A THREE-year-old girl was
found wandering alone on a
street after she was left in the
toilets of her pre-school while
her classmates went out for a
walk.
An investigation has now been launched
after Amber Blake was found crying and
on her own on a Southampton road when
she should have been in the care of her
pre-school.
Mum Wendy Blake is demanding an
explanation into what happened at
Bitterne Community pre-school.
Wendy, 46, of Cunningham Crescent,
Sholing, said: "She
could have been run
over or snatched, you
trust a pre-school to
make sure this kind of
thing doesn't happen. I
am disgusted.
She has now put in a complaint with
Ofsted who yesterday confirmed that they
are investigating the matter at the preschool
that was criticised in their most
recent report for having an unlocked front
door.
After being left on her own Amber got
out of the pre-school and had walked
along Brownlow Avenue and along
Peartree Avenue before she was found by a
mum who was on her way to pick up her
own child from the pre-school, 100 yards
away.
Wendy said: "I just can't believe what
has happened, thank goodness the other
mum had arrived early or who knows
what would have happened."
The Daily Echo contacted the pre-school,
which is run by a voluntary management
committee, but the manager refused to
comment and abruptly hung up.
A spokesman for
Southampton City
Council, who fund
the pre-school, said:
"It is regrettable that
this incident should
have occurred and
we will work closely
with Bitterne
Community preschool
and support
them to try and
ensure that it doesn't happen again.
"The city council and the Pre-School
Alliance will help the pre-school to
address any causes for concern or areas
for improvement highlighted by Ofsted.
An Ofsted spokesman told the Daily
Echo: "We have received a complaint in
relation to the incident that happened at
Bitterne Community Pre-school and an
investigation has been initiated.
"We will be in constant communication
with all parties concerned and ensure that
the inquiry will be carried out swiftly."
The 2007 Ofsted report into the school
raised the fact the front door was unlocked
as an issue of concern but rated the
school's provision for keeping children
safe good overall.
Wendy has not allowed her daughter to
return to the pre-school since the incident.
See today's Daily Echo for the full story.
2:03pm Thursday 3rd July 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: BOB, soton on 9:11am Thu 3 Jul 08
Hope they close the pre school down if there not capable of keeping the children in there care safe
Hope they close the pre school down if there not capable of keeping the children in there care safe
Posted by: hulla, baloo on 9:15am Thu 3 Jul 08
If she was left behind, as the story implies, whilst going to the toilet, I wonder how secure the gates/entrances are. As it would appear she was able to leave the premises.
If she was left behind, as the story implies, whilst going to the toilet, I wonder how secure the gates/entrances are. As it would appear she was able to leave the premises.
Posted by: voiceofyouth, everywhere on 9:23am Thu 3 Jul 08
a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.
a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.
Posted by: Stuart, Andover the money - NOW on 9:26am Thu 3 Jul 08
Whatever happened to head counts? Basics of caring for people in groups, count heads and count again.
Staff need their heads on the block over this, shows a fundamental lack of ability and concern, as hulla, baloo said, even the gates / entrances can't have been secured as she got out...
Whatever happened to head counts? Basics of caring for people in groups, count heads and count again.
Staff need their heads on the block over this, shows a fundamental lack of ability and concern, as hulla, baloo said, even the gates / entrances can't have been secured as she got out...
Posted by: clare, totton on 10:02am Thu 3 Jul 08
Oh my god. now i recently took my 2 year son out of a pre school as they were heavy handed and the security was terrible. i have reported this to ofsted and am waiting for the outcome. does anyone know which playschool this was??
Oh my god. now i recently took my 2 year son out of a pre school as they were heavy handed and the security was terrible. i have reported this to ofsted and am waiting for the outcome. does anyone know which playschool this was??
Posted by: gorf, soton on 10:41am Thu 3 Jul 08
shut the place down - simple!
shut the place down - simple!
Posted by: sad, Southampton on 11:39am Thu 3 Jul 08
The trouble is staff at pre schools have very little common sense. Counting heads needs common sense. What ever holding hands and walking in a crocdodile with a member a staff at the front, middle and at the back. It beggars belief that no one noticed she was not with the group.
The trouble is staff at pre schools have very little common sense. Counting heads needs common sense. What ever holding hands and walking in a crocdodile with a member a staff at the front, middle and at the back. It beggars belief that no one noticed she was not with the group.
Posted by: Sophie's Choice!, Soton on 12:02pm Thu 3 Jul 08
OMG! And teachers think they are entitled to a pay rise cos of how hard they work - yea right! I'm sure that being a pre-school teacher is very hard as you have 15 odd children to watch out for and have to be alert at all times but they should've taken more secure measures to ensure this doesn't happen!
OMG! And teachers think they are entitled to a pay rise cos of how hard they work - yea right! I'm sure that being a pre-school teacher is very hard as you have 15 odd children to watch out for and have to be alert at all times but they should've taken more secure measures to ensure this doesn't happen!
Posted by: Kate Pratt on 12:20pm Thu 3 Jul 08
My child attends this pre-school and there was a head count made and i also have 100 percent confidence in the staff and they do walk one in front and in the middle and at the back so these people that make coments should do there homework first. This pre-school is a really good one and up to now has had nothing like this at all. Ask your selfs why this mother sent her child to this pre-school and not to one where she live's in sholing ?
My child attends this pre-school and there was a head count made and i also have 100 percent confidence in the staff and they do walk one in front and in the middle and at the back so these people that make coments should do there homework first. This pre-school is a really good one and up to now has had nothing like this at all. Ask your selfs why this mother sent her child to this pre-school and not to one where she live's in sholing ?
Posted by: Lisa, Southampton on 12:46pm Thu 3 Jul 08
My child attends this pre-school and whilst I don't know the full and accurate details of what happened that day so cannot comment on that, I DO have total confidence in the staff and know that my child has thoroughly enjoyed being at that pre-school, benefitted enormously from being there and been well looked after whilst there.
My child attends this pre-school and whilst I don't know the full and accurate details of what happened that day so cannot comment on that, I DO have total confidence in the staff and know that my child has thoroughly enjoyed being at that pre-school, benefitted enormously from being there and been well looked after whilst there.
Posted by: mangobean, Eastleigh on 12:46pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Sophie's Choice![/bold] wrote:
OMG! And teachers think they are entitled to a pay rise cos of how hard they work - yea right! I'm sure that being a pre-school teacher is very hard as you have 15 odd children to watch out for and have to be alert at all times but they should've taken more secure measures to ensure this doesn't happen![/quote] I'm sure I'll be promptly corrected by all those on this site in the know if I am wrong, but as far as I am aware pre-school employees are registered childminders rather than teachers.
This of course in no way excuses what has happened.
Sophie's Choice! wrote:
OMG! And teachers think they are entitled to a pay rise cos of how hard they work - yea right! I'm sure that being a pre-school teacher is very hard as you have 15 odd children to watch out for and have to be alert at all times but they should've taken more secure measures to ensure this doesn't happen!
I'm sure I'll be promptly corrected by all those on this site in the know if I am wrong, but as far as I am aware pre-school employees are registered childminders rather than teachers.
This of course in no way excuses what has happened.
Posted by: Jimbo, Southampton on 1:05pm Thu 3 Jul 08
The term "Pre-school teacher" is not entirely accurate. In most (not all - so no flaming please) cases pre-school "teachers" are simply people (often mums and dads themselves) who work in a pre-school. They are not trained to the level of a teacher and more often than not they have basic educational training to NVQ (I am not knocking NVQ, so no flaming please) at the most. These people are underpaid, they do not get the same wage as a teacher, infact they normally get a lower hourly rate than the cleaner in their pre-school.
The problem lies with training & insepection which often comes from pre-school funds that have been raised by parents, children and staff.
Dont shut the preschool down train the staff, motivate the staff and implement regular inspections.
P.S. I am not condoning what was obviously a potentially lethal situation, but there are 2 sides to ever story.
P.P.S I am not a pre-school teacher ;-)
The term "Pre-school teacher" is not entirely accurate. In most (not all - so no flaming please) cases pre-school "teachers" are simply people (often mums and dads themselves) who work in a pre-school. They are not trained to the level of a teacher and more often than not they have basic educational training to NVQ (I am not knocking NVQ, so no flaming please) at the most. These people are underpaid, they do not get the same wage as a teacher, infact they normally get a lower hourly rate than the cleaner in their pre-school.
The problem lies with training & insepection which often comes from pre-school funds that have been raised by parents, children and staff.
Dont shut the preschool down train the staff, motivate the staff and implement regular inspections.
P.S. I am not condoning what was obviously a potentially lethal situation, but there are 2 sides to ever story.
P.P.S I am not a pre-school teacher ;-)
Posted by: Julie, Southampton on 1:09pm Thu 3 Jul 08
This pre school is very well run and my children attend there now and have done so for the last 6 years in total, an incident occurred which is regrettable but only a few know what really happened. The papers information is incorrect in respect of the exact details that happenedon the day as there is always two sides to a story and they only have one of the sides reported.
