leapfrog employees

leapfrog employees

by: sparky - 06-09-05 19:47

It is interesting to read everyones comments on here and to find out that we are all in the same situation. Like many of you i only found out about recent events through the artical in nursery world and was so interigued that i searched on here and found all the "have your say" comments.
I have been working at my nursery for nearly 3 years now and enjoyed coming to work up until recently and all the changes that leapfrog have issued. I am not a base room manager but i have the responsability of ordering the essentials such as toilet rolls, etc and then not getting these through when you expect a delivery is disgraceful that after ordering supplies every week, well still havent had a delivery for about 6 weeks. Things need to change, lets hope they do for everyones sake. We all go to work to do what we love, and that is to be with the children and if things dont get any better then the company is going to loose more and more staff.

by: scrappy

i would like to stick my oar in and have my say - if no-one objects. I am a leapfrog employee! I turn up everyday as chirpy as anything and often feel drained at the end of it. i work very hard - as does all the girls i work with and i have to say that i feel quite fustrated at times that things are not happening that should be and i often feel that the children are not the main priority of the company. All the staff i work with love working with the children and work hard it is just increadibly fustrating that situations are arising that are not being addressed properly by the people who truly can make a difference.The children and the staff make the company what it is and the staff need to be supported and feel that they are heard throughout all levels of the company. Please people - do not critise people who are just trying to have their say because most of the comments i have read have very valid arguments. At the moment it just seems to me that the parents are really not aware of what is happening in their child's nursery in regards to cleanliness, staffing, food and resources. I feel that if they were they would be truly appalled and rightly so. I work hard for this company but feel that any signs of improvement, while they may happen, are proably quite far off as the bell tolls for quite a few jobs already as we have read. Also, even with all this interest it still seems that only the girls working together are the voices that are ringing out clearly. Please, lets carry on working hard for the children like we do but for pitys sake changes need to be made, voices need to be heard and recognised as to be honest - if i had a child i would think twice about a leapfrog nursery. sorry - but a child is the most wonderful gift that you can have and they should at least have the faciltities, resources and staff that have been promised to them by the company.

leapfrog employees - 06-09-05 22:01

by: jakevin

Has anyone not thought of involving OFSTED in this. Im not say the girls are not doing their job as you ALL sound as if you care for the children but you are not receiving appropriate resources. Surely this is a breach of the contracts that the parent sign regarding the care of their children. You are not able to follow company policies to the full content of them.

leapfrog employees - 06-09-05 23:26

by: Stephy

I will be honest and say i have thought about contacting ofsted but i havent as i dont know the implications and i think many leapfrog issues although are in indivdual nurseries come down to things such as supplies taking ages to arrive because 3 signitures are needed or a hold up for interviews for staff etc. Also wouldnt want to drop my manager and collegues in it when many of the things that would be picked up are out of our power.

leapfrog employees - 07-09-05 07:02

by: jakevin

Im not sure whether it would be right or wrong to contact ofsted but it certainly would not be your managers fault as she is trying her best but with no assistance from the top.
Are you keeping a diary of all these timely occurances as this could help in the long run. Just bullet point things so you dont forget them if you ever get called infro a meeting or need it later for reference.
It sounds like ofsted would not pick up on the care side but they do go round each room to ask staff questions thats the time when you would have to be honest and if their good inspectors they should pick it up.

leapfrog employees - 07-09-05 09:36

by: Trillo

I think you Leapfrog staff need to stop moaning!

If you spent less time bitching about the firm and more time being positive and helping the firm through its problems, you would all be better off!

TS is going because she couldn't do her job! If she was any good at it you lot wouldn't be moaning about how tough things are right now!

You need to think about the poor souls in Cheadle who are losing their jobs because people like TS screwed up!

You all know the firm is trying to sort out is troubles, and it will probably take a little time - why not try helping them instead of wasting time on here moaning about?

leapfrog employees - 07-09-05 10:49

by: jacqui29

I take it you are not in the "thick of things", you obviously don't have a clue about trying to clean children with no wipes, toilet rolls, tissues,paper towels etc,yet if things are not clean and illness occurs who will the finger be pointed at? Would you eat or give your child the "rubbish" we have had to feed to the children in our care, after all, these are growing children whose brains are developing rapidly and need a "proper" balanced diet. Parents do not have any idea because people like us do our job in a professional manner and keep smiling.

