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I'm looking for a nursery for my 12 month old, and trying to decide between Treehouse and Zeeba in Wanstead. (Little Bears - the new one - we weren't keen on, and I think they're full anyway.)

Does anyone have any feedback for Treehouse or Zeeba?

Thank you.

I thought I should add some of my own ups and downsides! Anyone anything else to add?

Treehouse: larger nursery, smallish outside space, manager didn't know what baby-led weaning was, three Ofsted complaints (can't get an answer from the managers what the last one was about), but cosy, safe, access to the park, recommended by a friend and a "Good" Ofsted (bar the above).

Zeeba: quite tatty, downwind from super-busy A road (noisy) and a "Satisfactory" Ofsted, but friendliest so far, didn't mind showing me round when I turned up on the spot, nice light room for 12-18 month olds, large outdoor space (but by A road), primary school teacher is one of the carers and they use the word 'love' in their leaflet, which seems important, as most don't.

Thanks you.

Hi there Sally
Have you made a decision yet? I have had my 3 years old at Zeeba for the last 2 years.
They have made huge improvements since then!
Staff are really loving, they love those children and take good care of them. They are not the most well organised however (things get misplaced, staff is some times not well informed etc.) but the environment is a good one and they try to improve all the time. I hear what you say about the garden being by the A12 but I have never noticed any disrupting noise from the road any time I have been out there picking up my son etc.
Zeeba have improved their menus since opening in 09 - although not yet to the standards that I'd like they now pay much more attention to serving healthy food as well as nutritious. All of the food is cooked on the premises.

All in all, I would recommend them as nursery. In particular the assistant manager is very capable and has a child of her own - call me old fashioned but I think dealing with staff who have children does make a difference as some of the staff are very young and do not always know how to relate to parents in the best possible way.

Treehouse - My neighbour had her son at Treehouse for a few years (they have now relocated) and I think she was kind of happy with there also, although she had mentioned high staff turnover and a few issues with problems being raised by parents that appeared to not being listened to.

Good luck!

Hello there - yes, we went for Zeeba. Early days, but, so far so good.

I had some really long chats with my head teacher cousin, who reassured me about the Ofsted reports - and I agree with her judgement that shiny new things in a nursery aren't necessarily the most important at a child of DD's age. Plus, both DP and I work in digital / creative media, so we weren't fussed about there being iPads for every child (you know what I mean!), as we know how quickly she'll learn. We'll do loads with her at home, we're not expecting the nursery to do 'everything', more simply love her and care for her whilst we work.

Glad to hear your experience is mostly good. I've got friends who have children at each of the other nurseries in the area, and they're happy enough - but it came down to our feeling about the place. And we felt that Zeeba was the most caring by far.