This pre school is very well run and my children attend there now and have done so for the last 6 years in total, an incident occurred which is regrettable but only a few know what really happened. The papers information is incorrect in respect of the exact details that happenedon the day as there is always two sides to a story and they only have one of the sides reported.
Posted by: LJ, southampton on 2:13pm Thu 3 Jul 08
my child also attends this pre-school, it is the best one around and all the staff are lovely, i have 100% trust in them.
my child also attends this pre-school, it is the best one around and all the staff are lovely, i have 100% trust in them.
Posted by: LG on 3:26pm Thu 3 Jul 08
For those who are criticising "Pre-School Teachers" please can I make you aware of a few facts which affect all Pre-Schools.
I am speaking with authority, both as someone who works in education and who is married to a Pre-School assistant.
Those working in Pre-Schools are NOT qualified Teachers. Nor are they registered Childminders as someone else suggests. They are Pre-School Assistants, Supervisors and Managers.
Pre-School Assistants are required to be trained to NVQ2, but not all staff have completed the qualification. Pre-School Assistants are often paid the minimum wage, with no increase once qualified.
Supervisors are trained to NVQ3 and are employed to oversee the assistants and the activities that take place. Most of them earn slightly more than the minimum wage.
Managers are usually the owners of the pre-schools and should be trained to NVQ4. Few are though, because if they were they could earn far more attractive salaries in other areas.
Because everyone is part time, staff must complete the NVQ in their own time, while other companies normally provide an element of paid time off for this. Staff also have to attend planning meetings outside of their working hours, and these are not always paid.
In addition, Pre-School Assistants and Supervisors are expected to "teach" numeracy, literacy and basic science to children as young as two. That's why Play Schools were re-named Pre-Schools a few years ago. God forbid if the children are actually allowed to "play"!
Staff also have to work towards targets set by the government and go through Ofsted inspections - even though Pre-Schools are outside the compulsory ages for education.
Many staff are demoralised and undervalued, and quite a few are leaving the profession or at least thinking about it. This will continue to happen until such time as their role is recognised and paid an appropriate salary.
Until then, Pre-Schools are closing across Hampshire. The Pre-School Alliance is fully aware of this, but are so far failing to take any positive action. In some areas, finding a quality Pre-School is like finding a NHS Dentist!
So while it is worrying that this little girl was found unattended on the street, who can really blame the staff for not really bothering (although I would add that most staff would still care despite their poor employment conditions).
For those who are criticising "Pre-School Teachers" please can I make you aware of a few facts which affect all Pre-Schools.
I am speaking with authority, both as someone who works in education and who is married to a Pre-School assistant.
Those working in Pre-Schools are NOT qualified Teachers. Nor are they registered Childminders as someone else suggests. They are Pre-School Assistants, Supervisors and Managers.
Pre-School Assistants are required to be trained to NVQ2, but not all staff have completed the qualification. Pre-School Assistants are often paid the minimum wage, with no increase once qualified.
Supervisors are trained to NVQ3 and are employed to oversee the assistants and the activities that take place. Most of them earn slightly more than the minimum wage.
Managers are usually the owners of the pre-schools and should be trained to NVQ4. Few are though, because if they were they could earn far more attractive salaries in other areas.
Because everyone is part time, staff must complete the NVQ in their own time, while other companies normally provide an element of paid time off for this. Staff also have to attend planning meetings outside of their working hours, and these are not always paid.
In addition, Pre-School Assistants and Supervisors are expected to "teach" numeracy, literacy and basic science to children as young as two. That's why Play Schools were re-named Pre-Schools a few years ago. God forbid if the children are actually allowed to "play"!
Staff also have to work towards targets set by the government and go through Ofsted inspections - even though Pre-Schools are outside the compulsory ages for education.
Many staff are demoralised and undervalued, and quite a few are leaving the profession or at least thinking about it. This will continue to happen until such time as their role is recognised and paid an appropriate salary.
Until then, Pre-Schools are closing across Hampshire. The Pre-School Alliance is fully aware of this, but are so far failing to take any positive action. In some areas, finding a quality Pre-School is like finding a NHS Dentist!
So while it is worrying that this little girl was found unattended on the street, who can really blame the staff for not really bothering (although I would add that most staff would still care despite their poor employment conditions).
Posted by: Carley Mortimore, Romsey on 3:55pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Sam[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Kate Pratt on 12:20pm today My child attends this pre-school and there was a head count made and i also have 100 percent confidence in the staff and they do walk one in front and in the middle and at the back so these people that make coments should do there homework first. This pre-school is a really good one and up to now has had nothing like this at all. Ask your selfs why this mother sent her child to this pre-school and not to one where she live\'s in sholing ? z`?[/quote] Becaause she foolishly trusted tem!!! Somehow, i don\'t think you\'d be sticking up for them if it was your child that was left behind. Are any of the staff friends or relatives by chance?? Pratt by name PRATT by nature. Nice try IDIOT!![/quote] So there was a head count then was there Ms Pratt,[quote]quote[/quote] so how did the teachers miss this little one. The count must have been wrong in the first place. Its a bloody disgrace. And they want a pay-rise? yeah right!!!
Sam wrote:
Kate Pratt on 12:20pm today My child attends this pre-school and there was a head count made and i also have 100 percent confidence in the staff and they do walk one in front and in the middle and at the back so these people that make coments should do there homework first. This pre-school is a really good one and up to now has had nothing like this at all. Ask your selfs why this mother sent her child to this pre-school and not to one where she live\'s in sholing ? z`?
Becaause she foolishly trusted tem!!! Somehow, i don\'t think you\'d be sticking up for them if it was your child that was left behind. Are any of the staff friends or relatives by chance?? Pratt by name PRATT by nature. Nice try IDIOT!!
So there was a head count then was there Ms Pratt,
quote
so how did the teachers miss this little one. The count must have been wrong in the first place. Its a bloody disgrace. And they want a pay-rise? yeah right!!!
Posted by: Tracy, Sholing on 4:52pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[italic]italic[/italic] I cannot believe some of the comments and slanderous remarks on here. Carley Mortimore you should be ashamed of yourself, despite what has happened you really have no right to slag anyone off, it just shows how low you are. All the facts in the echo and on the news are not correct, they have over dramatised most it as the press seem to have a habit of doing. One thing we should ask ourselves though is that this mother would never have been happy and found something wrong no matter what school her children went to as they have been moved around schools several times in the past for one reason or another.
I cannot believe some of the comments and slanderous remarks on here. Carley Mortimore you should be ashamed of yourself, despite what has happened you really have no right to slag anyone off, it just shows how low you are. All the facts in the echo and on the news are not correct, they have over dramatised most it as the press seem to have a habit of doing. One thing we should ask ourselves though is that this mother would never have been happy and found something wrong no matter what school her children went to as they have been moved around schools several times in the past for one reason or another.
Posted by: Robert on 5:18pm Thu 3 Jul 08
The lifelong stirrers and trouble makers are well pleased with this story and the opportunities it has given them!
Let's have more of the same, please. It doesn't have to be true.
The lifelong stirrers and trouble makers are well pleased with this story and the opportunities it has given them!
Let's have more of the same, please. It doesn't have to be true.
Posted by: Allison on 5:25pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote]Robert on 5:18pm today
The lifelong stirrers and trouble makers are well pleased with this story and the opportunities it has given them! Let's have more of the same, please. It doesn't have to be true.
[/quote]
I think you're stirring it now Robert!
Robert on 5:18pm today
The lifelong stirrers and trouble makers are well pleased with this story and the opportunities it has given them! Let's have more of the same, please. It doesn't have to be true.
I think you're stirring it now Robert!
Posted by: Interested, Southampton on 5:32pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Goodness me, aren’t some of you rude. For all your cries of ‘close them down’ have you never made a mistake before? I know I have in my time, some larger than others.
Preschool staff undertake a wide range of training and actually many are trained to degree level the same as teachers.
Unlike schools they have to comply with many mandatory regulations that are inspected by Ofsted, as the regulatory body and also the local authority.
Now Carley – if this was my child would I be shouting? Very probably yes. Would I be backing the staff up…. Well that would depend. I’m sure that the staff are mortified and devastated. The point is have they learned from this? Have they reviewed their practice to make sure that this did not happen again? If as the parent I could see that this was in place, then yes I would back them. Oh…. and before you all shout – actually I have been through this experience as a parent and back the group is exactly what I did. Like in this case, the child is thankfully fine and suffering no ill affects. I actually question why a parent would want this sort of exposure for their child in the local press…….. but hey…. that’s another can of worms eh.
Bring on the abuse I know will follow from those of you with no manners……..
Goodness me, aren’t some of you rude. For all your cries of ‘close them down’ have you never made a mistake before? I know I have in my time, some larger than others.
Preschool staff undertake a wide range of training and actually many are trained to degree level the same as teachers.
Unlike schools they have to comply with many mandatory regulations that are inspected by Ofsted, as the regulatory body and also the local authority.
