!) I would also mention that they have soiled to the staff on handover, one of them should quickly offer to change them before you leave, and apologise, I would be pretty pissed if someone didn't offer as soon as they found out!

But it's one of those unfortunate things, especially if as you say he wasn't sat close to the staff, and the chances are he may have only done it minutes before daddy walked in! It is embarrassing for the staff because you can feel like you've really messed up but obviously if it is a repeated occurrence then mention it to your key person, and they should keep an extra close eye on him! Hopefully it won't happen again!

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workingtitle · 20/08/2014 06:40

I'm grateful for the replies--really helpful to have some experienced viewpoints. Thank you.

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