Wanstead - Treehouse or Zeeba?

[Sally987]

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.

[Sally987]

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.

[SandraC74]

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!

[Sally987]

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.

[cozynixe]

My little one was there for a while and they have great baby rooms but once he was moved to toddler room he never settled properly. I would say it is very nice place if you kid is very social and I think they do very good job with teaching kids, they have spanish etc. And it?s clean and got great facilities.

[Bettyonholiday]

My daughter goes to Treehouse and overall I quite like it. She is 3 now and has been there since 10 months. The baby unit is very good and the babies are really well looked after. IMO it tails off in the next rooms up. My biggest annoyance is the staff turnover, some of the staff do not seem to be happy, and whilst there are plans to expand the garden etc, I think that maybe the staff should be paid a little more to show how much they are appreciated. The other thing is the food - at the beginning there was a very good Spanish Chef but he left and some of the food with the new chef looks terribly unappetizing. i complained about it and was told I would be sent a menu setting out all food for the week so I could comment but this never materialised....

However, there are still lots of positives, the Spanish classes, music classes, sensory room etc.

On the whole, as I said, I am quite happy! Good luck with your decision.

[Mamamay13]

Hi,

I am hoping to send my daughter to Treehouse but have heard a couple of negative comments but from a couple of years ago.

Does anyone have any recent feedback please?

Many thanks!

[JingleBop]

Hi Mamamay13

I have sent both my children to Treehouse and have always been very happy with the staff and the overall service they provide. What I really like is that they are always looking to improve and have done some fab improvements over the years. They have an amazing garden area, my daughter never wants to leave and has on occasion asked me to come back later, not so good for the old ego but at least I know she is happy. They also have an array of animals and a full inside soft play area. No wonder my child never wants to leave. The girls are really lovely and very loving and yes there has been some staff turnover but the new staff that have come in over the past year or so are fab. I have also always been blown away by the owners, Paul and Maria, they make you feel part of their family and they really do care about the children. My girls are always using Poor Paul as a climbing frame. We looked at many nursery's before agreeing on this one and I am glad we did. They also offer an after school service which my older daughter goes to and she is always coming home with crafts that she has made or singing songs and performing dance routines she has learnt. Hope this helps. Happy to answer more questions if that helps.

[Mamamay13]

Thank you so much for taking the time to email back. I really appreciate it. I'm so pleased to read your feedback.

You have made me feel so much better about our decision to send our daughter to Treehouse. Thank you. I did experience the vibe you describe when looking around, and the new nursery looks so beautiful! I was so down hearted when a mum I met through a friend was really pushing me to change my decision about Treehouse (to the point I was reduced to tears and I'm having to avoid any discussions about nurseries and wanting to avoid this lady, although she means no malice I'm sure).

It is so daunting leaving your child for the first time and I was made to feel so awful, so thank you again.

Xxx

[JingleBop]

Mamamay13 glad I could help. It is so very daunting leaving your child for the first time and the staff at the nursery always made me feel like that totally understood that and were very supportive. Your little one will be like mine in no time and asking you to come back as they won't want to leave and as you have now seen the nursery, who can blame them.

An old boss of mine emailed me just before I went back to work (a working mother herself) and went thru a very light-hearted list of pro's for going back to work. You get to drink a cup a tea/coffee before it goes cold, you get to finish at least one meal in peace, you get to go the ladies without having your little one sat on your lap and you get to finish a conversation.... Hope this makes you smile.

xxx

[Jenny990]

Charlie, both my two children are at Treehouse. They've been there since they were babies and I never experienced any problems with potty training or any other issues that you say. I think the people at the tree house are very professional especially the two managers who are ex ofsted inspectors. They have 20 years experience. There is also one ex social worker. For me, Treehouse the nursery is the best nursery in Wanstead. In my opinion, it is the best place for my children.

[moodoperator]

I heard a few people say nice things about treehouse in the park but our experience strongly matches charlie42's.
The facilities are nice and new and shiny and some of the staff are well intentioned but they are as frustrated as the parents about the management.
The management are, without exception, incompetent and uncaring and they will lie to your face repeatedly. You wouldn't buy a used car from them. I reckon if someone told them there was more money in rearing chickens, they'd shut the place down like a shot.
I guess in the nursery game with constantly changing parents they can get away with it. Still gets me though.
Maybe some of the problems of moving kids between classes might settle once the new nursery is established but I'd avoid it till then.

[AniseRu]

Does anyone have any recent feedback about treehouse?

[Tinkerbelle1017]

I couldn’t agree more with moodoperator. With such a high turn over staff say a lot for how the company values the people that care for your child