Now Carley – if this was my child would I be shouting? Very probably yes. Would I be backing the staff up…. Well that would depend. I’m sure that the staff are mortified and devastated. The point is have they learned from this? Have they reviewed their practice to make sure that this did not happen again? If as the parent I could see that this was in place, then yes I would back them. Oh…. and before you all shout – actually I have been through this experience as a parent and back the group is exactly what I did. Like in this case, the child is thankfully fine and suffering no ill affects. I actually question why a parent would want this sort of exposure for their child in the local press…….. but hey…. that’s another can of worms eh.
Bring on the abuse I know will follow from those of you with no manners……..
Posted by: sue, bitterne southampton on 5:33pm Thu 3 Jul 08
My little boy attends the pre school and has done since jan 2007. He has always been happy and i have had confidence in the teaching skills!! The problem i have is that no one can judge on human error!! Inserdents will happen at any school!! The thing which angers me was how the rumours started and were then flatley denied by staff on numerous occasions!!
I can understand if for legal reasons they could not talk about it but why let it come out in the newspaper with out telling parents the truth!!!
I asked a teacher face to face a week ago if rumours of a child going missing were true she looked me in the eye and told me "it was a minor incerdant that rumour has got out of hand"
Fine.......... you trust a teacher with your childs life but why did they lie? It obviously was not "minor" !!!! How can 4or 5 teachers not notice that a child has gone missing???
That said, again i say there is room for human error but why not hold your hands up and let the parents know the truth, instead of reading over dramatised reviews in the paper?????
I would like to also point out that although this whole thing has been distressing for parents etc, think how the children feel when they hear things about it?? My child knows the little girl and asked questions about it when he saw her picture on the newspaper in the shop!! how do u explain to a 4 year old with out scare mungering????
Was it wise to go to the echo..... with the other childen in mind???
It is a terrible thing to happen no doubt but there has been hurt on all parts and there are and where other ways of dealing with this!!!!
I suggest new parents speak to other parents who have had there children at the school and have lengthy chats with teachers before you make up your mind as to which pre school you take them too!!
Also remeber as bad as this is it has happened at other schools, it will be tomorrows chip paper!!! teachers are not robots and make mistakes..... but admitting to it is the key to sorting it out and letting parents no!!
My little boy attends the pre school and has done since jan 2007. He has always been happy and i have had confidence in the teaching skills!! The problem i have is that no one can judge on human error!! Inserdents will happen at any school!! The thing which angers me was how the rumours started and were then flatley denied by staff on numerous occasions!!
I can understand if for legal reasons they could not talk about it but why let it come out in the newspaper with out telling parents the truth!!!
I asked a teacher face to face a week ago if rumours of a child going missing were true she looked me in the eye and told me "it was a minor incerdant that rumour has got out of hand"
Fine.......... you trust a teacher with your childs life but why did they lie? It obviously was not "minor" !!!! How can 4or 5 teachers not notice that a child has gone missing???
That said, again i say there is room for human error but why not hold your hands up and let the parents know the truth, instead of reading over dramatised reviews in the paper?????
I would like to also point out that although this whole thing has been distressing for parents etc, think how the children feel when they hear things about it?? My child knows the little girl and asked questions about it when he saw her picture on the newspaper in the shop!! how do u explain to a 4 year old with out scare mungering????
Was it wise to go to the echo..... with the other childen in mind???
It is a terrible thing to happen no doubt but there has been hurt on all parts and there are and where other ways of dealing with this!!!!
I suggest new parents speak to other parents who have had there children at the school and have lengthy chats with teachers before you make up your mind as to which pre school you take them too!!
Also remeber as bad as this is it has happened at other schools, it will be tomorrows chip paper!!! teachers are not robots and make mistakes..... but admitting to it is the key to sorting it out and letting parents no!!
Posted by: hello, southampton on 5:38pm Thu 3 Jul 08
My children attend this pre-school and I know the person who found Amber. The whole story has been totally blown out of proportion and i have every confidence in the staff at the preschool which is notably one of the best in the area.
My children attend this pre-school and I know the person who found Amber. The whole story has been totally blown out of proportion and i have every confidence in the staff at the preschool which is notably one of the best in the area.
Posted by: Patty on 5:40pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote]Interested, Southampton on 5:32pm today
Goodness me, aren’t some of you rude. For all your cries of ‘close them down’ have you never made a mistake before? I know I have in my time, some larger than others. Preschool staff undertake a wide range of training and actually many are trained to degree level the same as teachers. Unlike schools they have to comply with many mandatory regulations that are inspected by Ofsted, as the regulatory body and also the local authority. Now Carley – if this was my child would I be shouting? Very probably yes. Would I be backing the staff up…. Well that would depend. I’m sure that the staff are mortified and devastated. The point is have they learned from this? Have they reviewed their practice to make sure that this did not happen again? If as the parent I could see that this was in place, then yes I would back them. Oh…. and before you all shout – actually I have been through this experience as a parent and back the group is exactly what I did. Like in this case, the child is thankfully fine and suffering no ill affects. I actually question why a parent would want this sort of exposure for their child in the local press…….. but hey…. that’s another can of worms eh. Bring on the abuse I know will follow from those of you with no manners……..
[/quote]
No abuse, but you actually seem to back the pre-school. We all make mistakes as you say, but with children, a second chance is not always a luxury.
If there was one who was given the task of head count, she should be sacked, if there was two or three, those also. If there was no head count in place, then the owner/s should have their licence revoked.
No child should be at risk through negligence, and in this case one or more are responsible.
Interested, Southampton on 5:32pm today
Goodness me, aren’t some of you rude. For all your cries of ‘close them down’ have you never made a mistake before? I know I have in my time, some larger than others. Preschool staff undertake a wide range of training and actually many are trained to degree level the same as teachers. Unlike schools they have to comply with many mandatory regulations that are inspected by Ofsted, as the regulatory body and also the local authority. Now Carley – if this was my child would I be shouting? Very probably yes. Would I be backing the staff up…. Well that would depend. I’m sure that the staff are mortified and devastated. The point is have they learned from this? Have they reviewed their practice to make sure that this did not happen again? If as the parent I could see that this was in place, then yes I would back them. Oh…. and before you all shout – actually I have been through this experience as a parent and back the group is exactly what I did. Like in this case, the child is thankfully fine and suffering no ill affects. I actually question why a parent would want this sort of exposure for their child in the local press…….. but hey…. that’s another can of worms eh. Bring on the abuse I know will follow from those of you with no manners……..
No abuse, but you actually seem to back the pre-school. We all make mistakes as you say, but with children, a second chance is not always a luxury.
If there was one who was given the task of head count, she should be sacked, if there was two or three, those also. If there was no head count in place, then the owner/s should have their licence revoked.
No child should be at risk through negligence, and in this case one or more are responsible.
Posted by: Keith Oftergrass on 5:56pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]hello[/bold] wrote:
My children attend this pre-school and I know the person who found Amber. The whole story has been totally blown out of proportion and i have every confidence in the staff at the preschool which is notably one of the best in the area.[/quote] That isn't exactly a good advert for the other ones !
I assume that just letting one kid roam the streets every now and again is a bit of a result round your way then ?
hello wrote:
My children attend this pre-school and I know the person who found Amber. The whole story has been totally blown out of proportion and i have every confidence in the staff at the preschool which is notably one of the best in the area.
That isn't exactly a good advert for the other ones !
I assume that just letting one kid roam the streets every now and again is a bit of a result round your way then ?
Posted by: Tina, Bitterne on 5:59pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Both my children attended this pre-school and i cannot rate it highly enough, the kids are happy, get a good starting education and all the staff go the extra mile for the children
its 1 incident, and although potentially dangerous the facts are blurry from this article by the echo (as per usual)
the pre-school is continually over subscribed, children come from as far as woolston, hedge-end and west end to come to Bitterne Community Pre-school
Both my children attended this pre-school and i cannot rate it highly enough, the kids are happy, get a good starting education and all the staff go the extra mile for the children
its 1 incident, and although potentially dangerous the facts are blurry from this article by the echo (as per usual)
the pre-school is continually over subscribed, children come from as far as woolston, hedge-end and west end to come to Bitterne Community Pre-school
Posted by: meme, Bitterne on 6:03pm Thu 3 Jul 08
My child attends the pre-school and its terrible what has happened and my thoughts are with the family. Parents are willing to forgive but trust has been broken because of the denial of what has happened. Parents have asked time and time again is it true and there have been so many different stories. One teacher denied knowing all together.
My child attends the pre-school and its terrible what has happened and my thoughts are with the family. Parents are willing to forgive but trust has been broken because of the denial of what has happened. Parents have asked time and time again is it true and there have been so many different stories. One teacher denied knowing all together.
