Working alone in a nursery

[wannabslim]

I work in a nursery where the staff child ratio is 1 to 3. Some days we do only have 3 children in our room so do work on our own. The staff don't like it as of the safeguarding aspect of it. I just wanted people's thoughts on this please. The manager does say it is allowed as it is in our policies and she says she is always on hand, but, there are lots of times when she is really difficult to get hold of, which in my opinion, is another big concern.
Thanks in advance guys

You are right to be concerned
It's not very good practice to allow staff to be on their own
In my nursery we have the posited policy to you, we avoid lone working
This is to protect the staff as much as the children
Is it a single nursery or part of a group?
Is there any way rooms could be joined together on quiet days?

This is my point too... it's to protect workers too!
It's a private nursery and rooms can't really join together when I have 3 on my own due to the ages of the 3.
If put to manager though, the reply we get is that our policy covers it!

What about if you need a toilet break? Or take one of the children to the toilet?

Out of interest what do childminders do?

So are you alone in the building or do you mean just your room?
Ds is at a nursery and if for example there are only 2 children of his age group there then yes the room staff are alone, but on the building there are other rooms which are staffed, the cook and the nursery manager are also all there.

I see your point here. I work in a nursery and absolutely hate being in my own. Not only is it difficult if someone needs a nappy change but the thing that bugs me is if a child has an accident (such as a fall) and there is only my word on it. It's extremely daunting. I would suggest speaking to your manager and explain that you understand it's on their policy but you don't feel comfortable on your own. Is it possible to meet in the middle. One idea could be that a member of staff comes through every quarter of an hour just to check?

I'm in room on my own which is detached from the main building. Regarding needing the loo, that is in same room so I go and leave door open so I can still see them....not ideal, I know, but sometimes you just need to go!
Nurserynurse2016 I might suggest that idea...thank you

Very bad practice but I think it's technically legal.

You need to protect yourself from allegations. You're also only ever a trip away from banging you head and leaving children alone until you're discovered.

Being on you own and using the loo is right out. It means you're on your own with children and removing clothes...avoid at all costs. You must be able to have a toilet break.

You should use the toilet on your break, not infront of the children!

I'm a teacher and can't leave my class to go to the toilet. I have to go on my break and at lunch.

Technically it is allowed, but many Nurseries have CCTV in the rooms - that would help protect you and safeguard the dc.

You say you can't really join groups because of the ages of children but surely joining is better than being on your own? Even if some alterations to the layout of rooms is needed to suit the children. The nursery obviously couldn't afford 2 staff for just 3 children- there's no way that would make it possible to cover staff wages, never mind all the other running costs!

I'm surprised that your manager encourages this even if it is in the policies. I'm not sure I'd want to send my child to a nursery where this was permitted as it just seems a bit risky - not so much that you might do something to the children but that you might injure yourself or something might happen which means an extra pair of hands is helpful.
When the DC were at nursery (DC2 left in the summer to go to school), they always had a minimum of two staff in a room and, if that meant all of the kids had to be in one room (Christmas Eve & August tended to be really quiet) then that is what they did. Aged 2, DC1 spent a couple of days in the pre-school room and had an awesome time and, just after DC2 started (so when he was about 14mths) he spent a week in the toddler room with DD and they had so much fun. I thought it was really good for them to mix it up a bit.

The nursery I work in requires 2 members of staff at all times because we are not in the main building. It doesn't matter how many children we have.

I've not known a nursery where staff are left alone with the children in the room but I know a place where the toilets are separate from the main room so a staff member will escort them alone to the toilets, if she needs help there is a wireless bell she can press that rings in the main room. Would a bell system help with you?