Complaining to oftsed

[MrsSalvatore]

Im thinking of making a complaint to ofsted about an issue within my local pre-school. Would oftsed give the pre-school an notice of their arrival in this instance, i'm just concerned they would have time to 'prepare'?

I think it depends on the complaint and how many they have got

They might not visit, they may just ring them up. But, if they do uphold your complaint, a record of it will be on the Ofsted website. If they do visit, it will be unannounced.

with the constraints on ofsted in the present climate, they are highly unlikely to do an inspection, though it does depend of the gravity of the situation, and whether you have complained to the nursery in the first instance.

I could offer more advice if I know what the situation is, although I do not work for Ofsted, i have friends who do.

thank you

the issue is a person involved with the pre-school wrote something detrimental about my ds on a social networking site

not employed more on a voluntary basis

Not sure that it's an issue for Ofsted, as it doesn't really come within their remit. I think you do have cause to complain to the pre-school though.

You need to ask for the nursery's complaints procedure and follow that first before contacting Ofsted.

I doubt Ofsted will get involved in that either - it's an internal matter for the pre-school.

I am not sure it's Ofsted's job to deal with this sort of issues.
It sounds like you want revenge. What would you gain?
I'd take it to the head first.

i think that it looks like that myself, which is why i haven't done anything. I'm just upset I will more than likely go in and speak to the manager, there must be a policy which doesnt allow children to be discussed on people's facebook

It certainly sounds very unprofessional, was the facebook thing a public thing?
Are you sure it's about your child and not maybe a friend of her/his with the same name?

yes it was in a status and was definitely about ds. i will go in the morning and make an appointment to speak to them. Thanks for everyone's advice

is the status still there? If so, print it off and show it to the nursery manager. If the person is emplyed with them, it will help them in their disciplinary proceedings. But agree, not an issue for OFSTED.

I'm pretty sure there won't be a specific policy on facebook, as it is a relatively new thing.

There should be something in the Safeguarding Policy regarding children's privacy etc, so you may be able to go down that route.

If they are not employed, I am not sure what recourse you would have, but it is definitely worth a discussion.

FWIW I cannot believe that anyone in their right mind would discuss someone's CHILD on facebook - disgraceful.

My day nursery has a social networking policy, it's common practice. I would bring it up with your nursery, at least if they don't yet have a policy they could get one written, and discipline the person concerned. It is at the very least unprofessional and at worst a breach of your child's privacy, I would be cross too

I have extensive experience on complaining to Ofsted. You need to take it up with manager first. If you are unhappy with the outcome then you complain to Ofsted.
This may well fall into safeguarding children part of the EYFS (you can find document on Internet).
Make a formal, written, complaint to manager, include a screen dump of the status.
They have a set time to respond to you.
You can always ring Ofsted for advice: they are very helpful
Sorry that you've been given cause to complain but you are doing right thing.

Oh, mine was a very serious complaint: yet Ofsted did an announce visit...