leapfrog employees - 07-09-05 13:41

by: Stephy

Gyppo,
What exactly can we do to help the situation please do tell i would love to hear your advice. After all if you have read any of the other entries you would see that many of us have been helping, with recruitment, writing menus, helping managers because we are short staffed a lot of the time. Short of driving to central office learning the skills of the people there and helping them i dont see what more can be done by us mere mortals at the bottom of the hierachy!
Leap frog has not always been like this it has only been since the takeover and before that TS did a very good job and it was a good company to work for.
Maybe its rude narrowminded people such as yourself which have driven.

leapfrog employees - 07-09-05 19:17

by: B Bird

Hi
I have worked for Laepfrog for a few years in the capacity of Manager and I would like to state that although there have been changes within the company my Nursery has not suffered in any way.
The children are still cared for to a very high standard by staff who are happy in their work and appreciate the environment in which they work. The menus are prepared with great thought and there is always plenty of food to go around.
I find it sad that I and many other Managers take great pride and ownership of our Nurseries, ensuring that we maintain a good reputation within our community only to risk this being ruined by a few- PLEASE do not assume that all the nurseries are the same.

leapfrog employees - 07-09-05 22:18

by: California

'nursery10' @ Nursery World, do you have a moderator observing this site?

leapfrog employees - 08-09-05 20:41

by: Worried Parent

I am an employee who has a child at the nursery where I work and I have to say standards have dropped! My child has been at nursery for over 3 yrs we picked Leapfrog because of its reputation and high standards and have always been happy until i started working there which was approx 8mths ago. I agree with alot of the other issued raised by people but my biggest and main concerns are FOOD & HYGEINE - Leapfrog what is happening, how must it look to parents/visitors when the visitor toilet is constantly out of loo roll and paper towels as nursery has run out yet again. How are we supposed to stop germs spreading especially in the baby room/nappy room when we are constantly running out of paper towels and sanitizer!!! Winter is fast approaching, we get enough germs in nursery as it is without trying to add to them. We get told the same thing they have been ordered but didn't arrive. Food is also a major problem, I feel very sorry for children who are full time as diet has at times been extremly poor, lacking in both nutrition and quantity. Do head office not realise that hungry children have a poor attention span, can become naughty or very tired.
I have queried tea many a time to be told it is a high tea(light snack) but for many children that is there last meal of the day, and I don't call 1 chesse scone with no butter and a toasted tea cake very subtantial or very nutritious. Our particular nursery has had a few problems over the last 6months with new cooks but I don't think that is a good enough reason for children to go 1-2 days with no fresh fruit or veg - what the hell are parents paying for!!! Why are menus placed up for parents to see when this is not what they are getting! Why is a morning session the same price as an afternoon session when am children get a snack and hot meal and pm children only get high tea! Sometimes we haven't even had enough food for the children to have more than one sandwich and if someone drops their 1st there is no more to give them. I have complained many a time to my manager about lack of food or the menu to be told to "go and have a word with the cook" she wouldn't be telling this to any other parent she would try and sort it out her self but I feel since becoming an employee I am not listened to as a paying parent anymore. I love the job and working with the children but
have thought many a time about taking my child out of nursery because of all of the above problems but then I think i have got lots of friends who send their kids to the nursery so if I leave what chance have they got of finding out what really goes on behind the scence, someone needs to keep an eye on the welfare of their children over expected things like food and hygeine - parents pay a hell of a lot of money and expect something in return

leapfrog employees - 09-09-05 17:40

by: the-voice-of-reason

There are serious health and hygiene implications here for all the children, staff and visitors to Leapfrog nurseries. Ofsted would gather evidence to this effect and make judgements about how well the nursersies contributed to children 'Being Healthy' and how well the nursery was organised. It seems to me that they would more than likely be judged as 'inadequate' and actions given to raise the standards. Surely this would be a wake up call to head office?

Throughout these messages nursery staff have stated that the children are their main concern. I am not convinced. By 'keeping these issues within individual nurseries', this is not solving any of the problems. It is allowing poor quality and bad standards to have a detrimental and dangerous impact on children's health and well-being.

