Concern about this nursery

[Upsetworker]

Hi all, I've name changed for this.

I have just started working at a nursery as bank staff so only a few hours daily sometimes.

I do not have qualifications BUT i have children of my own and have worked in 2 other previous nurseries and have done childminding, all these were done about 15 years ago, i am only now my children are all older getting back into it.

So my concern i would like to know other child practitioners ir even parents views on this.
First and for most bar 1 or 2 all staff are rude and not friendly at all.
I work mostly in the baby room and i am continuously being told (shouted at) to put the babies down and let them cry it out as they are 'fine' or 'can not be help or cuddled all the time' now i only do this when they are upset, my girst natural instincts is to sooth a crying baby (5-8 months most ages) they are at the point where they are hyperventilating red faces, snot and nearly being sick, i had enough so i cuddled the little baby and was then again told stop it, if you must atleast turn them away from you so you aren't cuddling them.
BUT if a parent comes to pick another child up i am told to pick baby up so they dont hear it.

Another thing, my 2nd week the head room leader or what ever they call them selves got all the sand out, some messy play i thought was lovely, she put a apron ona child, i went over to ask if she needed help putting aprons on others she says no, this is her key child and needed pictures, so i had to pull the little walkers that would heading over away, she proceeds to plonk baby in front of messy play takes pictures then pulls him away and tidies it up

The manger when we have show arounds, comes down before to make sure 'no crying, no dirty nappies and basically routines out widows if a babycrying we are told to put them to bed or feed early to basically shut them up, and omg the staff go above and beyond are all involved playing interacting cuddling, as soon as parents gone it all stops.

I hate it, financially i can not leave till i found another job as money is sooooo awful right now. 😞

[hoarahloux]

Report to OFSTED.

And leave when you can. Your report will be anonymous. Seriously, this is beyond unacceptable.

[MamaBanana12]

This is awful. I'd report to ofsted anonymously and be looking for any other job asap

[Caledoniablue]

Jesus OP I've got shivers reading that!

You HAVE to report this nursery.

It's absolutely heart breaking to think of those tiny babies and children needing comfort and not getting it, not to mention it sounds like they aren't getting the activities/stimulation they need.
Please please report them

[StasisMom]

Absolutely report OP! And I hope it's soon sorted and you find something more enjoyable soon!

[PlantDoctor]

That's awful. Definitely report. I guess it's not the sort of thing where you can get evidence, but keep a record of who did what when.

[HAF1119]

Sounds awful. Make detailed notes, with names times and dates, and report it

Oh and if I was you I wouldn't be able to not tell the parents what the staff are doing!! I can't fathom using these practices, the parents are paying for the children to be cared for and made happy and they are doing the opposite. Get all the info you can for ofstead, and any evidence you can get.

I totally get what you're saying about finances but I'd honestly rather do any other job than one with children where they treat them like that - but while you are there gather evidence

[sprigatito]

This is a LOT more common than people realise, unfortunately. I appreciate the difficult position you're in, but we really need everyone like you to report it. Anonymously if you must, but report it.

[Catsandcuddles]

This is so sad, what a horrible nursery! Sorry but I couldn't continue to work at a place like that., it is wrong on so many levels. This is not the norm for a nursery

Gather as much evidence as you can and report and get out of there!

[WASZPy]

The OP really makes me want to cuddle my son- and he's a teenager!

These are the strategies they used in the Romanian orphanages to stop the babies seeking attention. Poor babies, and poor, unwitting parents.

[HVPRN]

Report. Childrens needs are not being met. Emotionally abusive behaviour.

And stand up for yourself , hold your head high and direct them to policies relating to child development if they question you comforting children and attending to their needs.

[OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon]

Well just what sort of Nursery has unqualified staff these days !
It's bad enough that many accept Level 2, or have x amount of apprentices.

So I am not surprised, sadly.

Is it a owner run one or part of a chain or even part of a large chain ?

[Upsetworker]

It honestly makes me feel sick, but while im there they are getting all the cuddles.
Imagine sending your little baby to nurserie and them being treated like this.
I am making notes of everything absolutely everything!

