Blue Windmill Nursery School in Rugby

Reviews

1. Shannon Bale ★☆☆☆☆

   This nursery is not worthy of one star! Myself and my partner have had several problems and incidents with ‘Blue Windmill nursery’. If you are thinking of putting your child within a nursery I strongly advise you read their reviews first and go with your gut. I thought I would give this place the benefit of the doubt but made a massive mistake. They like to write out green forms regarding any concerns they have about their children they “look after”. It almost seems as if they’re just made up and they enjoy writing them for the sake of it. Several green forms involving my 18 month year old little boy were to do with wet nappies at drop off within the mornings. I make sure that he attends nursery with a clean and empty nappy. So unsure where they got this information from. It was then stated that they had concerns regarding my son’s behaviour as he was biting and scratching. Now as nursery staff they would know or you would like to think that they know this is normal behaviour for a child in this age range. Clearly not. At 20:20 I had a police officer at my door just as I had come home from a 12 hour shift. Having know idea what the reason behind this was. The police officer notified me and said I had nothing to worry about, it is just regarding my son’s attendance at the nursery. Previously my partner came out of his job, this meant we would struggle for the extortionate nursery fees. They have claimed that had tried to get into contact with me due to my son’s absence at the nursery. Perhaps this may have been the case as my phone cannot receive any incoming calls or text messages. If they had tried to call several times an email should have been sent to me with their so called concerns of my son. The staff know I respond to my emails as soon as I receive them as that is how communication has been given by myself and them in the past. I forwarded an email stating he would no longer be attending due to unforeseen circumstances, I had no reply. Whether they had received this is or not I am unsure. To come home from a 12 hour shift to a police office at my house is mortifying and extremely offensive to myself and partner! He mentioned that it is part of safeguarding. From my understanding my son is not obliged to attend nursery until he is 2 or 3 years of age. This was completely unacceptable and most definitely offensive towards us from their behalf. Since he has been within the nursery I have been made to feel as though I am neglecting my child, they will find every excuse to report you or threaten with social services and safeguarding. I am completely disgusted in this nursery! They will also do anything within their will power to protect their staff if in the wrong. My son was given a key worker for the first few months, I was not happy with her behaviour and noticed a massive change in my son. This was reported to the nursery and I went in for a formal meeting to discuss this. It was mentioned to me that this particular key worker is not the sort of person to treat children negatively and that she has worked with children for many years. After telling me within the meeting that my son’s key worker would change, I still noticed on the pickups she was still “supporting” him. I would avoid this place at all costs. Do not make the mistake I had made. I now understand that good and high rated nurseries have waiting lists.

   almost 2 years ago
2. Nicola Miller ★☆☆☆☆

   I do not recommend this nursery. The Ofsted recommendation to improve communication between staff and parents is a significant issue. There is no senior management/board of directors above the owner and director. This puts them in quite a position of power, and is reflected in their domineering behaviour. The main issue I have with the nursery, is the lack of trust and transparency. They will tell you that your child is happy and content to keep their numbers up and money coming in. My son was fine until he moved to the pre-school room. From then he was unsettled at every drop off. I was reassured, consistently, that once I had left he was happy. A few months later he accused one of the workers of hitting him. Instead of investigating calmly and following safeguarding protocol, I was intimidated into retracting the allegation. Then the narrative became about how difficult my son was, suggesting the need for a psychologist to deal with his disruptive behaviour. I moved him to a new nursery and he is happy and settled with no issues at drop off, or reported during the day. He has been at his new nursery for 3 months now and all is going great. I can only assume Blue Windmill were either lying about his behaviour, as it fitted with him lying about being hit. Or it was true, and they neglected to tell me for 4 months. In my professional opinion, a disruptive child, is usually one who's needs are not being met. 1 month after leaving the nursery, during a dispute about the final invoice, the manager decided to report me to social services. Alledgedly for my irrational behaviour (moving my son and disputing the final invoice which was double what we normally paid) and my son's emotional outbursts. This was dropped by children's services following one call to me and his new nursery. The children's services representative felt it was a malicious act on the part of Blue Windmill. Tread very carefully with this nursery. The lack of a waiting list should be warning enough. Good nursery's get booked up months in advance. Aside from my specific issues. Other grievances included their lack of flexibility regarding food. It's either their healthy, home made menu, or nothing at all. And as we all know, toddlers are rarely interested in fish pie and rice cakes. They work to the government ratio rules so rarely more than 2 members of staff in the room for 24 children (the third member away for toilet duty etc). As such they're unable to accommodate nap or quiet time. The nursery has a general feeling of ongoing chaos, witnessed at every pick up. Members of staff trying to tidy and hoover around tired, overstimulated children who are literally crawling over each other. I do not feel that the nursery practitioners are well supported in their role by the managers. Always appearing rushed off their feet and stressed. Our favourite worker left. I suspect they have a high staff turnover.

   almost 3 years ago
3. N NB ★★★★★

   I love the Blue Windmill Nursery and know that my baby is looked well after while I am at work. The staff is very friendly and welcoming and adjust to individual needs of each child. My daughter seems very happy to spend her day with the other children in the baby room and explore the outdoor and indoor activities and has learnt a lot since she is going to the Blue Windmill. Also the Nursery encourages outside play independent of the weather and the children help to look after the ducks, rabbits and also do some gardening. I find it is amazing how varied and nutritious the onsite cooked meals are; there are child friendly risottos, curries, roasts, Macaroni & Cheese and many more. I am very happy that I found this Nursery.

   more 8 years ago

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