DS Nursery got inadequate

[Jefferson]

DS's nursery got an inadequate and the report is damning. I felt quite upset reading it actually. They didn't mention it to any of the parents either. I've been concerned about a few things and even posted about it before but I didn't realise how bad things were. Seeing it all laid out in black and white is awful.

Am I allowed to post the ofsted report here?

We've been looking for other childcare anyway but we are really struggling. Nurseries are all full and CM's can't do the days/times I need for work.

Where do we go from here?

I'm having a real struggle with childcare.

He has a severe speech delay and has been offered a place at a local nursery for half days from October which has a special SALT facility within it. Sounds great.

But no childminders are able to do the 8.45-11.45 drop off and pick up needed because obviously it doesn't work with the rest of their kids.

My initial plan was for us to do drop off and my MIL to do pick ups and take him into nursery for the rest of the day, but now this has scuppered that. They were willing to take him earlier in the day at 12 (which nurseries don't usually do). I posted about it the other day.

It's all very boring and complicated!

Madrigals State pre-schools don't do full days though do they? with lunch? They only do morning and afternoon sessions until 3.30. Isn't that how it works? Sorry DS is my first and I really have no clue what I'm doing half the time

Do Au Pairs and Nannies live-in? We don't have the space (or the money) for that

X-Post, yes they do live-in

Oh thanks Madrigal. Where will I see that? I've never had a PM before!

Never mind, I've used my powers of common sense to work it out!

Christ it sounds awful I hope you find something else soon.

Blimey. That's the worst OFSTED report I've ever seen.

How did the nursery seem when you looked round Jefferson? Do you see the chaos at drop off and pick up time or do they hide it?

..and they have the nerve to still have THIS on the homepage of their website!!

We are proud to announce that OFSTED awarded us GOOD rating during their last inspection in June 2012. The inspection recognised good practice, relating to the care, education and nurturing of individual children who are happy and settled in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment.

Nannies don't have to live in. I'd get a nanny or nanny share for those hours.

Oh Jefferson what a horrible position to be in.

I am in education myself and have read hundreds of Ofsted reports over the years. This is without doubt up there with the worst. I'm so sorry.

Take prompt action. Don't send him back. I can not advise what you should do except go to your local Children's Centre tomorrow. They may well be able to advise you.

With a report like this, there is no going back. I will be surprised if the nursery is still operating at Xmas. Indeed I surprised that their funding agreement with the local authority hasn't been withdrawn.

Good luck.

Another thing to consider for the immediate future is employing a local Teaching Assistant or Nursery Nurse who may need some extra cash during the summer break.

Or a college student who has just completed NVQ childcare course. Anything but that nursery.

I'm lucky in that I am free over the summer being a teacher so that's good. He's been off with chicken pox the last week and will only be back 2 days before I break up.

I thought I had to serve a notice period. One of the other mums who was already taking her child out before the report said this is what she is having to do. Is that right?

Shine, I'm afraid I'm SW and so are most folks I know so not much use to you!

To be honest, I'd have thought that they are not providing what they should for your child (and then trying to keep quiet about it once found out) would negate your notice period entirely - I'd just say I wasn't going to, and let them try their luck in taking you to court but I can't see them getting very far with that.

btw Some Nurseries do offer full time places where there is a need - so the specialist provision might fall into that, but, IME, as a teacher you would probably fall outside the normal criteria for providing extended places.
You've GOT to move him though, and demand they inform all parents.

That is a terrible report! To not do the basic staff checks is totally negligent and the stuff about food and cleanliness shocking. Hope you can find something to fill a gap as I'd pull him immediately to be honest.

I would withdraw him immediately even if it meant emergency parental unpaid leave from work whilst I found other arrangements. Do you have any family who could help out?

Yes you will probably have a month's notice but you can choose whether or not to send him in during that time.

My DS goes to a state preschool. Most children do either mornings or afternoons but he is one of a few who do flexicare hours - 15 hours spread over 3 days - which we then top up with paid-for care at the same preschool.

The vetting of staff is chilling. Sometimes when these horror stories in the news crop up about wrongdoing, I always wonder how such people were allowed to work around children... Did they lie, I wonder... I guess this is how - nobody bothered to check.

If they fail to safeguard, they would bloody have to sue me for the month notice - and if I had to pay it in advance, I would absolutely take them to small claims court.

Jassy, thanks for replying. My friends is in SW and looking too, I'd really appreciate if you could share the good nurseries there, please.

Jefferson - have you tried putting a notice up on the notice board of the school your DS is attending saying you are looking for a nanny / nanny share or childminder. You may find a family who are looking to spread the cost, or a parent who has nanny experience who is thinking about nannying now that their DCs are school age. There's only a week till schools break up but it's worth a go. Also advertise wherever you can for a nanny for the hours you need.
I'm a London based teacher who only works mornings and have found it cheaper to have a nanny for the hours I need than use a nursery.

Shocking, sounds like they focus on the babies because they're cute and all they really need is cuddling, feeding and changing. Once they get older and need imaginative play, behaviour management and the rest of it they don't bother.

It sounds like you're in a difficult position with regards to childcare OP, but I would definitely take him out. A Nanny would seem to meet your needs well I think.