to be amazed at how some nurseries get OFSTED registration

[whyohwhywhy]

Currently looking for a new nursery for dd and have visited several nurseries over the past few weeks. Today I visited a nursery which is in a converted Victorian terrace. Took dd in her buggy and was amazed to discover that the only way in to the nursery involved hauling the buggy up eight steps to the front door, no ramp. Cannot believe that a nursery can get away with not having access for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The nature of the business surely means that it should be a legal requirement? I consider myself relatively healthy but it was no mean feat hauling the buggy up those steps.

Once inside, the reception area was so tiny there was barely room to accomodate me and the nursery manager. We then made our way up the narrowest, steepest staircase I've ever come across. To say its lethal would be an understatment, I was hanging on for dear life to the handrail while trying to hold dd. Likewise, staff members were walking down the stairs carrying babies and toddlers clinging onto the handrail. I know stairs are not easy for children but I'm amazed this staircase was ever considered suitable for a nursery environment.

Pushchairs are kept in a shed outside in the garden, again another lot of steps down from the nursery into the garden which means you have to carry the buggy down the steps to put in the shed and then carry the buggy up when you leave. Okish if no child in the pushchair but trying to hold a wriggling baby and carrying the buggy up the steps not so easy.

I did ask the nursery manager why there were no ramps and she said there just wasn't room because the accommodation is so small. How on earth do these places get OFSTED registration when they are totally unsuitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs? Everyone knows a nursery = pushchairs, its not rocket science.

I liked the nursery staff and the children seemed well looked after but not sure I (and my back) can face lugging the pushchair up and down those steps everyday. Because I walk to the nursery I haven't got a choice but to take dd in her pushchair.

AIBU to think it should be a legal requirement that nurseries are equipped for wheelchairs and pushchairs?

I think that the nursery has to, legally, accomodate whoever needs to use it. If they currently have no wheelchair users and staff are happy to take children up and down stairs, it is not an issue at the moment. If it is a case of having no ramp or closing down because it is too small to carry off the refurbishments, I think I would prefer to have it. However, if someone in a wheelchair needs access to the building, I think they have to provide it in one way or another.

YANBU, the nurseries I have seen are absolutely awful with a grading of 'good' from OFSTED. One I went to see had a toilet right next to a mini kitchen, and they kept the formula milk in the toilet. It was absolutely dreadful

I don't know anything about OFSTED since they are not in NI, but the private day nursery my son goes to does not have ramps and the baby room is up a set of fairly steep stairs.

It's really not the big of deal. If you really like the nursery, buy a lighter weight pushchair that you can haul up the stairs with your child in. That's what I did.

As an aside, if you do mention this issue to the staff, it is possible that you could arrange for someone to meet you outside to take DD then you could go and drop the buggy in the shed and head off. Seems a shame if you like the staff and other aspects of the nursery and if, as you say, the children seem well cared for.

Feistychick, that's disgraceful! If the EHO turned up they would be downgraded and probably given measures just for that!

See, it's a difficult question - I'm a CM and have 3 steps down to my front door. I do not have to provide wheelchair access, I have never been questioned regarding this.

The Nursery will have had to perform thorough risk assessments of the building and equipment etc, so that should have taken into account the steps, stairs and everything else you mention. You are quite within your right to request to see this risk assessment if they have not already shown it to you.

DDs nursery has steps up to the front door. It's not ideal, but it's not really a problem to bump the pushchair up backwards. They do however have a ramp down to the garden instead of steps.

It doesn't sound ideal that staff are carrying little ones up and down stairs, but I'm not sure it would worry me. Do you think the stairs aren't safe? Presumably the children don't have access to the stairs without a member of staff?

Jaffa - I should have really reported them actually. All I thought of was that I would never put my DD in such a place, so we decided to use a CM

YANBU We looked at a few and most were gret for 3+ year olds but the babies were just left in cots or on the floor, it seemed really sad. DD went to a great one, though, with mature staff and they only took 18 months upwards. There were stairs as some of it was upstairs but I was never worried.

serendipty - they have to make 'reasonable adjustments' so major building work to provide a ramp would mean that the nursery didn't have to. However i have to say the buidling doesn't sound ideal.

Why were staff carrying children up/down - usually a higher staff ratio is applied if this is necessary - such as accessing nappy changing etc.