So many other things, like re arranging the room so passer bys can see all the toys through the wondow, never mind now there sleeping place is where the sun beams in on them.
I also hate the stupid mats they sleep on, im pretty sure most nurserys use them, but the poor kids that dont sleep are shived in a small area and told to be quiet, well as much as u can for under 1s

Ive only been there 4 weeks, i hate it so so much, i spoke to my husband about leaving but financially i need another job, got a hefty debt from gas and electric bill this morning, we are sinking

[Upsetworker]

A large chain and many many apprentices

[iloveyoghurt]

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon

Well just what sort of Nursery has unqualified staff these days !
It's bad enough that many accept Level 2, or have x amount of apprentices.

So I am not surprised, sadly.

Is it a owner run one or part of a chain or even part of a large chain ?

Whats wrong with level 2? Genuine question

[MrsKintner]

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon

Well just what sort of Nursery has unqualified staff these days !
It's bad enough that many accept Level 2, or have x amount of apprentices.

So I am not surprised, sadly.

Is it a owner run one or part of a chain or even part of a large chain ?

Most nurseries have unqualified staff? If not all.

OP, it is upsetting. I did agency supply work for a while and the attitude of don't spoil babies by picking them/letting them get attached is so common - it makes staff's lives harder if babies expect too much attention. I had to blacklist some nurseries and refuse to go back.

The 'showround' warning very familiar too! Everyone get on the floor and look busy!

[OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon]

A level 3 is the qualification that would have been an NNEB, which is the qualification one should be for childcare whether that is in a Nursery or as a Nanny etc.

Of course there is higher i.e. Level 4 and 6 not sure if there is a 5 ? thinking about it there probably is.

6 is degree level, 4 is Higher Level TA etc.

[erniesmilkcart]

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon

Well just what sort of Nursery has unqualified staff these days !
It's bad enough that many accept Level 2, or have x amount of apprentices.

So I am not surprised, sadly.

Is it a owner run one or part of a chain or even part of a large chain ?

Those nurseries who take on apprentices for example. Some of whom may be starting at level 2 and be completely new to childcare. But who may also be some of the most caring, motivated and passionate childcare workers in the setting.

[tonyhawks23]

Yes report to Ofsted and look for a nicer place,that's not normal or ok.

[Upsetworker]

@MrsKintner so you would say this is normal? It's not really about spoiling them as such it's more they have to learn to get on with it, and i appreciate that with older children quick cuddle and they understand and can tell you why they upset, but a little baby 😔 i can not stand it, and i assume mayne this is why no one actually talks to me or anything while i am there, and maybe while the manager is so rude to me all the time as im constantly pulling them up on it asking if the parent as asked for there child to be left etc.
I have sent many cv's off this afternoon so fingers crossed and i will be reporting as soon as i leave

[Upsetworker]

I have to say actually the nicest staff there are the apprentices , they are so lovely with the kids and just generally kind.
It seams higher the rank the worse they are.

And dont get me started on hand foot and mouth, not just this nursery but apparently all dont stop children from coming in, the poor babies are covered and it looks so sore

[AmusedMaker]

This is why I would never put my child in a nursery.
never understood why some parents think they’re better than other forms of childcare.

[ImInACage]

I've worked in many nurseries and I'm shocked at this! I've never seen anything close to what you describe thankfully. Absolutely report to Ofsted, it is completely unacceptable. Those poor children.

[yeahiknoww]

That's so weird.

It sounds such a lot of work....surely it wouldn't be any / much more work to just look after the babies and children properly?

[hoarahloux]

@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon

Well just what sort of Nursery has unqualified staff these days !
It's bad enough that many accept Level 2, or have x amount of apprentices.

So I am not surprised, sadly.

Is it a owner run one or part of a chain or even part of a large chain ?

I have worked with some incredible unqualified staff members. I've also worked with some absolutely dreadful level 3 qualified staff. There's much more to it than qualifications.

Bear in mind that legally there must be a level 3+ working with the children. Then 50% of the remaining staff can be unqualified. In a room of 4 staff that means only one unqualified.

[BodenCardiganNot]

@yeahiknoww

If you have got 3 crying babies how do you deal with it?