Chapel Grange Montessori Nursery

Bad experience

Lovely nursery and preschool

We withdrew our child due to very serious safety concerns in March 2012. Our concerns had been building for some time. For example, on one occasion the children and toddlers were put on a coach to Liverpool with no child seats. When OFSTED inspected following a complaint about the trip, the risk assessment for the trip was mysteriously missing. Whilst it is not illegal to put toddlers on a coach with no child seat, I don't know of any childcare professional or parent who would ever knowingly allow this. My son was the only child with a car seat on the trip. My concerns were ignored.The safety concerns came to a head when they balanced six bricks and netting on a six foot wall next the play area and then insisted they were safe. When I complained that the heavy victorian house bricks could fall on a child's head and kill or cause seriously injury, my child was threatened with expulsion and a strange risk assessment about the bricks was produced. The risk assessment vindicated the nursery. It would be quicker to remove the bricks and find another way of fixing the bird netting than write a dodgy risk assessment.The next day the nursery manager accepted his immediate withdrawal in writing (not before callously informing her MD in an email that was mistakenly sent to us that she was 'relieved' that we were forced to find another nursery for my two year old).In the summer, they bizarrely changed their mind and sued us for eight weeks notice period (totalling over £800). We counter claimed for breach of contract and on the 28th January 2013, at Macclesfield County Court, their claim was thrown out and we won the counter claim on the basis that the Nursery breached contract by failing in its duty of care to maintain a safe environment. We were awarded £200 damages for loss of earnings and a bonus of £230 advance fees refund.Whilst I was pleased that the judge understood that the nursery had failed in its duty of care to maintain a safe environment and awarded damages. I would have preferred not to have been taken to court in the first place. It was very stressful and took days to prepare and a whole day in court. That said, I would not be able to live with myself if I ignored such a dangerous safety breach and a child was hurt. Sometimes you have to stand up to bullies.PS: Although the nursery is unlikely to admit they got it wrong. I understand the nursery now uses child car seats on coach trips and no longer balances house bricks above the children's heads. A victory for common sense?PPS: Google 'Chapel Grange Nusery Safety Concerns for video and photos of bricks'

Excellent

We love this nursery! My sons been attending since he was 9 months old and absolutely love it. The staff are amazing, I never worry about leaving him as I know they look after him as they do their own. The space is lovely and welcoming, they get lots of outdoor time and love their principles and practice. I couldn’t recommend it any more. Ofsted report does not reflect the care and provision the children are given. Having worked in childcare in an ‘excellent’ nursery, I know it is not all it seems. I would put my child in Chapel Grange over any other nursery provider Oftsed report or not. Thank you all for making our nursery experience such an excellent one. For me all that matter is the care my child gets and he gets over and beyond from all the amazing staff. Thank you X

Bad experience, zero stars