Nursery aren't giving any information at pick ups

Anxiousmumlife · 2022-10-05T07:50:23+00:00

My son is 2 and started nursery this September and its like getting blood out of a stone to get any information about what he is actually doing there. When I am waiting to pick him up I just see children being handed back to their parent and being told "bye, see you soon" and 9 out of 10 times a parent will have to catch the key worker before they head back in and ask if their DC had a good day to just be told "yeah they were fine" I've had to ask so many times basic information I thought I would just be told but all I get is "yeah he's been happy and fine" but Id like to know a bit more. Is this normal practice in nursery settings?

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Sophieleigh26 · 05/10/2022 08:53

My sons old nursery this would never happen. His key worker would bring him out and tell me everything. In his new one, they stand at the gate and let the kids run out to their parent so no chance to talk

Chocoholic900 · 08/10/2022 13:12

Most of the time it's a quick bye, they had a lovely day, or hello, Billy had a bump today, could you sign this accident form...
A lot of the time it's a quick handover as the staff member needs to get back to the room or needs to get another child for another parent.
Unless something like they didn't eat or something has happened they need to discuss it's often just a case of - all good, child was happy, see you tomorrow.

They will be keeping record of what they are doing either via something like Tapestry or a learning journal.. so that's when you really get an insight of their learning, development, what they are playing with..

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 08/10/2022 13:13

DD2 nursery was like that. When I spoke them it turned out all the info was on an app
which they hadn’t given me the log in details for. Have you spoke to them?

WhiteBricks · 08/10/2022 13:22

When my DD was first at nursery they originally used Tapestry, and also gave a summary of the day at pick up ie meals eaten, nappies, what she enjoyed playing with that day. During Covid this then stopped (both feedback and Tapestry). I don't know if it's because she was in the pre-school room by then, but it was nothing more than "yeah all good today".
However when she left she was given a big scrapbook with all the staff observations, pictures, photo's, craft things in. Seems a shame they couldn't have had it on Tapestry so I could encourage DD as she was doing them.

Prepared me well for school though where unless there's an issue you don't get any feedback at all!

Moonflower12 · 08/10/2022 13:56

@WhiteBricks
That's strange! During Covid we upped our Tapestry observations as we couldn't speak to the parents!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 08/10/2022 13:58

What do you need to know? Surely no news is good news?

BalmyBalmes · 08/10/2022 14:04

Is this a private childcare nursery?
I was given a little sheet of paper filled in every day with what they had done, naps they'd had, what they'd eaten for lunch, any toileting issues etc
Had that from baby room up until age 3 when they left to go to preschool

Original poster

Anxiousmumlife · 08/10/2022 15:29

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 08/10/2022 13:58

What do you need to know? Surely no news is good news?

It would be nice to just have so knowledge of what my son does in a day. I think as his mum its a pretty fair request.

OP posts:

Original poster

Anxiousmumlife · 08/10/2022 15:30

BalmyBalmes · 08/10/2022 14:04

Is this a private childcare nursery?
I was given a little sheet of paper filled in every day with what they had done, naps they'd had, what they'd eaten for lunch, any toileting issues etc
Had that from baby room up until age 3 when they left to go to preschool

Its a nursery attatched to a primary school but i pay £169 a term so would be nice to get a bit more than "bye see you soon"

OP posts:

Stripypopsicle · 08/10/2022 15:33

That’s pretty standard for a school nursery and £169 is a bargain. It will be the same as he starts school too.

I would ask if they have an online learning platform where you can access observations and updates on his learning.

PinkButtercups · 08/10/2022 15:34

£169 a term?! That's cheap!

My DS is in a nursery attached to the school and it's the same.

daffodilandtulip · 08/10/2022 15:40

Here's what the EYFS says about parents. You can speak to Ofsted if you don't think they are fulfilling their obligations (obv speak to the manager first).

Nursery aren't giving any information at pick ups

daffodilandtulip · 08/10/2022 15:40

Could only post three photos at once

Christmaslover2022 · 08/10/2022 15:57

They don't have time to talk to every parent at pick up. It's a very busy job and if it's a large setting it's highly likely they spend most of the morning running around sorting out various children's needs. Do you really need to know exactly what child has played with, who with etc all of the time? As long as they are happy what's the issue. I'm sure they will update you with their assessments soon. It's not easy letting them go but I'd say this is what it's like.

Iguessyourestuckwithme · 08/10/2022 16:01

For me to see out a child I have to come downstairs get their coat and shoes on and see them out the front door.

While I'm doing this my ratio 1:8 is being consumed by a staff member so now instead of 2:16 it's 1:15 this includes children with sen and behavioural issues.

People don't always see this or factor it in. If I'm with you and your child where are the other children I care for?

I do a proper handover though.

Original poster

Anxiousmumlife · 08/10/2022 16:55

Christmaslover2022 · 08/10/2022 15:57

They don't have time to talk to every parent at pick up. It's a very busy job and if it's a large setting it's highly likely they spend most of the morning running around sorting out various children's needs. Do you really need to know exactly what child has played with, who with etc all of the time? As long as they are happy what's the issue. I'm sure they will update you with their assessments soon. It's not easy letting them go but I'd say this is what it's like.

Its not about knowing "exactly" what they did, just a bit of insight would be good. Im not asking for a full blown essay.

OP posts:

Original poster

Anxiousmumlife · 08/10/2022 16:57

Stripypopsicle · 08/10/2022 15:33

That’s pretty standard for a school nursery and £169 is a bargain. It will be the same as he starts school too.

I would ask if they have an online learning platform where you can access observations and updates on his learning.

I felt £169 for just 2 days a week is pretty high tbh.

OP posts:

flipflop76 · 08/10/2022 17:00

My daughter goes 2 days a week and we pay £660 a month!

BeautifulDragon · 08/10/2022 17:06

You should try seeing out nursery in primary school, you would soon see why they don't have time to chat!

You could always wait until they have finished safely seeing each child to their parent and then asking.

What you want just isn't practical. A small private nursery or childminder is what you need for that type of service. It's a lot more expensive though.

catsandkid · 08/10/2022 17:41

Yeah standard for school pre school. Ours was like this. Totally agree that £167 a term is cheap - mine went to the school pre school once a week and it was about £150 plus extra for meals and stuff.

At our private nursery, we don't get lots of chat at drop off or pick up either. The staff are too busy and can't just leave the others to talk to each parent for 3-5mins. Instead they update the app and I can see what he's eaten/slept/nappies etc.

Original poster

Anxiousmumlife · 08/10/2022 19:03

As ive said im not looking for people to chat. Im not looking for a 30 minute long conversation. Ive had to ask just to find out quite important information such as i asked if my son had eaten or drunk that day they said "oh no he hasnt actually, can you bring a cup from home in" but at first she just said "bye" so without prompting my son would just continue to not drink all day and i would be none the wiser. Its basic info like that would help.

OP posts: