10/05/2022
Since a serious incident 2 weeks ago (that did NOT put any children at risk) we have received an OVERWHELMING level of love and support from the parents of the children we care for. This has literally kept us going, and is the reason we are so passionate about what we do at Dandy Daycare; we can't thank our clients enough.
Our families need us. They don't want to go elsewhere, as noone else does what we do. But the decision by OFSTED to close both our settings for an investigation, and no income, means that we will not survive for long.
We have set up a fundraising page, to hopefully help to pay our amazing staff while we are closed, so they won't need to find jobs elsewhere. When we are able to reopen we, and the children, need our team back!
Please donate what you can, all the money will go towards paying the staff their wage for May.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-pay-our-wonderful-staff?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
Here are some of the messages of support we have received (parents and children's names removed):
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"I just want to say, despite the actions of one person, you, and the girls are family. No other way to put it.
The actions of one individual should not tarnish the brand you have created.
The brand that to me is wholesome, friendly, loving, kind, and most of all the children are loved and cared for. You turned a non-verbal child into a very verbal child and I am so thankful for that. You all unlocked him, gave him a voice and personality. That is because of what you do every day!
I will stand by you till the end. What I mean by that is to the end when C******* is no longer allowed at daycare due to going to highschool. I refuse to change, you are all family!
I trust you all explicitly with my son. With our son. My husband is of the same judgment as I.
Dandy Daycare is safe, I know this. It will be forever safe. Your actions after this incident speaks volumes and I know C********* will always be safe with you.
Let me know if you need anything. We need you back."
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"We are thinking about you lots and can’t imagine how you are all feeling.
I don’t know how we can help with anything but please let us know if we can.
You have always had F***’s best interests at heart and there is still no one i trust more to look after the most important person in my life. You girls are amazing and please don’t doubt that.
Lots of love"
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"I have been meaning to send this email for a couple of weeks now, and life has got in the way but I wanted you to know.
From a really young age, R*** has hated any sort of singing and dancing, he has begged me to stop if I ever sang to him (I try not to take it too personally!!) and if I ever tried to dance with him, he would literally hide in the corner. Over the last couple of months, I noticed he was coming home and quietly singing songs to himself, very quietly when no one was looking. Then in the last few weeks he has suddenly found his confidence with music and has been singing songs to his baby brother at meal times, showing me his dance moves and doing little performances of his favourite songs from "my dandy daycare" as he calls it!
Anyway, this may seem a small thing, but we have seen such a huge change in him and in his confidence in so many ways and I honestly think you guys play a massive part in this. I wanted you to know how grateful we are for this.
So THANKYOU, you are all so good at what you do, you have something very special at Dandy Daycare and it shows in the confidence of our little ones and the pride they have of being a part of it all. Not to mention how happy they are to run in every morning without a backwards glance!!!
Loads of love to you all, and we hope to be back with you soon for more adventures"
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"I felt, and still feel, so happy about my choice of nursery for A*****- I looked at quite a few and I really loved the staff, set up and ethos of Dandy Daycare and it is such a great fit for A***** who is only 8 months old, but already very sociable and loves animals and being outside."
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"Oh guys my heart is breaking for you amazing ladies. If I didn't have covid there would be a huge hug here for all of you from both I**** and myself.
You and your ladies are amazing at your job and I can say I trust you all whole heartedly with my most precious (slightly annoying sometimes) possession and I'm deeply hoping that the events of Monday won't put you or any of the ladies off continuing in the career path that they are so very very suited and great at.
We will be waiting for you to open your doors again where ever that may need to be to hopefully see all the bright smiling faces of the amazing dandy ladies again"
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"We only hope you come out of the other side of this, as I know L***** only recently attended for 2 days during the holiday club but he has not stopped talking about it since and every day when we pass the nursery (we live around the corner) he shouts ‘holiday club’ at the top of voice as he loved every second of being with you guys."
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"Myself and my husband just wanted to let you know that you and the team have our support and trust! We have never had any problem/concern leaving M******* with you all.
However, since you have shared the reason for the temporary closure, I just wanted to assure you that we can’t speak highly enough of Dandy Daycare!
The way that you have quickly acted and involved the police/ofsted, knowing the impact it would have on the business highlights that you put the children’s safety first!
I appreciate that incidents like this can tarnish the reputation of a business, however, in our eyes, your quick and selfless actions only enhance the trust we already had in Dandy Daycare and we very much hold DD in high regard as a consequence. I would like to reassure you that we will spread that message to all people that need to know.
Within Dandy Daycare, you have obviously built up a culture which spills over into the parents and children that use the service you provide. Just reading the comments and the suggestions people have made reaffirms this for me and that DD is a place where I want my child to go.
