Preschool/nursery failed ofsted

[Nkmama15]

So my daughters preschool has failed ofsted on safeguarding and educational outcome.
I have found her a preschool to attend for 9
Weeks before the end of term as she’s due to start reception in sept.

Do you think as they failed and I’m removing her without giving notice as it’s not worth the risk keeping her there I should get my deposit back etc? Will they come after me for not paying the notice??

I have my notice in April for the term ahead as she was supposed to leave in July . A month after this they the ofsted have classed them from a good school
To inadequate. I signed my contract with them based on that rating, not an inadequate one...

I signed my contract with them based on that rating, not an inadequate one

Whilst the Ofsted rating would have been comforting when looking at which nursery to choose, the contract wasn't signed on that alone. Surely the environment, staff, facilities, proximity to work / home etc were also factors.

But there won't be a clause in the contract that says that....

If something serious had happened to your child, you might be able to make a case that they had failed in their duty of care to you, and I suspect they might be less likely to fight it. However that's not the case, and since I suspect you might not be the only one with this attitude, I would imagine they might be keener to fight for the monies.

I signed my contract with them based on that rating, not an inadequate one

But ofsted ratings change all the time. My DC’s pre school has just gone from Outstanding to Good. I wouldn’t be able to waiver my notice period based on me signing a contract when it was rated Outstanding.

You are right. I picked the good as had a good ofsted, claimed to be safe, the staff were highly qualified level 6 teachers (highest level is a 3 now) , there was a high staff retention etc

Since September, all
Level 6 staff left. Long standing staff left. They had a serious incident with safety...

No but if they were from 1 to 3 in grading you would be very upset and concerned that you weren’t getting the service and education you signed up to.

All the reasons you give are fine for giving up your place and finding a new nursery, but not to forego your notice period.

FWIW, my DC's nursery got an inadequate rating. It was after they finished nursery but we still used the after-school club sometimes. They addressed the issues very quickly and were re-inspected within about 3 months and were back up to good.

Yes I would be concerned, of course I would. Unfortunately it wouldn’t change the contractual obligations though.

But the contractual agreement has been compromised- safeguarding has not been followed , certain training only given as ofsted came, education/observation has been inadequate. Statuary guidelines from the government not in place.

If they had fundamentally and had no action plan in place the nursery would be closed down . Ofsted are somehow deeming it ok to continue functioning. Do you feel your child is at risk? Your deposit won't be refunded readily as it is likely others will do similar and they will soon be in financial difficulty.

• fundamentally failed

Well they have until May 10 to do the statutory requirements to remain on early years register. If they do not do these I suppose ofsted enforce something?
They are currently not following statutory requirements of the early years register...
Leadership was deemed as inadequate and when questioned what she was going to do she got defensive and said Ofsted’s points are weak...

In the room my daughter is in I have no concerns however, staff are often moved around if people are sick etc and then merge the older and younger together at the beginning and end of day and I have complained about this a lot in the past and then ofsted picked up on this which made me feel guilty as I should have followed my gut.
In the past they have said they were going to stop/start doing things but never stuck to it. I don’t believe this will be any different.
I feel sad and I realised the only reason I feel sad is of her key worker. My daughter and key worker are close.

You seem convinced that you are right about this even though people are telling you otherwise, so I can only suggest that you withdraw your daughter and request your deposit back.

I'd probably be a bit fed up but for 9 weeks would leave her there as long as she had been coming home smiley and content. You were happy to send her there before the meeting/inspection. I'm not a great believer in Ofsted though, so I'd have been more likely to move after the level 6 staff had left etc.

Pay your bill up to date, tell management why you are withdrawing her and don't return.

I left . I paid the days used and told them and that was that... they just said thank
You...

Fab. Did you get your deposit back?

I said to use the deposit (£300) to pay the days used and pay the ballet lessons. I think there was £50 owed to me and I said to use for resources as a good will gesture...