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Nursery teachers snarky comment

861 replies

CheekyTealFawn · 09/01/2026 23:17

I’m livid, wondering whether to bring it up or just leave it if I’m overreacting.

DD is 2 yrs 9 month old, and just started nursery today. She’ll go 2 days per week, 7.30am-6.30pm.

I work two jobs (one evening and one Saturday per week), as I am studying 30 hours per week for my BA in English, which I do on my childcare days, in nap times, and every free evening I have. So, I could really use every minute of help I can get.

I dropped DD off at 8.30am no problems. When I go to pick her up, I get there at 6.20pm. I see I have two missed calls from the nursery. I ask why they called, worried, and the manager laughed and said “because we want to go home.” I was confused, and said “oh, I’m so sorry, I thought pick up was before 6.30?” And she pulled a face and said “yes, but it’s Friday and your daughter is the last one here, and she has been waiting and asking for you and wondering why she is the only one”

All of the staff had their hats and coats on waiting by the door when I arrived. DD was also sat by the door with her hat and coat on looking out the window waiting for me. it’s made me feel like the worst mum, and extremely embarrassed as I felt like the staff were all looking at and judging me. My daughter loved her first day, seems very happy there, but I don’t know whether to say something to the manager about it?

I understand it’s Friday and of course the staff want to go home, but I didn’t initially want Fridays, but they made me pick that day since it was quieter and we’re only part time, to make room for more full time children on the other days .

i don’t know what I’d say, and I don’t know if mum guilt at leaving my daughter there last is making me more sensitive, but now I’m anxious to leave her there until 6.20, even though I could really use it since I’m constantly playing catch up with my university work because I’m forever lagging behind due to not being able to afford enough childcare.

am I being sensitive? Should I say something? If so, what?

OP posts:
ForTheForseeable · 13/01/2026 14:05

Fuck me we don't need the patriarchy to bring us down do we. We've got mumsnet.

Kingscallops · 13/01/2026 14:05

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 13/01/2026 13:59

@GotStrands

I'm taking a break in my career to be a SAHM.

That's you doing you, as @CheekyTealFawn is doing her. Great we have a choice in the 21st century.

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 13/01/2026 13:59

@GotStrands

I'm taking a break in my career to be a SAHM.

GotStrands · 13/01/2026 08:54

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/01/2026 21:26

@GotStrands

I did go to uni and became a midwife. I definitely wouldn't have been in uni with a child that young.

So you must miss out on evenings with your children?

PloddingAlong21 · 13/01/2026 03:16

Suprised by the number of posts saying the obvious, that it’s a long day. Clearly OP is very well aware of this and feels bad - but has no other option? she’s studying to better herself, which benefits her child. It’s easier studying as toddlers than it would be trying to juggle a 3pm pickup.

OP I would speak to the manager and state as agreed pickup is 630pm. Explain what’s happened and the comments and state if the time is problematic you can shift to a Thursday, otherwise it will be as agreed and 620-630pm each week. Their choice then - they shift it or they shut up and deliver the service you’ve paid for.

Rosscameasdoody · 12/01/2026 17:08

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 12/01/2026 13:54

@SouthLondonMum22

I think it's a bit different when the child is older and more able to cope with being away from their mum. 2 year olds are not ready for that for extended periods of time IMO.

Which is completely and utterly beside the point.

mullers1977 · 12/01/2026 16:00

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 12/01/2026 13:54

@SouthLondonMum22

I think it's a bit different when the child is older and more able to cope with being away from their mum. 2 year olds are not ready for that for extended periods of time IMO.

No one has asked for or want your opinion, please keep it where it belongs. Dont push your views onto other people - in other words

  • get back in your judgey little box.
SouthLondonMum22 · 12/01/2026 15:36

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 12/01/2026 13:54

@SouthLondonMum22

I think it's a bit different when the child is older and more able to cope with being away from their mum. 2 year olds are not ready for that for extended periods of time IMO.

So it only counts as ''dumping'' when you don't agree with it?

Got it.

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 12/01/2026 13:54

@SouthLondonMum22

I think it's a bit different when the child is older and more able to cope with being away from their mum. 2 year olds are not ready for that for extended periods of time IMO.

