If your child attends a nursery or you work in one...

[HotChocolat]

Then what do you love about it and what do you wish they'd improve? Posting here for traffic but I work in a nursery and would love to get a parents perspective on how to be the best nursery we can 😊 going to send out parent questionnaires next week but would love to hear what people on here have to say aswell.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply!!

From a practitioner perspective I can tell you that adult-child ratios are so important. My workplace tries very hard to be slightly over ratio at all times - so 4 staff to 18 three year olds, when the rules stipulate that that would need only 8 members of staff. This allows for a lot more flexibility, and means there's no concerns if a staff member is out of the room, for example nappy changing. It makes things far less stressful for the staff and improves quality time spent with the individual children.

@waggingmyginger Are disposable gloves not worn in those situations in the nursery you excluded? I wear gloves for all intimate care and food prep, and although I don't have false nails they aren't cut very short.

above - "8 members of staff" should obviously read 3!

Best things about DS's nursery:

• staff are unfailingly friendly, cheery, polite. Not just key workers but office staff, kitchen staff etc. Every single one says good morning, holds doors open, smiles etc.
• low staff turnover
• good mix of younger and older staff
• interesting varied activities - lots of messy play, lots of drawing/painting, sports coach comes once a week, music/dance class once a week - all included in the fees.

Things I would like to see:

• more updates on Tapestry. They generally do a photo or video or anecdote about once a fortnight. I don't want them sticking iPads in DS's face constantly but I love getting an update, so it would be nice if they were slightly more regular!
• end of the day reporting is varied depending on staff member, they all give the run down of what he ate, how long he slept etc but some do a blow by blow account of what they've done or a funny story about DS which is appreciated.
• better communication when room moves happen.

Not in uk but things i love
a) they go out in all weathers, you just need right clothing
b) you sign a form at the beginning and then they take kids out on trips whenever, just get a group and go off.

1. its not just a job, ie keyworker celebrates the milestones as if it was her own cjild, so lovely!
2. odd - but the keyworker lets me know of they did wet or poopy nappies. she liked to know that info herself for her sons.

guess it just shows she treats us (parent and kid) as she'd want to be treat. which is EVERYTHING!

2 children, 2 nurseries

Like:
Photos on app/Facebook
Outdoor time
Enthusiasm of staff
Parents evening

Dislike
Shit at billing
“She’s been fine” as feedback, tell me more!
Dress up days at short notice
Pudding every lunch/tea
Television

The nursery has an app that staff send photos and videos to during the day showing what the kids have been doing. I can also see what they had to eat, nappy change times, sleep times etc on it so it’s really handy if I’m not true one collected and don’t get all the info

Listen to parents when they have valid complaints and act on them.
Have clean environment
Have appropriate toys
Bright environment.
Secure outdoor space
Good staff, and keep them happy.

Food allergies!

How serious they can be
How easy cross contamination can happen
How important it is for everyone to be clear on each child's needs. Eg if staff from baby room is helping out in the toddler room.
Have a system in place such as child's pictures up with details, coloured plates cups and not left during milk/snack time.

I really like the staff at my DD’s nursery. They really seem to care about the children and do a fantastic job. My DD has gone through the baby group, the toddler group and now preschool. She still asks to go to the baby room to say hello for instance. There are some members of staff she particularly like and that she calls her friends which is a credit to them. On the flip side it does worry me when members of staff leave after six months. I would hate to have my daughter in a nursery with a big turnover of staff. In my opinion, nursery owners or managers should really value their staff and treat them well t keep them.

One little thing I really liked but my nursery doesn’t do it anymore was a monthly email newsletter. It was nice to read about what the kids were up to and see pictures of what they’ve been up to. Especially when When your child is a baby or a toddler and might not be able to express what they’ve been doing.

I also like when they have a little outing to places like the library or recently the police station although my three year old now wants to be a ballerina police woman when she grows up

I Think feedback sheets are really important - especially for younger ones. I've changed nurseries and the new one doesn't use them and I really miss it

I love the continuity of care. There is very low turnover and we’ve had the same core members of staff since starting. The activities are amazing- they do far more than we would have ever done at home. The things that could be better are end of the day communication and there are a few naff meals on the menu and breakfast seems to just be toast. I’d rather pay an extra pound or two a day to have a bit more variety at breakfast.

Overall though my toddler loves it which is the most important thing.