1 stars

Awful - wish we never met

Reviewed

Maja originally seemed confident in her own abilities, and convinced us that our child would settle fine with her. It was a small setting with one assistant (meaning 6 children max). By the time my child started she had employed two more assistants without telling us. The setting itself is lovely but a setting alone does not make good childcare. The staff are the key.

Unfortunately after a few weeks Maja began to show her true colours and lack of professionalism. She called my daughter “stubborn” “diva” and “princess” even when we asked her not to.

Maja’s communication is poor. She text me to let me know she couldn’t look after my daughter rather than calling me. I discovered she was open for everyone else but did not want to care for my child that day due to feeling poorly. I was astounded not to have received a phone call when I needed to rearrange childcare at short notice.

Each day she would tell us that our daughter had had a great day and then suddenly tell us that she cries all morning every day and requested to halve her days. After just 9 weeks in Maja’s care we received a phone call out of the blue to tell us that she would no longer look after our child. When I queried this (because in all the photos she looks happy and at all of our pick ups she received good reports) Maja told me “I can make her happy but it takes ALL my effort”. Not what I want to hear from the woman I am paying to take care of my child. I expect effort at the very least.

My daughter got severe nappy rash on day 1 of being in Maja’s care (screaming in pain and bleeding). This rash continued until she stopped attending. A week without Maja has worked wonders. She would only change her nappy twice a day - even when I specifically asked to have it changed more often due to the nappy rash.

The food Maja serves is not very healthy. My daughter came home each day smelling of chocolate. I discovered this was her pudding - “a chocolate sandwich”. She was also given a sugary cupcake at teatime resulting in a hyperactive baby in the evening. I did not give permission for this and it wasn’t asked for either.

I am devastated at the treatment of my daughter by Maja and her team. I am writing this review in the hope that no one else suffers this. I believe the biggest reason for the failure of our placement is down to Maja’s lack of understanding about what is developmentally appropriate. She would be annoyed that my 16 month old wouldn’t join the 3 year olds with their painting activities and complain that my daughter wanted to go somewhere quiet rather than being child-led and nurturing and listened to her needs.

Many of the children at Maja’s appear happy but I could not recommend her, especially not for young toddlers or babies. She doesn’t have the knowledge, understanding or capability to care for these young children.

  • 1 stars Overall
  • 5 stars Setting
  • 3 stars Cleanliness
  • 1 stars Food
  • 1 stars Communication

Response from St Pauls Childcare
Responded

The health and safety of the children in my care is my top priority. Children are checked and changed regularly, partake in age appropriate activities and are provided with three healthy meals a day along with healthy snacks. All meals and snacks are shared daily with all parents and if there are any issues I am always happy to receive feedback and adapt the foods I provide. I ensure that food is healthy, nutritional and well balanced.

Parents receive regular updates with daily photos and one to one reviews. Sometimes, very rarely, a child may find it difficult to settle in a childcare setting and struggle to be detached from their parents and difficult decisions are made to suggest that another, in this case, smaller setting would suit the child better. I do all I can to support children settling into the setting, as do my staff. I ensure that children are happy and thriving in my setting and this means taking a holistic view of what is right for all children. I will always act in the best interests of the children and prioritise their happiness and needs.

It is unfortunate and saddening to receive negative views on a public forum in the form of a review as I believe good communication and an open dialogue is the best way to identify and resolve issues. I do however understand that it can be a difficult time and that is why I work so very hard to provide a safe and comfortable environment for the children in my care.