I leave this thought with all Leapfrog nursery employees, can you sleep at night allowing this to happen? The telephone number for Ofsted complaints is 0845 601 4772.

leapfrog employees - 10-09-05 20:54

by: outside eyes

I am a parent within one of the nord anglia chain. i am not within a management roll. i feel dreadfully sorry that the only way you feel that you can express yourself within this working enviroment is by this site. This way is quite destructive to yourselves and your collegues. By doing so you are only adding to the problems your company are having. My child goes to a nursery where they were having simular problems regarding quality of food however because of the hard work by staff and managment and those at head office this matter will hopefully be resolved. the problems were caused by poor staff (cook) who failed to do her job properly. the solution sounds simple but without going into detail it was not (i do have ears inside).
i belive that nord anglia took on too many nurseries too quickly. However with your help you can furfill the dream of becoming part of the best childcare provider in the world. It is you that provides the care. I too work in a job with little support from above and know what its like but you must make it work for the sake of the children. The nursery my daughter goes to provides very good care to my daughter and this is because of the staff who are in exactly the same predicament as you and this is becasue of their dedication.

PLSE PLSE keep with it the parent aren't stupid they know whats going on they stay because of you.

regarding recruitment you are in the same boat as all other care givers inc nurses teachers ect you are poorly paid and the job has no finacial incentment. You do the job becasue you love it not for the money not everyone thinks like that and i admire you.

IT WILL GET BETTER one way or another but plse dont contine to destroy your future good care is hard to find

leapfrog employees - 11-09-05 12:42

by: outside eyes

WELL IF YOU FEEL THAT STRONGLY THEN YOU WOULD NOT HESITATE ABOUT CONTACTING OFFSTEAD EVEN IF THE OUT COME IS POSITIVE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS BEING DONE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT IS WHAT YOU GET UP FOR EVERYDAY AND GO TO WORK THAT IS WHY YOU STUDIED AND GAINED YOUR QUALIFICATION AS I SAID I HAVE INSIDE EYES AS WELL AS MY OUTSIDE EYES IF YOUR MANAGER AND OPS MANAGER CAN NOT SORT IT THEN WITH PERSERVERENCE AND SUPPORT FROM ALL THERE STAFF IT WILL BE SORTED MY DAUGHTER WAS WITH JIGSAW BEFOR NORD ANGLIA AND HAS BEEN THERE AT HER NURSERY FOR THREE YEARS AND IS VERY HAPPY THERE THE MANAGER IS THERE TO SPEAK TO IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES AND WILL DO HER BEST TO SORT IT OUT.AS LIKE ANY ONE WHO WORK AT THE NURSERY THEY ARE ONLY HUMAN

leapfrog employees - 15-09-05 11:01

by: wellwell

Was the worst company every - I did not work in the nurseries but worked with Head office who treated people very badly. When Leapfrog merged with PC and Petits Enfants it was a big mistake. They put an incapable MD in place for a start who was allowed to treat us all like dirt!

What goes around comes around

leapfrog employees - 15-09-05 21:33

by: Stephy

Has any one seen this weeks nursery world article on leapfrog yet another sting in the tail i feel!
Oh and the salmonella what a horrible time for that to come. I hope all the children and staff effected are now ok.
It makes me concerned about cooking at my nursery when the cook is away i am not qualified for cooking and am now more worried than before about harming the children. Think I might stick to childcare.
I was however disappointed again to be questioned by a parent who had read it in the sun before we were told what was going on! All i knew was no chicken and eggs to be used. Imagine my concern and embarresment that i could not help ease the mind of the parent luckly i thought on my feet and dealt with it.

leapfrog employees - 16-09-05 15:59

by: poshbird

Hi Everyone,

I have worked for Leapfrog as an ADMINISTRATOR for less than a year and I cannot wait to leave.

Within my ADMIN role I have cooked on an inadequate cooker, washed up because the dishwasher is broken and we do not have a Kitchen Assistant, I have spent £350 of my own money on ESSENTIAL in 1 month, helped in children's rooms, taken paperwork home at the weekend and then I am asked why I failed to reach a report deadline by the OPS MANAGER.

If I wanted to be SUPERWOMAN I would wear a blue & red costume and have breast enlargements!

