my son escaped from OAK TREE nursery (Tell Grove, SE22) on wed 7th may

[ianr]

Would fitting an alarm on the fire door resolve the problem?

[Otta]

There is no excuse for this. However good or bad a nursery / preschool is in other areas, security / watching the doors should be the absolute minimum requirement!

And okay, sometimes an error happens, but they should have been absolutely mortified, and it sounds as though they just tried to shrug it off which is pretty disgusting quite frankly.

[midivydale]

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> There is no excuse for this. However good or bad a

> nursery / preschool is in other areas, security /

> watching the doors should be the absolute minimum

> requirement!

>

> And okay, sometimes an error happens, but they

> should have been absolutely mortified, and it

> sounds as though they just tried to shrug it off

> which is pretty disgusting quite frankly.

100% agree

[ianr]

> When did the OFSTED report take place? I was very

> happy with the nursery until Christmas 2013.

8 November 2012. The report is here: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/filedownloading/?id=2142407&type=1.

[ClareC]

midivydale Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > There is no excuse for this. However good or bad

> a

> > nursery / preschool is in other areas, security

> /

> > watching the doors should be the absolute

> minimum

> > requirement!

> >

> > And okay, sometimes an error happens, but they

> > should have been absolutely mortified, and it

> > sounds as though they just tried to shrug it

> off

> > which is pretty disgusting quite frankly.

>

> 100% agree

Me too!

This is basic care which they not only failed but didn't show concern. The thought of a 2 year old out alone is horrifying.

[Saffron]

The problem is not just the exit doors. As related by sweetgirl, and Louise61 who found the child outside the nursery, the nursery staff gave the appearance that they were UNAWARE of the child's disappearance until he was returned. And in the case of Louise61, this is not hearsay. This was Louise61's actual recount of the experience from her own point of view, wherein she expressed that the staff showed a "lack of concern".

This means that nursery staff appeared to be --at that point in time-- unaware of this child in any capacity.

(Suppose a child had been in difficulties within in the boundaries of the nursery, and the staff were not aware?!)

I agree with Otta, security at the doors is a MINIMUM requirement. Due to the young age of the children overseen in nursery environments, key staff must be aware of the location of children under their care at all times.

It's not just about reviewing the door security policy. It's about ensuring that proper procedures are in place to account for all children at all times, including within the nursery itself.

[Convex]

I think the nursery are taking this very seriously. I don't think they deserve instant closure. They need to be monitored and work with ofsted and parents to rectify things and restore confidence.

I think you never know what you would do until you are in that situation.

For me...

Given we've been there for a year and my son us happy there my plan is to give them a chance to rectify the security issue and then see how other smaller issues pan out and see how we feel after that. There is a temporary additional locl etc now so I feel he is safe.

There are some very good people working there and I want to give them a chance.

[clux]

I don't think I would ever feel happy leaving my child in a nursery where this had happened. The fact that they hadn't even noticed is truly terrifying.

[hellosailor]

Saffron Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The problem is not just the exit doors. As

> related by sweetgirl, and Louise61 who found the

> child outside the nursery, the nursery staff gave

> the appearance that they were UNAWARE of the

> child's disappearance until he was returned. And

> in the case of Louise61, this is not hearsay.

> This was Louise61's actual recount of the

> experience from her own point of view, wherein she

> expressed that the staff showed a "lack of

> concern".

>

> This means that nursery staff appeared to be --at

> that point in time-- unaware of this child in any

> capacity.

>

> (Suppose a child had been in difficulties within

> in the boundaries of the nursery, and the staff

> were not aware?!)

>

> I agree with Otta, security at the doors is a

> MINIMUM requirement. Due to the young age of the

> children overseen in nursery environments, key

> staff must be aware of the location of children

> under their care at all times.

>

> It's not just about reviewing the door security

> policy. It's about ensuring that proper

> procedures are in place to account for all

> children at all times, including within the

> nursery itself.

Yes excellent point Saffron

[sweetgirl]

this will be on itvlondon this evening at 6pm.....

[Otta]

How has that come about?

[Otta]

Convex Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think the nursery are taking this very

> seriously. I don't think they deserve instant

> closure. They need to be monitored and work with

> ofsted and parents to rectify things and restore

> confidence.

