Communication issues - red flag or common?

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DD almost 14 months is due to start nursery 2 days a week, 9am-2:30pm, from January.

The owner is lovely and I got a good gut feeling from her, met her on two visits. Never met the manager. The nursery has only been open about 16 months. It's never been inspected. It was extremely quiet on both visits.

I think the manager started this summer and her communication isn't great. When we emailed to arrange the visit in August she didn't reply and the owner ended up responding to my chasing email.

We reserved DD's place including sessions required and sent all forms in Aug, receipt acknowledged, all sorted. Was told settling sessions would be arranged for December.

I emailed around Halloween, was told we'd be contacted in November with settling dates for Dec. Heard nothing in Nov, emailed early Dec, manager replied asking what days and times we want DD to attend, said she can start from Wed 2nd Jan (2nd is a Thurs..). Replied confirming already agreed sessions and asked when settling sessions would be. No response since 10th Dec.

They don't seem to answer the phone, I only managed to sort visits by emailing. The phone just rings. I don't know if they have a different number for parents once your child starts, and they just ignore the general enquiries number if they're busy, or if this is the only phone number they have.

I have a bad feeling about sending DD there and I can't explain why tbh, it's 'only' poor communication about start dates.

This is my first baby, I'm happy to be told I'm over-worrying and it doesn't mean anything, nursery manager is just busy etc. But is this level of communication 'normal' for nurseries?

Tbh this would be a red flag for me too. I'm not the most experienced mum, but my daughter has been in nursery for about 6 months & they always answer the phone. You could be right about a different phone number, but there's no way I'd leave my daughter with them until I'd checked they consistently answer the phone.

Yeah, the lack of answering the phone seems weird. It’s important to be able to call the daycare and be answered.

We always have someone in the office to answer the phone and respond to emails so this does sound a little concerning. You need to be confident you can get hold of someone in an emergency or change of plans.