To those of you who think I am a whinger...I don't care! But losing another member of staff is not going to help the situation at Leapfrog.

leapfrog employees - 16-09-05 19:51

by: 6Aug

Every1 seems fed up with it at the moment but what about those at head office even your managers they wont say anything and make matters worse but to me it just seems that every1 is moaning and so cant be giving 100% to their job which is what they are getting paid for.At the end of the day if you dont like get out you obviously couldn't care. Yes of course there are going to be problems and yes they are going to take a while to settle out but we need to wait. I also think that if there are that many problems in your nurseries y haven't the parents picked up on it and taken there children out maybe your making the situation sound a lot worse than it actually is. I am from a leapfrog nursery and my nursery is managing fine staff are happy and those that aren't have left. orders are sometimes late because people don't let managers no about low stock levels. If you are seriously having that many problems report to head office but don't class all the nurseries the same because we are not and its not fair on the good nurseries.

leapfrog employees - 16-09-05 21:58

by: the-voice-of-reason

This is a sad and sorry state of affairs. As I stated in my previous posting 'It is allowing poor quality and bad standards to have a detrimental and dangerous impact on children's health and well-being.'

This has now been proven in the case of salmonella in a Leapfrog nursery. How many more outbreaks do we need to see before staff take their responsibilities within the Children Act seriously, i.e. 'the welfare of the child is paramount'. They need to stop 'whinging' as other 'postees' have so eloquently put it and blow the whistle on this inadequate care.

leapfrog employees - 17-09-05 14:42

by: outside eyes

nord anglia took all these nursery over at once so they have alot to merge together different policies and procedures why not give them a chance to sort things out.well done 6aug i agree with you.the company need to make money to make big changes and make all there nuseries leapfrog it has only been a year and already alot has changed.some things maybe not for the good but if people talk out and say why these changes are not working then the big people at head office will know if there employees dont let them know then how do you expect things to change give nord anglia time to adjust sort things out make progress it does not happen over night all those who work for the company keep going they need your support and not people slatting the company

leapfrog employees - 17-09-05 17:37

by: poshbird

I agree it takes time and money....BUT NORD HAVE NEITHER TIME OR MONEY!!

I challenge the executives or Mr Whip himself to go BACK TO THE FLOOR (BBC2) and see what it is really like working for a week in a nursery facing the daily problems we are up against for the minimum wage.

IS ANYONE AT THE TOP UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

leapfrog employees - 18-09-05 10:46

by: Stephy

I DEFINATLY SECOND THAT CHALLENGE!

I understand that unless people are told what it is like they won't know what it is like working in the heart of the nursery. Maybe it would help those at the top to go through a week in our lives, similaly though we dont know what they are doing. Maybe a role reversal for a week is actually what is needed to understand each others roles!

leapfrog employees - 18-09-05 18:11

by: lisa boniface

To you all
Surely if you are all really that unhappy then you all know what to do.Stop the moaning and move on elswhere, i am sure you all think that the grass is greener!!!!!

leapfrog employees - 18-09-05 20:36

by: jule

I have sat and read these messages from the begining for the past hour or so. And I cannot understand why with such poor condition apparent for the children that no one has contacted OFSTED.
They need to be made aware of the apparent disgusting conditions these children and babies are being cared for in. As responsible adults we must protect these children not big companies.

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 09:39

by: poshbird

to LISA JAYNE

Wish me luck - I am going for an interview this morning!

I will leave Leapfrog when I can but some of us have Mortgages etc.....!

I leave and so will others .....the care provided to the children will only deteriorate more.

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 16:51

by: joshuajones

Asquith Court merged with Gatehouse nurseries in the late 90's. As a result they doubled in size overnight. NOT ONE of their nurseries went through the difficulties that Nord Anglia are going through. The problems they are having are farcical and it just highlights BAD MANAGEMENT from the top. There is no excuse for the way staff are treated and for the way standards have fallen. Stop trying to make excuses.

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 17:51

by: Kraftykook

to joshuajones

I quite agree with you.

I too work for leapfrog but was previously a Jigsaw catering manager.

Just wish people would stop making excuses or passing the buck at mangerment level.
Surely there must be a line where we say enough is enough.

Trouble is NO-ONE listens to you.
We train, gain qualifications and then we we use the knowlegde to say this is not right NO-ONE listens.

I am a professional with many years experiance and I am not happy to be expected to work while breaking many health and safety regulations.

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 19:09

by: joshuajones

To Kraftykook.

It is a sad but sorry fact that no one ever listens, and that is what big companies rely on. Very few staff will be part of a union and therefore do not have any backing from anyone powerful. Pann is about as much use as a wet weekend and they have a no strike policy, private day nursery staff cannot be part of a union that is effective ie. Unison. Private companies know this and milk it. Staff will stay as they do have bills, mortgages etc and cannot just walk away. Also the majority of staff have a commitment to the children and families that they support and will not walk away for their sakes. However, despite all the critism these girls are getting for speaking out, good on them, because now people are listening, and hopefully you won't have to compromise your own careers for the negligence of your company. If something in your nursery goes wrong, you are on your own, sure as hell the company wont back you. Thats what the health and safety policy is for, to absolve the company in times of trouble. Watch your back if you are breaching health and safety regulations.