Posted by: Interested on 6:09pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Patty[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Interested, Southampton on 5:32pm today Goodness me, aren’t some of you rude. For all your cries of ‘close them down’ have you never made a mistake before? I know I have in my time, some larger than others. Preschool staff undertake a wide range of training and actually many are trained to degree level the same as teachers. Unlike schools they have to comply with many mandatory regulations that are inspected by Ofsted, as the regulatory body and also the local authority. Now Carley – if this was my child would I be shouting? Very probably yes. Would I be backing the staff up…. Well that would depend. I’m sure that the staff are mortified and devastated. The point is have they learned from this? Have they reviewed their practice to make sure that this did not happen again? If as the parent I could see that this was in place, then yes I would back them. Oh…. and before you all shout – actually I have been through this experience as a parent and back the group is exactly what I did. Like in this case, the child is thankfully fine and suffering no ill affects. I actually question why a parent would want this sort of exposure for their child in the local press…….. but hey…. that’s another can of worms eh. Bring on the abuse I know will follow from those of you with no manners…….. [/quote] No abuse, but you actually seem to back the pre-school. We all make mistakes as you say, but with children, a second chance is not always a luxury. If there was one who was given the task of head count, she should be sacked, if there was two or three, those also. If there was no head count in place, then the owner/s should have their licence revoked. No child should be at risk through negligence, and in this case one or more are responsible.[/quote] Actually what I have said is 'what have they done about it? Have they changed their procedures?' If yes then what more can they do after the incident. If no.. then that says it all really and no I would never support anyone.
I agree whole completely that a second chance is not always a luxury, but actually here it is. In reality though I have seen some of the best quality groups fail at the hands of a slippery and determined three year old.
My point is is that when picking over the embers of this mess, we should be celebrating the fact the child is safe and well and ensuring that the rest of the children at the group stay safe. A bit like locking the gate after the horse has bolted - yes indeed
Patty wrote:
Interested, Southampton on 5:32pm today Goodness me, aren’t some of you rude. For all your cries of ‘close them down’ have you never made a mistake before? I know I have in my time, some larger than others. Preschool staff undertake a wide range of training and actually many are trained to degree level the same as teachers. Unlike schools they have to comply with many mandatory regulations that are inspected by Ofsted, as the regulatory body and also the local authority. Now Carley – if this was my child would I be shouting? Very probably yes. Would I be backing the staff up…. Well that would depend. I’m sure that the staff are mortified and devastated. The point is have they learned from this? Have they reviewed their practice to make sure that this did not happen again? If as the parent I could see that this was in place, then yes I would back them. Oh…. and before you all shout – actually I have been through this experience as a parent and back the group is exactly what I did. Like in this case, the child is thankfully fine and suffering no ill affects. I actually question why a parent would want this sort of exposure for their child in the local press…….. but hey…. that’s another can of worms eh. Bring on the abuse I know will follow from those of you with no manners……..
No abuse, but you actually seem to back the pre-school. We all make mistakes as you say, but with children, a second chance is not always a luxury. If there was one who was given the task of head count, she should be sacked, if there was two or three, those also. If there was no head count in place, then the owner/s should have their licence revoked. No child should be at risk through negligence, and in this case one or more are responsible.
Actually what I have said is 'what have they done about it? Have they changed their procedures?' If yes then what more can they do after the incident. If no.. then that says it all really and no I would never support anyone.
I agree whole completely that a second chance is not always a luxury, but actually here it is. In reality though I have seen some of the best quality groups fail at the hands of a slippery and determined three year old.
My point is is that when picking over the embers of this mess, we should be celebrating the fact the child is safe and well and ensuring that the rest of the children at the group stay safe. A bit like locking the gate after the horse has bolted - yes indeed
Posted by: edith, southampton on 6:27pm Thu 3 Jul 08
This issue needs to be addressed full stop. It shouldn't have happened and measures need to be taken to ensure it never happens again. Thankfully this story had a happy ending!
This issue needs to be addressed full stop. It shouldn't have happened and measures need to be taken to ensure it never happens again. Thankfully this story had a happy ending!
Posted by: Shazza on 6:43pm Thu 3 Jul 08
I am absolutely flabagasted by this, where were their risk assesments and method statements? I demand someone get the sack regardless of actually bothering to read any of the facts.
I am absolutely flabagasted by this, where were their risk assesments and method statements? I demand someone get the sack regardless of actually bothering to read any of the facts.
Posted by: P Graham on 6:48pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Lets lock up every parent that loses their child in a supermarket, lets lock up the parents whose 3 year old took the dog for a walk at 3 am, lets lock everybody up that makes a human mistake or what? These things will always happen but hopefully lessons will be learned and practices changed to prevent the same thing happen again, but to want to close a facility like that will do more harm than good, denying kids a chance to play and learn, workplaces are lost and a lot of parents have to stop work because they can't afford child care. The pre-school is doing a fantastic job, my son went there and was very happy and well looked after.
Lets lock up every parent that loses their child in a supermarket, lets lock up the parents whose 3 year old took the dog for a walk at 3 am, lets lock everybody up that makes a human mistake or what? These things will always happen but hopefully lessons will be learned and practices changed to prevent the same thing happen again, but to want to close a facility like that will do more harm than good, denying kids a chance to play and learn, workplaces are lost and a lot of parents have to stop work because they can't afford child care. The pre-school is doing a fantastic job, my son went there and was very happy and well looked after.
Posted by: nicky, bitterne on 7:26pm Thu 3 Jul 08
I totally agree, my daughter went to this pre-school and they were so good, the teachers were so attentive. I feel for Wendy, fortunately her little girl was saved.
I totally agree, my daughter went to this pre-school and they were so good, the teachers were so attentive. I feel for Wendy, fortunately her little girl was saved.
Posted by: hmm on 7:40pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]voiceofyouth[/bold] wrote:
a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.[/quote] Blimey your English is bad!
voiceofyouth wrote:
a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.
Blimey your English is bad!
Posted by: Chris, Southampton on 7:54pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]hmm[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]voiceofyouth[/bold] wrote: a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.[/quote] Blimey your English is bad![/quote] AND, what a sad ****! There is nothing worse than people coming on this board and picking holes in peoples grammer/spelling. We're not all English teachers, just get a life!
hmm wrote:
voiceofyouth wrote: a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.
Blimey your English is bad!
AND, what a sad ****! There is nothing worse than people coming on this board and picking holes in peoples grammer/spelling. We're not all English teachers, just get a life!
Posted by: Chris, Southampton on 7:54pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]hmm[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]voiceofyouth[/bold] wrote: a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.[/quote] Blimey your English is bad![/quote] AND?, what a sad ****! There is nothing worse than people coming on this board and picking holes in peoples grammer/spelling. We're not all English teachers, just get a life!
hmm wrote:
voiceofyouth wrote: a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.
Blimey your English is bad!
AND?, what a sad ****! There is nothing worse than people coming on this board and picking holes in peoples grammer/spelling. We're not all English teachers, just get a life!
Posted by: Katie, Bitterne, Bitterne on 8:19pm Thu 3 Jul 08
My daughter attended this pre-school and my son is currently attending. I have always been very happy with every aspect of the school and both children loved their teachers. I am glad that the little girl is safe, it's a regretable incident and I have no doubt that the school will learn from this. I do take umbridge at a local tv crew filming children unrelated to this event when they were leaving school today - was this even necessary ?
My daughter attended this pre-school and my son is currently attending. I have always been very happy with every aspect of the school and both children loved their teachers. I am glad that the little girl is safe, it's a regretable incident and I have no doubt that the school will learn from this. I do take umbridge at a local tv crew filming children unrelated to this event when they were leaving school today - was this even necessary ?
Posted by: hello, soton on 8:23pm Thu 3 Jul 08
she looks so happy in that picture tho
she looks so happy in that picture tho
Posted by: hello, soton on 8:23pm Thu 3 Jul 08
she looks so happy in that picture tho
she looks so happy in that picture tho
Posted by: Rock and roll on 8:27pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote] Chris, Southampton on 7:54pm today
[quote][bold]hmm[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]voiceofyouth[/bold] wrote: a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.[/quote] Blimey your English is bad![/quote] AND, what a sad ****! There is nothing worse than people coming on this board and picking holes in peoples grammer/spelling. We're not all English teachers, just get a life!
[/quote]
I think you used the n and d, in the word and, as capitals, when they should have been lower case.
Chris, Southampton on 7:54pm today
hmm wrote: voiceofyouth wrote: a 3yr old in a pre school would of had to been given permission to go to the toilet or would of had to be took there normally, so it doesnt look the pre school is doing anything right.
Blimey your English is bad!
AND, what a sad ****! There is nothing worse than people coming on this board and picking holes in peoples grammer/spelling. We're not all English teachers, just get a life!
I think you used the n and d, in the word and, as capitals, when they should have been lower case.
