Nursery settling

[Justdontbejudgy]

I am in Scotland and my LA has moved to level 2, although we border Glasgow, so let's see how that pans out...anyway, I've had to select a nursery for my baby using virtual tours etc and today had our first visit to the garden. It was awful, the garden equipment was so tired, it's completely overshadowed by other buildings and apparently they don't go to the park because of Covid...really? That's the only place we've been able to go for months!

I have asked to see inside for settling and they have declined stating Covid regulations, so I had a look at Scot.gov and it states that only 'necessary ' visits should take place (with a bunch of guidance re SD, masks etc). However I am aware that another local nursery has been allowing parents/carers in for settling. I am not prepared to leave my 9 month old baby at the door and not even physically see the place where she will be, given I now have serious reservations overall. AIBU?

You're definitely not BU.

Agreed. YANBU. Do you have any other options?

I don’t think it’s sinister necessarily but I do think it’s very insensitive not to reassure a parent at such a big and stressful time in their life.

You will have loads of little concerns while your LO is at nursery through the years. You want somewhere that will take your concerns seriously and listen. This is a red flag.

IME, babies are happy no matter what. They won’t know if the toys are old or new. But it matters to us mamma’s. We need to be content that our little ones are in a safe, clean environment that we have vetted and are happy with. So if you’re getting alarm bells, don’t do it.

I was super picky about nursery, but knowing it was about making me happy to drop off etc. Also, despite Covid, we had a visit to check it out prior to starting. In fact they insisted we go for a tour. It’s really important and if they don’t understand that, they are either extremely cautious or just being difficult. Go with your gut mamma bear!

Your instincts are so important here. It sounds like perhaps you don't get a good feeling from the staff also. Definitely not BU.

Definitely go with your gut

So maybe contact the other nursery and book a viewing

Agree that instincts are very important. Trust them and possibly look at alternatives.

I work in a preschool. We have socially distanced show around tours - when we are closed - so that people can look around and the child can see inside. We then have numerous settling sessions where the parent is welcome to stay outside but sadly isn’t allowed inside. Pre-covid they would have been allowed in. Toys get old very quickly and as long as they are safe there’s no problem with them being faded or whatever but to not allow you inside seems a bit much. I’d consider other settings or ask for a show around when they are closed.

100% got with your gut. We have just moved DC to a new nursery because we weren't happy with current one and we were able to go in and look around. You have to be happy about where you're dropping your baby off to.

They are providing a covid safe setting. Schools are still not allowed visitors either. Think ahead, do you really want a nursery that allows people admission during covid or do you want a covid safe nursery that is doing everything to ensure its safe?

@Plumbear2

They are providing a covid safe setting. Schools are still not allowed visitors either. Think ahead, do you really want a nursery that allows people admission during covid or do you want a covid safe nursery that is doing everything to ensure its safe?

This isn’t entirely true though. Lots of schools are allowing visits - I work in one that is. We simply arrange them outside of school hours so the children aren’t present when extra adults are.

I’d want to see inside even briefly so YANBU about that.

The garden though, what’s wrong with it being over-shadowed?

Maybe schools are allowing meetings with current parents. They certainly are not allowing tours for prospective pupils and parents.

The garden though, what’s wrong with it being over-shadowed?

This would bother me a bit. A completely overshadowed garden will likely be damp and cold a lot of the time. Children need a bit of sunshine!

The park bit could be more “because of covid the park is rammed so we don’t go”

My youngest’s nursery had to curtail park trips as it was just too busy at times because everyone had the same idea.

Can you ask to look round after hours so there are no other kids there? If it’s their policy though then that’s what it is, you are free to choose a different nursery if you prefer.