Poor management and not in ratio - nursery

[Louisechloe27]

Hi, so i work in the baby room in a nursery with 1 other member of staff. Our ratio is 1:3. Our baby room is in a completely seperate room to the rest of the children (2-3’s & 3-5’s) and isnt a very big room. Recently, one of the nursery managers has been taking in loads of bookings and we now seem to either be fully booked or over booked in every area, including the baby room. Me and my baby room colleague have mentioned about the ratios to each of our 3 nursery managers and it seems to keep being ignored and not spoken about. Our new babies to the nursery are very young at the minute and require so much more time and attention then some of the older ones. As well as this, every body elses job in the nursery seems to be being dumped on our 2 shoulders. For example, we unpack the nursery at 7:20 every morning, we make breakfast every morning, we make tea for that day, we clean the toilets twice a day, we have to check the 2-3’s sleepers every day and we have to wash up our own bowls and bibs etc (Which is fair enough). But we seem to be having 7+ babies in our room every single day and we’re struggling to keep up with the other jobs as well as provide the best care to the children as we can. Not to mention trying to fit in our planning and observations and everything else that we have to do.
My question is, would me and the other member of baby room staff get in trouble for having 8 or 9 babies in the baby room with us, regardless of how many times we have complained about the ratios? Say for example if ofsted came into our room and saw that we had 9 babies, would it put our jobs at risk?
Another thing, our nursery managers tell us that if we have a staff members child attending nursery that day, that they dont technically count as they dont pay full price and instead of having 6 as the maximum amount of babies, we could then have 7. How does that make sense, as they are still a child and whether the member of staff pays for them or not, they still require the same care that every other baby needs? So my second question leads onto, if were in ratio everyday and had 6 babies, would the nursery get into trouble for not counting the staff members baby?
There are a few things that we dont agree with the nursery, but everytime we say something it always gets shrugged off and forgotten about. I dont find it fair how some members of staff get away with nothing and then somehow get rewarded for doing something wrong. Yet if a certain few of us, who do everything for the nursery, will do something wrong, we get in trouble for it.

[Jackshouse]

I would be looking for a new job and then reporting your concerns to Ofsted.

[IVEgottheDECAF]

Staff children count in ratio!

If ofsted come in and see what is going on they will be wanting to know why from management

If the nursery closes yes you may loose your job

Honestly i wouldnt want to work for these people

[Knowivedonewrong]

You need to raise your concerns immediately with the Manager. If they are not going to listen then I suggest you inform Ofsted.

You won't lose your jobs because you are over ratioed, that's down to your Manager.

Looks like they are being greedy, trying to make money. You need more staff.
This is a totally unacceptable way to work and is very bad practice.

[MyOtherProfile]

Awful. Who owns the nursery?

Totally wrong about the staff member's child not counting in ratio.

[Mysterian]

Look for another job. Some nurseries need to close.

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

Have the parents not noticed this in the ratios? What about the staff member who has the child? Surely she will be seriously concerned?
This is dreadful behavior. Report it to Ofsted if the management are actively allowing it to happen.

[Bluespace]

From the statuatoey framework:
The ratio and qualification requirements apply to the total number of staff available to work directly with children.
Is the whole nursery in ratio, even though your room is out? If the management team can risk assess and evidence that the nursery is in ratio and the children’s needs are met then it’s fair game - in your case it doesn’t seem to be this way. I would report to ofsted too.

[insancerre]

Ratio applies to the whole nursery, not individual rooms, so it may be that overall the ratio is right
But, of course staff children count in ratio. Are they not on the register?
Why don’t you bring up the housekeeping at the next staff meeting? Suggest a rota for the washing up and the toilets

[Louisechloe27]

Thank you for your replies. The whole nursery isnt in ratio as we have up to 3 children more then what we should have in every area every day.
We do have a rota for washing up etc. But other staff kick up a fuss and say they cant do it🙄
The problem is, is that the team isnt the right team of people. Everyone moans and nobody gets on really. They always turn up late and do the bare minium and come up with silly excuses that them allows them to cut down their hours or not do the washing up that day and so on. Therefore, its dumped on a few other shoulders (who are the younger, more passionate ones).
Im not sure if the parents have noticed ratios, its harder to notice in the toddler and preschool area. If they were to complain what would happen?

[insancerre]

If the parents were to complain to ofsted then they would do a risk assessment and probably do an unannounced inspection as it’s a safeguarding situation
The inspector will ask to see registers and staff rotas
If you have concerns then you can whistleblow by contacting ofsted yourself. This can be done anonymously if you prefer

In the meantime, I would be looking for another job

[Jackshouse]

If they are over ratio then it’s not surprise they can’t do extra chores. The problem is with over ratios and management not solving issues rather than individual staff.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

It sounds an unhappy place. Are you sure you can't quietly look for another job? I'm sure you are doing your best op but I can't help but feel sorry for the children at your nursery.

[MeYouWye]

I once complained about ratios and was let go from job, it had to be done though. If I were you I'd look for another job and report them, the ratios are not there for fun.

[WilsonandNoodles]

Make sure you get your concerns about ratios and restrictions on tbe level of care in writing. Email to all the bosses. They might think you are being a bit funny but its evidence to protect you.
In our are theres lots of nursery jobs advertised (it might be different where you are). I'd be applying now. Even without the ratio concerns your place sounds miserable.

[JosiahJames]

As others have said, leave and report to OFSTED. This is not childcare, it is crowd control and a horrible environment to be in both for staff and children.
I worked in a similar place (a big chain - I wish I could name and shame) and left after 2 months because everything was very similar to how you describe and if anything went wrong it would be on your shoulders (maybe not legally but I know I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if anything bad happened to the children in my care)

[Gottalovesummer]

You are absolutely right to be concerned. You sound very committed to your job, and thank goodness, as the manager/other staff certainly don't.

Those poor babies tho can't be getting the care and attention they need, despite your very best efforts.

I'd advise you to talk to manager in first instance, then report to Ofsted (and start looking for another job)

[jannier]

You should have a whistle blowing policy and regular supervision by someone who is not your line manager. If you have raised the concerns you have a duty to take it further and report to Ofsted have as much detail as possible, when you raised concerns etc.
Many nurseries work on the overall building ratio which is still not good but going over this is against the EYFS. Are any of the 3 year old staff Early years teacher status? As this raises the ratio in this room and then they may be applying extra staff their to the whole building.
Staff members children always count in ratio.