Nursery teachers snarky comment

[CheekyTealFawn]

I’m livid, wondering whether to bring it up or just leave it if I’m overreacting.

DD is 2 yrs 9 month old, and just started nursery today. She’ll go 2 days per week, 7.30am-6.30pm.

I work two jobs (one evening and one Saturday per week), as I am studying 30 hours per week for my BA in English, which I do on my childcare days, in nap times, and every free evening I have. So, I could really use every minute of help I can get.

I dropped DD off at 8.30am no problems. When I go to pick her up, I get there at 6.20pm. I see I have two missed calls from the nursery. I ask why they called, worried, and the manager laughed and said “because we want to go home.” I was confused, and said “oh, I’m so sorry, I thought pick up was before 6.30?” And she pulled a face and said “yes, but it’s Friday and your daughter is the last one here, and she has been waiting and asking for you and wondering why she is the only one”

All of the staff had their hats and coats on waiting by the door when I arrived. DD was also sat by the door with her hat and coat on looking out the window waiting for me. it’s made me feel like the worst mum, and extremely embarrassed as I felt like the staff were all looking at and judging me. My daughter loved her first day, seems very happy there, but I don’t know whether to say something to the manager about it?

I understand it’s Friday and of course the staff want to go home, but I didn’t initially want Fridays, but they made me pick that day since it was quieter and we’re only part time, to make room for more full time children on the other days .

i don’t know what I’d say, and I don’t know if mum guilt at leaving my daughter there last is making me more sensitive, but now I’m anxious to leave her there until 6.20, even though I could really use it since I’m constantly playing catch up with my university work because I’m forever lagging behind due to not being able to afford enough childcare.

am I being sensitive? Should I say something? If so, what?

Have I said anything about anyone looking into a petty argument… we didn’t even argue, because I wouldn’t do that and especially not in front of my daughter. I literally asked if I should say something to the manager or not and how I should approach it if I do.

can I just ask, genuinely, because you’re anonymous so no reason to lie. What do you gain out of putting other mums down? Does it make you feel good/better? That’s not snarky, I’m actually genuinely asking because I’m baffled by how cruel some people can be on here

Not really ridiculous to suggest you pick your child up half an hour early if you can, especially if she’s at a nursery where they are going to let her sit with her coat on while they’re all waiting at the door and no other kids there .
Like I said, I did OU myself and I know I could’ve found half an hour if I needed to. It’s meant to be flexible. If you can’t find that half an hour and the nursery expect the earlier pick up then I’d find another setting and ensure they offer the childcare until the minute you’ve booked it.

do you know where I might find a crystal ball, or have one I can borrow? Sounds like you expect me to be able to predict the future, since it was also my first time picking her up after a full day of nursery, and had 0 idea this would be the situation I was faced with

OP I like your style and know you will
be a brilliant role model for your daughter. Carry on doing your best, and have a serious word with nursery if they pull this passive aggressive unprofessional nonsense again.

Having bright and educated women in the workplace is a fabulous thing.

Off topic but I used to read the assignment question first, skim any of the other course material and just read what I needed to for the TMA. The tutorials were so shit I think I did one the whole time I was studying.
I probably blagged far more than I should but I had to do what I did tbh

Thank you! 🙏 I hope one day if she has kids of her own, she will know she can be a SAHM, or study, or work, and she can still be an amazing mum at the same time. Above all, I hope she will know that unlike some people on here, that she is also her own person and if she has dreams and goals beyond motherhood then that’s nothing to be ashamed of

Not criticising you and I’m glad that worked for you, but that’s not what I’m doing. The modules each teach valuable skills, and is known to be the different between getting a 2:2 and a first. I’m working towards a first

People who are happy and content generally don’t make cruel comments. I remember that when I read comments from those kinds of posters, whilst assuming they are unhappy in their lives and worried about their choices. Often unfulfilled in some way. There are a lot on this thread!

The thing is, there is a lot of pressure with the OU. I was planning to study today and this morning skidded in my car on black ice and ended up in a ditch with the fire service having to free me (Im ok, just bruised and tearful). While I was trapped in the car (hysterical) i was also genuinely worrying about how this would impact my studying today. I dont think its fair to berate the OP on using childcare to enable her studies.

Ok so I’m confused- I suggested you pick her up earlier if you could. You said you couldn’t- fair enough. Then I suggested a change of setting if the vibe was them making her sit and wait on her own.
Nowhere did I say you should have predicted the situation.

Like I said it’s off topic (as these threads often go) so no way related to your childcare issue just to be clear. I was replying to the other OU’er hence my quote.
Different learners have different styles and lifestyles. Lots of people in my study group were more conscientious, some of us were very haphazard (with mixed results)
I actually got a first and went on the do my MA with the OU successfully- so it obviously worked ok for me👌I wouldn’t actually recommend the OU for the MA but that’s another story

You’re right, I’m sorry that’s my bad!! There’s so many people saying how could I leave her there alone and how awful I am to do that, I’m catching up on the train after work as there’s been loads of new stuff while I’ve been offline, that I got mixed up with what you had said!

Amazing re 1st! Again, I got mixed up, thought you were the commenter saying you did this and got a 2:2.

You didn’t leave her alone- they did which is highly unprofessional and bad practice. It just shouldn’t happen. That’s why I think it might be a mismatch for your situation and dd if you are on a tight schedule

omg that’s awful!!!! So sorry that happened to you!!! Glad you are okay but that must’ve been so scary!!

You pay until 6:30 so she stays until then I would definitely raise it with the manager because the staff wanting a flyer on a Friday isn't your problem it either gets sorted or you will find another nursery and report them dont be a pushover

Not me. The other poster- I probably deserve less though 🤣

I’ve been thinking this too. I said as much as a sarky joke in response to someone questioning why I bothered having children if I was going to outsource them to other people and I was called unintelligent, whoops 😅🫣

There on dodgy ground if they have any sort of contract with customers.

It also is far from a non issue if like pp said, they are really making a child feel they have overstayed their welcome when they actually suggested Fridays in the first place because it was quieter.

Nothing wrong at all with bringing this to the managers attention.

I'd complain that they are making her sit on her own and wait for you. They are meant to be offering childcare they should be engaging and playing with her - even it if is 5:30 on Friday. If the don't staff don't want to work to 6:30 they need to and work at a nursery that isn't open until 6:30.

That is awful! I'd be furious!

100% this.

I would be finding another nursery, they sound very unprofessional. What a cheek calling you like that just because it’s Friday and they want to go home early.

You are definitely NOT being unreasonable. If their working hours are up to 6.30 they should be working until then. They can then start putting coats and hats on at 6.31. End of.