What would you do?

[PeppermintPatty]

I'm going back to work part-time on Monday, my DD (8 1/2 months) is going to nursery 5 afternoons a week.
I went to look round a few nurseries when she was just born and put her name down for the ones I liked.
The one I really really wanted her to go to still doesn't have a free place so she's going to a nursery that I was my second choice. It had a good ofsted report and was also recommended to me by a good friend.
DD has been for 2 settling in sessions this week she was fine, didn't cry and she seemed to enjoy it.

HOWEVER they were inspected by ofsted again in February, the report was published this week and they got unsatisfactory. I read the report, they failed on organisation points mainly, not keeping satisfactory records etc.

So now I'm obviously very worried I've rung round / visited other nurseries in the area and they all have long waiting lists or they don't take children for part time hours.

So it's too late to find anywhere new now, so DD will attend this nursery at least temporarily.

So now I'm panicking, BUT only because of the ofsted report. TBH if I hadn't seen it I wouldn't be.

I have to go back to work btw. What do you think?

organisational points are a lot less worrying that other things that OFSTED may have thrown up

your DD likes the nursery and has settled - that is very important

It depends on the nature of the disorganisation. If, for instance, they're not keeping a proper register I'd be concerned, but if they've not had time to do their HR policy because they've been with the children I wouldn't be overly concerned. As pp said, paperwork is the least important factor.

In the report what was praised/commended? That should be more telling.

I'm probably biased because I own a nursery but tbh Ofsted reports shouldn't sway you too much, especially between outstanding and good. However, unsatisfactory isn't a great result but if it's purely record keeping (though it must be more than that) that's the problem and they are great on the caring side of things I would possibly reconsider. Have you asked them how they intend to address the areas in which they were found to be lacking? Actually it's interesting that they have gone from good to satisfactory in this way - what is their take on it? sounds like you haven't approached them yet and have panicked & desperately tried to find a replacement nursery. Why not speak to the nursery manager/owner and get their take on the report ?

The organisational things include the register (they don't always record when child has left), also they don't always get written permission for medication, no up to date training (staff are qualified though) stuff like that, and they don't always get parents to sign the accident forms, stuff like that.

SHS, yes I have panicked as you say and not spoken to the owner about it.
I don't really know what to say without sounding like I'm complaining. They are bound to be touchy / defensive about it at the moment. I'm not unhappy with the nusery otherwise and I don't want them to think I am, its just this report.
What would be the right way to go about it?

I wouldn't worry too much about the issues in the ofsted report. In my opinion the most important things are (at your DD's age), that she is happy, getting lots of cuddles, is stimulated by the activities, that the staff are enthusiastic and able to communicate with you and your DD and that the place is clean.

I would however mention, in a matter of fact way to the manager, that you saw the report, and whilst you are currently completely happy with things, would like to know how they are getting on with addressing the issues. You need openness and honesty with the people who are caring for your DD, and this is quite a good test of it. If they are defensive then I would worry, as this wouldn't be a good sign for when you want to talk to them about something that really matters.

Most of all, appear confident in your dealings with them.

Then again, I think the manager at my DS's nursery thinks I'm a neurotic high maintenance mother (who cares - I do it for DS) - so maybe my advice isn't the best!

I think you answered your own question when you wrote: TBH if I hadn't see it I wouldn't be.
You've seen the nursery and your DD has had successful settling in sessions, your friend has recommended it. Ofsted went on one day (possibly 2 days) and picked up paperwork issues. Did they pick-up standards of care issues? Ofsted have not closed the nursery down, so they can't have breeched a sufficient number of the 'rules'. Yes the nursery could improve, and I would expect the nursery to improve over the next few weeks - they will have to do an Action Plan to tell Ofsted what they are doing to improve on the areas where they failed.
I'd keep her at the nursery for now... evaluate the situation say on a weekly basis. If you feel things are not improving, or your child is in danger, then you need to look at alternative care.