Staff ratios

[Happyharper]

I just did a settling in morning at DS nursery. It's not great but it's are only option currently as in the middle of moving. There were 9 children under 2 so 3 staff members. I was there around an hour and on multiple occasions one or two members of staff left the room for around 5 mins. Is that legal? There were times where it was only me and only one other worker for 8 children while one went to change a baby. The other just disappeared. Should I raise with the nursery manager or is 5 minutes without the correct ratio okay? I dread to imagine what it's like when they are not being observed.

I raised this with our inspector recently. Going down by one for a few minutes (nappy change, putting a child to sleep, popping to the loo)is fine. Leaving for an extended period of time (even into the office which is off the main room) is not. Going two down when you need three is unacceptable.

They are unable to change any of the children in front of a strange adult, so due to you being there were unable to use the changing facilities in the room.

Have you considered getting a nanny? Ratio is 1:1 and at those prices the cost wouldn't be far off!

It would cost at least double to employ someone.

They will. They’ll tell OP they won’t say anything but the staff will know.

Although the room may be a under 2’s room, some of the children may already be 2 and waiting to move up into the next room so the ration would change from 1:3 to 1:4.
staff can take children to the toilet/ change their nappy or put child to sleep in a sleep room and still be in ratio. For example 9 children but 6 of them are already two in theory would only need two staff in room, however if one child needs a change then the staff has to change them….
as for staff toilet breaks, some nurseries allow this if it is under 5 minutes, also those who have staff of religion where they must pray, some managers make allowances for 5eir 10 mins of pray

Nanny would be a double for what OP is currently paying

Incorrect. We pay 180 for a 10 hour day, so not double the prices OP is quoting.

Thats under a going rate for long prices though, going hourly rate is over 20 gross/hr

That happened all the time when I worked in nurseries. There's always someone out of the room collecting snacks, changing nappies, talking to a parent on the phone, on lunch etc I was on my own with a room full of 3/4 year olds plenty of times because one colleague was on lunch then my other colleague had to go out for some reason.

I didn't put my own daughter into a nursery.

We are London so we must have a good deal.

You are talking nonesense
Staff will not be told they cant go to the toilet !
Cant leave the room for other non essential reasons yes, which should be the rules anyway.

England ratio for 2s is 1:5.

Even if they had some 2s, with one member of staff the ratio is still 1:3 with babies present. You can't put younger children into an older ratio.

With 9 children, even if 3 of them were 2 (unlikely) they still need 3 staff.
6 babies = 2 staff
3 two year olds = 1 staff.

6 waiting to move up is extremely unlikely.

@NewmummyJ yes I have but unfortunately as we're staying with family so we can't bring a nanny into the home. I'd much prefer it.
All babies were younger than 14 months.

if you did switch then it would be just as cost effective to get a nanny!

@CalmAzureMaker I think it would be around 1.3- 1.4k a month so not a massive difference compared to 1.1k ! Would definitely be worth it if I had 2. I'll consider it after we move

With a nanny, as well as paying them the £15+ an hour wages, remember you are also an employer so need to budget for employer's NI, liability insurance, payroll costs, pension contributions, holiday pay, sick pay, maternity etc. Plus the nanny's food on duty, mileage and activities.
It's a big responsibility to employ someone.

Ah that's tricky. I suppose you might be able to try nanny share in someone else's home? I had a similar experience to you in that I visited a lot of nurseries but wasn't convinced by any, not at that age anyway.
I also think for the price difference you do get a lot more for your money with a nanny (and even more so if you have more than 1 child and don't qualify for government schemes). Bespoke care in your home tailored to your families needs. No issues with illness. Someone to help with their laundry and meals. It's not really comparable to nursery care really, so price comparison is not like for like. A good professional nanny is worth their weight in gold, afterall what is more important than the care of your LO, especially in their most formative years.

@NewmummyJ it definitely sounds better value than nursery! We're only in London temporarily before moving up North so probably doesn't take sense to get one for a few months but hopefully we can get one when we move permanently.