Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To move my children to another nursery

52 replies

susiesmith · 14/10/2011 17:49

I feel really upset with the nursery my children go to to the extent that I am considering trying to move them. My dh thinks I am being unresaonable - what do you think.

My 2 kids go to the most expensive nursery in our area. We used pay about £100 a day nursery fees, it has gone down a bit now the eldest is 3 and gets early years grant. But still expensive. We thought we were paying a lot but getting alot for money. However, I am increasingly not so sure.

I have noticed when I pop in unannonced that my 3 years yr olds group is often watching cartoons on the interactive whiteboard. I mean he watches Tv at home but I am not paying top dollar for him to be babysat by a TV.

(I am aware lots of birthday parties go in the 3 yr olds class that he is not invited to - but as we have not had a birthday party ourselves so I was just thinking you probably have to do one yourself for your child to be invite to others.)

But the final straw for me has come today - and I now just think it is all just a bit cliquey. I newish worker gave us a letter about swimming lessons yesterday. I noticed that it should have been returned by 6th oct, we only got it yesterday. I went in today and said we only got the letter yesterday but we want Louie to do the lessons. We were told the class was full. I really think the letters were given out to the clique first - and particularly the children of staff before us. I even suspect I would never have got the the letter only the new member of staff gave it to me.

I am really angry as feel there was no equality of opportunity - I feel it was dilebrate. I am being unreasonable- should i move my kids? Dh thinks I am overeacting but I dont want to pay a £300 a month more than I would elsewhere to be left out of things.

OP posts:
Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 21:46

No nursery attached to school - unfortunatley

OP posts:
microserf · 14/10/2011 21:47

i'd be furious about the tv watching. i paid a lot for my child to go to nursery to interact with other children and do messy play/art/learning.

the swimming thing is unusual for a nursery IMO. seems odd your child got left out though.

personally i would move because of the tv alone. you aren't paying that much for your child to be left to watch cartoons.

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 21:49

not sure at this stage i;ll get them in aonother local nursery as all the early years grant palces go quick. Suppose need to investigate.

OP posts:
pranma · 14/10/2011 21:52

My dgs is 2.7 and his private pre school doesnt even have a TV or indeed an interactive whiteboard in the 2-3 room though there is a board in the older class I have never seen it used for films.I think it sounds like a waste of money .

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 21:53

Yes swimming is unusual - we did not know it was even on offer until the letter yesterday. But the fact it is and we got the letter a week after the reply date pisses me off.

Also assistants will be going from the nursery to the pool to take those doing swimming over to the pool - leaving my son in the nursery without the full compliment of staff. Not fair again I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 21:54

It is not a TV an interactive whitboard. which is great. I am a teacher myself (secondary). BUT t seems the staff are using utube on it to put carttons etc on.

OP posts:
breatheslowly · 14/10/2011 22:03

Not wishing to defend them, but presumably they will maintain the correct staff ratios at all times.

Are the room leaders appropriately qualified? I am really surprised that qualified staff consider it appropriate to watch TV.

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 22:08

WELL that is another issue it seems the 'level 3' person in charge of the room is spending more time in a 'management role ;' and seems to be on the phone in the office most of the time. The key worker my son has is rarely there when i pick him up or drop him off. The nursery is open 0730 to 1800 so staff work on a shift system . But possible only seen keyworkwer once in 3 months. In daughters room things much better. She is 2.

OP posts:
vincentvangogh · 14/10/2011 22:12

this is not looking good. You are paying through the nose for this and it's not sounding like a great nursery. FWIW my own children's nursery went hugely downhill after a takeover by a chain.

breatheslowly · 14/10/2011 22:13

That sounds like a poor set of arrangments. I don't think you should be paying top whack for a setting which isn't really led by a level 3. I wonder whether the room leader is really supervising and planning for the room sufficiently. And even with a shift system we tend to see DD's keyworker most days.

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 22:21

It is looking like i need to try and move them - i will invetigate getiing them in somewhere else.

