Nursery went home and left dd!

[lookingfortheanswer]

Posting here for traffic, I don't have an aibu.

Went to pick up dd from nursery this afternoon and found the whole place locked up and nobody there. After frantically calling, banging on doors, checking nobody else had picked her up we managed to contact the neighbouring school. The staff who were still there were amazing, helped us to get into the building where we found dd on the toilet, on her own, lights off and doors closed, staff gone home. It took us half an hour to get in so she was there at least that long. She was obviously very upset but is now home and fine and drinking lemonade as a treat while I try to stop shaking.

Obviously this is a huge safeguarding issue and there is no way she is going back. The head of the neighbouring school has been in touch and is organising a meeting for the morning.

Any advice on where to go from here, who to complain to? Should we get legal advice? I am so so angry!

I'm assuming that they got mixed up and assumed dd had been collected when in actual fact she was in the loo. So they went home early as all the kids had been collected. Although of course they hadn't. Get on to ofsted asap. Today if you can.

Fucking Hell!! I'm looking at my 2 year old and can't imagine the fear your poor child felt

On the alarm front tho I used to work in childcare and we never set it as the cleaner would come in later so she did.

So I take it you were all quite certain she was inside for all of that half hour it took you to gain entry? Or were other people looking elsewhere ?? In case she wasn't???

At 2 we accompanied them to the toilet. Most of them needed a hand, they couldn't always be trusted not to mess about, need reminding to wash their hands and the doors inbetween rooms can be quite heavy.

Gobsmacked!

I would be tempted to name and shame them on here. Unbelievable and people should lose their jobs for this.

My jaw is truly on The floor outrageous!!

The OP said she'd been shopping with her DP, so she knew he didn't have her. Where else should she assume the child was?

If it was still opening hours, I would have assumed that a) my child was still there and that b) someone was with her but just hadn't heard me knocking/buzzing. So yes, I, like the OP, would have looked for another way to get in/get the attention of the people (I assumed would be) inside.

How did you know your dd was in there??

Bloody hell?!

2?!!! OMFG. If your child is usually the last to go home then even more reason they should have checked she had been collected before shutting up for the day.
I would speak to Ofsted and your local education authority in the morning - and if you have a direct debit for nursery fees which goes out at the end of the month - cancel it tomorrow!!!
Will be watching with interest for an update tomorrow OP. Hope your daughter is ok and this doesn't give her any issues with darkness/ toilets or nursery school in future.

iaminvisable

what if she wandered into the loo by herself?

I worked with 2-3 year olds and didn't generally accompany toilet trained children to the toilet as a matter or course (unless specific children needed help/I could hear messing about etc).

I can imagine a child being in a cubicle and staff not checking properly before leaving the room.

I was involved in a fire drill once where a lone 2 or 3 year old was left in a toilet because it wasn't checked properly.

OMG shocking ! ... the DD was on the loo .... caretaker let them in ...... nobody moved so no alarm would have gone off ... or if it did caretaker might have de-armed it ... does it matter about the alarm?

the DD is 2 - she should have been accompanied to the loo in any way

Glad you are all safe for now anyway. Think about next steps for tomorrow, have a glass of vino, count your blessings that DD is happy for now and hasn't suffered more than you know of.

xx

Stunned and for you.

We have to sign dd out of her nursery (and in). Don't they do registers.

Fuckwits. Shout very loudly about this. Appalling.

Oh my god I cannot believe this. Your poor DD. I'd go the whole nine yards if I were in your shoes, ofsted, police, everyone! Hope you are okay OP.

So have you tried to contact any one who works for the nursery this evening?

Once she'd called round and found no one else had her child, I would also assume she was still in there (but with staff!) and they couldn't hear the door (OP mentions shutters) so getting the caretaker to let her in seems an obvious course of action.

Your poor dd.
hope she's not upset, I should imagine you are absolutely livid

This is terrifying. Wish I could offer constructive advice but can only say to give her a huge hug

I'm genuinely stunned! I've worked in nursery for 20 years and never heard of a situation like this. I'd be devastated that my trust in their care would be completely gone. Glad dd is ok and report the situation to the inspectorate who inspects them (not sure where OP is based).

What the fuck?

That is horrifying.

Glad your DD is OK OP.