this is my first AIBU, although i have been lurking for many years!
I need some advice regarding the nursery my kids go to, I really don't know if IABU. DS is 3 1/2, and DD is 16 months, they go to the different rooms of the same nursery. they have both been going for 8 months. The nursery seems good on the paper, good Ofsted report, qualified staff etc. But a few things just don't seem right, and I don't know if I am overreacting. If there is a problem, should i try and resolve the issues or look for a new childcare provider?
Communication is not great. When we collect the kids, we just get told: "s/he's been fine today" before the member of staff hands me the child and turns away. I often have to chase after them to ask about if they ate their dinner, if baby had a nap etc. Old nursery before we moved house used to give a quick report. On one occasion baby had a temperature and has been given calpol which I didn't know about until I got a chance to read her book, which was not until the evening.
Food seems healthy but not a great variety, and does not look or smell appetising.
Baby's face is always covered in snot and food, it's dried on so doesnt look like she has been cleaned all morning. Staff ratio is fine and they do not look rushed off their feet.
More worrying are the things my little boy says. He does not like going in and always cries, although seems to enjoy it once he's there. Recently, he would shout things like " EAT.YOUR. DINNER!" or "YOU'RE A PAIN, GO SIT ON THE CARPET!" at his sister, in an aggressive way that is not like him at all. Also, we never, ever call anyone a pain, he could only have heard it there! There is no way he could have heard it at home, at greatparents', or on TV (not unless Fireman Sam has gone mean over the years!). I was once going up the stairs to DS's room in nursery to pick him up and heard a member of staff shouting at a child to stop going in the cupboards in a loud, aggressive manner. I brought this up with the manager who said she has spoken to the staff in the room.
Today, I asked DS what he did in nursery. He said he had to sit on the step for not eating his dinner! I was really shocked by this, he is a fussy eater but i don't believe punishing him will make him a better eater! I tried to call the manager but she was not available, and did not ring me back. no mention of this on collecting him, or in his book. He doesn't make stuff like this up, 3 year olds can't lie right?
It also worries me that they do not seem to know the children very well even though they go 3 times a week. Things like my kids are bilingual. They have a high staff turnover, and key workers have changed several times, mostly without telling us.
What do my fellow mumsnetters think? Help!