A Very Formal Nursery

[NameyMcNamechange67]

There's a nursery near me in an independent school. They take children from 2 years until they leave for school. The policy there is that the children have to use the staff members surnames.
I just feel there's something wrong about a 2 year old having to address the people looking after them as Mrs Wilkinson, Mr Starmer, or Miss McNamechange. I think all that business should start at school and nursery should be play-based and homely.
I imagine they would say it's in preparation for the big school where they'll have to do it, but I think policies should be based on where the children ARE not where they will one day be.

YANBU - Nurseries should use first names.
YABU - Nurseries should use surnames.

It seems a bit formal but as others have said, it sets them up for when they move into reception.
As long as the staff are prepared to be called all manner of things from children so young! I worked in an infant school and got called all sorts of variations of my name. It was very funny!

If it was a good, safe nursery where my child was happy I wouldn't give two shiny shites how they asked my 2yr old to address staff members!
Quite respectful tbh

Yeah I wouldn't like that. But around here it's relatively common for teachers to go by first names in primary school so surnames seems very formal, particularly at nursery level!

I work in a nursery and I would hate to be addressed so formally! I guess I'd get used to it but i wouldn't like it. I agree OP the idea that it's preparation for school doesn't really make sense. They will also need to wipe their own bums and organise their own homework folder, none of which they do at 2. The 'start as you mean to go on' idea doesn't work with children who change from month to month.

I would be focused on the quality of care. The only issue I have with names, not just in educational settings, is a workplace culture where some members of staff are given their title and others are not, e.g. Dr Brown, but Nurse Jill, Mr Brown, the headteacher but Pat the TA and Robert the caretaker. There have been studies showing women are less likely to be introduced by their professional title than men, e.g. Dr or Professor.

Rationally I agree with all these posts saying it doesn’t matter, but I think I would have felt weird about it too OP! They’re so little and the environment is very much more personal than school- nap times and cuddles and help with the toilet etc, first names just seem more natural and appropriate. That said, if it was otherwise a brilliant nursery, it wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me.

If it's a nursery attached to a school, you can't really have your 6yo talking about Mrs Smith and your 2yo talking about Mary when they are referring to the same person. I know the staff are mostly separate, but they will move between years at times e.g. leading an assembly, covering for sickness, moving classes at the end of the year.

Most state schools I know use surnames for all children there. If the children like them, I don't think their names will bother them or make them feel less relaxed. I have also been in preschools that call their staff Miss Mary etc.

I think the people who chose an Independent School nursery want something different from a "home" feel. They want the school preparation (especially if the the school is selective and there's an "entrance exam" at four.)

For want its worth... at just turned 3yo knew her sisters bests friends mother was "Miss Smith" when she was at school, "Auntie Sue" when she was with her sister at her friends house, and "Bluebird" if she had to come to Rainbows with me (which I ran along with the Mum/teacher).