Dodgy nursery set up - AIBU to report? And who to?

[Foolsrule]

My friend works in a local nursery. I have never been there, don’t have children there etc but some of the things she’s told me about it have set my spidey senses off. The manager is off sick and has been for a long time, there is no proper reporting and accountability, the paperwork side of things seems scant/non-existent… Can I call Ofsted anonymously? Or the council? What would I even say? I suppose it needs a spot check.

What paperwork are you referring too? Need more info..

Not sure really. I’m imagining insurance, first aid? I suppose the legal stuff you’d need in place. It’s more like a holiday play scheme was when we were kids than a proper nursery for lots of little people. But surely there has to be some form of regulation?

Are you sure they’re not being done? Just because your friend doesn’t mention the detail doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

I’m chair of a playscheme and after school club and anyone who generally hears me talk about it could think it was all planning trips and buying fun equipment…

Why would you report anonymously? You must give your name otherwise they will think it’s malicious.
Tell them you have no evidence, you don’t know if there should be paperwork, or what sort, but your spider senses are tingling …

You can look them up to see if they are OFSTED registered.

I’m not sure what you would even report. You’ve said your not even sure what paperwork you are referring to. Like a previous poster said someone’s likely doing it but just not speaking about it all the time. Having not worked there yourself do you really know enough to report? Your friend is obviously not that concerned or she could report. Any chance this is more that friend venting and not knowing the ins and out of how it’s run?? I

Most nursery staff surely wouldn’t be involved with the legal side of things…

Unless someone is alleging abuse is happening I'd just wait for them to have their regular inspection. You don't really know much about the situation.

Also

From time to time, we receive complaints or other information about childminders, home childcarers and childcare providers that suggests they may not be meeting the requirements of the Childcare Register.

A complaint can be defined as an expression of concern, a grievance or an allegation directed against any person who is or should be registered under the terms of the Childcare Act 2006.

In most cases, we will inspect to make sure that the provider continues to meet requirements and remains suitable for registration. We will do so within 5 days if the information suggests children may be at risk of harm.

If the concern is not sufficiently serious to prompt an inspection within 5 days, we will refer it back to the provider to deal with and will check what they have done at their next inspection.

Is your friend having regular supervisions? Are the staff doing regular observations on the children and setting their next steps? Is someone ensuring that all staff have up to date first aid certificates, child protection training etc?

Do you actually know any of this as fact verified by someone other than your friend?

Is so, then you report.

If not, then urge your friend to report

Iv used 2 daycare facilities, iv assumed as both were Ofsted registered things like insurance would of course be in place. Never seen any paperwork regarding these areas and to be honest I wouldn't expect to, given that if the place is legally registered these requirements would be dealt with.

@Comefromaway

You can look them up to see if they are OFSTED registered.

I was going to suggest the same thing. Check OFSTED's website for the latest inspection report.

Ofsted can do a spot check but don’t call then unless you are actually sure of what you’re doing. You can’t do it anonymously.

Vague concerns based on your friend offloading about the difficulties of her job are not sufficient for Ofsted. I could report nearly every svhool nursery or care home on this basis.

You can call Ofsted, but I think you need to be clearer on what your actual concern is.

If you call and say "I'm not sure if they have insurance/first aid", Ofsted will just call the nursery and ask them.

If the manager is off then legally there needs to be a named deputy
Ofsted will not be interested unless there is a breach of the legal requirements of the EYFS
I’m not sure what reporting you are expecting but legally there isn’t any requirements for first aid or insurance reporting
Legally there needs to be one person first aid trained on site and public liability insurance needs to be displayed

@Comefromaway sorry to derail the thread, but someone I know cleans the nursery my son goes to. Whenever I see her she says things like 'oh, I saw (sons name) had a poo today, or 'oh I can't believe he's potty trained and wearing pants now, i saw it on the board' should the nursery staff be cleaning these things off the whiteboard? I just feel it's a little personal

There has to be someone with paediatric first aid on the premises at all times, you’re friend should know who they are.

Also, if the manager is off sick there must be a suitably qualified deputy.

Honestly it sounds like you don’t really know any of the details yourself so I’m not sure what you’d be reporting?

If you have concerns about your friend then you could report her or if you think your friend is decent then she would report the issues herself.

[quote MinnieJackson]@Comefromaway sorry to derail the thread, but someone I know cleans the nursery my son goes to. Whenever I see her she says things like 'oh, I saw (sons name) had a poo today, or 'oh I can't believe he's potty trained and wearing pants now, i saw it on the board' should the nursery staff be cleaning these things off the whiteboard? I just feel it's a little personal [/quote]
You can complain to the nursery if you don't like the way she shares your son's information.

I wouldn't expect childcare staff to have to clean boards so cleaning staff can't view them though.

[quote MinnieJackson]@Comefromaway sorry to derail the thread, but someone I know cleans the nursery my son goes to. Whenever I see her she says things like 'oh, I saw (sons name) had a poo today, or 'oh I can't believe he's potty trained and wearing pants now, i saw it on the board' should the nursery staff be cleaning these things off the whiteboard? I just feel it's a little personal [/quote]
Sounds like she needs a reminder about GDPR. Admin & cleaning staff at schools and nurseries do see things. But if that’s the case they should be vetted and adhere to confidentiality like everyone else.

I’m responsible for a wrap around Club and after school club. I don’t understand what paperwork you mean, there should be a parents handbook with all the info you need. If you are in Wales the nursery will be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales, in England its OFSTED.

Ok, I think I can’t do anything myself based on what’s been said above. I will speak to my friend again and ask her to report IF she thinks it is as bad as she has made out. Thank you for your responses.

"Spidey senses".

Fuck me.

That's going to go down well. Hi Ofsted, no i don't work there, don't have children there, but my friend works there and my "spidey senses" tell me something is wrong.