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Nice Nurseries in Dulwich (village if possible)?

18 replies

N1MTB · 15/06/2011 17:14

Hello,

It looks like we might finally be moving to Dulwich after what feels like a long search for a house... I'm now (far too late) starting to think about nurseries for my 3 year old.... However, I imagine most of them are full up. Can anybody recommend any nice nurseries in Dulwich that will take children for just a few sessions a week? I'm going to phone all the ones I can find (on the off chance that they have a space!) but local recommendations would be much appreciated!

I also have a nearly 2 year old so would like to try to get her going to a couple of nursery sessions a week this time next year. (At least I'm thinking slightly in advance in relation to her I suppose - maybe not sufficiently though!)

We'll have a full time nanny (I hope!) so don't need full time daycare - I would like DS to carry on going to nursery in the year before he starts school, as he loves it at the moment when he goes.

Thank you!!

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N1MTB · 16/06/2011 20:01

Hi again - there seem to be places at Dulwich Montesorri Nursery (in St Stephen's church hall I think...), Asquith and Nelly's. Does anybody have any thoughts on which is best? Asquith had bad reviews on East Dulwich forum when I googled it but the other two seem pretty good. Thanks!

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legalalien · 21/06/2011 13:38

I know a couple of people who have sent their children to Dulwich Montessori (or at least the one in St Stephen's church), and also some who have used www.dulwichvillagepreschool.com/, which I gather is very flexible about session times. The latter is not "flash" to look at - it's in the Old Alleynians Rugby Club on Dulwich Common (A205) but I've heard good reports about the staff etc. and the two younger siblings of DS's friends who went there seemed to like it....

So you've found a house?

N1MTB · 22/06/2011 10:05

Ah, thanks legalalien! Yup - found a house. It's near-ish the Audi garage so I suspect we might be sort of neighbours. (Between the Audi garage and Alleyns...) It's massively at the top end of our budget though. DH and I had a serious talk about whether we really want that big a mortgage as well last night... (It would tie me into to my job for a few years but I don't seem to be going anywhere fast anyway...) We'll see!

But, we have to move soon whether or not our purchase goes through (because of our sale). So I do need to sort out a nursery place and then will have to try to find a nanny pretty rapidly. Can't do that until I know dates though.

AprilfoolN1 has been great and helping me out with local info too (as she's just moved to the area).

I think Half Moon Montessori might work well for us as it's close-ish to the village. I'm going to attempt to get a place at the local Surestart nurseries too (I think) although am not hopeful as have missed the 1 June deadline. Quite keen not to spend a fortune on nursery fees, given we'll have a huge mortgage and a full time nanny to pay for.... Eeek! (Am v excited though!!)

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legalalien · 22/06/2011 11:50

Aha - quick look at the local agents and I think I can pretty much guess where it is - if I'm right you're very close, I think our street is parallel. Coffee if /when you move in?
We had a similar mortgage discussion when we moved- and were advised by one of DH's senior colleagues that it was better to buy a "forever" house and pay slightly more than we felt comfortable with. Has worked so far....

I think one of DS's friends went to Half Moon Montessori. Will check.

N1MTB · 22/06/2011 12:07

Ha ha... Yes, sure you can guess. Coffee sounds good if/when we move in! Will invite you and AprilfoolN1 - we can have an "outing" gathering...

Thank you re Half Moon Montessori checking!

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domal · 22/06/2011 21:40

There is a really lovely nursery/creche - Magic Moments - at the top of Lordship Lane/close to end Woodward Road that you could get to quite easily. Their telephone number is 020 8693 1177. It might be what you are looking for as it is very flexible. My daughter went there and loved it. It was good step before starting in a more formal nursery school setting. Everyone I know who sent their children there is always full of praise for it and love the women who run it.

N1MTB · 23/06/2011 10:31

Ah, thanks Domal. That would be a great location for us!! Will see if I can have a look next week when I'm checking out another nursery. The nursery place is for my son who will be 3 1/2 in September so quite want somewhere he can "learn" a little bit as well - but my priority is for somewhere where the staff are really affectionate and where he can have fun with other children (doing mildly structured stuff to get him a bit used to school the next year).

