What would you do in this situation?

[ThisIcyHare]

Our 10 month old has recently started nursery, and whilst they report her being happy and settled, I’m just very unsure if I should actually trust them. I’m a very laid back first-time parent, and open to anything really, but a few things have me questioning.

1 - she came home with a large cut on her foot, blood all over the foot, but no mention of how it happened, and they didn’t seem to have noticed when I raised it

2 - she came home in soiled clothes (from a leaky nappy) when she had 3 spare sets in her bag, at their request. H&S hazard, surely? Especially D&V being rife!

3 - they have just requested that all formula bottles now be sent in pre-made, when NHS guidance is very clear this should only be done as a one off, and this would be 4 bottles a day

4 - she seems to only be having 2 nappy changes a day, where at home she would have 4-5 in the same quantity of time, and she’s now developing nappy rash, where she’s never had it before really, we’ve never needed regular nappy cream.

I just wonder what corners are being cut under the surface. It is clean, the staff are friendly if a bit wishy washy, but we were pressured to sign up as locally our options are limited. I signed her up before she was even born, as we were told this was the norm, and essential.

should I look to moving her?

Sorry this is happening, it’s so hard to know what a nursery is really like until they’ve started there. If I was you I would pull her out straight away and let the manager and Ofsted know everything you’ve written here - the cut on her foot alone is enough to be concerned they are not paying proper attention.

As the PP has said, point 1 alone would be enough for me to take my child out. If they have no idea how it happened, it means the object which caused the injury is still there unchecked. It’s a H&S hazard! Did you receive an accident form to sign?

Poor luv being left in soiled clothes too. That’s not right, OP. Trust your gut!

No accident form, the staff just looked blank when I asked. Surely she must have cried and they would have noticed?

I am so annoyed about the soiled clothes too as she’s had 2 tummy bugs back to back. 3 days fine in between

Look elsewhere.

This is not acceptable.

This sets huge alarms bells for me. To have an injury and them not even know smacks of kids being neglected / ignored which also makes sense with her being left soiled. This is horrific. I would absolutely pull any child of mine out of that and never send them back.
This is the tip of the iceberg. You're seeing this, what are they keeping under wraps?

Point 1 isn't acceptable.

I just can't see a scenario where that could have reasonably happened, and where no one noticed.

I'd be looking elsewhere.

That’s terrible, OP. I’m sorry.

I would request an accident form. Regardless of whether they know how it happened, an injury occurred at nursery and it should be recorded. I would request this even if you are planning on leaving, so if you do consider reporting to Ofsted, you have a paper trail.

Is the ratio 1:3? It’s alarming this happened and no one noticed.

Bless her! I hope she feels better soon.

Sounds like neglect and some serious safeguarding issues. Speak to management and or council.

Point 1 is concerning
Point 2 is poor standards although a one I'd give them the benefit of the doubt
Point 3 is a mistake surely?? Unless they mean you provide cartons of milk? Or put the powder in the bottle ready?

All three I'd look else where

Point 3 I clarified with them and no, they want formula ready made up, to re-heat. She has 4 bottles a day at nursery and I’m not spending the extra on buying ready mixed! I can’t express enough milk for her to take to nursery, she is breastfed at home.

I'm going to have to pull her out it seems after just a few responses here, but I’ve no idea what we’ll do if we can’t get her in somewhere else before I’m back at work in a few weeks!

Don't send her back??

This sounds like a very poorly run nursery - I would look elsewhere

This nursery needs to be reported. All nurseries should have accident forms. The whole picture sounds dreadful and concerning.

I would try and find a childminder if possible. A good childminder is always far better than a nursery for under 3s, in my opinion.

The unnoticed cut foot is very concerning. If she, a baby, has managed to cut her foot then there must be something sharp in the environment and if they have no idea how it happened and have no interest in finding out then that sharp object is potentially still there and still a risk.

When you say she was in dirty clothes from a nappy leak - you mean they changed her nappy but put the same soiled clothes back on her despite you having provided spares? That sounds like a lack of care and just pure laziness. Those two incidents would have me looking for other options.

I’d love a childminder, but there aren’t any near us with availability until September. I’m on a couple of waiting lists.

And yes, they put the same clothes back on her. She goes with 6 spare long sleeve vests (upper and lower layer in case of big accidents, 3 pairs of leggings and 3 cardis/jumpers. She would have needed 2 new vests and a pair of leggings for this nappy leak.

I’m so upset as it genuinely looked like such a lovely setting, the headmistress ran through so many things with me, and I rejected so many settings for this one. I feel like I’ve completely failed my daughter by sending her somewhere so lacking.

This is neglect and I agree with a PP that they should be reported.
I can’t understand people choosing to work in childcare - and presumably having at least basic training - and neglecting babies like this.

When I worked in nurseries years ago they were often staffed by youngsters who go into childcare because they don't do brilliantly at GCSEs so can't do A Levels and don't know what else to do so go into childcare. So many lack any common sense. I worked at one nursery that got a lot of students in and pretty much all were rubbish but passed their placements. Had to be told to speak to the children, to sit with the children, how to put out and tidy away toys, to wipe tables after dinner, to wipe children's snotty noses, to hold their hands and stay with them if we went on a trip out, to ensure the older children washed their hands after toileting etc. The trouble is it's not a valued job and has rubbish pay so doesn't attract candidates with a bit more about them (obviously I'm generalising and some staff are very good - like me! 😄).

All of this would make me take the child elsewhere, honestly.

One or two things maybe you could forgive, if the nursery were willing to do better, but there is just too much going on here.