Would you write a letter of complaint about this pre-school?

[zephyrcat]

DS has been going to his pre-school for about a year. When he first started we were paying for his sessions before his free ones kicked in. DP had to give up work and we got into arrears which we are paying off. Whenever we have spoken to the 'manager' about it, she uses no discression at all and makes sure that every other parent around can hear her talking about our finances. She also pins peoples receipts onto the notice board for all to see.

Aside from that, I have seen her being rude to various parents, including a friend's DH who popped in to see his DD on his way to work to say hello and was asked if it was urgent and then looked at in disgust as if he had no business being there.

I've seen her pulling a little lad quite roughly by the top of his arm from her office into the nursery.

DS has had lots of bruises and grazes etc and not once have we had an accident book to sign or anyone tell us what happened. I know they can't see everything but it feels like a lack of due care. Yesterday he came home in completely different clothes - even underwear and shoes - dp didn't notice but no-one told him what happened.

Yesterday whilst we were all waiting to go in (sessions start at 9:15 but all day-ers are already in) she came out of the office and said on her way out of the door "Is anyone free to hang around for a while until I get back? I've got to pop out and it'll mean we don't have enough staff so if someone could hang around that'd be great" and went!

I know from years of working in nursery/pre-schools that you can't do that! If there is someone leaving the room that means it's not the right ratio then you cannot leave that room until someone else comes in. And to ask the parents to do it?! Is it just me or is there a need for a complaint?!

[GordontheGopher]

Have you had a nose at their ofsted report online?

[hunkermunker]

Sounds bloody awful.

Yes, I'd complain - is there a preschool committee you could contact in the first instance?

I'd be really shocked if either DS was in entirely different clothes, even down to shoes, and nobody told me why. Where were his clothes and shoes?

[zephyrcat]

His clothes and shoes were at school somewhere, I got them back this morning - apparently he tipped water over himself from the water tray. No big issue, but I'd have thought they'd at least say something.

[zephyrcat]

I hadn't thought of looking at their ofsted report - although I expect they were on form for the inspection.

[howmuchchoccanIeatb4iexplode]

I would ring Ofsted in a split second. Discuss it with them, and if other parents have complained too they may investigate.
Have you no other place you can send your ds too?

[lulumama]

sounds really quite appalling

she sounds lazy, like a gossip and no care for the children.

often that sort of attitude from management pervades a whole work place

i would definitely complain and take my worries to OFSTED too

[whoops]

I must be blinkered when we go in!
I think your ds got a bit wet yesterday as one of the girls came out with his shoes this morning saying they were still wet
I agree with you about the receipt thing although mine was in dd's tray this month but even with that their trays are shared
I must admit I have often wondered about their staffing ratios as I have dropped dd off and there has been one staff member in the room only while another has been in the office.
My other issue is the girlfriend/boyfriend issues we have been having there as dd has often said about kissing a boy but at the weekend she talked about lying down and kising I did mention this yesterday and was told that all of that stuff was being stopped

[hunkermunker]

I've just been to see a preschool that had a decent Ofsted report - I was considering sending DS2 there. I even sat and filled the paperwork in (so I could sit there and see what went on for longer).

Didn't like it. Will send to the one DS1 went to, even though shorter sessions and no chance of paid sessions as not Ofsted registered - but better by a country mile than the one that IS registered.

You get a vibe from these places, ime.

I'd be looking elsewhere for preschool, given the description of this place.

[zephyrcat]

What's the boyfriend girlfriend thing?! I haven't heard him mention that one yet...bit worrying though

DS actually starts school in Sept so he's down to his last couple of weeks there. I have got to find somewhere for DD2 in Jan though and am no way putting her in there as long as that manager is there.

I wondered if maybe it was just me as I trained in a private day nursery with very high standards but the ratio thing has really wound me up!

What do I do - do I have to complain above her head first or can I go directly to Ofsted?

[whoops]

dd has a boyfriend (or did have!) and the were inseperable (sp?) to the point of kissing etc. the boy actually hit another boy and her when they both had a cuddle!

[zephyrcat]

Blimey! Don't tell DS!

On a serious note though, make sure they listen to you about it. Getting really p'd off with them lately.

[happystory]

Lots of things I don't like the sound of there. Her attiude, ok maybe you could overlook it as I suppose that's subjective.

But..the ratios issue, (a parent cannot replace a member of staff ) non-production of any accident book AND changing him completely without telling you why...all no-nos. Your instinct to complain is correct IMO

[whoops]

D did listen to me on that one! She is aware of the situation and caught the said boy with another girl yesterday apparently! I think the quiet room may be having a name change!

[zephyrcat]

Lol @ the quiet room!
Bit strange that they say they are stopping it all now - they obviously knew it was happening then!

They used to not change his dirty nappies often as well, thinking about it. He would come home in a dirty nappy and would be red and sore where it had obviously been on for a while

[squirrel42]

I'd inform Ofsted. That sounds like some proper problems and failing to meet the basic standards set out for preschool care, and it needs investigating for the sake of all the children there.

You can pass information to Ofsted anonymously or ask for your details not to be disclosed to the preschool owners/manager - ring 08456 404040 or email from the Ofsted website.

[Kenmore55]

My child attend this school on Bellflower Blvd, on the first day of school my child came home acting like a Monkey and making sounds like a Monkey. I dismissed this the first day. For the next three days my child would tap family members on the shoulder and call them monkey!. As I pulled up to the parking lot my child said in a sad voice " Monkey". I asked the staff, if Monkey was on the lesson plan or if they discuss bananas for snack time. They said no. I spoke to the assistant director about this and she said that she would look in to this. No attempt was made. My child make references about Monkey's only when he eats a banana. My child is a person of color. This center is located inside a church. After speaking with the staff about this incident the situation
escalated. This is not professional and racists. The center should be closed. Parents beware!!!!!!! They didn't think my child could to talk..

[Kenmore55]

Educare- Pre-School in on Bellflower Blvd. California . Operated inside of a church.