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 20:02

by: fed-up-parent

hi i am a worried parent whose child attends a leapfrog "we have such high standards" nursery.since leapfrog have taken over (used to be jigsaw) i have seen a high staff change over.i have been told by a member of staff that left a couple of months ago that the DM and senior staff were paying for the nappies out of their own pockets because the order had gone through and was not signed off on time.these girls work very hard and it is a shame that because all these people in head office think about are pound signs and company cars, why dont you try spending a bit more time listening to your workers because without them you would not have a buisness.

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 20:53

by: joshuajones

Worried parent

You are quite right without the Nursery Nurses and other Nursery staff there would be no business. But don't forget the other side of the coin, without you and your children there would be no business. You as parents have a louder voice than any staff, because the company does not want to lose your business, after all you pay them, as opposed to them paying staff who can be replaced. Voice your opinions, collectively as parents, you will be heard.

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 21:19

by: fed-up-parent

unfortunaly i have recently taken my child out of the nursery as ifelt the standards were dropping and that he could thrive somewhere else

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 21:25

by: Kraftykook

Yes,satff are easy to replace, from our nursery staff are leaving rapidly and are being replaced but good quality staff are hard to find and Leapfrog is beginning to get a bad repretation we are taking on staff that other people don't want.Not qualified, police checked can't be left what good is that to a nursery that is already understaffed.

What do we get told by our Ops Manager? Other nurseries are coping and so should you.
Well from this forum it is obvious that other nurseries are not coping.

So I shall say to:
Leapfrog/Nord Anglia listen to what is being said to you via Managers and this forum.
You have some good quality staff who are an asset to your company.
Bodies are easily come by but staff who care about their work practices are not.
Invest in your staff,this does not always have to be money,time and a open ear would often surfice.
Let this be a wake up call to you.There is only so much the little man on the street can take before he retaliates and i feel that the little man has had a belly full and is about to explode which will not be good for you.

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 23:26

by: Here we go again

Nord have taken on too much, When we were jigsaw we were better off, at least they actually cared about the children & staff not just about profit.We get our manager to order nappies cloths toilet rolls , hand towels before they run out so when the order is suppose to come the previouse stock has just finished but Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh no we have to wait a good 3 weeks after to get our stock. BRING BACK JIGSAW!!! On a final note I have to just add about Ms Tracey "Bleep" Storey " Ding dong the witch is going!!!!!!!!!!!!"

leapfrog employees - 19-09-05 23:50

by: Here we go again

Gyppo

Do you actually work for leapfrog/Nord what part did you not understand THEY HAVE TAKEN ON TOO MUCH TO SOON.
Helping them? How much help do you want us nursry nurses to do I already do 50 hrs a week for them & do I get paid for the extra 10 hrs NO. When nappies, cloths wipes washing up liquid, bread etc... run out are we the nursery nurses on a rubbish wage not buying the goods from our own pockets to then be told why are you doing that from your ops manager- well ops manager if you were signing off thr goods as & when you got them we wouldn't have too!!!
As for the poor souls up in Cheadle I feel sorry for them why should they have to up & move. Lets just hope Mr Whipp does a better job!
As for the companies problems would you like me to take out a loan to help them?!

leapfrog employees - 20-09-05 19:09

by: joshuajones

Time to leave

Don't look at the world through rose tinted glasses, Jigsaw too had its problems, my nursery were constantly struggling for nappies, wipes etc that never came because Jigsaw had not paid the bill !! However, in their defence they had financial troubles and they knew it, we were led to believe that Nord were financially stable and able to meet all their commintments. HA HA !! It is not necessarily that they took on too much too soon, but what they took on. Whoever advised them that Petits Enfants was a good buy needs to be certified, I would not have left my dog in one of their nurseries. They were poorly maintained, poorly resourced, the buildings were in an appalling state, it would have been obvious to anyone how much money would have to be spent on these buildings. I hope they manage to get rid, and if they do it will certainly make Mr Whipps job easier.

leapfrog employees - 20-09-05 20:05

by: Here we go again

Joshuajones

Ive been with "Jigsaw" for quite a few years & WE NEVER had prblems getting our supplies, but granted towards the end they were getting slack.
As for Petits Enfants Nord should never have gone there!! Glad to see the little sense that Mr CEO has is to get rid of them!