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BeeBread · 23/06/2011 22:39

There is another Montessori on Burbage Road. It isn't all bells and whistles but the people I know who send their children there are happy and they have lots of access to outside space so the kids get a good runabout. It is called Little Fingers and the location is fab. They also do half day sessions.

Nelly's is my personal favourite. Amazing facilities and normally there is a 2-year waiting list. But they don't do so well for outdoor space and have a minimum requirement of 2 full days. It also depends which one has space - the location might not be so good for you.

N1MTB · 24/06/2011 11:33

Thanks Beebread. Actually, Nelly's have said they do have space on Turney Road but it's really expensive! Do you think it's worth it? I'm just balking at the cost as we will have to have a full time nanny as well as paying for nursery so don't need "all day childcare" if you see what I mean?

I'll have a look at Little Fingers too - thanks v much.

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BeeBread · 24/06/2011 15:19

I'd say yes if you didn't already have the nanny - but if you are just sending them there for a few hours, a couple of days a week, I'm not so sure that it is worth the difference.

There is a palpable difference in the quality of the fittings etc but I sometimes think that that is more for my benefit than DC's. At Little Fingers they would get company, little friends their own age, space to run around, they do baking and yoga and French. But (if I recall correctly) no separate room for naps - there is just a quiet corner with a few mats and they have a snooze there etc.

N1MTB · 24/06/2011 15:25

Great - thank you... That's really helpful. I'll definitely look at Little Fingers.

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kandydulwich · 24/06/2011 16:51

Hello ladies
Can't believe I've only just found this site. Sounds like we're neighbours! I'm very close to the Audi garage too :-) I have a 7.5 month old and currently on Nelly's waiting list for 4 days a week from Sept (have been since 3 months preg) but they said it's unlikely! It is extortionate though. Never heard of the one at the top of Woodwarde which would be good. Would definitely be up for a coffee if anyone fancied it!

legalalien · 25/06/2011 08:54

Now I'm going to be peering suspiciously at everyone I see passing the Audi garage! I can't quite see it from my house - but only because of the bend in the road :)

FWIW, DS went to Little Fingers once a week for a couple of months and really didn't take to it - but I suspect that was more a function of his personality than the nursery...

kandydulwich · 25/06/2011 09:13

Haha. We're on Calton. Shall we start our own nursery?! We could hire a space and take it in turns to each look after all our kids for one day!

N1MTB · 27/06/2011 10:43

That's funny...that's where we are moving to (I hope....)!! Definitely have to have a coffee when (if?!) we finally move in.

I think Nelly's places depend on age group - I'm looking for a place for my son who will be 3 1/2 in September. (Daughter who will be just 2 won't be going to a nursery for a while...!) But, I don't think we are going to pay for a Nelly's place given we (will) have a full time nanny - even with the vouchers you get when they are 3, it is still v expensive!

Am going to check out Half Moon Montessori today (and house again) at lunchtime today...

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N1MTB · 27/06/2011 17:10

Just in case anybody is wondering, I thought Half Moon Montessori looked very sweet. I've seen much smarter looking nurseries but the children all seemed really happy, calm and interested in what they were doing and the teachers seemed v kind and suitably firm (in a nice way!!). Think it could work out well for us... I feel I ought to check out Nelly's too, as it's got such rave reviews, but I don't want DS to stay there very late. He currently finishes at 5 pm at his nursery in Islington, technically, but he's nearly always picked up at 4.45 and back home for tea with his little sister - which I like... Nelly's seems to be more full day care.

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kandydulwich · 28/06/2011 10:28

Good luck with the house purchase! Such a lovely location :-)
And for the nursery reviews! Must stop burying my head in the sand and pretending I'm never going back to work!

kandydulwich · 07/07/2011 10:14

PS If any of you ladies would be interested in a nanny share, do shout.

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