concerned about nursery, parents not being informed of changes or accidents

[Chiccadum]

I am really hoping that someone can help. My dd1 has been going to this nursery for over a year and really really enjoys it, but however, I don't feel confident that it is being run efficiently. A few things have happened over the past few months and I am getting more concerned day by day and don't want to have to go as far as taking dd1
out.

1. A friends child came home with a big scratch on his face, no teacher could offer an explanation
2. A differents friend fell in the playground, really badly hurt herself and ended up in casualty, again no explanation has been offered.
3. I have just found out that my dd1's teacher has been suspended and is in the process of taking the school to a tribunal
4. DD2 has not had the same teacher for more than 3 days running (this has just come to light as things are very hush hush
5. Staff do not inform parents if their children have had to be disciplined
6. Staff are very very unapproachable and very awkward when questions are raised

I really want to take dd1 out but don't want her to suffer and miss her friends.

Does anyone know if I am entitled to just drop dd1 off one morning and announce that I am staying to observe how things are run and am I entitled to a report of what dd1 does each day?

I really would appreciate any advice that could be given

Is your nursery part of a group or chain of nurseries? You could take this up with them?

How of old if DS? My kids had reports everyday until they were 2.

What you write is not ON IMO.... I would take it up with the manager or speak to other parents and write a letter????

Chiccadum, I would say as a paying customer and parent of course you are entitled to stay and see what's going on - we're talking about your child here! All nurseries should have an accident book and should note all incidents in this - it forms part of their insurance policy. Let alone taking a child to casualty - that's serious, was no explanation offered? Blimey, I'm shocked. In your position I think I'd insist on staying and finding out exactly what is going on. What sort of nursery is it? A private one or a pre-school type run by parents? I really hope you get to the bottom of this soon, best of luck.

No way would I put up with that. Don't know of the legal situation, but something is obviously going very badly wrong. It sounds like there is a total breakdown in communication. As a parent you have every right to know what your child is doing and what's happening. If they've got nothing to hide then they shouldn't object to you staying, but would you get a real insight if you were there and everyone was being very careful IYSWIM.

I think I would ring the childrens services people at the council and see what you can find out that way. Other than that not sure what to suggest. I think my instinct would be to get dd out of there and ask questions later.

My heart goes out to you on this one, I have recently had simmilar fears.
DS goes to a Private nursery 2 mornings and a village playgroup 2 afternoons. If he has so much as a scratch I have to sign the accident book, this is very important. If a child banged his head or something and later became ill, it is vital that A&E have this info.
I have been working in the baby unit of the nursery that DS goes to and to be honest I have been shocked. The overall feeling I have is that the staff totally resent the parents for putting the child in there in the first place.
If I were you and I know this is hard, take your child out. The reason I say that is, that if you start rocking the boat they could take it out on your child. Things are obviously slack there so who knows what else they turn a blind eye to. Cruelty can be so subtle, I have seen it. Then and only then would I complain bitterly to the managment but most importantly, the social services.

message withdrawn

Chiccadum, is the nursery a pre-school facility attached to a state primary, or is it a day nursery? Either way, as others have said, there should be an accident book and staff are obliged to investigate an incident they don't actually see (as far as you can when small people are involved). This nursery sounds as though it is going through some serious management problems at present and you are right to have doubts about the children's safety. Having to take a child to casualty is unusual and worrying.
I would contact your education authority immediately, if this is a state pre-school nursery. They are in a position to take immediate action (and you can hassle them until they do). OFSTED would want to know, but I'm not sure what they could do in the short term.
Let us know how you get on.

I think you should consider speaking to OFSTED, as I believe that they now control nurseries/pre-schools etc rather than local councils. I think I am right in the fact that they have the power to withdraw licences if a nursery etc is deemed unsuitable - perhaps someone else can confirm whether this is true or not? It may be possible just to have an informal chat with them. I also think that they are supposed to investigate serious accidents at nurseries, although again I am not 100% sure if this is the case. I must admit this does seem quite drastic, so maybe you should speak to the nursery manager in the first instance. It might be worth looking at the OFSTED website to get some general info.

It is a pre-school, she has only five months left ot go, but as we all know accidents only need a couple of minutes to happen with kids.

I have approached the headmistress before on a matter regarding way things are done and she wsa horrible, very ignorant, very patronising and was shouting and tlaking down to me, a few people have commented on how unapproachable all the staff are. For about 2 weeks after I had a word with the headmistress not 1 single teacher spoke to me

I know what you mean about getting a real insight Anais, if I was there for a day. But, if I just turn up instead of giving them a few days notice, then they have less time to 'prepare'.

Chicca tbh I would look at whether you would enrol your dd there now if she wasn't currently in a nursery and you were looking at all the available places in the area. I strongly suspect from your description that you wouldn't touch the place with a bargepole. Might be time to take your dd out, it sounds horrific

I echo Enchanted's feelings. I've come across this attitude in childcarers myself, before I was a parent. If this is the side of themselves they allow you to see, goodness knows what they are like behind closed doors. Sorry to be so doomladen, but I'd take your child out of there and trust your instincts.

Chiccadum

STOP STOP STOP DO SOMETHING NOW!!!!

My DS has been going to Nursey since he was 5 months old and they are fantastic!
The following 1-4 points apply to nurseries. I would have thought there would be something similar for pre-schools (surely?)

1. A log MUST be kept for ALL accidents/injury showing how they happened and what treatment was given - even if child was just cuddled. You should be shown and asked to sign this report ON THE DAY.

2)A report file/card/folder MUST be kept for each child. You are entitled to see this ON SITE at any time and to remove from site to look though with prior arrangement.

3. ALL complaints should be logged, along with relevant action taken ie revised procedures due to complaint (if needed).

4. Yearly inspections/gradings are done by the LA

PLEASE PLEASE call the Local Authority TODAY and explain your worries - make them understand how
DANGEROUS this situation could be for the children. Ask them to make an EMERGENCY VISIT.

At all times - Trust you instints! Push to get something done.

At the same time IMO I would look for another pre-school or nursery IMMEDIATELY.

YOU are right, sounds like the pre-school IS AT FAULT.

Sorry to harp on but you really do need to call some people to discuss this with asap. GOOD LUCK.
We are all behind you - let us know what happens.

Noisy X

chiccadum- I just posted in the ofsted section- but having made myslef up to date I would say get out straight away. We removed ds1 from nursery after having niggling concerns for a while which one day escalated. I was very worried about placing him in a nurseyr again, but when we moved to devon I did- and the difference- wow!

I am welcome to come in at any time. I get told about any incident. Any accident is signed in a book (previous nursery did do this I have to say). Parents are informed of any problems- including behavioural problems between children. It is just so different. The attitude of the heads of the two nurseries is just so different- and that affects all the staff realtionships. At the previous nursery the head used to bawl at the children and so I think the younger staff memeber thought that was OK to do as well. The new head is firm but very fair- and really cares about every child. NOw having had this good experience I can see what was so wrong with the previous place. I'd secnd everything noisy has said

ANYONE, please tell me who I need to contact, OFSTED can't do anything and I don't know where to turn and on the other hand don't want DD1 to suffer as she really does need more stimulation than I can do at home especially with having a very clingy 11month old.

Ring your council- and ask for the early years department of the lea (usually based in council offices). There may even be a number under the council ad in your local phone book.