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AIBU about new nursery for 3 yr old

11 replies

CandyCane1 · 06/06/2022 21:24

Hi all,

We moved house a week ago and have therefore enrolled my 3 year old to a new nursery. In terms of background, my little one is used to full time nursery and thrived at the previous one.

The new nursery is a newly opened branch of a small chain of about 15 nurseries. It has been open for 6 months.

However after my experience so far and spending 1 hour settle time, I’m very disappointed in the standard of care… AIBU?

My observations:

  1. The first settle comprised of my child sitting in the preschool room next to me as I was told to fill in a ‘all about me form’ on the nursery laptop - the manager didn’t engage with my child nor did the workers. Instead I went round introducing my child to other kids and engaging my child with the activities myself.

  2. Upon entering the room, I noticed the 7-8 kids were doing their own thing across different activities and the 2 workers in the room weren’t engaging them or supporting learning during activities

  3. when the kids were let out to play outside, 1 child was told to stop using the purpose built mini water pump in the garden as he’d get wet, catch a cold and the play equipment shouldn’t get wet…surely the nursery worker should just stick some wellies on him and let him play!?! And Or else cover the area up and say it’s not in use. I felt it unfair to let the kids out to play and deny them the equipment/ water pump intended for their play…

  4. when 1 child did something the worker didn’t agree with - the worker said ‘you’ll go inside if you do that’… I think it’s a bit harsh to go all punitive in the first instance without offering other alternatives or distractions…

  5. When a child was dismayed at not being able to do something as well as others, the worker just said ‘never mind’ rather than being encouraging or empathetic or helping them…there appeared to be no positive reinforcement for the children…

OP posts:
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Hugasauras · 06/06/2022 21:27

Sounds a bit crap! When I went to see DD's nursery, they immediately took her in with the other kids and involved her in an activity while I was shown around, etc. It doesn't sound like a very positive or stimulating environment.

CandyCane1 · 06/06/2022 21:46

Hugasauras · 06/06/2022 21:27

Sounds a bit crap! When I went to see DD's nursery, they immediately took her in with the other kids and involved her in an activity while I was shown around, etc. It doesn't sound like a very positive or stimulating environment.

Thanks for sharing your opinion.

Their monthly charges are premium - and if I decide not to send my child there I am still required to pay 2 month’s fees and forfeit the c.£500 deposit…

OP posts:
RebeccaNoodles · 06/06/2022 21:54

It sounds awful OP sorry. I'm no legal expert but if you think the service is inadequate you could say you'll take them to court for the deposit. And two months payment they can whistle for!

SzechuanSally · 06/06/2022 21:57

Is that allowed? You have to pay a non returnable deposit and 2 months fees with no prior visits or trial period? That's shocking. I am only just starting to look at nurseries but haven't come across this thank goodness.
Doesn't sound great from what you've described.

WhatNowwwww · 06/06/2022 21:57

RebeccaNoodles · 06/06/2022 21:54

It sounds awful OP sorry. I'm no legal expert but if you think the service is inadequate you could say you'll take them to court for the deposit. And two months payment they can whistle for!

I agree with this, the care is substandard so they’ve broken their side of the contract! There’s no way I’d be sending my child there, or giving them another penny.

BatDuck · 06/06/2022 22:00

Are you getting any Early Education Funding at this nursery? They’re not allowed to charge registration fees for funded children.

Mysterian · 07/06/2022 14:10

Crap nursery. Find a different one.

CandyCane1 · 07/06/2022 18:13

Thanks everyone - they basically said they had a lot of staff call in sick and that it wasn’t a typical day hence my experience. They offered us 2 options - to refund (thank goodness) or offer us another chance at continuing settles….

Unfortunately finding another nursery at such short notice is proving to be difficult - most have no spaces until Sept.

We looked at one nursery with availability today - it was established and running, seemed to have good structure to their day with a focus on enabling independence and readiness for school. It was fully staffed with permanent nursery workers (who’d been there a minimum of 3 years each) …

However they had 36-40 preschool kids in 1 room and little space to walk/run in the garden for all these kids. Such a busy environment for a 3 year old attending full time 5 days a week may be too much / create too much baseline stress in kids…

OP posts:
satelliteheart · 07/06/2022 18:40

@BatDuck is that true?! I'm in the process of signing my 3 yo up to a new nursery and they want £140 non-refundable deposit, he's fully funded! If that's not allowed I'll definitely be raising it with them!

BatDuck · 07/06/2022 18:52

It’s not allowed in our area. You need to speak to your local Council funding team to check. I’m pretty sure it’s part of the statutory guidance though

satelliteheart · 08/06/2022 09:40

@BatDuck thanks very much, will check it before I pay them

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