To consider changing nursery already?

[tantruminator]

nc as IRL it will be immediately obvious who I am to friends

DC started nursery today after a settling session last week. I arrived to find him walking around with scissors (I was a little annoyed but assumed safety scissors till I noticed how pointed they were) a staff then took them off him and apologised saying they fell out of her pocket when she noticed me trying to persuade him to give them to me. I know mistakes happen so wasn't going to make a fuss...

Then DS ran round the room completely overexcited and out of control and threw a ball at the lights which I then noticed 2 of them (flourescent tubes) had no safety covers on. Admittedly I was in the room but I expected a staff to remove the ball, or tell him not to or at least give some assistance to him getting to grips with it being home time, he hadn't been prepared in any way whatsoever that I was coming... but then I think they were too busy really. I asked where his coat and gloves were and it seemed to take ages before anybody knew and found his jumper as well

DS then had an almighty tantrum when asked to leave which staff just laughed over saying oh well he likes it here while I was dying of embarrassment and could really have done with some help in him having been prepared that I would be coming to get him etc, I had even phoned to say what time I was coming

I also have been given odd hours for him which given he is prone to tantrums I don't think will help when he seems to be in need of routines as every day will have to be different start and finish (bed and getting up I mean in order to get through the day)

I'd like to know though, am I just being an over protective mum of a difficult pfb?

Should I raise things with the nursery and give it some time?

Currebtly thinking I will check out another with a view to move him but is this just nerves talking?

Yes I think my DS wasn't that pleased to see me though? I think he was more thinking if your here when do I get to come back and play here again ? Which may be where the irregular hours won't work

Or perhaps I need to make home a lot more fun

I'm def going to speak to them anyhow iv decided because if I have any concerns for my own kid, I think it's unfair not to raise it on behalf of other children even if we do leave, and it's good practice for me to be assertive which I will need to be through life as a parent

And I think in the meantime may afford him some shorter sessions at another to have a clearer picture to judge against for the next week or so before properly weighing it all up

How old is he? If you do decide to move him, have you considered a preschool - i.e one attached to a school or similar? I've found that they aeve set drop-off and pick-up times and so it's more structured than a nursery which has lots of comings and goings. If your son is prone to tantrums and likes a routine, that might suit him better?

I would contact the council health and safety first. They will be in like a shot and ensure it gets sorted. They might even close the place down until it's fixed. Madly dangerous having uncovered fluorescent tubes. They must be completely insane to think that's acceptable.

At least then when he's ready he's going somewhere safe.

He's 2.3 there is a local playgroup on our estate that kids tend to go to then onto the school pre-k then primary and I think I might check that out some more. It's 9-12 every day so if any places left might be a better fit for us.

I'm ashamed to admit that I was swayed by the fanciness that the one he's currently at is private, does French lessons and dance lessons and could cater for his diet... However food wouldn't come into it at the estate one due to time, and I could send his own snacks etc I expect plus I'm not really expecting billy Elliot or him to be fluent in French at 2 so that's really not of any importance and just a gimmick

cottageinthecountry is it really incredibly dangerous? I'm really not over- reacting here? And by uncovered I mean the box that sits over the top of a strip tube light wasn't there... That's uncovered right? being dim here ironically

Iv seen it like that in some people's homes but it clearly was missing here as other lights had it on...

Nurseries need to be ultra safe, an uncovered fluorescent bulb is dangerous in a nursery, they would know this and it's not hard to fix.

State run or funded nurseries have a much better h&s system, better trained staff who take their jobs very seriously. Your lot don't seem to have much of a clue. But it doesn't mean to say that yours can't adapt and improve with a visit from the council or ofsted. It might be just what they need if they are developing culture of turning a blind eye.

Hmm yes I expect they would quickly adapt,

Racking my head over what to say and how to say it to them today

I'm more and more uncomfortable about it being left open, presumably they were recently replaced and someone didn't bother to put the cover back up... Or they have been smashed... Which perhaps concerns me more about DS spending his time there

OP here

Spoke to nursery and they are fixing covers by next Wednesday... I did say I was still quite concerned and they said they would see if it could be sorted earlier but it didn't seem to be a major issue to them in the way it is to me... They said staff aware and keep activities appropriate but didn't want room in darkness so left covers off while being fixed???

Also said they would raise the scissors incident with staff

Manager seemed very nice and felt ok after call but still not sure I'm convinced I want to go back...

Estate nursery seemed calm, we visited this morning and he appeared just as happy there although they have less in terms of facilities but then at 2 does it really matter?

Oh this is so hard, feeling rather conflicted atm

Personally I think calm happy children with caring staff are most important. Good facilities are great, but not the be-all and end-all for me. I'd be looking at what sort of activities the staff do with the children.

I remember visiting a nursery which had great outdoor facilities, but when I spoke to the staff, it sounded as if they hardly used it

That said, it sounds as if they have taken your concerns on board, so maybe give it a little longer before you make your mind up.

I know... In a way I'm itching to move him knowing that one far nearer, with more regular hours, could have him.

But, the other nursery can offer him a wider range of kids (ages and backgrounds) and does things like story time together on the carpet and songs etc... Which he does love, Whereas the estate one is so small and admits they only bother to get together for snacks as they are able to do stories 1-1 etc it's such a small group. I got the impression he would possibly be babied on the estate whereas the other nursery has several kids his age out of nappies, with a large vocabulary etc so others to learn from rather than being the know it all himself in the room.

I also hope estate politics don't come into it with the parents but thats probably an unfounded fear, I just keep myself to myself because we used to live on an estate where that was best...

Good that they are fixing the light and seemed concerned but doesn't help you to decide. One to one stories sound good to me but I see why you want him to be challenged.

Perhaps a pros and cons list?

How about a session at each group for a while?

I think that's a good idea cottage, I will speak to estate nursery and find out if that's a possibility for a trial period then I can really judge for sure I guess

I wasn't that happy that lights were replaced without bothering to replace covers too though

I'm trying to think up why this could be

And whether they just said the maintenance were coming then to pacify me or whether maintenance really is booked

How are you doing OP? Any more progress. Hope you are OK.

You are getting a gentle ride for Aibu tonight OP but maybe I will eat my words later !

Yanbu go with what your gut tells you and shop around . How old is he? What about pre school Playgroup I prefer them to a nursery to be honest