To leave DS in an 'inadequate ' nursery

[unlurk85]

DS is 18 months and started nursery 2.5 days a week in June. Older DS has a lovely childminder until he went to school and she's now sadly retired. No other Childminders around here so I had to look at nurseries. DS is quite shy and sensitive so chose somewhere that was small (in a small house) and where the staff seemed caring. He's been happy there, the staff know him well and I feel like he's well cared for. It's a new-ish nursery (open 1 year) and they've just had their first OFSTED which has come back as inadequate. It's mainly on risk assessments, safety of the garden and how much the staff push the kids to learn. I personally liked their gentle approach, but obviously the safety stuff is worrying. They've assured us they've now sorted it, cleared out the garden etc but I'm still concerned. However they're very caring and my boy clearly loves it there. AIBU to keep him there even tho it's basically "failed"?

As parents I would be expecting a LOT of information from the management on what was found to be a problem and what they are doing about it. Letters and a meeting at the very least.

It would need to b very specific and with very clear timelines.

Look at other options anyway because if it’s small and they’ve had this awful rating other parents will move their children and the place may well close.

Beware that inadequate nurseries can close really quickly if parents remove their kids so they go bust.
I would be concerned about him settling and then needing to be moved all of a sudden.

I've personally only ever worked in a 'good' nursery, I did do a placement at a 'requires improvement' childminders and she was alright (though not great tbh) but just bad at paperwork...ie she did activities and the dc were safe enough but she didn't evidence it very well.

But I heard horror stories from my lecturers!

Are these nurseries the only two options OP? My DC goes to a "big" nursery and I've been v unimpressed. I think 12+ kids per room for babies is too many - workers however good just can't watch them all. My DC has already had an accident when noone's been watching. If I could chose a nursery again I'd def look for a smaller setting with a dedicated room for babies.

Never ever leave your child in an inadequate rated nursery. There is much more to this than just the paper work side of things.

Requires improvement is bad enough, but believe me things are really bad when a nursery gets an inadequate. It is usually to do with safeguarding and not providing a stimulating learning environment for the children. In other words staff not interacting well with the children.

Yes things can be turned around if the manager is willing and has the motivation to want to invest time and money in doing so. Any changes need to be rapid and can be unsettling for both children and staff.

My dc's went from good to inadequate in one inspection. Due to very similar reasons you have stated. We decided to stay and next inspection was a good so they had managed to rectify the problems. If it seems more paperwork based i would give them the benefit of doubt, from what I've seen they generally get a follow up inspection fairly soon after which might clear it up

Our nursery has just been rated inadequate after being outstanding since the last inspection. They run over three buildings and a lot of the issues were in a building my dd isn’t in so I’m currently happy to keep her where she is.

The nursery admitted their faults, told us it wasn’t good enough and how sorry they were and what they’ve done/are doing to sort it out. Hopefully at the next inspection (which will be within 6 months I believe) everything will be fine.

We got told the council won’t fund the free hours for anyone wanting to start using them in the period the nursery is inadequate and obviously if they don’t improve at the next inspection it will be removed altogether but it doesn’t affect us currently as dd is coming up to 18months.

I'm not entirely sure if nursery's work the same way, but to become a Childminder Ofsted assess you before they give you a registration.
You don't get your registration unless you are at least a good but they don't give you a grading at this point.
They then do an inspection within a set time frame (think it's a within year, ) at which point you get your grading.

For them to get inadequate at their first grading, sets alarm bells ringing for me, paperwork shouldn't slip in that period of time, risk assessments should be in date, and updated every time a new piece of equipment is added.
and if they've got their registration it means things have been added or taken away from the garden which aren't safe or make it unsafe, but it won't just be that, it would likely be they're not following their risk assessments, which would be a huge concern for me as they are neglecting to keep the children safe.

I wouldn't be hearing out any childcare provider that got anything less than good at their first Ofsted.

No, but mine wouldn't have been in nursery at all.
I think provision is usually pretty poor, whatever ofsted say.
People seem happy to leave their kids in them though, good or bad.

Beware that inadequate nurseries can close really quickly if parents remove their kids so they go bust.
Not really OPs problem.
OPs child's safety and well-being is OPs problem.

They knew they would have been due an Ofsted visit.

Hi with your gut not an inspection.

I’ve worked in a disgusting nursery that was outstanding rated. It’s onky a reflection of that one day.

Not really OPs problem.

It is OP's problem if her child ends up without a nursery place when it goes bust.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant WyfofBathe.
If you keep your DS in, it goes bust and then the other nursery is full... you're screwed. And your DS has had longer to settle.
Happened where I live- all very quick and a total ballache for the parents/ upsetting for the kids.

I have worked in developing and improving EY settings. I would be concerned about the leadership and management of this setting given that health and safety concerns.
Why did leaders not have appropriate checks and policies in place to ensure children are safe?
Why are they not training staff and making them accountable for statutory requirements?
Does this lack of training and accountability impact on other areas( so are staff kept up to date with learning and development, are they current with child protection information, first aid etc)?
Are leaders capable of leading and sustaining improvement overtime?

The going bust issue is a big concern yes as there are not loads of choices around here. I desperately didn't want to use a nursery anyway but sadly had no choice. I'm just wondering what they could say at the meeting that could really change things. Of course they're going to say that they will change but can I trust them? I feel like the trust has been broken tbh. Thank you all for your input btw, I was scared about posting in AIBU but you've all been super kind.

My point was that if the OPs choice is to remove her child the nursery possibly going bust because she does so is not her concern.

Nursery going bust, (if it does, not saying it will) is down to the nursery for not meeting required standards.
Not because parents remove their children because it fails to meet required standards.
The nursery's actions or lack of them are the trigger.

I had a interview for a inadequate nursery but turned it down due to distance. They then were reinspected and got good.
Ofsted would probably sent them a action plan of what to work on and show they're working on it ready to be put forward again

At the same time have also worked in out outstanding nurseries and not so much. The thing is they get a days notice.. Which can give nurseries a day or weekend to get ready for a what's to come. So not all may be as rosey as it appears.

You know whats right and what you'll feel happy with.

Any chance you can link the report here? I’ll be able to tell you if it’s something to worry about. I’ve read hundreds if not thousands of the things and been in numerous settings so can tell from wording of it’s something small which it sometimes is or if it’s something to steer clear from

Hi @Orangeyouglad I don't want to 'out' them publicly as I think that's a bit unfair. If I can put how to do it, could I pm you? I appreciate all input, particularly from experienced people

Pm me the name or you can post the postcode and I’ll find it. It’s not outing them all reports are online and most LA’s will use inadequate and requires improvement reports from other parts of the country to improve practice

Why is the garden unsafe? What else did they fail on?

We did. Dd had been in her nursery for 2.5 years, she was happy, we were happy. Ofsted gave them an inadequate (mostly paperwork and not pushing learning enough) which was a shock but we decided that actually, we were still happy and dd was thriving there. We didnt want her to be doing any more formal learning until reception and the paperwork issues weren't that big a deal once we found out what they were. Also I'm a teacher so more than happy to say "oh do fuck off dear" to Ofsted!

Dd is starting school next week and is totally school-ready, she is a happy, confident and kind child and I have to give a huge amount of credit to her nursery for that.

(Interestingly, MIL got to meet about a dozen of her nursery mates at dd's 4th birthday party earlier this summer. MIL was a primary head for 20 years and she commented a few times re. how well behaved, well mannered and considerate they all were. So I reckon nursery were doing something right with them all!)

If you and your little one are happy with the nursery, keep him there.
The nursery will work to rectify any inadequacies picked up on inspection.