New to working in a nursery and witnessed horrible treatment

Thank you for reporting this OP. You really have no other option, otherwise this behaviour could escalate.

For those anxious about finding childcare, nurseries can still be a good option. Locally one is a charity and as they don’t have to make a profit for shareholders / owners, they pay their staff a little better and attract good people. When you are looking for one, as well as visiting and listening to your gut instincts, look them up on the Companies House website to see what their structure is and who owns them. If they are making massive profits from children you will see it reflected in their accounts.

I know everyone is saying to report, but I haven't seen anyone saying to report direct to Ofsted.

I'm a childminder, have run my business many years and this is what made me start doing it in the first place- I didn't trust the nursery workers having seen some bad treatment first hand when I was younger. So, I became the childcare instead. If you have any concerns about the welfare/ treatment of a child you should report to your governing body- Ofsted in England, care inspectorate in Scotland. You could write a detailed email and copy in to the manager of the nursery/ and also the governing body. That way there is a written trail that cannot be dismissed.

@MsCactus that's the best idea find one you think maybe good then go to toddle groups to watch them in action that's the key.

What’s Genevieve Meehan?

I've personally had a great experience with childminders. Research shows that kids do much better with one consistent adult to attach to than the rotation of people they get at nursery which is pretty unnatural and confusing for them. Wth a childminder you also know exactly who will be looking after your kid - not temp staff you haven't even met.

I will say however that I interviewed about 20 childminders, even those far away, to find a brilliant one.

This lady only takes 2-3 kids a day and has grown up kids, beautiful big clean house and just adores the children. I also employ a nanny some days and my daughter prefers going to the childminder, so once she has more space we're switching to the childminder full time (a lot cheaper too).

I have read a lot of studies on childcare and I would only use a nursery if the childminder options were truly terrible.

You can also go to local playgroups to "see your childminder in action" as it were, if you're on mat leave, or just see how they treat kids when parents aren't there.

My children were neglected and abused in a childcare setting. The case is currently going through the criminal courts so I can't say too much but it has been HELL.

Please report, escalate and next time step straight in to protect the child. I am devastated by the idea that no one stepped in to protect my children, especially my little one and that those with suspicions didn't act on it.

I was completely oblivious and in fact a bit smug about how wonderful my childcare was.

Please, please do what you can.

Hence why I said report higher, I’d always give the manager a chance to sort it out first but I’d complain higher if they hadn’t dealt with it appropriately eg in Scotland we would complain to Care Inspectorate, I’m sure England is Ofsted

@ToothHurtyAppointment I guess you have to work in somewhere with vulnerable people to see just how much relies on good people.
There are many chocies to be made throughout the day when your tired and stressed and someone won't settle and every nerve is tested and you're really tired and again that older person or toddler is pushing you and you have to dig really deep to keep patient and professional.

My old neighbour put her dc into a nursery a friend of mine bad pulled her dc out of and I knew from social sm and then my friend it had a very dodgy reputation but my neighbour said it was amazing but I'm not sure she actually did any research into it.

I do feel there is blank spot over nurseries because people don't realise what can go on behind closed doors, they do get smoozed by staff all smiles and lovely. It's what everyone does now, so just automatically do it without thinking too much.

You see on here people saying my dc is still crying going to nursery and they get told it's normal behaviour, they will settle it's good them keep going.

@AleaEim

If you get a chance childminder just pop in unannounced when you can.
I saw a good few childminder in action when I was a sahm, some were wonderful others ok but I wouldn't have my dc with them. There was a trio I think two sisters and possibly even their mum! All childminders and they wouid sit and chat at toddler stuff, nothing wrong with that but it was very much chat first, children are an irritation now.
And I didn't like the tone and way they spoke to the dc, nothing to report but I wouldn't want my dc spoken to like that.
Again make sure you have one with some early years quals.

@Ottersmith the point is she has to be clever about how she reports.
Being clique means the report may not go anywhere.
No one wants that to happen.

The government is funelling young people into early years college courses it used to be hairdressing and so on.
Now it's early years and it's the students who struggle accamically for whatever reason.
There is no problem with that but just remember it's sometimes not a chosen career path, parents have pushed them into it.
It's not a calling, it's just what they ended up doing..
Unfortunately the government is now removing the need to do the courses at all so you're going to get uneducated last chance saloon types working in them.

I just read about this, so sad.

“Genevieve go home. Do you have to be so loud and constant? Change the record."

These phrases are something I heard on a daily basis when I worked with a nursery staffing agency in several nurseries. I also found them so understaffed and babies were crying out for cuddles/ stimulation.