Posted by: janine, bitterne on 9:21pm Thu 3 Jul 08
what some people will do for their 5mins of fame!NONE OF US ARE PERFECT,this is an excellent preschool,why don't we all kick them while they're down,that's productive and helpful!As usual,the true facts haven't been reported.ANY PARENT WOULD BE UPSET,we don't all go blabbing to reporters.Why does a mum from sholing take her child to bitterne preschool?go back there and let civilised parents deal with this issue.As for calling people names over the internet,oh dear!some people have never really left school have they?
what some people will do for their 5mins of fame!NONE OF US ARE PERFECT,this is an excellent preschool,why don't we all kick them while they're down,that's productive and helpful!As usual,the true facts haven't been reported.ANY PARENT WOULD BE UPSET,we don't all go blabbing to reporters.Why does a mum from sholing take her child to bitterne preschool?go back there and let civilised parents deal with this issue.As for calling people names over the internet,oh dear!some people have never really left school have they?
Posted by: tanya, Bitterne on 9:33pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Tina[/bold] wrote:
Both my children attended this pre-school and i cannot rate it highly enough, the kids are happy, get a good starting education and all the staff go the extra mile for the children its 1 incident, and although potentially dangerous the facts are blurry from this article by the echo (as per usual) the pre-school is continually over subscribed, children come from as far as woolston, hedge-end and west end to come to Bitterne Community Pre-school[/quote] I totally agree with you Tina.
My son is currently attending this pre-school as did my daughter 4 years ago.
I have a very high rating for them so much so I will enrolling my third child with them tomorrow. I just hope that the inaccurate reporting of this story does not affect this.
Tina wrote:
Both my children attended this pre-school and i cannot rate it highly enough, the kids are happy, get a good starting education and all the staff go the extra mile for the children its 1 incident, and although potentially dangerous the facts are blurry from this article by the echo (as per usual) the pre-school is continually over subscribed, children come from as far as woolston, hedge-end and west end to come to Bitterne Community Pre-school
I totally agree with you Tina.
My son is currently attending this pre-school as did my daughter 4 years ago.
I have a very high rating for them so much so I will enrolling my third child with them tomorrow. I just hope that the inaccurate reporting of this story does not affect this.
Posted by: pamperme, bitterne on 9:39pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Some of the comments posted on here are obviously from people not in the know! Y are you all slandering the pre-school and its teachers?
I have close relations with the pre-school, I attended there as a tot, as did my brother, both some years ago. And now i have two children, my first attended there and i have another awaiting to go there.
I have all confidence in the teachers and the practices they include in the running of the pre-school. I do not know of any other, that has had to open another site to accomodate such a high volume of parents wanting to send their child there. They have employed more staff to ensure each child gets the required attention and to enhance the opportunities for each and every child. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes in pre-schools now is totally unbelievable. As the government thinks children shouldnt be playing as children, they should know their numbers 1-10, the alphabet off by heart, goodness sakes next they will be expecting them to be doing algebra, and all by the time the children are 3 yrs old! What amount of homework do you think the teachers have to do? I think the name and purpose, should be brought back to being PLAYSCHOOL!
I would like to point out about the girl in question!
The sweet looking inocent child on the front page, the one who, when at the pre-school, doesnt smile, and she doesnt talk. At the school site in which this happened, she wouldnt need to ask to go to the toilet as the toilets are totally available to the children at all times. The teachers do check the toilets and do have staff, in front, in the middle and at the end of lines when walking the children to the outside play area, in a fashion in which they can keep their eyes on the kids at all times. Mistakes do happen, and i expect she had slipped the queue when awaiting to go outside. Anyone tried to count heads of 20 odd children eager to get on the big play apparatus? Thats for the pig headed blokes that seem to know all about nothing concerning pre-schools!
Seizures? Not at pre-school!!!!! Any mother in their right mind, and not a selfish one would not have gone to the papers about this until she'd had a meeting with the staff concerned, herself and her husband. I think she has acted totally inappropriately and not with her childs best interests at heart. (that is with having her picture spralled across the front page!) Not to mention moving her kids from pillar to post in the past regarding schooling. I agree with kate pratt... Why not find a place closer to home? was this the best in your eyes at the time of sending amber there Mrs blake? i think you have exceeded anyones view of blowing a story out of proportion, as have the reporters.
I dont deny this shouldnt have happened, but i have every confidence that this matter will resolve, and should not put any doubts in the minds of new parents. This, in my eyes is THE BEST pre-school in the area.
Some of the comments posted on here are obviously from people not in the know! Y are you all slandering the pre-school and its teachers?
I have close relations with the pre-school, I attended there as a tot, as did my brother, both some years ago. And now i have two children, my first attended there and i have another awaiting to go there.
I have all confidence in the teachers and the practices they include in the running of the pre-school. I do not know of any other, that has had to open another site to accomodate such a high volume of parents wanting to send their child there. They have employed more staff to ensure each child gets the required attention and to enhance the opportunities for each and every child. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes in pre-schools now is totally unbelievable. As the government thinks children shouldnt be playing as children, they should know their numbers 1-10, the alphabet off by heart, goodness sakes next they will be expecting them to be doing algebra, and all by the time the children are 3 yrs old! What amount of homework do you think the teachers have to do? I think the name and purpose, should be brought back to being PLAYSCHOOL!
I would like to point out about the girl in question!
The sweet looking inocent child on the front page, the one who, when at the pre-school, doesnt smile, and she doesnt talk. At the school site in which this happened, she wouldnt need to ask to go to the toilet as the toilets are totally available to the children at all times. The teachers do check the toilets and do have staff, in front, in the middle and at the end of lines when walking the children to the outside play area, in a fashion in which they can keep their eyes on the kids at all times. Mistakes do happen, and i expect she had slipped the queue when awaiting to go outside. Anyone tried to count heads of 20 odd children eager to get on the big play apparatus? Thats for the pig headed blokes that seem to know all about nothing concerning pre-schools!
Seizures? Not at pre-school!!!!! Any mother in their right mind, and not a selfish one would not have gone to the papers about this until she'd had a meeting with the staff concerned, herself and her husband. I think she has acted totally inappropriately and not with her childs best interests at heart. (that is with having her picture spralled across the front page!) Not to mention moving her kids from pillar to post in the past regarding schooling. I agree with kate pratt... Why not find a place closer to home? was this the best in your eyes at the time of sending amber there Mrs blake? i think you have exceeded anyones view of blowing a story out of proportion, as have the reporters.
I dont deny this shouldnt have happened, but i have every confidence that this matter will resolve, and should not put any doubts in the minds of new parents. This, in my eyes is THE BEST pre-school in the area.
Posted by: stephen, sholing on 9:58pm Thu 3 Jul 08
I am stephen blake , 13 years old and i am amber blake's big brother so for all those people saying that half of it is made up i can esure you that it is the whole truth nothing taken from the story and nothing added. if you have a problem with me or my mum then my e mail is stephenblake14@hotma
il.co.uk
p.s . ther WAS NO head coun or register bbefore they took the children out
I am stephen blake , 13 years old and i am amber blake's big brother so for all those people saying that half of it is made up i can esure you that it is the whole truth nothing taken from the story and nothing added. if you have a problem with me or my mum then my e mail is stephenblake14@hotma
il.co.uk
p.s . ther WAS NO head coun or register bbefore they took the children out
Posted by: tina, Bitterne on 10:01pm Thu 3 Jul 08
surely its difficult to get the facts from a 3 year old?
there is a register taken at the beginning of EVERY session at preschool (a legal requirement)
and as to where she went missing, its still unclear if she was in teh toilet or wandered from the group as they were walking to the outside play area
surely its difficult to get the facts from a 3 year old?
there is a register taken at the beginning of EVERY session at preschool (a legal requirement)
and as to where she went missing, its still unclear if she was in teh toilet or wandered from the group as they were walking to the outside play area
Posted by: peter on 10:36pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Yet anouther account of a person wanting 15 seconds of fame, and The Daily Echo blowing it out of proportion first aliens now this whats next?
Yet anouther account of a person wanting 15 seconds of fame, and The Daily Echo blowing it out of proportion first aliens now this whats next?
Posted by: moi, bitterne on 10:40pm Thu 3 Jul 08
2 questions
Y is a 13 yr old still up at ten o clock?
and
How on earth did amber open the small gate at the side, have you felt how strong thost springs are? only a super human 3 yr old would achieve that!
2 questions
Y is a 13 yr old still up at ten o clock?
and
How on earth did amber open the small gate at the side, have you felt how strong thost springs are? only a super human 3 yr old would achieve that!
