Having read

[Dynamicnanny]

the nursery newbie thread I thought I would start a thread for you all to ask nursery questions eg ratios, what does a keyworker do, and any other nursery related questions you have and maybe myself and other nursery nurses, childcare workers can help answer your questions or reassure you

Ok-I'll kick off! Am just about to start DS at nursery (14m).

What happens at mealtimes when a key worker has 3 to look after, if they all need feeding by spoon etc? DS goes crazy if he has to wait for food - and I really worrying about it.....

Our induction times don't cover mealtimes understandably.

Ok - when working within the nurseries I worked within several different age ranges and would say what is most likely to happen is that at 14 months your son will probably be given a plastic fork and spoon and encouraged to feed himself, the staff working within the room will help him if he is having problems but will activley encourage him to feed himself.

As you know with children they are very independent and will want to do things themselves especially when they see others feeding themselves, so although it will be messy, they will wear bibs.

Thanks, am a bit worried because he was two months prem and motor skills aren't great so is not really anywhere near getting to the fork and spoon stage (just drops them on the floor). So now I definitely will mention that (again) to the nursery.

Thanks

Hijack - sorry - What about 6 month old when ratio is one worker to three babies, how do you look after them, what if one wants cuddling all the time? what if someone is off sick? (sorry, am clingy new mummy)

Sit on the floor with your legs open - that way you have a knee for each child and a gap in the middle for a third - it works nicely

Baby with poor motor skills will be helped well should be)

oh good idea - thanks dynamic nanny. Am a nursery oldie but have little one starting/inducting at the mo. just today the keyworker said they feed them all at the same time at our nursery but they get to know which babies are less likely to be able to wait. Some will be self-feeders and some will need more help.

I have a question too though: what worries me is what happens with sleep time.

Though mine have always coped at nursery, I worry they are being left to cry to sleep.

How do nurseries usually deal with this (this isn't something you usually see)

Our nursery also plays music in the sleep room - is this just weird or is there a good reason for this (do other nurseries do it?)

Some nurseries play music in the sleep room, and we even used it in our toddler room at sleep time, so the children knew that it was sleeptime and also as it creates a calming atmosphere although trying to keep 11 toddlers on their beds at the same time is hard work

It depends on the age of the child, if a young baby s/he may be cuddled to sleep, placed in a bouncer or straight ina cot as to the parents wants/demands if placed in the sleep room, they may grizle as they would at home but won't be left to cry - although if they are tired and crying some will leave the child for a minute to see if they are "crying down" - if you have any doubts ask the nursery, but most babies get used to going to sleep in a cot at nursery and will be checked on regularly and wil have a monitor in with them too.

This is a really good idea DN (I find myself agreeing with you a lot lately! )

What a great thread - thank-you. I'm planning to return to work early (see thread on returning to work... bored of mat leave!) and am looking at all options again for childcare. DD will be 6mo when I go back. I think my worries are just the same as everybody else's but in your experience do babies cope with being around so many other children OK?

One of the CM v Nursery debates seems to centre on such young children being better off with ONE consistent person as opposed to different staff, and a quieter more homlier (sp) environment. Lots of questions there actually!

LOL dynamic nanny im only a student but yes 12 toddlers, 3 adults trying to get them to sleep...eek! (4th staff was tidying up after dinner)

In the toddlers I would sit between two of the children and pat them both at the same time, with music playing in the background.

It's soothing music which of course calms the children (this has been researched)

Lazyhen - young babies adapt quite easily and although your DD will be overwhelmed by alot of children at first, within a few weeks I would say she'd be quite comfortable amongst them. Though of course listen to what DN has to say as she's fully qualified!! :D

no questions, but what a fantastic idea. i would have loved this 6 months ago.

Well Lazy Lou I am a rather agreeable person lol

I know the childminder / nursery / nanny debate rages on in society and I don't veer in any particular direction. There are pro's and con's to any and you need to pick whats right for you.

Babies have a great time at nursery they have so much to watch and be involved in and they especially like the sensory stuff. They have several nursery nurses who can help and love them - much nicer than a stressed grown up who has had sole charge of a grumpy baby all day They also get plenty of attention of the older children who love to give them kisses/hugs and entertain them and like younger siblings the babies want to copy what the older children do which is often very cute

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Agree, fantastic. Where was this thread 8 months ago?

Here's one for DD's future? How on earth do you potty train a child at nursery? Surely it's nearly impossible to keep an eye on every child to see if they are showing signs of needing to go?