You guys offer a service that is so unique. Taking the children out for adventures and stimulating them in different ways. We drop M***** off knowing that fun will be made in the outdoor air and she will learn through play.
Like I said, we can’t speak highly of you all and will be sure to shout it out. We can only thank you for ensuring that no harm has come to M******** and that she stays safe. Good times will come. I know it."
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"We really appreciate how quickly and seriously you dealt with the situation, despite it being obviously so damaging to the business.
It broke our hearts when you said about building up a reputation over 20 years, and for that to be undone by one person (who was not even employed by the business!). In our opinion, Dandy is the best nursery and we wouldn't dream of leaving you. We got such a positive impression from our first day, and we know L******* LOVES you guys, by the way she always comes back laughing and smiling after a fun day with you all. We were so gutted to hear this news and that you guys have closed, as L******* was really just starting to love it there and blossoming in herself and socially."
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"I just wanted to note how well I think you are all dealing with this situation. I can't imagine how you and your excellent staff are all feeling and our thoughts are really with you and the girls. To be put into something so out of your control, but to manage such delicate issue with clarity and professionalism is admirable. If you continue with your frequent updates I have no doubt parents will remain supportive.
If there comes a time where I or anyone can help please reach out.
We look forward to J***** returning to your excellent care as soon as possible."
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"I have no doubt that you have all the children’s safety and well-being at the forefront of everything you do at Dandy, and are still more than capable of providing that as soon as you’re able to open again, and I wanted you to know that we’re all looking forward to seeing you again."
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"T***** hasn't attended for long but we absolutely love the staff, ethos and values of the nursery and T***** doesn't want to go anywhere else. We will continue to support you once you are able to reopen."
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"Firstly, we would like to express how sorry we are feeling reading your heartfelt messages.
As parents, both my partner and I have never had any doubts whatsoever in your caring nature, professionalism, hard work and fun-loving environment that you provide for our L*****.
Although at this time you must be feeling devastated over the events of the last few days, may we say your honestly and openness has shone through. We are full of admiration for your conduct and how you have dealt with the matter to date.
We would very much love for L***** to be able to return to Dandy's as soon as possible. Lets hope this issue gets dealt with by the authorities in a timely manner and you and the team are able to return to the great establishment that provides such care and fun for our little ones.
Our thoughts and support are with you."
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"O***** is so happy with you. We’ve been so pleased about how he’s settled, the staff are all fantastic. If the worst case happens and you cannot reopen at all (I hope not!) I am so pleased O***** has had the weeks with you and thank you for the experiences you have provided."
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"I hope things get sorted and you can all get back to doing what you do best. You're all brilliant and I have 100% faith that the man in question’s actions are no reflection of your professionalism and dedication to keeping our children safe while in your care"
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"You have all been so amazing during the time our children have been with you and I can't think of anyone else is rather them to be with.
We're not looking to move the kids to another provider on the true hope that Ofsted will see sense and recognise you all for the amazing setting you are and swiftly reopen but understand they have have their own process to follow.
We've had Dandy Daycare look after our two children over a period of 4 years. The dedication and utter commitment all the staff have for the safety and wellbeing of our children is unrivalled. We looked at a few different providers when searching for childcare and none came close to Dandy Daycare. The staff are amazing as too are the activities they undertake and the curriculum they follow for the children. Dandy Daycare have provided an optimum setting for our children to thrive and I still wouldn't leave my children anywhere else. It's sad that so many lives have been affected by the selfish actions of one individual and I sincerely hope that Ofsted recognises Dandy Daycare for the amazing setting it is.
Let us know if there is anything we can do x love to you all x"
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"Such a difficult time for all the staff. Really appreciate your transparency and I have utmost confidence in you all and will definitely want E**** to return when you open. You must all be gutted.
Thanks so much and sending hugs."
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"As always, we hugely appreciate your transparency and communication and although E**** and L*** are not with you day-to-day anymore I just wanted to get in touch so you know we are sending our support and love. I have never, for one second, doubted that my children are in the best possible care when at Dandy', and please be reassured that this incident (and particularly the actions you took to deal with it) means our feelings have not changed."
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"Firstly, I just wanted to follow up from last night with a message of support from us. You have acted quickly and professionally with your first thoughts for our children, even though you yourselves are likely victims.
I talked everything through with my partner last night and he seconds my view that what you offer is extraordinary, and that when the Stithians setting reopens (as it surely will) we would very much like A***** to return."
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A serious incident at Dandy Daycare Mabe has occurred, and although the children have n… Dandy Daycare needs your support for Help us pay our wonderful staff