OP posts:
Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 22:24

I think when stand in manager come in back from hol next week I will ask for a meeting and mention all my concerns to giv them chance to respond. I may ask to see planning i think.

OP posts:
Arion · 14/10/2011 22:35

Susie you're not Derby area are you? Chain nursery beginng with A? Your interactive whiteboard issues sounds very familiar. [hsad]

EightiesChickOrTreat · 14/10/2011 22:37

I would definitely speak strongly to the nursery manager as your first step. I'm not sure you can do much about the parties but I would say you have 2 significant concerns, the TV watching (agree this shouldn't happen except in very occasional circumstances) and the not receiving letters. Incidentally, at my DS's nursery, which is excellent, you are asked to sign for any such letters so that it can be confirmed if needed that you received them at the right time. You could ask your manager why they don't have this system given that there is clearly a problem with the letters getting through. I would also push the swimming issue and if they insist there is no room ask when in the future more places will be available. I take it they are charging extra for the swimming? Because if not I'd also point out that you don't wish to subsidise something to which you have been denied access.

We see DS's keyworker every day she works, btw, which is 4 days out of the 5. I think you can expect more from a nursery. Word of mouth is what to go by.

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 22:59

I am not is derby but it is a national chain. Does begin in A ends in th is it the same one your thinking off?

OP posts:
onwardandupwards · 14/10/2011 23:01

my ds was moved out his playschool after saying he watched bob the builder every day when questioned the playschool said it was used to calm them down clearly they had not heard of books. Go with your instincts. most swimming pools offer lessons any way.

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 23:02

Yes swimming is extra - BUT they have said 2 nursety staff wil be going to pool with them - not sure how that will work are they going to pay for 2 extra that day for an hour or our those left behind be going to be 2 staff down? No idea.

OP posts:
onwardandupwards · 14/10/2011 23:05

dont know, ask them what their policy is.

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 23:06

Oh i know i can do swimming lessons elsewhere - its the principle - it has been offered to some and we did not have the chance - i was not even aware this oppotunity was offered 48 hours ago - but now i know it is - i am so so annoyedabout they way it is being handled.

OP posts:
onwardandupwards · 14/10/2011 23:23

Thought about complaining to the education department within your local council? Thats what i did and they were great. It sounds very unfair, you have every right to be cross and complain. If u get no joy ring OFSTEAD,then u might find u get a place!

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 23:26

Well i appreciate palces on the swimming are all gone- think the process is unfair but they are gone so that is that.Think i will speak to stand in manager on monday - see what she has to say - if not happy speak to head oofice re u tube watching and swimming and key worker issue.

OP posts:
onwardandupwards · 14/10/2011 23:33

Good luck,stand your ground! quote "Every child matters" every child should be given same oppertunities and chances regardless of friendship groups amongst parents and favourtisim by staff. Hope this helps.

Original poster
susiesmith · 14/10/2011 23:35

yes good point onwardandupwards will definately quote that.

OP posts:
onwardandupwards · 14/10/2011 23:48

have been where u are, except it was a farm trip i argued they should all go or none of them go. after speaking to the education board and a few to the point conversations my ds got to go. it only takes one unhappy parent to make enough noise, they wont want that.

SpareRoomSleeper · 14/10/2011 23:54

Op, you def are not being unreasonable. IWB are fab if used in the right way (as you'll already know being a teacher), there are some excellent resources for the early years developed for it, and it makes me so MAD when I see YouTube on there and children sat staring at the 'interactive' whiteboard Hmm

Take this further. Speak to the manager; be open about considering speaking to ofsted. Ask to see planning. Do they follow the EYFS? (early years foundation stage). Do they implement the letters and sounds programmes? How many planned activities does your child participate in as opposed to free play? Ask to see your child's record folder. Every good early years provider will have it brimming with pictures of your child engaged in different activities. Plus lots of observations.

Ask the manager to look into the swimming lessons issue for you. It's possible it's a big misunderstanding - or maybe not. If it's a good nursery, they should bend over backwards to win back your confidence. Good luck.