Posted by: wendy, sholing on 11:12pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]pamperme[/bold] wrote:
Some of the comments posted on here are obviously from people not in the know! Y are you all slandering the pre-school and its teachers? I have close relations with the pre-school, I attended there as a tot, as did my brother, both some years ago. And now i have two children, my first attended there and i have another awaiting to go there. I have all confidence in the teachers and the practices they include in the running of the pre-school. I do not know of any other, that has had to open another site to accomodate such a high volume of parents wanting to send their child there. They have employed more staff to ensure each child gets the required attention and to enhance the opportunities for each and every child. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes in pre-schools now is totally unbelievable. As the government thinks children shouldnt be playing as children, they should know their numbers 1-10, the alphabet off by heart, goodness sakes next they will be expecting them to be doing algebra, and all by the time the children are 3 yrs old! What amount of homework do you think the teachers have to do? I think the name and purpose, should be brought back to being PLAYSCHOOL! I would like to point out about the girl in question! The sweet looking inocent child on the front page, the one who, when at the pre-school, doesnt smile, and she doesnt talk. At the school site in which this happened, she wouldnt need to ask to go to the toilet as the toilets are totally available to the children at all times. The teachers do check the toilets and do have staff, in front, in the middle and at the end of lines when walking the children to the outside play area, in a fashion in which they can keep their eyes on the kids at all times. Mistakes do happen, and i expect she had slipped the queue when awaiting to go outside. Anyone tried to count heads of 20 odd children eager to get on the big play apparatus? Thats for the pig headed blokes that seem to know all about nothing concerning pre-schools! Seizures? Not at pre-school!!!!! Any mother in their right mind, and not a selfish one would not have gone to the papers about this until she'd had a meeting with the staff concerned, herself and her husband. I think she has acted totally inappropriately and not with her childs best interests at heart. (that is with having her picture spralled across the front page!) Not to mention moving her kids from pillar to post in the past regarding schooling. I agree with kate pratt... Why not find a place closer to home? was this the best in your eyes at the time of sending amber there Mrs blake? i think you have exceeded anyones view of blowing a story out of proportion, as have the reporters. I dont deny this shouldnt have happened, but i have every confidence that this matter will resolve, and should not put any doubts in the minds of new parents. This, in my eyes is THE BEST pre-school in the area. [/quote] I am Ambers mum
First of all I think you should get your facts right, amber went to the toilet unsupervised but with the knowledge of the staff, subsequently the staff and the rest of the children left the classroom for an outside activity therefore it was not possible that they did a head count at this time or they would have discovered that there was a child missing.
If all you can do is attack the personality of a three year old child then it is you that I feel sorry for.
She did not slip the queue as you have suggested, in fact the manager informed me that amber had been left behind in the toilet when they left the building.
SEIZURES
Unless you have medical qualifications and are fully aware of the condition of someone that suffers from R.A.S. I find it inappropriate that you should comment on something that you know nothing about.
after initially speaking to the manager and being misinformed about the incident, for which later I found out the truth I believe it was their place to have contacted me to discuss this situation and after a week or so had elapsed it become apparent they had no intention of doing so hoping that it would all blow over!
not only have I got my own child's best interests at heart I also feel for anyone else’s child that could have been put in this position and perhaps with a different outcome God forbid
I chose this preschool because my son had attended there and had no problems but let me say; it only takes one error like this that could have disastrous consequences.
pamperme wrote:
Some of the comments posted on here are obviously from people not in the know! Y are you all slandering the pre-school and its teachers? I have close relations with the pre-school, I attended there as a tot, as did my brother, both some years ago. And now i have two children, my first attended there and i have another awaiting to go there. I have all confidence in the teachers and the practices they include in the running of the pre-school. I do not know of any other, that has had to open another site to accomodate such a high volume of parents wanting to send their child there. They have employed more staff to ensure each child gets the required attention and to enhance the opportunities for each and every child. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes in pre-schools now is totally unbelievable. As the government thinks children shouldnt be playing as children, they should know their numbers 1-10, the alphabet off by heart, goodness sakes next they will be expecting them to be doing algebra, and all by the time the children are 3 yrs old! What amount of homework do you think the teachers have to do? I think the name and purpose, should be brought back to being PLAYSCHOOL! I would like to point out about the girl in question! The sweet looking inocent child on the front page, the one who, when at the pre-school, doesnt smile, and she doesnt talk. At the school site in which this happened, she wouldnt need to ask to go to the toilet as the toilets are totally available to the children at all times. The teachers do check the toilets and do have staff, in front, in the middle and at the end of lines when walking the children to the outside play area, in a fashion in which they can keep their eyes on the kids at all times. Mistakes do happen, and i expect she had slipped the queue when awaiting to go outside. Anyone tried to count heads of 20 odd children eager to get on the big play apparatus? Thats for the pig headed blokes that seem to know all about nothing concerning pre-schools! Seizures? Not at pre-school!!!!! Any mother in their right mind, and not a selfish one would not have gone to the papers about this until she'd had a meeting with the staff concerned, herself and her husband. I think she has acted totally inappropriately and not with her childs best interests at heart. (that is with having her picture spralled across the front page!) Not to mention moving her kids from pillar to post in the past regarding schooling. I agree with kate pratt... Why not find a place closer to home? was this the best in your eyes at the time of sending amber there Mrs blake? i think you have exceeded anyones view of blowing a story out of proportion, as have the reporters. I dont deny this shouldnt have happened, but i have every confidence that this matter will resolve, and should not put any doubts in the minds of new parents. This, in my eyes is THE BEST pre-school in the area.
I am Ambers mum
First of all I think you should get your facts right, amber went to the toilet unsupervised but with the knowledge of the staff, subsequently the staff and the rest of the children left the classroom for an outside activity therefore it was not possible that they did a head count at this time or they would have discovered that there was a child missing.
If all you can do is attack the personality of a three year old child then it is you that I feel sorry for.
She did not slip the queue as you have suggested, in fact the manager informed me that amber had been left behind in the toilet when they left the building.
SEIZURES
Unless you have medical qualifications and are fully aware of the condition of someone that suffers from R.A.S. I find it inappropriate that you should comment on something that you know nothing about.
after initially speaking to the manager and being misinformed about the incident, for which later I found out the truth I believe it was their place to have contacted me to discuss this situation and after a week or so had elapsed it become apparent they had no intention of doing so hoping that it would all blow over!
not only have I got my own child's best interests at heart I also feel for anyone else’s child that could have been put in this position and perhaps with a different outcome God forbid
I chose this preschool because my son had attended there and had no problems but let me say; it only takes one error like this that could have disastrous consequences.
Posted by: Robert on 11:20pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]wendy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]pamperme[/bold] wrote: Some of the comments posted on here are obviously from people not in the know! Y are you all slandering the pre-school and its teachers? I have close relations with the pre-school, I attended there as a tot, as did my brother, both some years ago. And now i have two children, my first attended there and i have another awaiting to go there. I have all confidence in the teachers and the practices they include in the running of the pre-school. I do not know of any other, that has had to open another site to accomodate such a high volume of parents wanting to send their child there. They have employed more staff to ensure each child gets the required attention and to enhance the opportunities for each and every child. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes in pre-schools now is totally unbelievable. As the government thinks children shouldnt be playing as children, they should know their numbers 1-10, the alphabet off by heart, goodness sakes next they will be expecting them to be doing algebra, and all by the time the children are 3 yrs old! What amount of homework do you think the teachers have to do? I think the name and purpose, should be brought back to being PLAYSCHOOL! I would like to point out about the girl in question! The sweet looking inocent child on the front page, the one who, when at the pre-school, doesnt smile, and she doesnt talk. At the school site in which this happened, she wouldnt need to ask to go to the toilet as the toilets are totally available to the children at all times. The teachers do check the toilets and do have staff, in front, in the middle and at the end of lines when walking the children to the outside play area, in a fashion in which they can keep their eyes on the kids at all times. Mistakes do happen, and i expect she had slipped the queue when awaiting to go outside. Anyone tried to count heads of 20 odd children eager to get on the big play apparatus? Thats for the pig headed blokes that seem to know all about nothing concerning pre-schools! Seizures? Not at pre-school!!!!! Any mother in their right mind, and not a selfish one would not have gone to the papers about this until she\'d had a meeting with the staff concerned, herself and her husband. I think she has acted totally inappropriately and not with her childs best interests at heart. (that is with having her picture spralled across the front page!) Not to mention moving her kids from pillar to post in the past regarding schooling. I agree with kate pratt... Why not find a place closer to home? was this the best in your eyes at the time of sending amber there Mrs blake? i think you have exceeded anyones view of blowing a story out of proportion, as have the reporters. I dont deny this shouldnt have happened, but i have every confidence that this matter will resolve, and should not put any doubts in the minds of new parents. This, in my eyes is THE BEST pre-school in the area. [/quote] I am Ambers mum First of all I think you should get your facts right, amber went to the toilet unsupervised but with the knowledge of the staff, subsequently the staff and the rest of the children left the classroom for an outside activity therefore it was not possible that they did a head count at this time or they would have discovered that there was a child missing. If all you can do is attack the personality of a three year old child then it is you that I feel sorry for. She did not slip the queue as you have suggested, in fact the manager informed me that amber had been left behind in the toilet when they left the building. SEIZURES Unless you have medical qualifications and are fully aware of the condition of someone that suffers from R.A.S. I find it inappropriate that you should comment on something that you know nothing about. after initially speaking to the manager and being misinformed about the incident, for which later I found out the truth I believe it was their place to have contacted me to discuss this situation and after a week or so had elapsed it become apparent they had no intention of doing so hoping that it would all blow over! not only have I got my own child\'s best interests at heart I also feel for anyone else’s child that could have been put in this position and perhaps with a different outcome God forbid I chose this preschool because my son had attended there and had no problems but let me say; it only takes one error like this that could have disastrous consequences. [/quote] If you had your childs interests at heart. why make her part of a media circus?. why not settle it just with the pre school?.