leapfrog employees - 20-09-05 20:53

by: hjw

Hi i work at one of the most crapist of old princess cristian nurserys and we are being sold oh dear was it meant to be a secret.21 nurseries are being sold may be then we can get cleaning stuff and toilet paper and also be treated better.Leap frog are a bad company and i've only been there a short time and i hate it so bad that i am already looking for a new job

leapfrog employees - 20-09-05 21:27

by: Winston Smith1

Can you imagine what would happen if some parent asked for French or Music lessons as outlined in the Leapfrog brochure?!! :-)

leapfrog employees - 20-09-05 22:28

by: Stephy

I have on occasion been asked about the french and music lesson at leapfrog when doing show arounds. We do have a lady who comes in once a week to do mucic with preschool and toddlers but french.......now thats a different matter, we used to offer it a long time ago not for a good couple of years though.
I wonder why this forum has suddenly grown with so many people commenting???!!!!!

leapfrog employees - 22-09-05 13:46

by: AngelHelp

Hi to everyone,
I think that it is sad that this is the only way that underpaid and unresoected staff get heard!!
i worked for jigsaw and yes i know they were no angel either but when you asked or had a commplant they were there on the double ears open wide!
I worked for them for 3 and half years and i stayed for my children. i have been with nord angla for a year and a half and the nursery went downhill fast. no-one wanted to listen and then our wages went VERY wrong and we got the trade union involved cause the manager would not listen, this pi**ed the head office off!!
parents know that things are wrong and they do question but i just smile cause i know that when staff are angry it affects there work and mood (and don't tell me it don't cause i've seen it does.
At the end of the day the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning are the children/babies that i care for. not every nursery has an atmosphere and is run down, but what i have seen over the years of having to cover in other nurseries is that it is what you make it and not the company. I know they have to buy things but the apperance and atmosphere is YOU. when i have been to other nurseries the staff have been unwelcoming and yes you may be stressed but i have traveled to help you and you could at least be nice and friendly! It just seems that it takes some nurseries and staff to bring the WHOLE team down. Just think about what you are doing and saying on here cause there are parents on here who are supporting us and it just seems that all you want to do is moan and complain.

Just a question i have read that you have run out of wipes and nappies and that you had nothing for the children leapfrog supply and if you were jigsaw it comes out of the petty cash which is for toys.

Last but not at all least cause i know one of you is going to have a cleaver remark to make! If you are that unhappy then LEAVE or ask for a transfure.

leapfrog employees - 22-09-05 19:22

by: worried worker

hi all, iv justed started working for leapfrog about 3 months ago and iv read all these messages and worried if iv taken the wrong job on?
i hear that TS is leaving?why is this?
iv met TS and found her kind and postive about leapfrog .why would she leave from doing all the hours godsent?

leapfrog employees - 22-09-05 19:29

by: emzsta

I work at a Leapfrog Nursery and absolutley hate the conditions that we work under, 'Central Office' will not get us a Kitchen assistant so most days rooms have to cover. I feel ever so sorry for the parents as fee are just too extortionate that they're having to find alternate modes of childcare. Our parents arent stupid and they all no whats going on and most of them care so much as to say 'Don't leave Will you, things will/ should get better. I'll tell you what all you people in support of Nord and its ways... I really can't see this situation getting any better and am going to leave (although I will miss the kids dreadfully), staff morale is always on the decline and if Nord arent careful they're going to loose the lot.

leapfrog employees - 22-09-05 19:30

by: joshuajones

Hi worried worker,

If you've got any sense you'll cut and run now, cos it ain't gonna get any better for a looooooong time.
For all TS's faults she did at least understand childcare, I think she has been made a scapegoat for some very dodgy decisions by other people.

leapfrog employees - 22-09-05 21:22

by: scarletm

hi i used to work for both jigsaw and leapfrog. i have recently left adn am now working in a school.
i have to say that working for leapfrog was the worst expereience of my carreer to date. i suffered from extreme stress through being constantly short staffed, lack of essentials also was a factor as was the poor management of the nursery.
staff areleaving in droves becuase of they poor way in which they are treated.since i have left it islike a weight has been lifted from me.i am m so much happier and so are my family now that i am not constantly stressed.i would like to add that the appalling way in which staff are treated especially the sickness policies are appalling i my self was subjected to a disiplinary hearing after being signed off for 2 weeks by my gp for an illness i caught from other staff too afraid to take time off due to pressure from management and loss of earnings.
i would rather have no job than work for a company like leapfrog!