Gossipisgood · 12/01/2026 12:48

As long as you're there before your contracted time of 6.30pm then you shouldn't be feeling guilty at all. If it's mentioned again remind them of your contract with them & agreed time for pick up is up to 6.30pm. Email the Manager to clarify that you need childcare until 6.30pm on a Friday & don't appreciate staff saying they want to finish early or that your child is last one out & asking for you. Ask if it's a problem for them to suggest a day they can accommodate a 6.30pm finish without the staff wanting to finish earlier.

LaDamaDeElche · 11/01/2026 22:39

CheekyTealFawn · 10/01/2026 08:34

Thank you! ❤️ I have a wonderful partner, but he works long hours as he’s in finance, so Monday-Friday it’s just me and DD until he gets home and we do the bedtime routine together!

All props to you OP. You’re doing great and ignore the negative comments about your parenting. You are bettering yourself and no one should be arguing with that!! I do have a question though - how do you get funded hours if your partner works in finance? Like an investment banker I would assume? Does everyone get those hours regardless of earnings? Genuine question and no judgement whatsoever btw before anyone jumps on me, just curious.

FoxTrotDancer · 11/01/2026 22:23

TJk86 · 11/01/2026 22:14

It was in response to @FancyCatSlave. OP’s child is not on nursery for the majority of her waking hours.

fair enough, but I do think it goes without saying that it is still an unkind thing to say to another parent. i’ve not read the whole thread, it’s very long 🤣 just OP’s posts and the first few pages and the last few pages, and I do think that there has been a distinct lack of gentleness overall

TJk86 · 11/01/2026 22:14

TJk86 · 10/01/2026 01:47

Going by your own post above @FancyCatSlave , I dont think it’s so standard to have kids in childcare for such long hours. Otherwise the staff wouldn’t have made such a big thing of it. I question why have kids if you’re going to outsource their care for the majority of their waking hours.

It was in response to @FancyCatSlave. OP’s child is not on nursery for the majority of her waking hours.

TJk86 · 11/01/2026 22:13

FoxTrotDancer · 11/01/2026 22:03

judging from OP’s posts she said this in reply to you asking why she had children

Nope I never asked her that. It was in reply to someone who said that most kids are in nursery 11-12 hours every single week day.

FoxTrotDancer · 11/01/2026 22:11

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/01/2026 21:27

@Lamentingalways

Of course it's a bad time if it results in your 2 year old being dumped in nursery for 11 hours.

“dumped” — they’re spending their day in a nursery, a care setting, not left to fend for themselves on the street

SouthLondonMum22 · 11/01/2026 22:04

TJk86 · 11/01/2026 21:52

Yup, started off gently but OP went straight to suggesting mental health problems on my side so that escalated quite quickly from there..

OP didn't go straight to that. That was only her response after your ''gentle'' suggestion about having kids at all.

You escalated it by suggesting OP shouldn't even be a parent.

FoxTrotDancer · 11/01/2026 22:03

TJk86 · 11/01/2026 21:52

Yup, started off gently but OP went straight to suggesting mental health problems on my side so that escalated quite quickly from there..

judging from OP’s posts she said this in reply to you asking why she had children

TJk86 · 11/01/2026 21:52

SouthLondonMum22 · 11/01/2026 21:48

Gently? 😂

Yup, started off gently but OP went straight to suggesting mental health problems on my side so that escalated quite quickly from there..

Steeleydan · 11/01/2026 21:50

Tulcan · 11/01/2026 20:03

Poor kid. You should give him up for adoption or let him loose in the woods to be raised by wolves.

Idiotic comment

SouthLondonMum22 · 11/01/2026 21:49

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Don't you mean wait until you can dump your child at school?

SouthLondonMum22 · 11/01/2026 21:48

TJk86 · 11/01/2026 21:31

A few posters gently suggested that but apparently that make us nasty.

Gently? 😂

TJk86 · 11/01/2026 21:31

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/01/2026 21:27

@Lamentingalways

Of course it's a bad time if it results in your 2 year old being dumped in nursery for 11 hours.

A few posters gently suggested that but apparently that make us nasty.

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/01/2026 21:27

@Lamentingalways

Of course it's a bad time if it results in your 2 year old being dumped in nursery for 11 hours.

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/01/2026 21:26

@GotStrands

I did go to uni and became a midwife. I definitely wouldn't have been in uni with a child that young.

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 11/01/2026 21:25

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