What would you do?

[sparkedsparkle]

Seen a nursery today and from what I can see the children are happy but... and this is the big but...

The staff don't seem very engaging just sit on a chair/floor and watch children from afar

Equipment in the garden seemed dusty (sand/soil) and covered in cobwebs even though children had access to them

Staff didn't supervise by the water tray or climbing frame

The toilets in the room reeked (this may be due to poor ventilation system though)

Children had dirty faces after their lunch - why were they not even reminded to wipe their faces?!

Would you say anything to management????

Are you planning to send your child there?

At what time did you visit?

I would expect some staff to be sitting/kneeling at child level. Not always possible for older staff or with disabilities - chairs are an appropriate accommodation. But with the children - at a table engaging with them for example. Obviously should be playing with the children for the most part. In some cases watching the children is a good thing - observing, taking note of their abilities, watching their social development without an adult intervening. But not for every adult.

Sandy or dirty equipment - normal if well used. Cobwebs not normal, did you see the children accessing the equipment?

For a standard water tray for children aged 2-4 there should be a staff member nearby, not necessarily actively standing over. In my setting at the climbing frame someone is always immediately close and the children learn to ask before they access it so someone can supervise.

Smelly toilets - unflushed? Honestly I have to remind every child to flush the toilet. It may be a different system to what they're used to. Should be checked regularly though to make it a clean and accessible place for children to use the toilet.

Dirty faces after lunch - how long are we talking? Lunchtimes are often times when staff change over, but a face wipe after lunch is common practice.

Overall it's a lot of small things but concerning - how long did you spend at the setting? Are you considering it for your child? How old are the children you observed? Is it a day nursery where lunches are served, or a preschool where children bring packed lunch? In either case perhaps a face wipe would be advised, but more so in the case of a hot lunch than with sandwiches.

From your observations I can charitably see why these things are happening. Some things possibly acceptable under certain circumstances, other things unacceptable. I would not be happy working in this setting and if you're thinking of sending your child here, don't.

Stay and play session from 11 - 2 so I believe I saw a lot

Children all had packed lunches too if that makes a difference

My dd works in a nursery and they are constantly engaging with the kids , the staff are never sitting around chatting to each other there just isn't the time . If the place is run like that when they know parents are watching them I imagine it's even more neglectful when there are no parents there . It's a no from me .

Our nursery was the opposite tbh.
As pp, staff were always engaging with the kids.

Go with your gut, it doesn't sound a pleasant place I'd want to send my child.