Is it normal for a nursery gate to be left open?

[sjames26]

My children started nursery a few weeks ago. It is an outstanding rated nursery with really good parent reviews in London. On the first day of drop off there were no staff at the gate, it is wide open so anyone from the street can walk in. There was no staff member at the entrance of the building either, infact you have to walk down the corridor to the back of the building to enter the nursery before any staff can be seen. I felt really uneasy about leaving my kids so I asked one of the staff if someone is usually there at the gate entrance, she said someone will be around but not necessarily at the gate. I then spoke to the owner who got quite defensive and said that essentially if someone really wanted to get in and cause harm they could get in anyway by climbing the walls. They offered no resolution and every day I have had to wait for up to 25 minutes until I see someone closing the gate until I feel I can go about my day. It’s also left a bad taste in my mouth as the response is not what I’d expect from people I’m trusting to look after my children.

From what I have read online this is not the norm and actually goes against basic safeguarding rules. However, as no other parents seem to have had an issue with it I’m now wondering if I’m over reacting? Either way I am looking to take them out as it doesn’t sit right with me, just wondering others thoughts on this as I will be drafting my notice letter this week. Thanks

Are you meaning someone can enter where the children are playing, or just an entrance area?

It’s a main gate from the street, then you walk about 10 steps to the door of the building, then into the building and the children are in a room with a safety gate and staff. My worry is there is heavy foot traffic outside, no one to monitor who is coming or going. I trust the staff and that the children are secure in there, it’s not that I think they would escape without staff noticing, it’s more that there is opportunity for unauthorised access from outsiders.

No. It's not normal. You know that.

Yes I suppose I do, just wanting some assurance I’m not insane as that is how they made me feel.