I'm a supply nursery nurse, AMA....

[NurseryNurse10]

As the question states x

Does that mean you work between different nurseries?

How different are the nurseries? Are they all generally the same kind of thing, or is there a big difference between culture, quality, other things?

I do, yes.

To me, the nurseries are very different in terms of work culture and what it is like for the children.
The private ones I have been in have been some of the worst, the more well known companies, have been better in terms of staff and how they treat the children.

I've done many years of supply too. I agree that private nurseries can be the worst, but they can be the best as well. The variation is huge with privates, whereas the chains are more even. Fewer bad but also fewer great nurseries.

How do you rate the chains? Out of the ones I've experienced I'd say Childbase is pretty good (for a chain), Bright Horizons OK, and Busy Bees...no comment.

Do you think it's true that a lower staff turnover generally equals better nursery? Because the staff feel happy working there?

Out of all the chain nurseries, little pioneers was very well run. I liked the busy bees I was based at as well though..

To answer the other question, yes, I do believe low staff turnover is something parents need to look at as a real positive. The little pioneers nursery I worked at has had staff there for years and hardly ever use supply workers. There's a reason why some nurseries are heavily agency based or have a high staff turnover. It's because in my opinion, they are not very good.

Have you noticed a staff shortage at nurseries in your area?

I have in my area. And an even greater shortage of good staff.

Do you ever work in school nurseries? (I work in one), our school refuse to use supply for nursery class, I wondered if other schools do.

There are huge staff shortages and it isn't talked about enough. I get offered more work than I can take on as so many nurseries need agency workers in. I work at one nursery which has used long term supply staff since October 2020. Every manager tells me that they have big problems recruiting not only staff but qualified level 3 staff.

I haven't personally worked in a school nursery but may have the opportunity soon. It did get offered to me but I was working in another nursery that particular day.

Are you registered with Bamboo Childcare? I'm considering registering with them but are they any good? Also, with referral programme, someone may as well benefit from me registering...

Do you think problems on nurseries mostly stem from staff or the cohort types?

@Mysterian whats wrong with busy bees? My son is starting there soon???

@PashunFroot I said "no comment" because they have lawyers so don't really want to go into it much. I've worked in 4 Busy Bees nurseries and I must say they're varied. They're a big company who buy up smaller chains, so quality depends a lot on what they were originally.
More than just about anywhere I've seen they do seem to want to operate while putting as little money in as possible.

1. No, do not belong to bamboo childcare. Never heard of that!
2. Very varied reasons. The high pressure, low pay, paperwork, long and physically demanding hours do not help. But many nursery staff can be very bitchy or create a toxic environment. I hate to say this but I have worked in countless nurseries and can count on one hand the nursery workers I would choose to look after my own kids.

Nurseries are very good at putting on a show for parents but sadly, the reality is often very different.

Agree with everything you’re saying, OP. The whole sector is a mess. Busy Bees? No chance! Bright Horizons? Also no chance. Childbase - excellent company! Worth every extra penny you’ll pay. Coop/Little Pioneers - depends.

How much do you get paid? It's a notoriously poorly paid sector which is an outrage for such responsibility.

I used to be a supply teacher for years and chose to do that for the higher pay rather than a permanent role.

Child base is owned by Bright Horizons and has been for quite a few years now.
They generally keep the original nursery names and branding though, unless a very poor reputation/ofsted result, as parents like to feel they are using a smaller company/independent setting.

@Pugfostermum - Childbase is independent, what a load of old rubbish you’re spouting!

@Audioslaw When I did it about 6 years ago it was something like £8 per hour which was around the same as a regular worker. However, the supply company charged nurseries £15 per hour.

Only £10 an hour and I am qualified. That's why I don't want to be doing this for much longer, as at the moment, it suits my circumstances but the pay is a joke.

Whats the difference between a private nursery and a nursery?

@Nofreshstarthere22 You mean in terms of the care they provide?

If you see such varying care at different nurseries can you pick and choose which ones you would work at? Or are you part of an agency so you have to show up to whichever one needs you?

My 2.5 year old daughter has been at a nursery for 6 months and I question the care, simply due to poor communication with staff on drop off and pick up, handover is often with staff who don’t know my daughter and not able to tell us what she has done that day. Is this a sign of poor care and should I consider moving her? I never see the key worker and she only works one of the days my daughter is in.

I have witnessed a supply nurse speaking to a boy who she doesn’t know the name of, who had sand in his eyes and left him to feel his way round the nursery to get to the toilets to wash his eyes out. I was shocked as this is a nursery rated outstanding but I get the impression they are very short staffed. The openly state in their website they would rather be short staff due to the way their philosophy (Montessori) then take on agency staff who did not understand their ideas.

I've recently started an early years diploma, so I have some questions!

What do the better nurseries have in common? Are there any activities/setups you thought were particularly good?

Are there any early years books, blogs etc you'd recommend?

Other than staff turnover, are there any signs of a good or bad nursery to work for?

I can pick which nurseries I go to. I have refused to go back to quite a few and have told the agency why.
I think from my experience, nurseries are filled with agency staff which is why there are different staff members that you see each time. Sometimes I do a later shift and when parents arrive, I don't know what their child has done in the morning which is awkward. It doesn't sound very good but definitely all too familiar. I hate to say this but nurseries I have been in are all much the same. I am sure some are good but I have yet to work in one which I would leave my own child in. I would trust your own instincts on this @purplepeg . If something feels off then your instincts are most likely right.

@JarOfTulips I have liked the nurseries which have a lot of outdoor time or those that have tables set up with activities rather than just letting children walk around aimlessly.
I don't particularly follow any blogs but Nursery world is interesting to read at times with the articles they put out.

In terms of a good nursery, it's all about personal experience. Don't go by their ofsted rating. I have been in an 'outstanding ' nursery where the kids were shouted at all day and who have a chronic long standing staffing issue.
Look for those who engage well with families and the children and nurseries which are more open door policy rather than everything hidden away. Unfortunately though you don't know what a nursery is truly like until you work in them.