DS's first day at nursery nearly had a tragic ending.

[Kittypickle]

DS went to nursery for the first time today. He was playing outside with the others when I went to get him then went in. I was chatting to a friend outside then one of the staff came to tell me how he had got on. I then went to go and get him from the door but he wasn't there. Panic broke out and after about 5 horrible minutes there was shouting up by the gates that they had found him.
One of the other mothers stopped him just in time from running out into the road. I can't believe this has happened. When DD went they used to let them out one by one. I feel completely sick. Tried DH and he's not answering and my Mum is out, so you lot get it I'm afraid ! They have apologised profusely and said that it has never happened before and will never happen again, but I feel very very shaken by this to the extent.

OMG

do you know how he got out of the gates?

I would be very shaken too
how horrible

Sorry had to go and feed DS.

That is really not acceptable, I would either consider moving your DS to a different nusery or make a complaint in writing, CC Ofsted.

Parents were coming in to get their children so they were open. They think that he must have got out the main nursery door when one of the other children went. He must have gone straight past me when I was talking the member of staff who was telling me how he had got on. I just can not believe that they let him get out.

I can't think about him going back at the moment and this is all going to be such a nightmare as I know the staff fairly well.

so does the gate not shut itself after someone goes through?

i think the staff would exoect you to be shocked - i would like to think they are equally horrified.

Kittypickle - it's awful isn't it - this happened to me once and the nursery were terrible - blamed me and said "we thought you had her as you were standing there chatting !".

Initially I felt really bad - and accepted that it was my fault - but over a period of a couple of weeks I became fuming - complained and removed her from the nursery. They never even acknowledged my complaint !

DH has never fully agreed with me - he says that it's like when you are at a party with lots of people and kids - easy to assume that someone is minding the kids - but actually everyone else is also assuming that. I think he thinks it was my fault - but as he values his life has not said as much !

That is terrible! How awful for you.

No, I don't think it does. There are two little gates with latches, then a path up to the main school gate. All the gates were open as people were coming in and out. They are supposed to make sure each child goes to their parent which is always what happened when DD was there (it was on another site opposite then)

Norah, I'm sorry you had the same thing. They have taken full responsibility, I would have hit the roof if they had blamed me.

what about asking that the outermost (or innermost for that matter) gate have a spring attached so it closes behind people?

I'm definitely going to ask that Tutter. I shall have to sleep over what I'm going to do.
The woman in charge looked like she might burst into tears at one point.

Hi Kittypickle, i am so please and grateful that your son is ok and safe with you. I think you have to complain long and hard and make sure that changes are made not just for you son but for the benefit of other parents and children. Even though the school have said sorry it could have been a very different outcome which wouldnt be good so i think you can tell ofsted so other parents will know.

I take this approach because the nursery gave my allergic to egg son a cake and luckily and i dont knwo why bt he didnt react even though i had told them he was allergic. I wish i had reported it so it could go on their report to protect others.

Good luck in this and how it is sorted.