Nurseries in Greenwich/area accepting babies? / When to look for nanny-share for baby?

[Sal22]

Hi everyone. Not 100% sure when I'm planning to go back to work, but just in case I need to earlier - does anyone know good nurseries in the area that accept babies?

I'm only due in April, but I've spoken to Teddies Nurseries in Greenwich, and apparently they have an 18 month waiting list, so I guess I have to get myself organised sooner rather than later.

If no luck with baby nurseries, does anyone know how long in advance I should start looking / advertising for nanny shares (sadly don't think we can afford a nanny on our own just yet...)
Thanks a lot.

[paow]

Hi ya, I live in Blackheath and have ds at the Blackheath Day Nursery.
It's OK, but not perfect and neither is Lingfield near the Village.
I've heard good things about the community nursery Robert Owen and also know that the best one is probably Genesis in Hither Green.
I had to put deposit down when I was 7 months pregnant, so my adivce is get in now and just have a look around and choose a couple, put a tentative date down.
The deposit is only about £30 so it's worth it for the peace of mind
Good luck

[Sal22]

Thank you very much for the info. I'll start contacting them now.

[cookiemonstress]

Hi
I've been round all the nurseries in the borough of Greenwich. Robert Owen and Pound park definately best but unless you are in catchment, not a pig's hope in hell of getting in and even then a long wait. Ditto, Teddies. The prob with Greenwich is that they aren't conveniently placed for public transport if you work in town. So much so, my two end up going to Lollipops in new eltham as it's right by the station (bit rough round the edges but i've learned to like it). Call up the CHildrens Information Service and get them to email over a list of all the nurseries and childminders. Next, find your local children's centre and find out if they have a childminder session and befriend the network co-ordinator (will know of good childminders with vacancies). The children's centre on Sherington Road have a session on thursdays 10am.
I've done the nanny thing and whilst lovely, not financially sustainable and the whole nanny share as I have 2 kids seemed to be a step to complicated. But I found my lovely nanny through gumtree (placed my own ad). The lead time on nannies is shorter than nurseries but you should allow at least a few months, if you factor in a trial/settling period.
Hope this helps!
Rebecca

[Sal22]

Hi Rebecca. Yes, sadly enough you were right re the catchment area for Robert Owen - I've called and apparently the cathment area is only two or three streets around them, so we fall outside. I've now called the Children's Info Service and am awaiting the list - I'm hoping to find something somewhere! I've also just contacted Genesis as paow suggested, fingers crossed that they'll have some good news, the website looks nice, so will see the actual nursery once we've arranged the visit. I've requested info from Teddies (who said that they've got about 18 months waiting list, so I'll need to sort out something else in the meantime anyway), and will steadily be working my way through the other suggestions you both had.
Thanks again, S.

[paow]

Hello again, another suggestion:
Nuersery on the green in Eltham, apparently very good.

[Sal22]

Thanks again paow! I really appreciate the help. Info on website looks nice, I'll give them a call tomorrow. Have a doctor's appointment at 2pm tomorrow, so put in half day leave so that I have some time to work on the nurseries - have an appointment at Teddies later in the afternoon, so will see how that goes as well.
Take care,
S.

[cosima]

there is also a teddies in bexleyheath, not sure what its like though. I am in similar situation, due in feb, planning on going back to work september

[cookiemonstress]

Hi
Teddies is nice (but pricey) as is Nursery on the Green (but not good if you need to take public transport to work). I don't know anything about Genesis as it was too far out of the way. HEadstart in Lewisham (close to blackheath) is also good but I think also pricey. I have seen several nurseries in town and locally and I have to say that by far the best and my favourite are the council funded ones (staff older, less likely to leave etc) but it can be tricky to get a place in one. There is also Quaggy children's centre between lewisham and greenwich.

Good luck. My advice would be to put down a deposit and secure a place somewhere, then you don't have to spend all your maternity leave worrying about childcare like I did. You can always adjust the date and days or even withdraw and all you've lost is a small deposit.

R

[Sal22]

I'm having trouble with council funded ones, as every time i've tried so far we've fallen out of the catchment area! Robert Owen actually said they suspect we're "in the middle" - and will fall just out of all the council catchment areas. :-( I'm slowly but surely trying to call everyone suggested up anyway just in case.

As far as Greenwich Teddies - went for a viewing today and really liked it, so we'll put our names down on the list. 18 month waiting list, so will still need to find something else in the meantime, but relieved to have relatively easily (with everyone here's help of course)found somewhere we liked.