leapfrog employees - 23-09-05 17:59

by: littlechief

I can't belive I'm sat here reading all of this!!!! Do you not realise what an enormas task it must be to merge the companies? Yes I agree there are teething problems but all the complaints I can see are from individual nurseries, not the company as a whole. I am from a nursery that is fully staffed and we have people asking for employment every week. It has nothing to do with Leapfrog it has to do with each nursery. Leapfrog is just a sign outside the building, it's what is inside that makes the difference. We all work well together and enjoy our jobs and that shows in our work. AS far as cleaning products go there are plenty, your manager just needs to manage her budgets and get organised!! The food is of a high quality and there is an enormus variety for the cook to choose from. Childcare has never been a highly paid sector and nothing will ever change that. All senior team are aware of what is expected from thier job before they apply. Ok so things are not the bed of roses we were promised at the moment but we should still be providing the highest standards of child care that we can weather we were LF PC or JS. You obviously don't work at a good nursery and I'm glad that I do. Ilove my job and wouldn't leave for the world.

leapfrog employees - 23-09-05 19:14

by: joshuajones

Littlechief

Your nursery is obviously cocooned in a little bubble of bliss, which unfortunately the rest of us don't seem to be in. The company is made up of individual nurseries, you cannot separate the two. Leapfrog is not just a sign it's an athos a way of providing childcare, an expectation of excellence, which it would appear it is not providing. Every week nurseries are running out of wipes, cleaning materials etc and it is NOT the managers fault. Orders don't get signed off at H.O. Are you suggesting that all the people complaining on this site are Liars, or just have vivid imaginations. The staff provide the highest quality of care that they can within the constraints that their nurseries are under, but what about education in under resourced nurseries. How good will the care be with stressed out staff. Long may your nursery continue to be perfect. These issues are not teething problems, they are bad management, from the top.

leapfrog employees - 23-09-05 20:07

by: littlechief

Yes maybe we are cacooned in a little bubble of bliss but we work hard togeteher to create that.

leapfrog employees - 26-09-05 16:29

by: SBob

Hi I left the company over a year ago (and am v happy and nowhere near as tired, stressed and underpaid) and they were saying exactley the same things back then . I was a Manager/Nursery Nurse/cook /cleaner/you name it ! Its a bit mad. All the nurseries were supposed to be refurbed over a year ago and they are still waiting . Still no cooks and I have heard that the cleaners hours are being reduced LOVELY!

leapfrog employees - 26-09-05 19:54

by: MIKKI

Well I joined my nursery as Jigsaw several years ago. every day was a joy to begin with. there were ups and downs like all nurseries but everyone stuck together and we never went without resources and the quality of care was wonderful. Then along came Nord Anglia. Yes they initially saved us but since then all I have seen is the nursery I love deteriorate rapidly. Not due to the staff or management within the nursery, but from lack of support from Head office. To manage without gloves, wet wipes, aprons, paper towels, for more than two weeks is unbelievable. When we got low on certain brands of nappies we were advised to put the children in alternate ones until home time when we swapped them so parents wouldn't know! Then we ran out! Need I say more. I see no light at the end of this dark tunnel. On the up side though, the children remain happy and the staff do all they can for them to the best of their ability with the resources we have. We remain a strong team and battle on!

leapfrog employees - 27-09-05 20:08

by: kirsty 1

It has saddened me to read all these stories of disheartened childcare professionals. I worked for leapfrog as a manager for 2 1/2yrs and left just after the take over. It sounds like it was a good time to get out. I do have to say i respected leapfrog as a very pro active company with childcare at the heart of it all so i can only conclude the nord are at the crux of this crap they should of stuck to schools. Those of you who didnt know Tracey Storey pre take over should know that she was excellent at what she did if you wanted to acheive something or needed anything you knew to go straight to the top and you would get it. To all of you that are suffering keep smiling and thnk of the children, have your say in a constructive way. it is good to be heard. I am about to return to nursery management for another big chain but i realise that it is a risky buisness with lots of pressures but i always stand up for what i believe in but i remain focused

leapfrog employees - 27-09-05 20:16

by: Moooo!

