Nursery job

[Singer101]

I would love to get some honest opinions from either nursery nurses or nursery managers if possible. I posted on another website a couple of weeks ago but forgot my password!

So, I’ve been on trial in a nursery for around a month now, still settling in and finding my feet. It didn’t get off to the greatest start and I even wanted to leave at one point (was offered an interview elsewhere, turned it down and then when I asked about it again the vacancy had been closed). At this point I decided to stay as I felt I hadn’t given it a proper chance plus there wasn’t any other jobs available in my local area. A month into it now and there’s just so many things that I can’t get on board with.

First of all it’s more important to them that the place looks like a 5 star hotel rather than the children having a nice time and enjoying themselves. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing as hygiene is important and I know this but the children aren’t even aloud to walk around the room (especially toddlers) as and I quote because “it looks messy if a parent walks in and the children are all over the room” so we literally have to keep them on a mat all day. When I first started my job was to literally keep picking the children up and putting them back on the mat when they moved. I understand if they were in danger e.g climbing the steps or sitting by the door when someone could walk in but surely we can’t keep children to one confined space all day and they should be able to explore and move around??

We’re also not aloud to tell parents if their child has been upset or unsettled as “parents have been in work all day they don’t want to hear that”. I understand if a child has just cried/winged for no reason but shouldn’t we be honest with parents if their child has genuinely been unsettled?

Another thing (which I really really can’t understand and I have tried to) is that they don’t wipe children at nappy changes if their only wet. So a child could wee 7 times a day and not get wiped, surely this would cause a nappy rash? The reason we can’t use wipes on wet nappies is because parents don’t bring in their own (told not to by the nursery) so the nursery have to provide them but they want to save on money costs. I just followed their instructions as I really couldn’t be bothered with the confrontation (even though I’ve spoken to friends with children and they’ve all said they’ve never heard of it and they wouldn’t be happy with it if it was their child). The final straw, personally for me was when I was changing a soiled nappy yesterday and was told “nicely” not to wear gloves if I can help it, as again, because of money costs. When I pointed out hygiene reasons they said “oh just wash your hands afterwards”.

Other things that niggle me are that they don’t provide a staff rota so I literally haven’t got a clue what I’m working from one week to the next which makes it very difficult to plan things outside of work.

Am I mad to think they should be promoting wearing gloves and not trying to cut costs? I’ve noticed none of the staff, even the manager wear gloves or any sort of protection to change nappies. At this point I thought it’s their personal choice if they don’t want to wear them but surely I shouldn’t be punished for wanting to?
I understand not every job is perfect and when it comes to nurseries I do think you have to find one that suits you as their all ran so differently 🤔

I have an interview on Tuesday for a job in another nursery but just wanted to check am I being unreasonable or are they wrong? I just can’t get on board with some of their practices.

TIA

I agree, I don’t think a lot of parents would be happy if they knew. I haven’t got kids myself but spoke to a friend who does and she said she would be livid if it was her children. Whilst I would like to ring OFSTED it would be pretty obvious it was me.

God OP, that sounds awful!
Those poor children. Good luck in your interview! Maybe in your exit interview you can give them all of this as feedback.

And @insancerre I always enjoy your posts, your nursery sounds a lot like ours! Children first, common sense used and most importantly, fun!

Thank you missjaysays
Children always come first, every time
I love my job, in farce I live it so much that I gave up a promotion to setting manager to go back to working hands on with the children because I missed the connection with the children
Budgets, reports and meetings are not for me
I'm happiest making mud pies and playing I spy

And a tip for finding a good nursery: It shouldn't be spotless! (Unless just opened)

You must inform Ofsted - you can’t leave those poor children sitting on a mat. Who else is going to stick up for them? They are being treated terribly. Do something.

Nursery Nurse of five years.

Leave and report. Immediately.

One you must always wear PPE when changing a nappy as this protects you and the children from cross contamination. Those poor little bottoms must be sore between not wiping and having them sitting down on a mat all day!

Two, children have to play to develop and if they are sitting on a mat all day with no freedom this can seriously affect later development.

I know what kind of position your in, been there and done that but think of it from the parents point of view. Would you pay money to have your own child there?

Please keep us updated on what you decide to do!

I can’t believe a nursery actually operates like that. How on earth do you keep children confined to one area all day? They’d have a fit if I worked there I’m always doing messy activities!

Seriously though - surely this goes against everything the EYFS promotes the children need to do to learn and progress? This needs to be reported. As for gloves etc I assumed that was basic hygiene practice. Our parents bring in their own nappies and wipes but we always have nursery provided ones available for unexpected accidents or if the child’s own run out.