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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

Would this put you off a nursery?

47 replies

Aloha · 09/02/2007 13:05

Went to see a local montessori with dd, who was two yesterday and really, really keen to spend time with other little girls socially. I arrived a bit early as dd was desperate to try out her new pink bike with parent handle! So arrive, another parent lets me in so staff don't know I'm there (that doesn't bother me btw) but I can hear the children in the next room who seem rather quiet, and then I hear a nursery worker hissing, 'I have had enough of you. I don't have any patience with you today'. Bear in mind this is about 9.20am! Then I put my head around the corner and someone greets me without smiling and takes me to the office. I then get a tour of the room for 2-3 year olds, the deputy manager says, 'We have been working on Me, Myself and I this week, and he children have been colouring in parts of the body' She indicates a large display on the wall of eyes and noses etc with the usual random scribble, only the display is labelled, in large letters, 'Parts of Our BODYS'
The nursery is right next door to ds's school, I fancied a Montessori and dd seemed to like one of the nursery workers and drew a 'picture' quite happily while I looked around but.... this just seemed a big crap to me! Not sure what to do. She is very happy with the lovely au pair who comes round two days a week to play with her and take her out but she seems hungry for the company of other children...

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Porpoise · 09/02/2007 13:09

Doesn't sound like you'd be happy with it, Aloha.
The bad spelling wouldn't be a no-no for me (although it would irritate me like hell!) but I would be spooked by the quietness and the hissy worker.
Are they any playgroups near you?

WigWamBam · 09/02/2007 13:10

I'd be looking for another nursery ... I wouldn't touch that one with a barge pole.

Listen to your instincts - they're telling you it seems crap because it is crap. Impatient, surly staff who can't spell ... not ideal.

themildmanneredjanitor · 09/02/2007 13:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hercules1 · 09/02/2007 13:11

DD goes to a montessori and I really like the whole monterssori thing for her but I wouldn't go for that particular one.

geekgrrl · 09/02/2007 13:11

mmmh yes, it would. The spelling error I could just about live with, but not the hissing and unfriendliness towards you.
I really couldn't imagine ds's nursery teacher doing this and would be very upset if someone spoke to him that way (ok, I'm allowed... occasionally ).
How did they interact with your dd? Were they engaging?

dejags · 09/02/2007 13:12

I'd definitely be put off - and I think I'd tell the Nursery Manager why.

geekgrrl · 09/02/2007 13:13

I think the quietness is typical for a Montessori nursery, isn't it? We were told to put dd2 in one because the peacefulness would be better for her (having poor hearing etc.)

aDad · 09/02/2007 13:14

I would be put off

Porpoise · 09/02/2007 13:15

Is it geekgrll?
The Montessori ds1 and 2 went to wasn't AT ALL quiet!
Maybe they're weren't Montessori-ing properly...

liquidclocks · 09/02/2007 13:15

Bad spelling is not a good sign but even worse is a nursery worker who has lost patience by 9.20am! Yes, that would put me off.

Have you looked around anywhere else?

DS1 has been to 4 different places now. First one was OK and I was happy but traffic problems were making it difficult to get there so we cahnged to number two. That one was bl*^dy fantastic and he only got taken out of it when I had DS2 as there wasn't space for them both. They're both at number 3 which is on a par with the first one and DS2 attendsan extra 'playgroup' once a week. All of the carers IMO have the patience of saints and and are happy and cheerful even with the most trying kids. I have turned up at both unannounced to check up and each time it's always been exactly as it is when they know I'm there.

Shop around and if you're not 100% happy then don't leave your kids there.

lulumama · 09/02/2007 13:17

hmmm..hissing and unfriendliness definitely a big no no and the bad spelling is a bit poor too, that would put me off more than quietness

Original poster

Aloha · 09/02/2007 13:17

To be fair, the hissing woman was downstairs with the 4-5 year olds, and the nursery worker in the 2-3 room while not brain of Britain (sorry, but she wasn't) was sweet to dd and dd sat cheerfully enough to draw and was happy for me to leave. I'd probably send her to the preschool at ds's school at three anyway. I take her to the odd playgroup where parents stay, but was really looking for a more structured thing where I could leave her and where she sees the same children two or three days a week. I AM nervous of her starting nursery, but she really does seem desperate to play with other little girls and have friends.

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geekgrrl · 09/02/2007 13:18

LOL porpoise, I don't know... aren't they all meant to sit there with their jigsaws and threading frames?

nogoes · 09/02/2007 13:18

The spelling would not put me off but the hissing teacher would. Don't go there, I always feel that you should listen to your instincts when looking at nursery schools.

Original poster

Aloha · 09/02/2007 13:18

I think this one has to be a no, sadly. It was SO convenient...and they all have really long waiting lists around here.

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Lullabyloo · 09/02/2007 14:23

I could cry at staff speaking to a little one like that....def a no no I would say

PrettyCandles · 09/02/2007 14:28

I don't think I'd feel comfortable with what you describe, Aloha. But if you're really interested in that nuresery why not drop in, unannounced, a couple more time at different times of the day? You might get a very different impression.

Original poster

Aloha · 09/02/2007 14:33

I tend to think why pay someone to hiss at my kids,when I can do it for free at home!

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Miaou · 09/02/2007 14:34

I think that however you dress it up, telling children that you are paid to work with that you are sick of them is unacceptable.

Being a pedant myself, I wouldn't dismiss the spelling thing either . When dd1 started at the local playgroup, I noticed nursery rhymes on the wall that were full of spelling mistakes. They consistently spelt dd1's name wrong (and she knew it was wrong too!) and were not interested in spelling it right. It was indicative of their whole attitude really.

Pennies · 09/02/2007 14:38

Hmmm... so we have questionable security, irritable and unpleasant staff and staff who can't spell what they are trying to teach.

Not worth even giving them another thought IMO.

hoxtonchick · 09/02/2007 14:40

sounds like there are a few reasons why this one doesn't have a long waiting list... does your au pair have friends with similar age children for dd to play with?

Lullabyloo · 09/02/2007 14:46

pmsl Aloha

Original poster

Aloha · 09/02/2007 14:51

Oh it DOES have a long waiting list! Dd's been on it and a couple of others for over a year! Off to see the others, which are further away. Ho hum.

OP posts:

FluffyMummy123 · 09/02/2007 14:51

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Aloha · 09/02/2007 14:52

Well, you would say that, eh

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