Nursery not using app?

[RosyPoesy]

DC started nursery this week. The documentation they sent out asked me to download an app so they can keep me updated with observations. However this is the fourth day that nothing has been put in the app. I don’t know if my DC is eating, what they’re doing, etc. My SIL gets multiple daily updates from her nursery telling her what her son is doing, who he’s playing with, whether he’s been kind to friends or used the loo, etc. AIBU to have a word with them about it?

We sometimes did, sometimes didn't, but usually got a lowdown from keyworker at pick up and a call if there was a problem,

I'd rather adults were fully concentrating on their charges than on the tablet filling in the app, wouldn't you?

Do they have a thorough record and are they able to give you a full debrief at pick up? If yes, then I wouldn't worry about it not being in the app.

It depends what app they're using, some are only meant to document milestones and as your DC has only just started they will be concentrating on settling them in, and ensuring that they form a bond with an adult at the setting.

I agree that I'd much rather his key worker be looking after him but I do think it's worth asking the Nursery how often they update the app. There could be a simple explanation of why you're not seeing any updates.

I would ask them! I had a few times where our nursery’s app didn’t load updates for me but I needed to close the app and open it again. Oh and once I needed to update to the newer version of the app.

The online app, in my experience, isn’t updated every day it’s more for observations in their learning development.
What they eat and how they sleep will either be passed on verbally, on a paper sheet or on a white board daily.

We thought the same when we sent our 1year old to nursery.... they said to download tapestry as we got daily updates but they only updated at the end of the mo th so we got a no tha worth on the last working day.

I would politely bring it up. Nursery apps are pretty standard now and if they told you to get one it’s odd not to update it.

We use Tapestry but it's more so for observations and development.
We get a paper report at every pick up with a run down of their day.
Also, they had to accept me on to the app so maybe they haven't done that yet?

No I don’t get a debrief at pickup. Parents aren’t allowed inside because of Covid, we have to stand on the grass outside. The nursery worker looks out of the door to see who’s there, shouts your name to approach the door and fetches your child. Then you have to move away from the door so the next child can leave. There’s no time to chat.

We have tapestry but they only update it once in a blue moon. Nothing for ages then suddenly a huge number of observations going back weeks!

Of course you can ask, "hello nursery worker, could you explain what information I should expect via the app please ?" is a totally reasonable question.

I don’t get a paper report. I’m not allowed inside so I can’t see a white board. My child isn’t capable of telling me what’s happened that day, I have no idea of whether he’s eaten or what activities he’s done. It seems odd that they told me to download an app but then haven’t used it.

It could also be that they are short staffed. I don't work in a Bursery but at the moment about half of our team is either isolating or have Covid-19. With the already Pre-booked annual leave, we are very, very stretched this week.

I'd ask them about how often they update it. And do you go right at the end of the session? I have to go earlier if I want a hand over, it's usually quick and I get a bit of paper. The app is just for when they do their recorded observations for their skills thingy.

@RoseGoldGlasses

We use Tapestry but it's more so for observations and development. We get a paper report at every pick up with a run down of their day. Also, they had to accept me on to the app so maybe they haven't done that yet?

We get the exact same - monthly observations and semi-regular pictures on tapestry and daily paper updates.

OP I'd be concerned at not having any kind of debrief and would question it.

But other parents I know get 2 or 3 updates a day but I'm happier with my arrangement or I'd keep checking it.

Not cool.
If they don’t update the app I message them.
I want to know what he’s eating, when he’s shit, if he had tea and also some days I want pictures of him.

Just ask them is there a problem with the app because you haven’t had updates.

Ok thanks. I wasn’t sure whether this was normal or not. It seems I was expecting too much from the app because I thought I’d get daily updates. But I should be getting some sort of debrief, not via the app but verbally at least.

I'd give them a call and raise this. I'd feel uncomfortable about this too. I'd want to know how their day has been. I agree with others, I'd rather staff be engaging with the children than filling in apps, but you do need a little handover of their day when you pick up. My 2.5 yr old has just started. I've had a quick chat with her keyworker at every pick up about how she's got on, what she's played with, what she's eaten/had to drink, toileting etc. They also have a book in their bags that staff will write in occasionally or parents can write a message in for staff.

Updating the app daily isn’t practical- in the older classes there are 20+ children, the staff couldn’t take that many daily pics and write up everyone’s day.
But v poor you have no communication- We always have been told food, naps and number of soiled nappies when v little. The white board after covid was put outside the front door listing all the food for the day.
Defo bring this up!

They probably will have been using it, but in most nurseries I've worked in, the observations have to be approved by the supervisors, which can take a while. It is not a quick job to approve multiple observations for 45 children, I can have weeks of over 200+ obs to go through. Sometimes it takes me all weekend, ie two eight hour days, to approve them all, send my team feedback or areas/wording to change. I don't always manage to do it during the week or as it happens, as I have key children of my own and a room to run. I'm surprised that you aren't getting a proper handover though, that is an absolute must for me. All our parents at a bare minimum get a rundown of what their child has done, how they've eaten and details of naps.

I definitely want to know what he’s eaten, sleep times, nappies and milk intake.

We have an app that's updated daily with details of nappies, food and sleep. At the end of the week, there's a bigger update with a summary of the week's activities and pictures. That's separate to observations which we get relatively infrequently (all in the same app though). I wouldn't be happy with nothing on a daily basis.

@RosyPoesy

Ok thanks. I wasn’t sure whether this was normal or not. It seems I was expecting too much from the app because I thought I’d get daily updates. But I should be getting some sort of debrief, not via the app but verbally at least.

Yes, they should be telling you how much they've eaten and nappies at the least.