Nurseries are disgusted as TV Shows states that nurseries are unsafe
According to a report broadcasted on Good Morning Britain, it states that nurseries are an unsafe place for children. An undercover investigation of a nursery was conducted, and the findings were published publicly.
Here is the video to watch Are Nurseries Safe
The undercover investigation found that children’s safety was comprised, checks on staff were not completed and an incident involving a rope around a child’s neck was witnessed. All of what was witnessed lead to failures in safeguarding children and keeping them safe.
For many early years settings watching this being broadcasted are disgusted and outraged at the fact that nurseries are being stigmatised as being unsafe for children. This investigation has portrayed all nurseries in being unsafe when in fact it fails to show parents and other professionals the high standards of care that is provided within settings.
” The minute children are in our care is the minute we ensure they are kept safe, this means all safeguarding procedures are followed, health safety is of upmost priority. Providing high-quality care and education is what we strive to offer. It is unfair for nurseries to be broadcasted as being unsafe when there are a high proportion of nurseries out there providing outstanding care for children and it’s a shame that now for the sake of a tiny percentage who ain’t all nurseries are getting put into that category” Nursery Manager from a Nursery in the Midlands
Ofsted inspections are conducted every four years or sooner if an incident has arisen, it is nursery managers responsibility to ensure appropriate policies and procedures are followed at all times. Ofsted relies on nurseries notifying them if any incidents have occurred or if they have concerns as Ofsted cannot be on site all the time
According to Ofsted, there has been an increase of Good and Outstanding nurseries and these settings should be recognised for this.
What are your views on how this investigation has portrayed nurseries?
Actually disgusted by this report to claim or insinuate that all settings are unsafe is rediculous.
Firstly why did u pick that specific setting…had you heard something about it? Did someone whistleblow?
As a manager of a nursery for 13 yrs i feel it is the ofsted that should be scrutinised for allowing a setting a high rating that does not reflect practice. There should be a standard across the ratings for grading yet the inspectors personal opinions have a massive influence.
Also yes the setting is in the wrong and should be punished accordingly.
Chikd safety is and should remain the priority to any nurseries aims and objectives.
This is very true Kay, it is definitely an untrue reflection to say that one setting mirrors the practice of all.
Most accidents to children happen in the home!
When Ofsted do their inspections they look at paperwork and what art is on the wall when what they should be focusing on is the actually staff members and making sure children’s needs are met and the environment it self is safe. They focus too much on the little things. I no from experience that when I’m working with children it is not always possible to get all the paperwork done as the children are more important but Ofsted would happily give a poor rating for abit of paperwork. Its a joke.
Hi Sarah, do you feel that Ofsted need to look at their priorities and amend the way in which they inspect settings? I think parents would agree that safety is much more important than paperwork?
Nursery managers are not going to inform ofsted about incidents, they are going to try and cover them up. Speaking from experience,as a whistleblower.
Do you think that Ofsted need to be more vigilant in ensuring managers are unable to cover up incidents?
I believe that the judgements can be unfair. However this can go either way. Some nurseries are being down graded due to poor inspectors. An inspector can make an inadequate judgement and a nursery can loose funding.
The whole inspection system needs reviewing. Ofsted also do not know if there complaints made against Prospects inspectors. Sure this cannot be acceptable.