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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

About expectations of nursery for a baby

130 replies

Saladeeta · 22/10/2015 22:05

DD has been at nursery for a month now.

Its a lovely charity run nursery.

My elder dd didn't go to nursery till 2.5 so maybe I'm just not used to it. We've moved areas so couldn't use the old nursery. I am hugely respectful of the wonderful job early years professionals do- I'm just not sure if my expectations are wrong for nursery for a baby this age (11 months).

I often got there and despite the weather she's been changed but not had a vest put on, despite spares.
She's come home with quite bad nappy rash, next day they tell me to bring more cream but it turns out they've misplaced it and then not using any despite the soreness.
Key worker often not in the room as covers other parts of the nursery, looks bewildered when I looked concerned.
Different staff members in the room most days, noone gets up to take my baby, even someone does come up,they don't introduce themselves.
I arrive to find her outside in the garden at half five with a streaming cold without her waterproof suit thingy she's got, bottom and legs wet.
Staff pranking each other, laughing about how toys were put in their cars with vodka bottles. This is on site, in front of parents during work hours.
They have put DD to sleep in the bouncer for naps despite me repeatedly asking them not to.
Dirty milk bottles left about over night.
Filthy and I mean filthy bumbo seats uncleaned.
They haven't listened to me about how she eats, IE picking up little bits off the tray at a time and keep telling me how she's a fussy eater and won't eat anything. She's not fussy at home remotely.

Do I need to get a grip?

OP posts:
heheheheheheh · 22/10/2015 22:48

Ofsted outstanding means nothing. I have learned this with nurseries and schools over the years. Find a nursery where your child is treated kindly and nurtured in the way you want. Don't delay in moving your child from a setting where you feel uncomfortable leaving them. I have moved a child from a nursery in similar circumstances.

Saladeeta · 22/10/2015 22:49

It was last inspected over 5 years ago so some time now

OP posts:
NotAWhaleOmeletteInSight · 22/10/2015 22:49

This isn't normal at all. Your poor dd and poor you too, must be v stressful. I'd take her out asap.

Do meet with the manager though - they need to know why so they can maybe address the issues.

Mermaidhair · 22/10/2015 22:51

I would move her. She isn't eating, she hasn't been treated for her rash, she isn't being dressed appropriately, she is playing in wet clothes outside, and things are dirty. All of these things are just basic baby care. Don't worry about unsettling her. She will settle in another appropriate nursery. If you change her you will be shocked at how bad it was.

WishIWasWonderwoman · 22/10/2015 22:54

Five years is a long time. It's possible that the staff who made the nursery outstanding no longer work there.

I would be looking for a new nursery or as she is only a baby a childminder/shared nanny could do if there are no better nurseries around.

GloriaHotcakes · 22/10/2015 22:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Goldmandra · 22/10/2015 22:58

My gut says it's not good enough but I'm worried about changing in case she gets really unsettled and upset and all those things

I've supervised a baby room too and I would not be happy to see any of those things happening, never mind all of them.

It would be better for your baby to be unsettled for a while but safe than left in this place. The management is clearly very lax and that is dangerous for babies in group childcare.

Please remove your baby and let the manager know everything you've mentioned in your OP, copied to Ofsted. That way the other babies will, hopefully, be safer soon too.

Coralinebuttoneye · 22/10/2015 23:04

Take her out of there and make a complaint.

Coralinebuttoneye · 22/10/2015 23:05

Do you have any nice childminders nearby?

ChunkyPickle · 22/10/2015 23:05

No way is that good enough - hell, my 3 year old going to a local playgroup got greeted at the door, and then by every staff member as he walked in - and they were only going to have him for 5 hours!

Find a better place and raise your concerns - that place isn't good enough for your baby.

Nanny0gg · 22/10/2015 23:09

It sounds absolutely dreadful and I would take her out.
I arrive to find her outside in the garden at half five with a streaming cold without her waterproof suit thingy she's got, bottom and legs wet.

That would have been enough for me, but with everything else you've said it's a no-brainer.

kungfupannda · 23/10/2015 07:42

I'd move her, and I have a fairly high tolerance for minor issues in childcare settings.

Ofsted isn't the be-all and end-all. DS2's old nursery is one of two in a small town. One is privately run, has been there for 20 years and has an extremely good reputation. I've never heard a single complaint about it. It has a good rating.

The other is much newer and part of a large chain. It arrived and got an instant outstanding rating. I know several people who sent their children there, mainly because it has better outside space than the other nursery. All but one of them have removed the children to send them to the other nursery, citing uninterested staff with little apparent knowledge of important issues, repetitive activities, no apparent warmth etc etc.

Wishful80smontage · 23/10/2015 07:48

Move dd for sure OP this is just no where near acceptable- they are obviously milking that last ofsted rating because I doubt they'd get that now- and as soon as a new one is done their reputation will be affected. Look around for a better nursery- go on your gut rather than just ofsted or maybe try a childminder.
Good luck.

MockTheWeek · 23/10/2015 07:51

I would move her and would also contact Ofsted asking them to carry out an inspection as a matter of urgency. They are probably due one, though. Sounds grim.

Moodyblue1 · 23/10/2015 07:54

You have to move her, I've worked in nurseries and DS was in a nursery from 6 months and they were never like that. Your child deserves better care, they will soon settle into a new place. I also wouldn't completely rely on Ofsted, I always read the report and consider it but I also use my own judgement as the staff members may have changed etc.

CarlaJones · 23/10/2015 07:59

Sounds appalling and describing a distressed baby as angry says a lot about how caring they are.

fieldfare · 23/10/2015 08:13

It sounds terrible OP! She will get over being unsettled for a couple of weeks while she gets used to a new nursery, you must take her out ASAP.
If these are the things you observe yourself, what on earth is happening when you're not there?!

hankyspanky · 23/10/2015 08:29

To me, that sounds absolutely awful and would be the last place I'd be leaving my DD!

Always trust your intuition, its there for a reason.

I would take her out immediately and then file an official report to Ofsted and the Nursery itself.

Strawberryfield12 · 23/10/2015 08:34

OP if the current childcare provider won't make your child ill, it will definitely make her immune system sky high (if it won't kill you, it will make you stronger, right?). Our DD is due to start nursery in December at age 12 months, I wouldn't feel comfortable her being put through all the stuff you describe. It's a pain in the backside to go on with the childcare change, but your DCs are the most precious you have, so definitely worth the trouble. Get a day off work and schedule visits to other childcare providers.

ShamelessBreadAddict · 23/10/2015 09:19

Agree with pps. You are NBU at all. I would immediately run for the hills without a second glance except to put in writing all the things you have noticed and copy in Ofsted as a pp said.

MintSource · 23/10/2015 09:37

Oh, OP, how sad for you and for your little DD.

The untreated nappy rash and being cold and wet in the garden was sooo sad to hear.

All the other things you mention - esp dirty bottles and seats and constantly absent 'key' worker are awful. You are not being picky or expecting too much. I'm amazed she hasn't had worse than a cold, poor thing.

I know it's really hard when you have work but if there is any way that you can not take her back then don't.

Then write to Ofsted with as much detail as you can and give that place both barrels.

Flowers
Saladeeta · 23/10/2015 09:39

Thanks for all feedback. I have already looked at another nursery! They are getting back to me to let me know when space will be available. I have to work so had to drop her today. When I went in today first of all I asked to see her wipes, nappies, cream, bottles, asked again for her to be in her winter suit, showed them where the waterproof shoes are etc etc. Wasn't dds key worker but I she promised they would use nappy cream as they couldn't find what I'd left.
I then spoke to the manager for about half an hour, listed all my concerns, emphasised the good bits- IE her key worker seems lovely- but listed everything else. Manager addressed each point and said how things would change. I didn't say I would be contacting ofstead and taking her out. I'll see if things change for the better but hoping for space at the other nursery! Thanks all Flowers

OP posts:
SurferJet · 23/10/2015 09:41

Crikey - if that's an 'outstanding' nursery I'd hate to see one that 'requires improvement'

Your poor baby. I wouldn't go back.

PopcornFrenzy · 23/10/2015 09:46

My 11 month old goes to nursery, her key worker always takes her off me when I get there, they have a special bond and she loves cuddling DD. They only have 4 babies though so the ratio is nearly 1:1.

There are so many issues with nursery it's hard where to start, well done in speaking to the manager, let's hope it improves or they're going to get shock when ofsted come

Goldmandra · 23/10/2015 09:51

Crikey - if that's an 'outstanding' nursery I'd hate to see one that 'requires improvement'

All that the 'outstanding' means is that, five years ago, they were able to put on a good show for a day and demonstrate that they had good systems for keeping records in order and ticking all the right boxes.

Ofsted inspections are snapshots and I've seen enough of them to know that they often don't paint an honest picture of what life is really like there for the children.

There will be plenty of settings out there which are judged to require improvement and do a much better job of caring for the children than this one.

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