Busy Bees at Dudley

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Reviews

1. Jennifer Uddin ★☆☆☆☆

   My one-year old has come home with a severe nappy rash, there was still some faeces on her and she was screaming in pain when I went to clean her as she was so sore. There's been numerous times since where she’s not been fully cleaned. I've seen her being ignored whilst bawling her eyes out and snot going into her mouth despite two staff sitting next to her not busy doing anything else. As soon as they notice me, start interacting with her. Recently saw her in the garden taking her hat off and a staff member gritting her teeth and angrily and rather threateningly saying "Don't take it off!" Again, soon as she notices I am there, tone changes. Whilst the nursery have responded each time e.g. training on how to speak to a child and how to console, these are basic things that anyone with common sense should already know let alone someone who works in a nursery. They have a whistleblowing policy but for that to work staff must be aware when behaviour is improper to then report it. The incidents have involved different staff members each time, and around colleagues suggesting systemic organisational issues with this type of behaviour being normal. The fact that reviews are so positive for this nursery has naturally led me to question whether it's just my child experiencing this and if so why. The only obvious difference is that she's South Asian. Due to these wider concerns, I spoke to the regional director. She immediately kept saying that "she wouldn't like to think that there was racial discrimination going on", thereby already lacking objectivity. Upon her investigation, she didn't acknowledge the overarching pattern of incidents within a short time frame so suspect they will continue taking a reactive firefighting approach to individual complaints rather than taking a step back and looking for opportunities for wider improvements. For instance, it’s more likely that when staff don't comfort a crying child it isn't lack of knowledge, but rather a choice as otherwise there wouldn’t be change in demeanour upon seeing the parent. This requires exploring reasons why to support a cultural shift. She instead seemed more offended about me even raising the possibility of racial discrimination being a potential issue than the actual act of it itself. She repeatedly asked "I don't understand, why would anyone discriminate against someone for being South Asian?" and "Why would anyone discriminate against someone for being South Asian compared to other non-White British children in the room? Ironically demonstrating her own implicit bias! She also said that she couldn't investigate my feelings that staff were being racist without substantive evidence. Interestingly, she's only taken this stance after already completing her investigation not when I had raised the concern that there was a possibility. I reiterated that it has nothing to do with my feelings and can be objectively observed- if lots of families have similar experiences then it’s a broader issue unlikely to do with race, if only one family is experiencing it and they happen to be different in one aspect compared to everyone else, there is a chance that difference could be the cause irrespective of whether staff are doing it consciously or not. One can’t investigate racial discrimination when lacking even a basic awareness of it or willingness to even consider it, let alone understanding of the multitude of ways that it can manifest; the vastly differing experiences of people of different races, the complexities of intersectionality; the role of unconscious bias etc. Instead, apparently non-whites can all be lumped into one group with the logic to her question being there are other non-white children in the nursery therefore why would only the South Asian child be discriminated against? Reminds me of the classic "I can’t be racist, I have a Black friend!" Irrespective of whether race played a part, they are ill equipped to investigate it should it occur and overall have a narrow approach to complaint management that doesn’t consider repeated instances of poor care.

   almost 8 months ago
2. Sherrelle Bell ★☆☆☆☆

   I wouldn't recommend this nursery at all, I put my son in this nursery when he was one years old, at the time you could pretty much walk straight in the nursery if someone held the door open for you and there was not always a presence in the main reception area. Upstairs where my son was located he had numerous accidents and even incidents where he got his fingers trapped in the door gap when staff had opened the door.. the door protector at the time was on the outside of the door rather then then inside of the door where the children were at risk. He came home with bumps and cut fingers often. On observation when collecting my child other children were crying and staff would literally walk past or ignore the upset children... They would only seem to pay attention to the children when they seen the presence of a parent. This was a huge concern to me andy son did not want to go into nursery most of the time. The area was unclean and the space was small, the majority of the staff looked as if they did not want to be there which was having a negative effect on the children. The best thing I did was move my son from this nursery as he now runs into nursery and staff and environment are amazing compared to busy bees.

   1 year ago
3. Sophie McDermott ★★★★★

   First and last nursery I looked at for my daughter. I knew immediately no nursery in the area could top there standards. My daughter has settled in so well and every staff member is so lovely and welcoming and put you at ease. The meals provided and activities are outstanding. They are so thorough for everything that they do. Highly recommend and so grateful I could get my daughter a place here

   almost 2 years ago

1. Toni Chant ★★★★★

   Since Asa has attended Busy Bees I’ve seen a big difference in him. He is learning so much, and is always happy when he leaves for the day. He’s made a lot of friends and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Asa always tells me everything he has done in the day and although he’s a little shy about going in on the mornings he never wants to leave. I’m very happy with how far Asa has come since attending.

   almost 4 years ago
2. Toni Perry ★★★★★

   Since Asa has attended Busy Bees I’ve seen a big difference in him. He is learning so much, and is always happy when he leaves for the day. He’s made a lot of friends and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Asa always tells me everything he has done in the day and although he’s a little shy about going in on the mornings he never wants to leave. I’m very happy with how far Asa has come since attending.

   almost 4 years ago
3. M G ★★★★★

   My 2 year old girl goes here she’s Been going here about 2 months, all the girls who work here are lovely, they always have time to tell me how she’s been and my little girl loves it here, she does full time and she’s learnt so much , they have like a internal platform were you can check what your child has been up too throughout the day, it’s really really good. The girls are really understanding and professional, no problems with anything with this nursery, thanks to every single person who works here. Would defo recommend :-)

   almost 5 years ago

1. Mel Flavell ★★★★★

   Such a lovely friendly environment! Staff are amazing and my little girl loves coming here, she has learned so much since shes been here from all the great activities and experiences they offer!

   more 6 years ago
2. Ayesha Idrees ★☆☆☆☆

   Went for an interview and was NOT treated equally. Other girls were in the interview room for over 15 minutes and had a tour of the nursery. My interview lasted under 3 minutes and no tour. Made me feel unwelcomed and uncomfortable. I was not given the same opportunity for whatever reason.

   more 7 years ago

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