Read the replies on here then and report it as you are supposed to. Tell the parents if you have to. The only chance these kids have is for someone to stick up for them. They don't need you to be scared to report because it is cliquey. You are a grown woman!

I just had a baby who will need to go into childcare next year. I really don’t want to send my child to a nursery as I’m so put off from working in one. Do you think childminders would be any better? I found a lot of nursery workers were very stern with little patience for the children, like they fell into the job rather than actually wanting it as a career.

You know your nursery is amazing and loving how? They are hardly going to treat your DC badly in front of you are they? Sadly I am sure these things are happening regularly in nurseries up and down the country behind closed doors.

This also needs to be reported to the police. Please don’t ignore it. Imagine if it was your baby being treated like this

I worked in over 20 nurseries as supply staff and have seen such things more than once (and yes I reported them). These members of staff were always lovely to the parents at pickup and dropoff.

Please do report. Some things are just too important.

So that's their excuse for sacking the whistleblower eh?

If they end up sacking you op sit outside nursery that very same day until you see the child's parents and tell them exactly what's been happening and why you've been sacked

@Anon501178 my thoughts exactly!

@Emrald1 I mean it needs to be investigated but the only outcome is her being sacked. Then YOU should contact Ofsted and report there too as they could escalate re her DBS and stop her from working with children again which imo needs to happen.
It's the weekend now I'd be emailing your employer over the weekend she needs to be hauled in re office first thing Monday don't give her chance to 'care' for kids again.

I used to work in a nursery and had to raise a complaint over a member of staff for similar reasons to yours. Don't let that little child suffer any longer

You will essentially be whistleblowing and there is a significant risk you will be sacked, or retaliated against in some way - e.g. falsely accused of meanness yourself.

If she's comfortable enough to openly behave like this - especially in front of new staff - then this is probably common for her. Other staff have therefore probably seen it and either aren't particularly bothered, or don't want to put their own heads above the parapet. Also, she probably does worse when nobody is looking.

It's your word against hers and sadly they will be inclined to believe (or protect) the established/senior member of staff over the newbie.

However you absolutely must do something about this horrible misconduct, just be prepared to protect yourself, have another job lined up, etc. I don't wish to scaremonger as the management might be perfectly kosher, but you need to protect yourself for the possibility they won't.

You need to make sure this is taken seriously because if they choose to not believe you or to give you the boot, the children will actually not be protected and your report will have come to nothing. She will be free to continue, or will just be more discreet about her cruelty in the future.

When you report to the manager, make clear that you are reporting this to the LADO and Ofsted, and that you will be handing in your notice if this is not addressed. That mitigates the power the hold by threatening to sack you, and by already reporting this to the LADO and Ofsted you will force their hands into acting.

Explain to the LADO that since this is an established staff member who behaved like this openly, and that you were the only witness, you are concerned the management won't do anything about it and fear retaliation.

You don't know unless you're there. Or unless your child can talk. I'm not saying that to be a dick.
I've worked in nurseries. I've seen behaviour towards children that isn't a safeguarding issue but certainly doesn't follow the nurseries ethos or best practice.

It's not even just behaviour. I've seen multiple facilities outright lie on tapestry and "back track" nappies so parents weren't aware they were 3 hours late doing nappies. And yes I reported it and was told these things happen. I left shortly after.

My point is, your nursery is likely brilliant. Lots are. But you truly can't know best practice is always followed unless you're in the room all day every day.

And for what it's worth the kids came in and out of nursery happy and the parents raved as much as you do about your kids nursery...

You have a duty to safeguard this child, your manager should off told you this before you even started working aswell as showing you the safeguard policy and who you should report to!!
Report to your safeguard lead immediately.

You don’t know though, that’s the thing.

I worked at a nursery with the highest ofstead rating and a very good reputation locally. The waitlist was/is huge and there are staff members who’ve worked there long term. What I witnessed broke my heart. I actually made a thread on here about it under a different username for advice. I reported what I saw and management could not have cared less. Ofstead didn’t care either. They did an inspection but notified the manager when the inspection would occur, so they had time to clean up and be on their best behaviour. I ended up leaving but the cycle continues, new staff raise issues and then they’re let go.

The nursery still has the same staff and the same amazing reputation… I always see on their Facebook page parents commenting how lucky they are that Miss S is looking after their child. Shudder. Miss S is the sweetest person when a parent is in the room. She’s the absolute fucking devil and the closest thing to evil I’ve ever encountered.