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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

Child safety issue- what would you do?

16 replies

ChangyMcNamechangerson · 23/02/2011 18:19

My son's nursery has two gates; the main gate which leads on to a road, then a gated garden that leads into the main building.It has a key number lock system.

I picked him up tonight and he was at the main gate. No coat. So, he had somehow: got out of the nursery building; through the gate to the building; and right throught the garden to the main gate that leads to the road.

Absolutely no-one was supervising him; there were no parents there and no member of staff. No other children. In a second he could have been on the road if someone had opened that main gate.

I know it is unlikely that he would have got on the road. But it is possible. And no-one was supervising him and seemingly no-one saw him get out.

I am absolutely furious and upset. I feel like I do not trust them any more.

Should I take him out? Am I over-reacting?

I just feel like giving up work and staying at home with him. :( Apologies for the angry typing; I am so upset.

I hope this makes sense.

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MoonUnitAlpha · 23/02/2011 18:22

What did they say when you asked them about it?

I'd have been tempted to just take him home and see how long it took for them to realise he was missing.

Original poster

ChangyMcNamechangerson · 23/02/2011 18:26

I saw the nursery managers who were very apologetic and pretty horrified. It is partly parents' fault as they don't always shut the middle gate.

They said they will invesigate and feedback to me; put notices up for parents about the gates etc.

I know it's always busy at pick-up time but why is no-one keeping an eye on him? :(

Yes, parents need to shut the gates (I always do) but surely ultimately it is their responisbility for his safety?

I really like the place and the staff and he is happy there.

OP posts:

MoonUnitAlpha · 23/02/2011 18:30

How old is he?

I can imagine that it is difficult at pick-up, lots of parents to hand over to and if you're trying to do that and supervise 10 three year olds at the same time then it's not physically possible to keep an eye on all of them all the time. And they have two gates as a safett mechanism - he didn't actually get out.

Original poster

ChangyMcNamechangerson · 23/02/2011 18:47

Just gone 2.

Yes, no harm done and I know it's chaotic at pick-up time.Difficult to keep an eye on everyone.

It was a bit of a shock seeing him ther eon his own!

OP posts:

cookielove · 23/02/2011 21:34

It is absolutely unacceptable, that you found your son in that situation.

Pick up times, yes can busy but in no way are the children left un-supervised at my nursery as parents come in and out.

Picks up usually start at 4 onwards to 6.30 at my nursery, the children stay in there own rooms till 5 ish, and then we all mix either in a garden, the larger play space or one of the specific rooms, there are always staff members sitting with the children playing with them while other staff members talk to parents.

I would write a formal letter of complaint and keep one for your own records, children should not be getting to the outside doors by themselves.

Original poster

ChangyMcNamechangerson · 24/02/2011 06:32

Thanks Cookie.

They are going to feed back to us today what steps they are putting in place to prevent it happening again. Then I'll decide what to do.

We've never had any other problems and I've never seen any other child 'escape' so I'm hoping it's a one-off.

OP posts:

HSMM · 24/02/2011 08:20

If there's a problem with parents leaving the gate open, then a member of staff should be on the gate at pick up time.

Original poster

ChangyMcNamechangerson · 24/02/2011 09:32

Yes, I think this might have to happen. Dropped him off this morning and the gate was wide open!

Grrrr.

OP posts:

dribbleface · 24/02/2011 17:33

As a nursery manager i would have made damn sure that i had a staff member or myself posted at that gate this morning, warning parents and ensuring safety. I would also be changing the format/system as soon as humanly possible. Until then I would take preventative measures.

The fact that today, knowing you were arriving, the same issue crops up again, is in my opinion terrible.

Isla77 · 24/02/2011 19:54

I agree with dribbleface. They should have had an adult on the gate this morning and have a plan in place to ensure this does not happen again. Are they planning to do anything about this? Really feel for you.

babybouncer · 24/02/2011 22:17

As a one-off, this is worrying, but I think their response is what should decide what you do. If the response is definite and really tries to address the problem and stop it from happening again (in your opinion) then that should help to build your trust up again. However, if they don't seem to take it seriously, or (again, in your opinion) don't do enough to stop it from happening again, then you should think about a more formal complaint, or looking elsewhere for childcare. Given that you are otherwise happy with the nursery, I'd be inclined to work with the nursery, rather than against them, on this issue.

Original poster

ChangyMcNamechangerson · 25/02/2011 05:48

My partner picked DS up last night and he did get an apology from one of the staff members and at pick-up they had all the children in one room which they can't get out of easily (that sounds awful but it's hard to explain!) Usually they are all running about all over the place.

I think the nursery manager was trying to talk to him but got waylaid by another parent so it will be Monday now (to be fair to her my DH hates this kind of thing so I'm sure he was happy not to deal with it!)

So I'll see what they say on Monday. Thanks for all the views. I am still not happy but taking a 'wait and see' approach (until Monday).

OP posts:

Mummy2Bookie · 25/02/2011 17:45

I would complain to ofsted,to stop this happening in the future

moogdroog · 03/03/2011 21:33

Hi there,
Having a different issue with my DS's nursery and have done lots of investigation today (he's sustained an injury). I would certainly inform Ofsted (or relevant regulatory body - it's CSSIW here in Wales). Also speak to the council health and safety who should either launch an investigation on it's own merit, or in response to a complaint from you.
This is certainly not on and I would want to see immediate investigation and the situation remedied.

Good luck

nailak · 03/03/2011 21:38

i had an issue with the childrens centre, at the end of the session i was changing ds3s nappy and dd2 was in the room then one of the staff cam ein ranting that she found this child (dd) on the stairs and i should have kept her safe she could have fallen down etc, and i was like well i cant stand here and talk 2 u coz my baby is on the changing table in the middle of being changed and he night decide this is the time to learn to roll...
basically what had happend was while i was in loo the other mums had bee leaving and my dd had just strolled out with them.

now they have a policy that someone has to stay at the door and make sure each child is with the right adult when leaving.

that could work at nursery, if they post a staff member to the door?

MummyNic · 17/03/2011 13:16

I would echo the 'try to work with nursery' at first. I have had a mahoosive issue with my DS's nursery (accident, not reported and, found out 2 weeks ago, that it was even more serious than they first claimed - lots of misleading info given to me until I persisted to find out the truth). I have given them every opportunity to be honest but they have been less than forthcoming (probably they are most definitely liable). On some issues I have guided them into making changes to benefit the H&S of all the children but privately, I have issued a major complaint which has now gone to Ofsted, the local council and (as of tomorrow) the HSE under RIDDOR.
By all means write in to make it official, once they've responded with what they are going to do in the future, write to Ofsted so they are aware of the incident and the measures that are now in place. Ofsted may not respond as their complaints procedure says that they will only respond if the complaint hasn't been resolved / if they see it as necessary.
Good luck with it and stay focused.

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