wendy wrote:
pamperme wrote: Some of the comments posted on here are obviously from people not in the know! Y are you all slandering the pre-school and its teachers? I have close relations with the pre-school, I attended there as a tot, as did my brother, both some years ago. And now i have two children, my first attended there and i have another awaiting to go there. I have all confidence in the teachers and the practices they include in the running of the pre-school. I do not know of any other, that has had to open another site to accomodate such a high volume of parents wanting to send their child there. They have employed more staff to ensure each child gets the required attention and to enhance the opportunities for each and every child. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes in pre-schools now is totally unbelievable. As the government thinks children shouldnt be playing as children, they should know their numbers 1-10, the alphabet off by heart, goodness sakes next they will be expecting them to be doing algebra, and all by the time the children are 3 yrs old! What amount of homework do you think the teachers have to do? I think the name and purpose, should be brought back to being PLAYSCHOOL! I would like to point out about the girl in question! The sweet looking inocent child on the front page, the one who, when at the pre-school, doesnt smile, and she doesnt talk. At the school site in which this happened, she wouldnt need to ask to go to the toilet as the toilets are totally available to the children at all times. The teachers do check the toilets and do have staff, in front, in the middle and at the end of lines when walking the children to the outside play area, in a fashion in which they can keep their eyes on the kids at all times. Mistakes do happen, and i expect she had slipped the queue when awaiting to go outside. Anyone tried to count heads of 20 odd children eager to get on the big play apparatus? Thats for the pig headed blokes that seem to know all about nothing concerning pre-schools! Seizures? Not at pre-school!!!!! Any mother in their right mind, and not a selfish one would not have gone to the papers about this until she\'d had a meeting with the staff concerned, herself and her husband. I think she has acted totally inappropriately and not with her childs best interests at heart. (that is with having her picture spralled across the front page!) Not to mention moving her kids from pillar to post in the past regarding schooling. I agree with kate pratt... Why not find a place closer to home? was this the best in your eyes at the time of sending amber there Mrs blake? i think you have exceeded anyones view of blowing a story out of proportion, as have the reporters. I dont deny this shouldnt have happened, but i have every confidence that this matter will resolve, and should not put any doubts in the minds of new parents. This, in my eyes is THE BEST pre-school in the area.
I am Ambers mum First of all I think you should get your facts right, amber went to the toilet unsupervised but with the knowledge of the staff, subsequently the staff and the rest of the children left the classroom for an outside activity therefore it was not possible that they did a head count at this time or they would have discovered that there was a child missing. If all you can do is attack the personality of a three year old child then it is you that I feel sorry for. She did not slip the queue as you have suggested, in fact the manager informed me that amber had been left behind in the toilet when they left the building. SEIZURES Unless you have medical qualifications and are fully aware of the condition of someone that suffers from R.A.S. I find it inappropriate that you should comment on something that you know nothing about. after initially speaking to the manager and being misinformed about the incident, for which later I found out the truth I believe it was their place to have contacted me to discuss this situation and after a week or so had elapsed it become apparent they had no intention of doing so hoping that it would all blow over! not only have I got my own child\'s best interests at heart I also feel for anyone else’s child that could have been put in this position and perhaps with a different outcome God forbid I chose this preschool because my son had attended there and had no problems but let me say; it only takes one error like this that could have disastrous consequences.
If you had your childs interests at heart. why make her part of a media circus?. why not settle it just with the pre school?.
Posted by: Bambi on 11:21pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]peter[/bold] wrote:
Yet anouther account of a person wanting 15 seconds of fame, and The Daily Echo blowing it out of proportion first aliens now this whats next?[/quote] Endless stories about a wedding dress shop, maybe?
peter wrote:
Yet anouther account of a person wanting 15 seconds of fame, and The Daily Echo blowing it out of proportion first aliens now this whats next?
Endless stories about a wedding dress shop, maybe?
Posted by: Tom Thumb on 12:14am Fri 4 Jul 08
I like the fact, that when ever something happens to some one they have to say they had this or they had that.Like oh look hes killed a guy but he has asthma
I like the fact, that when ever something happens to some one they have to say they had this or they had that.Like oh look hes killed a guy but he has asthma
Posted by: Kate bitterne on on 12:21am Fri 4 Jul 08
i still intend to send my youngest daughter to this pre-school and have no problem doing so
As for you wendy saying you have the other childrens best interests at heart then surely that is up to us parents to deside
AND as for having the TV cameras outside the school today when the children were coming out, you are out of order because us as parents have to give permission to the school to do so and it could have been done at a better time when there was no children
i still intend to send my youngest daughter to this pre-school and have no problem doing so
As for you wendy saying you have the other childrens best interests at heart then surely that is up to us parents to deside
AND as for having the TV cameras outside the school today when the children were coming out, you are out of order because us as parents have to give permission to the school to do so and it could have been done at a better time when there was no children
Posted by: Brent, London on 12:47am Fri 4 Jul 08
I'm sure this sort of thing happens fairly frequently - teachers do a head count, turn their backs and a kid vanishes somewhere. It just shows the importance of taking an accurate register and frequent head counts while out and about.
With all the talk about governments using RFID chips to track people around the world, wouldn't this be a perfectly acceptable use of the technology? Give the kids a lapel badge with an RFID chip inside when they arrive for school, carry a scanner when you're out with a class and if one of the kids stops to tie a shoelace or investigate a dead cat or something an alarm will sound once they're out of the scanner's range.
Counting kids isn't hard but when you've got eyes on the road and pavement and you're talking to a child about Dora the Explorer or something, it suddenly becomes quite difficult. Do we want the teachers to interact with the kids, or just be sheepdogs shepherding them from place to place?
Come on Southampton council, invest in the technology that will make losing kids on school trips a thing of the past.
I'm sure this sort of thing happens fairly frequently - teachers do a head count, turn their backs and a kid vanishes somewhere. It just shows the importance of taking an accurate register and frequent head counts while out and about.
With all the talk about governments using RFID chips to track people around the world, wouldn't this be a perfectly acceptable use of the technology? Give the kids a lapel badge with an RFID chip inside when they arrive for school, carry a scanner when you're out with a class and if one of the kids stops to tie a shoelace or investigate a dead cat or something an alarm will sound once they're out of the scanner's range.
Counting kids isn't hard but when you've got eyes on the road and pavement and you're talking to a child about Dora the Explorer or something, it suddenly becomes quite difficult. Do we want the teachers to interact with the kids, or just be sheepdogs shepherding them from place to place?
Come on Southampton council, invest in the technology that will make losing kids on school trips a thing of the past.
Posted by: Tony on 1:11am Fri 4 Jul 08
Why isit that The Daily Echo can print a story when they only have one side off the story?.
Why isit that The Daily Echo can print a story when they only have one side off the story?.
Posted by: Crikey, Bitterne on 7:34am Fri 4 Jul 08
Crikey, This poor Mum!! You should all be ashamed of your selves. Stop attacking her!!
Crikey, This poor Mum!! You should all be ashamed of your selves. Stop attacking her!!
