Having worked as a nursery assistant for a brief spell before having Erin, I have been fortunate to see ‘the other side’ of the care provided. Don’t panic, I have no horror stories, if you choose with your instinct you are 99.99% likely to choose an excellent nursery with caring staff. Your nursery will accomodate you as much as possible, here’s a few tips for how you can help them.
1. Do not send your child with any other clothing than that you are happy to get marked
It’s astounding the amount of parents that will send children in beautiful outfits only to have them ruined. Nursery is a messy business, play-dough, paint, glue, sand. Consider their attire carefully, it should be comfortable to sit, run, and play in, and it should be fine to get messed up. Messy cloths is a sign they have had a lot of activities and probably plenty fun too.
2. Watch the weather
Ensure your child has the appropriate gear for all weathers ie in summer, a hat, suncream, a t-shirt. In winter, a hat, gloves, a heavier coat or fleece.
3. Tagging
Tag everything you don’t want to lose, if it’s not tagged and it gets lost, that’s your fault.
4. Losses
Accept that from time to time there will be minor losses, ie the odd tupperware tub. Consider how important this is in the grand scheme of things before complaining.
5. Be efficient when replacing items
When a member of staff request supplies ie nappies, toothpaste, wipes etc be efficient in taking them in. When you don’t supply them they have to use someonelse’s or dip into their own stores, also, every moment they spend chasing you up for such items is one less moment caring directly for your child. Think about it.
6. Treat staff with respect
Treat staff with respect, it’s a low paid and very tiring job, be appreciative, most put their heart and soul into looking after your children so you can work or take a break. Be pleasant, don’t speak down to them and encourage your child to say thank you and goodbye. Happy staff mean happy kids.
7. Food
Provide your child with healthy food that they enjoy. Remember giving them too many crisps, chocolate and biscuits will not be a good example to the other children. So do your best to supply chopped fruit and other healthy alternatives.
8. Don’t be late
For every minute you are late you are keeping staff from their homes. Don’t be selfish by taking the service for granted. On the odd occasion you are late, staff will be more accomodating, if it’s not a regular occurence.
9. Security
It’s your responsibility to keep the nursery secure too. Always close gates, and report any damage so that it can be fixed. Speak to the manager if you notice anything you aren’t happy about.
10. Bribery (!)
A small box of chocolates at christmas time is a nice way to show that you appreciate the staff at your nursery 
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5 Responses to “10 Tips to Keep Your Nursery (and child) Happy”
I bride the teachers all the time! *wink* Hmmm . . . I wonder if that’s why she got picked for the school performance finale?
I wouldn’t care one way or the other what my kid goes to school in and ruins. Everything can be washed. That’s my philosophy!
Too true! Thanks for this posting, Erica. I’m going to read it all over again to be sure I’ve taken it in properly. Everybody has to make an effort for the arrangement to work well. It has to be mutual, or it won’t happen.
Husband and I always make an effort to be courteous and kind to nursery staff - and they in turn are affectionate and kind to The Bean. We can see she’s happy there now. The little tinker’s started waving us off when our services are no longer required in the morning!
We’re generally v. lucky in our place - they’re professional and unbelievably hard-working. But I heard one parent shouting at a member of nursery staff! She looked like she was going to cry. Suspect he was just taking out his bad day on her. And he was about twice her age. Horrible.
It’s a great feeling for both parties when a child is happy at nursery.
I have also been witness to the snappy or snide remarks of a parent, it’s terribly upsetting.
I’m still in touch with the nursery our children went to and the youngest left two years ago. It’s nice for the children to have continuity and go back to where they were little, so they can see how they’ve grown, and the staff were great.
I think it must be a terribly hard job. I like little kids but could NOT do it, day in, day out, especially for the amount they get paid.
And it’s so much harder to keep track of them once they’re at school it makes you appreciate nursery all the more in retrospect.