>

> I think you never know what you would do until you

> are in that situation.

>

> For me...

>

> Given we've been there for a year and my son us

> happy there my plan is to give them a chance to

> rectify the security issue and then see how other

> smaller issues pan out and see how we feel after

> that. There is a temporary additional locl etc now

> so I feel he is safe.

>

> There are some very good people working there and

> I want to give them a chance.

I very much agree with this. They've clearly made a huge mistake and should acknowledge and learn from it, but if there is a rally to get the place closed then all that will happen is the area will lose a valuable resource.

I have first hand (sort of) experience of OFSTED closing a preschool with immediate effect, and it's really not a pleasant thing for anyone, especially the children who have no idea why their world has just been pulled from under their feet.

[sweetgirl]

itv contacted me after reading this thread last week, i did let the manager know on monday the media had an interest in this story..... all she said to me was i should discuss it with the owner!

since the incident the nursery have made no contact with me, other than on friday when the owner called me & i went in to see her.

[ryedalema]

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my condolences that this awful incident happened. I feel for all the other parents who have children there - both in terms of being worried for their childrens' welfare, and also if they have to find alternative childcare provision as a result.

I know it's not easy finding alternative childcare at short notice...especially in ED where we have such a concentration of pre-schoolers.

Sadly I think if there is a tv item on this nursery, it'll be difficult for this nursery to survive.

My thoughts with everyone involved...and I totally agree with Otta, the children will have 'social' worlds wrenched apart...what a sad state of affairs.

[Otta]

"Sadly I think if there is a tv item on this nursery, it'll be difficult for this nursery to survive."

Yep that's my feeling too.

I don't blame sweetgirl at all, but the lazy "journalism" that goes on with people reading these forums and making inflated stories really gets my goat.

Anyone remember the guy from the MIND Shop ending up with his face in a rag of a paper because he didn't like someone breastfeeding in the changing room? Bloody disgusting even if you disagreed with his behaviour.

[niwi]

I too have been following this thread with interest as at one point had considered Oak Tree to send our child to. I would be horrified if this happened or could potentially happen to my child.

In some respects I agree with Convex in that parents with children there can make their own judgement on how they feel about remaining with the nursery and allowing them the opportunity to rectify what was a serious security breach.

Sadly though I agree with Ryedalema in that once the media picks up on this story and people choose to tell it, the nursery will probably not survive and the children will have their little worlds pulled upside down.

[dibden]

I feel its very easy to call for the nursery to be closed immediately and that people would take their kids out straight away. However I dont think anyone saying that has their kids going to Oaktree.

East Dulwich needs more nurseries not less. As far as I know there are no nurseries you can call up in our area that will give you child a place tomorrow. wait list are very long. If the nursery closes the parents and children will be in a horrible situation.

The kids attending there know the environment, have lovely little friends and are settled. I agree with Convex, we need to see how they react to this and move on.

[sweetgirl]

it has been a very traumatising experience for me & my son.... he had friends there but unfortunately won't be able to socialise with them again in the nursery environment! he's got to start his friendships all over again!

secondly, i will now always be wondering if my son is ok no matter who i leave him with!

i'm very sad its come to this.

[Otta]

I know this sounds lame, but try to remember that at that age they're so adaptable, hopefully he'll have forgotten all about it pretty quickly... I totally sympathise with you thouggh. It's bad enough wondering how your kids are all day without having had something like that happen.

[ryedalema]

Sweetgirl.. this has been awful for you.

I just wanted to offer some solace that both of my girls had to move nursery when they were 2ish (for location reasons though, nothing about nursery performance) and while it seemed a massive upheaval at the time and I was very anxious about their happiness, they instantly adjusted and made new friends. A good nursery will be very supportive of this change for them.

Our thoughts are with you x

[Convex]

When did they film, sweet girl?

[pommie]

Just seen this on the news

[sweetgirl]

it was filmed today

it is back on at 7pm on itv plus one hour

[Otta]

I missed it, how was it reported?

[sweetgirl]

http://www.itv.com/news/london/2014-05-15/boy-manages-to-walk-out-of-a-nursery-totally-unnoticed/