Posted by: Ken on 7:43am Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote]Robert on 11:20pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]wendy[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]pamperme[/bold] wrote: Some of the comments posted on here are obviously from people not in the know! Y are you all slandering the pre-school and its teachers? I have close relations with the pre-school, I attended there as a tot, as did my brother, both some years ago. And now i have two children, my first attended there and i have another awaiting to go there. I have all confidence in the teachers and the practices they include in the running of the pre-school. I do not know of any other, that has had to open another site to accomodate such a high volume of parents wanting to send their child there. They have employed more staff to ensure each child gets the required attention and to enhance the opportunities for each and every child. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes in pre-schools now is totally unbelievable. As the government thinks children shouldnt be playing as children, they should know their numbers 1-10, the alphabet off by heart, goodness sakes next they will be expecting them to be doing algebra, and all by the time the children are 3 yrs old! What amount of homework do you think the teachers have to do? I think the name and purpose, should be brought back to being PLAYSCHOOL! I would like to point out about the girl in question! The sweet looking inocent child on the front page, the one who, when at the pre-school, doesnt smile, and she doesnt talk. At the school site in which this happened, she wouldnt need to ask to go to the toilet as the toilets are totally available to the children at all times. The teachers do check the toilets and do have staff, in front, in the middle and at the end of lines when walking the children to the outside play area, in a fashion in which they can keep their eyes on the kids at all times. Mistakes do happen, and i expect she had slipped the queue when awaiting to go outside. Anyone tried to count heads of 20 odd children eager to get on the big play apparatus? Thats for the pig headed blokes that seem to know all about nothing concerning pre-schools! Seizures? Not at pre-school!!!!! Any mother in their right mind, and not a selfish one would not have gone to the papers about this until she'd had a meeting with the staff concerned, herself and her husband. I think she has acted totally inappropriately and not with her childs best interests at heart. (that is with having her picture spralled across the front page!) Not to mention moving her kids from pillar to post in the past regarding schooling. I agree with kate pratt... Why not find a place closer to home? was this the best in your eyes at the time of sending amber there Mrs blake? i think you have exceeded anyones view of blowing a story out of proportion, as have the reporters. I dont deny this shouldnt have happened, but i have every confidence that this matter will resolve, and should not put any doubts in the minds of new parents. This, in my eyes is THE BEST pre-school in the area. [/quote] I am Ambers mum First of all I think you should get your facts right, amber went to the toilet unsupervised but with the knowledge of the staff, subsequently the staff and the rest of the children left the classroom for an outside activity therefore it was not possible that they did a head count at this time or they would have discovered that there was a child missing. If all you can do is attack the personality of a three year old child then it is you that I feel sorry for. She did not slip the queue as you have suggested, in fact the manager informed me that amber had been left behind in the toilet when they left the building. SEIZURES Unless you have medical qualifications and are fully aware of the condition of someone that suffers from R.A.S. I find it inappropriate that you should comment on something that you know nothing about. after initially speaking to the manager and being misinformed about the incident, for which later I found out the truth I believe it was their place to have contacted me to discuss this situation and after a week or so had elapsed it become apparent they had no intention of doing so hoping that it would all blow over! not only have I got my own child's best interests at heart I also feel for anyone else’s child that could have been put in this position and perhaps with a different outcome God forbid I chose this preschool because my son had attended there and had no problems but let me say; it only takes one error like this that could have disastrous consequences. [/quote] If you had your childs interests at heart. why make her part of a media circus?. why not settle it just with the pre school?.
[/quote]
Here we go again, Robert big gob sounding off!!!
This is the mother of a child that could have been a headline as bad as Sarah Payne, Madeline McCann etc, and you take it upon yourself to under-play the seriousness of the event, by questioning whether she had her childs interests at heart for contacting the media.
You are an ar$e as usual, if you are not advocating a paedophiles rights to hold images on his computer, you are trashing a poor mother that could have lost a child.
I think we see a pattern here!!!
Robert on 11:20pm Thu 3 Jul 08
wendy wrote: pamperme wrote: Some of the comments posted on here are obviously from people not in the know! Y are you all slandering the pre-school and its teachers? I have close relations with the pre-school, I attended there as a tot, as did my brother, both some years ago. And now i have two children, my first attended there and i have another awaiting to go there. I have all confidence in the teachers and the practices they include in the running of the pre-school. I do not know of any other, that has had to open another site to accomodate such a high volume of parents wanting to send their child there. They have employed more staff to ensure each child gets the required attention and to enhance the opportunities for each and every child. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes in pre-schools now is totally unbelievable. As the government thinks children shouldnt be playing as children, they should know their numbers 1-10, the alphabet off by heart, goodness sakes next they will be expecting them to be doing algebra, and all by the time the children are 3 yrs old! What amount of homework do you think the teachers have to do? I think the name and purpose, should be brought back to being PLAYSCHOOL! I would like to point out about the girl in question! The sweet looking inocent child on the front page, the one who, when at the pre-school, doesnt smile, and she doesnt talk. At the school site in which this happened, she wouldnt need to ask to go to the toilet as the toilets are totally available to the children at all times. The teachers do check the toilets and do have staff, in front, in the middle and at the end of lines when walking the children to the outside play area, in a fashion in which they can keep their eyes on the kids at all times. Mistakes do happen, and i expect she had slipped the queue when awaiting to go outside. Anyone tried to count heads of 20 odd children eager to get on the big play apparatus? Thats for the pig headed blokes that seem to know all about nothing concerning pre-schools! Seizures? Not at pre-school!!!!! Any mother in their right mind, and not a selfish one would not have gone to the papers about this until she'd had a meeting with the staff concerned, herself and her husband. I think she has acted totally inappropriately and not with her childs best interests at heart. (that is with having her picture spralled across the front page!) Not to mention moving her kids from pillar to post in the past regarding schooling. I agree with kate pratt... Why not find a place closer to home? was this the best in your eyes at the time of sending amber there Mrs blake? i think you have exceeded anyones view of blowing a story out of proportion, as have the reporters. I dont deny this shouldnt have happened, but i have every confidence that this matter will resolve, and should not put any doubts in the minds of new parents. This, in my eyes is THE BEST pre-school in the area.
I am Ambers mum First of all I think you should get your facts right, amber went to the toilet unsupervised but with the knowledge of the staff, subsequently the staff and the rest of the children left the classroom for an outside activity therefore it was not possible that they did a head count at this time or they would have discovered that there was a child missing. If all you can do is attack the personality of a three year old child then it is you that I feel sorry for. She did not slip the queue as you have suggested, in fact the manager informed me that amber had been left behind in the toilet when they left the building. SEIZURES Unless you have medical qualifications and are fully aware of the condition of someone that suffers from R.A.S. I find it inappropriate that you should comment on something that you know nothing about. after initially speaking to the manager and being misinformed about the incident, for which later I found out the truth I believe it was their place to have contacted me to discuss this situation and after a week or so had elapsed it become apparent they had no intention of doing so hoping that it would all blow over! not only have I got my own child's best interests at heart I also feel for anyone else’s child that could have been put in this position and perhaps with a different outcome God forbid I chose this preschool because my son had attended there and had no problems but let me say; it only takes one error like this that could have disastrous consequences.
If you had your childs interests at heart. why make her part of a media circus?. why not settle it just with the pre school?.
Here we go again, Robert big gob sounding off!!!
This is the mother of a child that could have been a headline as bad as Sarah Payne, Madeline McCann etc, and you take it upon yourself to under-play the seriousness of the event, by questioning whether she had her childs interests at heart for contacting the media.
You are an ar$e as usual, if you are not advocating a paedophiles rights to hold images on his computer, you are trashing a poor mother that could have lost a child.
I think we see a pattern here!!!
Posted by: why, Bitterne on 8:14am Fri 4 Jul 08
for parents of pre school - Please note : Yes it has always been a fantastic pre - school and yes the staff are lovely and yes its one of the best around BUT no matter who you are or who your child is they would have tried to blow it over and if possible not tell you at all!! This is not someone trying to cause arguments, this is a parent saying please please just listen to Wendy's story.
for parents of pre school - Please note : Yes it has always been a fantastic pre - school and yes the staff are lovely and yes its one of the best around BUT no matter who you are or who your child is they would have tried to blow it over and if possible not tell you at all!! This is not someone trying to cause arguments, this is a parent saying please please just listen to Wendy's story.
Posted by: Sentient on 3:59pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Brent[/bold] wrote:
I'm sure this sort of thing happens fairly frequently - teachers do a head count, turn their backs and a kid vanishes somewhere. It just shows the importance of taking an accurate register and frequent head counts while out and about. With all the talk about governments using RFID chips to track people around the world, wouldn't this be a perfectly acceptable use of the technology? Give the kids a lapel badge with an RFID chip inside when they arrive for school, carry a scanner when you're out with a class and if one of the kids stops to tie a shoelace or investigate a dead cat or something an alarm will sound once they're out of the scanner's range. Counting kids isn't hard but when you've got eyes on the road and pavement and you're talking to a child about Dora the Explorer or something, it suddenly becomes quite difficult. Do we want the teachers to interact with the kids, or just be sheepdogs shepherding them from place to place? Come on Southampton council, invest in the technology that will make losing kids on school trips a thing of the past.[/quote] Good post. Good suggestion regarding use of technology to keep tabs, although no doubt someone will complain it infringes the childrens' human rights!
I don't agree that the council should fund it though; or is this a state funded pre-school?
Brent wrote:
I'm sure this sort of thing happens fairly frequently - teachers do a head count, turn their backs and a kid vanishes somewhere. It just shows the importance of taking an accurate register and frequent head counts while out and about. With all the talk about governments using RFID chips to track people around the world, wouldn't this be a perfectly acceptable use of the technology? Give the kids a lapel badge with an RFID chip inside when they arrive for school, carry a scanner when you're out with a class and if one of the kids stops to tie a shoelace or investigate a dead cat or something an alarm will sound once they're out of the scanner's range. Counting kids isn't hard but when you've got eyes on the road and pavement and you're talking to a child about Dora the Explorer or something, it suddenly becomes quite difficult. Do we want the teachers to interact with the kids, or just be sheepdogs shepherding them from place to place? Come on Southampton council, invest in the technology that will make losing kids on school trips a thing of the past.
Good post. Good suggestion regarding use of technology to keep tabs, although no doubt someone will complain it infringes the childrens' human rights!
I don't agree that the council should fund it though; or is this a state funded pre-school?
Posted by: WUM on 4:14pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]pamperme[/bold] wrote:
Some of the comments post
