Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Orange Day Nursery gets 'inadequate' Ofsted rating
Any other Orange Day parents out there worrying what to do about the just published 'inadequate' Ofsted rating?
Their letter to all the parents about this says Eileen Rumble has been returned as Interim Manager but chatting at Harringay Market today i was told she's only back part time, does anyone know if thats the case?
That letter also said Eileen would be corresponding with all parents by the end of last week but we've had nothing yet, has anyone?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ant on
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There was only one carer for 8 kids when i dropped off Amelia in Kiwi room this morning so i'm glad to hear that had improved by the time you got there Michelle. I can't help worrying that lack of supervision might have contributed to Amelia's accident yesterday particularly after all the moshpityness earlier in the week.
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They don't know exactly what she it her head on to make such a deep cut (they think it will leave a permanent scar) so i don't think anyone did see it happen. I know children have accidents so its probably just one of those things but we can't help feeling destressed about it especially when H&S issues are one of the themes in the Ofsted report.
1:8 is too much i think, it didn't used too be that high there so i hope we can get back to something better than the legal minimum.
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Permalink Reply by Tammy Palmer on
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Brilliant thanks Ruben!
Gosh thats not a great experience for your little one is it poor boy. I would def bring that up tonight its that kind of issue that isn't helpful and won't fill you with confidence.
It sounds like Eileen is trying to sort things out but I still can't see how she can implement change on such a large scale on two days a week and provide long term support for staff and ensure that changes are embedded. I really do hope this can be sorted, I dont want to have to go through the whole nigtmare process of looking for a new nursery!
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Lets hope so! and lets also hope that Ms Patel shows her face next time!
I think tonight is going to be a very interesting one!
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Permalink Reply by 0tso4uqs3mpef on
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Having just returned from the parents evening, I would be interested to know people's thoughts on whether they felt their concerns were answered. We are very much in two minds whether to withdraw her from Orange, and are looking at alternatives. So much trust in placed in the nursery, and I don't know if that can be repaired. The fact that Bhavna deemed it not necessary to attend speaks volumes towards her ineptitude to run such a facility, and though I understand that changes are needed at the top level, I am uneasy about the care m child receives suffers whilst this change is happening...
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Permalink Reply by DrWhams on
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Personally, I'm cautiously optimistic. I think Eileen is on the ball and knows what needs to be done. In my experience of the last few years the staff are great -- they just need good leadership to ensure that policies are known, updated and followed. More care needs to be taken when it comes to selecting new staff and students, which I think she's addressed. On these and other points, action has been taken straight away and plans put in place. I would say it would be hasty to remove a child as a knee-jerk reaction, though obviously this is a very personal thing.
Bottom line for me though is that I'm happy to continue taking my son there (for almost 3 years now), and I believe that he receives good care. I will watch developments with close interest, but I think the shock has jolted the organisation out of their complacency and they now have an impetus to show improvement.
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Permalink Reply by Ruben on
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I found positive that decisive action has been taken promptly. I hope it's not just a knee jerk.
However I think that Bhavna is trying to buy her way out of this with Eileen. The lack of a proper full-time manager for the last 2 years is not an issue that can be pinned on Vjollca.
Also, we heard that a number of staff had been sacked, but not given any reason why. I would like to know, I think we have the right to know. If there's sufficient reason to dismiss someone that has my child in her care I think what I am asking is completely justified.
We were also told that the overcrowding was all Vjollca's doing. I cannot believe this. Surely Bhavna must have seen A LOT more money coming through. She is an accountant. Maybe it was premature to have invited Vjollca and Belma at this stage but I think they need a right to rebuttal, the same as we have a right to ask questions to them directly.
At the very least I would expect a full report after Eileen completes her investigations, counter signed by all involved parts.
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It is re-assuring to hear from yourself and Paul as to your thoughts on the topic - it is also good to hear so many positive comments around Eileen's capabilities.
I was thinking about Bhavna last night, as I am sure many of us were, and I firmly believe that an exec director is the only option moving forward. Perhaps we expect too much of her, as she is not involved in that industry - but she has to accept overall liability and responsibility for the running of the facility, and hire someone suitable for the role.
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I think no doubt that Eileen knows her stuff and is very passionate about children, I agree the way forward is an execc director that can be hands on as Eileen said someone that can run their own nursery. I think things will improve but I still have concerns but am prepared to give them a chance as everyone says the staff in our room are fantastic. I am a bit worried about the idea of possibly upto 12 babies in our room - its not big enough but will deal with that if it becomes an issue.
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I found the meeting last night positive from the point of view that I was impressed by Eileen and her action plan. The fact she has addressed so many issues in just 3 days is very encouraging and I feel bodes well for the future at least in the short-term. However, whilst reassured by Eileen, I was left very concerned- like many of you here- by the fact the fact Bhavna didn't attend and the discussion we had around this and this does not give me any confidence about the long-term future of the nursery. As I said last night, I think the problem is the underlying philosophy of the place which is driven from the top and in Orange appears to be about making money rather than about a real commitment to high-quality childcare. I understand it's a business and there to make money, but the drive to make it financially successful needs to be equally balanced with a drive to make it a wonderful nursery where children and staff thrive.
I wholeheartedly support the idea of an executive director being appointed and feel this is the only viable way to secure a successful long-term future for the nursery.
One thing I feel we don't yet have is a way of effectively communicating with one another as this is not the ideal forum and it is of course public (though perhaps no bad thing as hopefully Bhavna will see this) so we need to press Orange to set up our forum so I will push this today if we don't get an update on this.
I'm also really concerned about staff engagement and the risk of losing staff - many of whom are wonderful. I felt very bad for the staff there last night as they looked genuinally upset and uncomfortable at times and I don't blame them as much of it would have felt like an attack on them even if it wasn't meant to be. Working in a nursery is a challenging job at the best of times and I think on the whole they are doing a brilliant job in very difficult circumstances. I felt reassured in part by the plans Eileen has for development etc, but as someone said last night, it's really important this doesn't turn into a witch-hunt and she must focus on making the staff there feel valued and that there is a positive future for them at Orange where their hard work is appreciated.
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Regarding a parents' forum, I was going to suggest setting up a private googlegroup mailing list and then ask Eileen to mention it to all parents in her email shots so that everyone gets to hear about it.
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I also got the feeling that the issues in the report were probably felt more in certain rooms than others.
the younger children are more "static" and require less encouragement and interaction, so the combination of right ratios and quality of staff had it mostly covered. Once overall numbers fall, they will be pretty much sorted out.
I felt that Cherry (perhaps because my son attends this room) is where the biggest problems are. A lot of staff turnover in a year. My son had a key worker, who then was off because of injury, then a temporary one... who got transferred, then a third one... who got promoted and since then it seems like she was less at hand, now we are in another "interim" situation and we will see. The end result is that, when I ask him about the "girls", the one he tells me is his friend is not his key worker.
In Kiwi, my fear (he will move there next september, I guess) is that with only 3 staff, if one leaves then it's quite a blow. This year it happened so to maintain the quality of the room they transferred an experienced one... from Cherry. I just don't want to think what would happen if the room leader at Kiwi were to leave.
My only hope is that, with the current ofsted report I don't expect there to be a queue for next september's intake so numbers should drop naturally and standard of care increase.
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