What do you think of this?

[fifitot]

DD, now 2.5 has been at local nursery since she was 7months and GENERALLY I am happy with it. She likes it, is settled, eats well there and the staff seem lovely. However there is a distinct lack of communication with parents that is driving me mad.

When the children are under 1 in the baby room you get a book which they write in descrbing very briefly the day your child has had. This stops when they are 1. I get no other feedback now. I can ask questions and they seem happy to answer but usually because this is at drop off/pick up, it's too hectic to have a proper discussion.

I had one feedback sheet which coincidentally came at a time when they had been OFSTEDed and nothing since. I see the timetable and menus on the wall but nothing individualised. What do others get from their nurseries?

I think the least I should get is a brief quarterly report on her development, what she likes doing, eating, who her friends are etc. is this too much to ask? Plus the other thing is that when the kids move up a room, the parents don't seem to be told! I just found out from my DD that she's gone up a room and has new carers and a new regime. Noone told me and don't even know the criteria on which they move them up.

In addition only accidentally found out that they don't put the children down to sleep at 2.5. Well they do but leave them to go off on their own and if they don't, they don't push it - iyswim. My DD still needs a nap in the day and needs help (strokes and cuddles)to go off, so need to ask them to do this.

Sorry for ranting. Interested to know what others think. I am ringing tomorrow to discuss my concerns with the owner.

That doesn't sound too good tbh.

DS1 is 2.6 and I still get a daily diary of his day with as much detail as I did when he was in the baby room - the only difference is that, in the baby room the book was put in his bag every night whereas in the 'big' room, it is left in his drawer and it is up to the parent to get it and look at it - is there any chance this might be the situation??

As for not telling you she had moved rooms - that is quite a major thing.

Not sure about the naps tbh - DS1 has always been able to get himself off to sleep so it has never been an issue. He stopped having a nap about 2 months ago - I told nursery he wasn't to have a nap (it was affecting his nighttime sleep) and they immediately made sure he didn't.

Hmmm. Thanks. i will definately be speaking to the owner or manager about the issues has feel a bit let down.

On the feedback thing, fairly normal. In some ways I think it's better that they spend time with the children rather than writing about what they're doing, but our nursery hold parents evenings so you do get to find out the things you've mentioned. I think the individual side of it tends to drop off once they are 2 as the ratio of staff/children changes.

My ds2 is under 2 and still in the baby room and we get a sheet telling me what he's had to eat and a couple of lines on what he's done today. I'd rather ask them tbh.

You should have been told that your dd had moved up a room. Generally the criteria is age. At 2 the ratio changes and they need less staff per child. This means that they tend to keep under 2s together and have the extra staff.

I'd say it's perfectly normal to not be putting them down for a sleep at 2.5, in the over 2 room they all sit in a darkened room listening to stories/music afetr lunch. If they fall asleep they fall asleep, if they don't they can go off and play while the others sleep. I think it's a bit much to be expecting them to stroke and cuddle her to sleep.

You do need to talk to the owner and tell her your concerns, but I think you may have to consider what you'd do if they won't change things, if you need that kind of more individual care for your dd (I'm not saying this is a bad thing btw) you may have to think about a CM who has less children and can devote more time to following your routine.

At the nursery I worked at:

• we did diaries up to the age of 2 but after 2 there were more children due to the ratio change, and the fact they don't sleep so you don't have 5 minutes to write a diary.
• we spoke with parents at the end of the day same as yours - quick yes/no not in depth.
• we had 2 parents evenings per year August and April with a 10 minute meeting to discuss development etc.
• children moved up on their birthday ie 1,2,3 and would have visits to the room for the month before about 3 or 4 lasting between 20 minutes to a whole half day.
• children were put down for naps on little matresses - with a couple of nursery nurses sat stroking etc or telling others to lie down whilst others played with the other children or tidied up.
• children didn't have to have naps we would put down ones parents asked us too, or kept up others if they weren't allowed too etc, we would try and get children to sleep but if a child isn't going to sleep after 20/30 minutes (have sat with a child for upto an hour!) then you can't really sit much longer as other children need you, plus you have other things to do ie reports, cleaning toys, nappies, activities with other children.
• parents could ask for a meeting with the keyperson

When the ds's moved up a group we had a few weeks warning and I had to sign a paper to say that I knew they were being moved up. They had visits before they were moved as well.
When I used to pick them up from they're old room (2-3 yr olds) after lunch, the other children were lying down and the staff were sitting with them, stroking their heads etc if they couldn't sleep.
What they had eaten etc was ticked off on the wall, but I've never had a progress report. I know that you can arrange an appointment to discuss all of that though.

Am very shocked that they didn't tell you he'd not moved up a room.

DD (nearly 4) gets a daily report on what she's eaten, which activities she's done and things she's particularly enjoyed.

I think if you area generally happy with the nursery then ask for more formal feedback about yours ds's day. If they can't do this I would consider looking elsewhere especially if he's going to be going there til school age. If they're not able to communicate basic information it would make me wonder what else they wouldn't communicate.

Thanks. helpful info. I don't want a daily report as appreciate the staff don't want time spent doing paperwork but a regular overview would be good.

DS is 2.8 - we get a daily run down of activities, food, nappies/toileting, and sleep, plus behaviour generally, both verbally and in his book. We also have parents evening twice a year to go through development stuff.

At his nursery they only have 3 rooms, so move at 18 months and 3 years. DS did move without warning, but that was as there were a few days when babies were low on older babies numbers and DS and his friend were getting a bit antsy so they took them to toddlers - and they settled in so well and behaved that they decided to leave them there, even though they were a little young.

In his room they stroke/cuddle to sleep (but only up to 15 mins or so), but some children don't nap.

DD is 2.5 and we get a little sheet every day (it is a Kidsunlimited Nursery). It summerises what activities have been done, if she liked things. What she ate and if she slept. Also when she was stil in nappies I got a report of wet and soiled, now she is potty trained they only comment if she had an acciedent which is rare for her.

On the sleep issue. DD hardly ever needs a nap now but they still sit with lights out and blinds closed, soft music on etc and they "pat" the DC that need it. DD and a few others have learned to play/look at books if they are not sleepy and they sit in the reading corner with a carer keeping an eye on them.
Also - everytime she has moved up a room I have had to sign a form to agree to trial sessions then when they are happy she is settled they ask me to sign again to move her up permanently.

I think you are being short changed and I am suprised OFSTED did not trash them. What was their report like? Now is a good time to look at a move, he is coming up to state nursery age.

Bear in mind though - if she really is happy you might just need to get them to work on communication

Got a great ofsted report! However there was a fair bit of blagging going on, as the report mentioned parent feedback sheets which we have had once! Once only.

I don't want to change tbh as I am generally happy and will probably just speak to them about communication.

Since September 08 all childminders and nurseries have to adhere to the EYFS guidelines and this means lots of communication with parents, observations, assessments, planning and all this has to be done for the INDIVIDUAL child. A profile has to be kept until they leave the nursery which will then be passed on to wherever the child goes next.

This profile is given to their Reception class teacher and she has to make a detailed report about their development.

If their last Ofsted was before Sept 08 maybe they haven't put any plans in action yet but all the above i.e. observations, assessments and planning for the individual child (and lots more paperwork i.e. risk assessments, lots of policies etc) is now a legal requirement.

I think it was March so they probably haven't had to put them into action yet.