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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:
TJk86 · 10/01/2026 18:22

latetothefisting · 10/01/2026 18:14

then I would go to the manager from this angle. Go in saying 'I want to swap to Thursday as I originally intended.' If they query it say 'Because I don't want your staff guilt tripping me and my daughter like they did last week.' Either switch to thurs or make clear that if THEY want you to have friday then you will be picking her up at 6.29 and you don't want them all sitting there with coats on glaring at you for doing what they are being paid to do.

It's so petty, how long does it take to put a coat on, ffs! They were just trying to make a point. There is absolutely no reason why one of them couldn't keep playing with her while others tidied up and got ready to close down so they could leave once you arrived.

It was the manager who made the comments to the OP not her staff.

latetothefisting · 10/01/2026 18:14

then I would go to the manager from this angle. Go in saying 'I want to swap to Thursday as I originally intended.' If they query it say 'Because I don't want your staff guilt tripping me and my daughter like they did last week.' Either switch to thurs or make clear that if THEY want you to have friday then you will be picking her up at 6.29 and you don't want them all sitting there with coats on glaring at you for doing what they are being paid to do.

It's so petty, how long does it take to put a coat on, ffs! They were just trying to make a point. There is absolutely no reason why one of them couldn't keep playing with her while others tidied up and got ready to close down so they could leave once you arrived.

Irotoyu · 10/01/2026 18:11

You paid until 6.30, they are contractually obliged to pay for her until then !! Taking the piss next time turn up at 6.30!

Sometimessmiling · 10/01/2026 18:05

Northerngirl821 · 09/01/2026 23:32

Eleven hours is a LONG day for her in childcare though, especially if she’s the only one there at the end of the day.

That's not the point here.

movingoranges · 10/01/2026 18:02

Yanu used to work in a nursery would never ever say this to a parent definitely say something to the manager you pay until 6:30 they cannot make you pick up earlier just because the other parents have. Also they should be interacting with the child up until the last minute not all sitting there waiting to go home. This is unacceptable!

Glasgowgal200 · 10/01/2026 17:52

As an ex-childcare worker I used to get frustrated when parents were late in picking their children up especially on Fridays as some staff had far to travel etc, but the staff in your child's nursery are being unreasonable about this as you were well within the time frame to pick up your daughter. Is complain about this to someone higher up. As staff we wouldn't put on our jackets etc until last child had gone.

TheAmberUser · 10/01/2026 17:52

I would be having a conversation with the manager.
Why wasn't someone sitting with your daughter reading a book or doing an activity?. Not sitting by the door or looking out of the window for you.
By all means have her hat, coat bag etc ready but not on her and you should have a relaxed handover.
Ofsted would be interested in your input.

dynamiccactus · 10/01/2026 17:50

FGS people. The OP didn't ask if the nursery/hours is right for her dd, she asked if the nursery staff were being cheeky, which they were. It doesn't matter if they want a swift pick-up, they are paid to be there until 6.30 and that's that.

Bog off and stop being judgmental.

mullers1977 · 10/01/2026 17:48

PleaseStopEatingMyStuff · 09/01/2026 23:29

So they wanted an early dart & basically gave up on your daughter and had her sat awkwardly waiting at the window, on her first day, because the other kids left early!? Totally unreasonable. I'd be very worried about the attitudes of the staff and level of care this setting is providing.

Yes, I would too - maybe your daughter will be happy in lots of settings, some children are like that. If I were you, I would move and don't be told what days to take.

GreyBeeplus3 · 10/01/2026 17:43

I'm not keen on their cut and run attitude,
If you've paid till 6.30 that's what you should get; hate to say this but what are they actually like when it's just the children and themselves?
With no parents present.
I'd speak to management, they know parents need their services and feel they have the upper hand which they're flexing now
A good carer would care not begrudge

ThreenagerMum · 10/01/2026 17:34

Definitely out of order! My daughter is sometimes the last one on a Friday too and she loves having her pick of all the toys.

the staff were being unreasonable getting her in her hat and coat - it’s the waiting like that which would make her feel like the last kid left. If they were letting her keep playing and giving her lots of attention she would have been absolutely fine :)

MorningCoffeePlease · 10/01/2026 17:31

You are definitely NOT being unreasonable. If their working hours are up to 6.30 they should be working until then. They can then start putting coats and hats on at 6.31. End of.

LydiaFunnyGums · 10/01/2026 17:26

I would be finding another nursery, they sound very unprofessional. What a cheek calling you like that just because it’s Friday and they want to go home early.

mimosa5 · 10/01/2026 17:24

PleaseStopEatingMyStuff · 09/01/2026 23:29

So they wanted an early dart & basically gave up on your daughter and had her sat awkwardly waiting at the window, on her first day, because the other kids left early!? Totally unreasonable. I'd be very worried about the attitudes of the staff and level of care this setting is providing.

