How did you find the right provision for your baby?

lottie198 · 2023-01-26T19:51:07+00:00

My son is 13 months old and I went to visit a nursery a couple of times and really liked it (this is when he was about 6 months). We looked at some other nurseries that were just a no. Fast forward to this week. Tuesday he had a stay and play settling in (with me there). All seemed ok, talked to staff a lot about him and got to know them and the routines etc. Well today I dropped him for 2 hours for a settling in session on his own. When I got into the baby room I noticed a lot more babies in there. I questioned it and there were some excuses. I come away and thought about it more and they were 3 babies over the legal ratio. I picked my son up and went home. Spent all day milling over it. He was meant to start there tomorrow properly as a full day. Spoke at length with my partner and we've decided not to take him there. I feel sad about it and now so conflicted on how to find a decent , safe nursery. We are also looking at child minders. It's just the one day a week he will be going. How did you know the nursery was the right one?

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cookielove · 26/01/2023 19:55

Are you sure a staff member hadn't popped out to the loo? Did you mention they were over ratio?

Kids take longer to settle doing only one day a week, you might be better off with a childminder or nanny.

Unlikely you will find a nanny that will work only one day though.

Apart from over ratio what else was wrong with the nursery?

Original poster

lottie198 · 26/01/2023 20:23

@cookielove

Yes I did mention it. She seemed taken aback they were questioned. I was told one baby was extra just for today and then another baby was meant to be moving up to the next age room but wasn't quite ready. I was told the manager is around and monitoring but to me that isn't included in staff ratios.
There were 2 staff members and 8 babies, 9 including mine.
I liked the nursery but a few other things put me off, the fact that they seemed to talk in detail about the other babies in front of me (medical issues etc) which should be confidential. Also I did notice when preparing the snack she didn't wash her hands first.
I really liked the leader of the baby room and thought I could trust her but I felt like if they can go over the ratios as a one off , it's not good enough.
I am looking at childminders. I don't understand why a baby wouldn't settle doing just one day compared to two. They can't remember one day from the next. He's a very sociable baby and was fine there today.

OP posts:

Nodancingshoes · 27/01/2023 09:30

9 babies to 2 staff members is too many. You were right to question it. Ratios can be over the whole nursery as long as it is safe. So as long as they had a space in the next group, 7 would be just about acceptable but not 9. Care would be compromised.

Original poster

lottie198 · 27/01/2023 10:36

@Nodancingshoes

I know; hence why I won't be sending him. I feel like they completely broke my trust.

OP posts:

jannier · 27/01/2023 10:56

Unfortunately ratios are over the whole building so some do include managers and office staff. You don't normally see it as pick up times look okay. Meet a few childminders, view a few settings and see which feel right are most in line with your parenting see how they are with the other children look at references. It's not all about what it looks like in terms of new equipment and fresh paint but how the children are allowed to be and the warmth they are shown.

Original poster

lottie198 · 27/01/2023 11:13

jannier · 27/01/2023 10:56

Unfortunately ratios are over the whole building so some do include managers and office staff. You don't normally see it as pick up times look okay. Meet a few childminders, view a few settings and see which feel right are most in line with your parenting see how they are with the other children look at references. It's not all about what it looks like in terms of new equipment and fresh paint but how the children are allowed to be and the warmth they are shown.

The ratios are to do who's physically there looking after the children/ babies. It wouldn't include office staff, a manager could probably step in yes. The ratios are a legal requirement. Obviously the staff may not be present at all times as one may have gone to the toilet or dealing with a child etc. I used to work as a child minder assistant for my mum, my Nan was also an ofsted inspector for many years.
I am going to see a child minder today and another nursery next week.

OP posts:

Orangeanlemons551 · 27/01/2023 11:35

Those who mention nannies . A nanny is high end childcare you would pay at least two times the nursery hourly rate . Plus as an employer you are responsible for paying pension, statutory sick pay and employer Ni , so fine if money not a problem .
A childminder is perfect for babies / toddlers - ratio usually 3 under school/nursery age and only one of these can be under 1 years. They may have more children before and after school. But generally less children.
Childminders deliver EYFS and are regulated by Ofsted just like nurseries.
I realise you are aware of this but just posting for other readers .

jannier · 28/01/2023 21:07

lottie198 · 27/01/2023 11:13

The ratios are to do who's physically there looking after the children/ babies. It wouldn't include office staff, a manager could probably step in yes. The ratios are a legal requirement. Obviously the staff may not be present at all times as one may have gone to the toilet or dealing with a child etc. I used to work as a child minder assistant for my mum, my Nan was also an ofsted inspector for many years.
I am going to see a child minder today and another nursery next week.

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I assess in nurseries they typically pull staff out of rooms to do other things as long as there are sufficient trained staff in the building for the number of children nothing is done....childminder assistants are much better in working directly with the children because of smaller settings ...
What an Ofsted inspector sees is not always a typical situation once they arrive everyone is in room in ratio and on best performance. I've been in many nurseries with the rule that nobody answers the door until everyone has time to return to their rooms. It's interesting as an assessor because you have no influence over practice so you can see diaries written up at 10am detailing lunch and nappies for example.

Original poster

lottie198 · 29/01/2023 09:59

@jannier so are you and ofsted inspector ?
It's still not acceptable and I didn't feel safe sending my baby there.
9 babies to 2 adults... there's Noway they can be getting the care they need and also what we pay for. Let's not forget nurseries cost an absolute fortune .. this one about £65 a day. They are not doing me a favour by looking after my child, I'm paying for a professional service and they couldn't provide what they promised.

OP posts:

jannier · 29/01/2023 10:02

lottie198 · 29/01/2023 09:59

@jannier so are you and ofsted inspector ?
It's still not acceptable and I didn't feel safe sending my baby there.
9 babies to 2 adults... there's Noway they can be getting the care they need and also what we pay for. Let's not forget nurseries cost an absolute fortune .. this one about £65 a day. They are not doing me a favour by looking after my child, I'm paying for a professional service and they couldn't provide what they promised.

No I am not an Ofsted inspector I'm a A1 assessor for level 2 and 3 which is why they don't care what I see