After recieving a letter recently from the chief exec (telling us he will be visiting all nurseries to answer questions!) i was unaware of the issues going on here, i now feel that i am not alone in this sinking ship. i have been at my nusery for 7 years and have now had enough of the lack of supplies. As a Jigsaw/frogger employee thinks have got dramatically worse since the take over and not fot the good, we have been promised a refurb for many YEARS and have now found out we still have to wait, our floors are worpped and filthy dirty, toys that are a good 8 years old and are absolutly disgcracfull as we are frequently told we cannot replace them as their is no money i frequently end up buying items from my own money and after the pay issue i have very little of that! i do feel extremly let down by the company as Jigsaw used to have a good name and i have worked damn hard for a long time and feel like i face hurdle after hurdle on a daily basis. When is it going to end as i am considering giving up and going to work in an office which i said i would never do as i love caring for children they have destroyed my dreams and my confidence in the child care buisness

leapfrog employees - 28-09-05 06:47

by: Angry Parent

I am a parent whose child attends Leapfrog Nursery full time, and I am appalled by the conditions that I see there. I have had words with the manager on many occassions and nothing have been done. I have just found out that five qualified staff is leaving the nursery to go to college to finish their NVQs because Leapfrog cannot accommodate them any longer. This is not the first time I have experience this, I have seen good staff leave the nursery because at times they would end up spending the whole week in the kitchen cooking for all those little babies and not doing any part of the job they were employed to do and when they ask if they can have their hours cut at their expense to go to college to finish their NVQ they were denied. This is the same issue going on again. How can a company as big as Leapfrog can be so cold and self centered. Instead of doing something to improve working relationship between its employees they just use them and abuse them mentally and emotionally. It is not a secret that nursery wage does not pay very much but those people who chose to go into the field does it I hope for the love of children and job satisfaction but if they want to get their qualification then it is up to the company to try and accommodate those staff, give the the respect they are due and help them then they would stay. If your employees are happy then you have a health working environment. Give an 100% and you will get an 100% back.

I am about to take my child out of Leapfrog and move him to another nursery. Leapfrog is in Name Only and that is what us parents are paying for a name.

I have been asking for a progress report on my son for the past few months and been given empty promises, also they have been serving the children bread backs sandwich for afternoon tea and this is not a lie, I have seen it with mine own eyes. This is what we pay for, when we drop our kids of at nursery and gone off to work thinking that our children are recieving high quality care for the extortion price we pay they are being fed bread back for tea.

Leapfrog is the biggest nursery in the whole of England and it is a shamble.

Something needs to be done and fast.

I will miss those few good staff with all my heart because I know they try to make those kids happy,they try to make a difference these are staff that my son comes home and talk about every day and you know that children are funny if they don't like some one they won't go to them and my son bond very well with all five staff and all are leaving at the same time, they have just recruited for new staff, and my son is to start all over again to learn to bond.

It is easy for the manager to say she is trying to make change but I cannot see it, her excuse is she is not responsible it is head office, but I say as an individual you can make change and you can do something, fight for the right of the staff, let HQ knows you need those staff to help make a difference, you need those staff to help promote efficiency, you need a happy team. Managers you can do it, if you all try especially the one from my Nusrery then I know they would get the full backing of parents. Do a survey with parent asking them how they feel, what improvement they think the nursery needs, get our input, let the paying customer have a say, just don't look at it and think oh her child will only be in this nursery for a while they will soon be off, but you must remember spreading the word in the right way can have an effect on a organisation either good or bad. I would never recommend any one to take their child to Leapfrog again. I have done it three times and the three parent have been dissapointed and I felt away because they take their child their upon my recommendation.

It is too late for me now my child is leaving but others can make a change.

It is easy to say call Ofsted but what they do is make prior arrangements with the manager to come in a view the nursery giving the manager time to clean up their act for a day until Ofsted visit is past.

Yes I am angery, dissapointed and very upset.

All it is at the end of the day is money money money, but people like those at HQ and dominering managers must remember money is the root of all evil.

leapfrog employees - 28-09-05 07:01

by: crusty clown

Hi 2 angry parent,

Thankyou i think that would be a brilliant idea but how do we get our manaers to do it ? they may c it as a negative approach getting the parents opinion to leapfrog would be the last straw it will prove they are failing they simply won't have it.

leapfrog employees - 28-09-05 07:12

by: crusty clown

Also im thinkin would a survey for the parents not make them even more concenred, it may be a positive approach but to me it seems leapfrog may receive a negative response