100% this.

mimosa5 · 10/01/2026 17:23

That is awful! I'd be furious!

Thirdchildjoy · 10/01/2026 17:20

I'd complain that they are making her sit on her own and wait for you. They are meant to be offering childcare they should be engaging and playing with her - even it if is 5:30 on Friday. If the don't staff don't want to work to 6:30 they need to and work at a nursery that isn't open until 6:30.

SouthLondonMum22 · 10/01/2026 17:18

CheekyTealFawn · 10/01/2026 16:48

Have I said anything about anyone looking into a petty argument… we didn’t even argue, because I wouldn’t do that and especially not in front of my daughter. I literally asked if I should say something to the manager or not and how I should approach it if I do.

can I just ask, genuinely, because you’re anonymous so no reason to lie. What do you gain out of putting other mums down? Does it make you feel good/better? That’s not snarky, I’m actually genuinely asking because I’m baffled by how cruel some people can be on here

It also is far from a non issue if like pp said, they are really making a child feel they have overstayed their welcome when they actually suggested Fridays in the first place because it was quieter.

Nothing wrong at all with bringing this to the managers attention.

Thirdchildjoy · 10/01/2026 17:16

daffodilandtulip · 09/01/2026 23:34

Do you get the funded hours? Because they have to be quite accurate. If they're demanding an early pick up regularly, they're on dodgy grounds with their claim...

There on dodgy ground if they have any sort of contract with customers.

CheekyTealFawn · 10/01/2026 17:15

GotStrands · 10/01/2026 17:06

People who are happy and content generally don’t make cruel comments. I remember that when I read comments from those kinds of posters, whilst assuming they are unhappy in their lives and worried about their choices. Often unfulfilled in some way. There are a lot on this thread!

I’ve been thinking this too. I said as much as a sarky joke in response to someone questioning why I bothered having children if I was going to outsource them to other people and I was called unintelligent, whoops 😅🫣

OP posts:
Grapewrath · 10/01/2026 17:14

CheekyTealFawn · 10/01/2026 17:13

Amazing re 1st! Again, I got mixed up, thought you were the commenter saying you did this and got a 2:2.

Not me. The other poster- I probably deserve less though 🤣

Phoenixfire1988 · 10/01/2026 17:14

You pay until 6:30 so she stays until then I would definitely raise it with the manager because the staff wanting a flyer on a Friday isn't your problem it either gets sorted or you will find another nursery and report them dont be a pushover

CheekyTealFawn · 10/01/2026 17:13

Rockfordpeach · 10/01/2026 17:06

The thing is, there is a lot of pressure with the OU. I was planning to study today and this morning skidded in my car on black ice and ended up in a ditch with the fire service having to free me (Im ok, just bruised and tearful). While I was trapped in the car (hysterical) i was also genuinely worrying about how this would impact my studying today. I dont think its fair to berate the OP on using childcare to enable her studies.

omg that’s awful!!!! So sorry that happened to you!!! Glad you are okay but that must’ve been so scary!!

OP posts:
Grapewrath · 10/01/2026 17:13

CheekyTealFawn · 10/01/2026 17:12

You’re right, I’m sorry that’s my bad!! There’s so many people saying how could I leave her there alone and how awful I am to do that, I’m catching up on the train after work as there’s been loads of new stuff while I’ve been offline, that I got mixed up with what you had said!

You didn’t leave her alone- they did which is highly unprofessional and bad practice. It just shouldn’t happen. That’s why I think it might be a mismatch for your situation and dd if you are on a tight schedule

CheekyTealFawn · 10/01/2026 17:13

Grapewrath · 10/01/2026 17:10

Like I said it’s off topic (as these threads often go) so no way related to your childcare issue just to be clear. I was replying to the other OU’er hence my quote.
Different learners have different styles and lifestyles. Lots of people in my study group were more conscientious, some of us were very haphazard (with mixed results)
I actually got a first and went on the do my MA with the OU successfully- so it obviously worked ok for me👌I wouldn’t actually recommend the OU for the MA but that’s another story

Edited

Amazing re 1st! Again, I got mixed up, thought you were the commenter saying you did this and got a 2:2.

OP posts:
CheekyTealFawn · 10/01/2026 17:12

Grapewrath · 10/01/2026 17:06

Ok so I’m confused- I suggested you pick her up earlier if you could. You said you couldn’t- fair enough. Then I suggested a change of setting if the vibe was them making her sit and wait on her own.
Nowhere did I say you should have predicted the situation.

You’re right, I’m sorry that’s my bad!! There’s so many people saying how could I leave her there alone and how awful I am to do that, I’m catching up on the train after work as there’s been loads of new stuff while I’ve been offline, that I got mixed up with what you had said!

OP posts: