Hi,
So, I’m not sure if I’m being unreasonable regarding this situation but I feel my dc who has just started school and is only 4 isn’t being properly monitored at ASC when in the playground. When indoors, they use school premises which are fixed with a buzzer entry system however, almost every day they go out to the playground. Playground has high fences which border busy road so this isn’t an issue. The gate entrance though on quiet road is left unlocked and often, staff are far away from gate. I’m used to working in childcare and now education so I’m constantly thinking of things from a CP point of view. Yesterday, I arrived and 19 children were in the playground with two members of staff. One member was near gate but was asked to go and monitor children on play equipment whilst other member of staff was around the corner out of view of entrance. Although the staff member monitoring play equipment had a distant view of the entrance, I didn’t feel like anybody was really on it. When I went inside to collect dcs stuff, 2 members of staff were inside with 1 child. 1 member interacting and 1 member on laptop. I have also arrived at ASC several weeks ago to see one staff member out with several children, taking selfies of herself (not taking pics of kids so not CP but still pretty ignorant and unprofessional, let alone negligent) and didn’t acknowledge my entrance to playground. I was going to report but DH said I can’t really prove she hadn’t seen me arrive. My dc is pretty happy there, playing with friends. He’s also pretty good at understanding how to keep himself safe and stay away from strangers etc but I still don’t feel I can relax at work after 3pm once my child is moving into ASC’s care. If he was a bit older it wouldn’t be an issue but he is only 4. I feel ASC operate as if all their children are older even though they have a responsibility to provide suitable care for under 8s. It’s completely private company, school has no authority over them. Do you think I should raise issue over lack of playground security/monitoring of entrance/exit? He is usually only in ASC 30 - 40 mins after I leave my work and other parents don’t seem too bothered. Having worked in nurseries though, I have safety and accountability drummed into me.