Getting DD into Habs, St Helens or NLCS - best nurseries...

[newbiemumapops]

Hi all,

I want to send my little dd to Haberdashes, St Helens or NLCS and wanted to know which nurseries have the best hit rate with them.

I know that Broadhurst in Hampstead seems to be getting loads of kids in, but wanted to hear opinions from other mums, none of the schools will tell me which nurseries they accept most kids from and having looked at other postings it isnt entirely clear.

Seems like a good time of year to ask people as the results for NLCS and Habs are out now....so if your dd got in please tell me which nursery you sent her to and what your experience was like.

The ones I am looking at are:
Broadhurst - Hampstead
Rosewood - Pinner
Rexton House - Elstree
Whizz Kids - Mill Hill
Haydon Hall Nursery - Pinner
Stanmore Montessori

Would be interested in hearing about your experiences at these nurseries, how successful you were at assessments and how you attribute this success (or failure) to the nursery, what they did with your child, what they could have done or should have done. Good points about the nursery, bad points about the nursery.

[maya1234]

I have just had another thread on a similar topic - these schools are hard to get into, my child didnt go to any of the nurseries you mention but I have friends at some and can tell you the following:

Broadhurst - no friends here, but I hear good things about it - one of the best hit rates at getting kids into nlcs.
Rosewood - nice nursery, have a few of my friends who have sent their kids here, not great at getting kids into schools but a really nurturing environment and a true montessori - has potential.
Rexton House - never heard of it
Whizz Kids - Never got any kids into good schools this year. Avoid.
Haydon Hall - I know of one lady who got her daughter into St Helens from here which is pretty good.
Stanmore Montessori - This place is a big joke, but the head is in with the people at Manor Lodge (they tell her what will come in the assessment), so its good if you want to go there, otherwise...Avoid.

[Applealice]

Think you should get your facts straight before making false statements regarding nursery success rates re school entrance at 4 + check out Whizz Kids Nursery results this year .
A very satisfied parent

[narmada]

I am sorry, but I am that anyone would choose a nursery based on its success rate at getting children into a particular fee-paying school. Why not, erm, choose one based on how you think they might care for and nurture your child!

[corinthian]

As an old girl of one of those schools, it seems bizarre to me to me choosing a nursery based on this. I would also say that a much longer car journey each day would outweigh any marginal difference. It's also worth remembering that those schools really suit some children but not others. I was one of the lucky ones but they aren't right for everybody!

[minimomma]

Agree with narmada! It's very odd that someone would consider the exit results for a nursery over the environment and suitability of the nursery for their child!!! As a parent of a child who attends one of the nurseries above, I selected the nursery based purely on the feel I got for the place - caring, interested, involved staff, happy and busy children at the nursery and above all my child's own happiness and whether it was suitable for him. It matters not a jot where the children go after nursery, it is much more important that your child is happy there and grows in confidence and self-esteem. This is what the child will take with them wherever they go at 4+ whether it be state or private.

[Sayitasis]

My DD didn't have a good experience at Whizz Kids and therefore i wouldn't recommend it.
They said to me she wasn't Habs or NLC material because she had behavioural issues (these issues weren't happening at home btw) so i pulled her out after several months and sent her to Mullberry House - best decision I made! They actually appreciate a childs indivuality, as opposed to critise if their behaviour doesn't conform!
DD settled very quickly and flourished as a little person.
Guess what ... She's now at Habs!!

[mumteacher]

Mulberry house seem to have amazing results. Can't comment for their girls getting places at others schools but do know that they have about 15 girls sitting nlcs this year and 7 of them secured a place. However, 5 of these girls were tutored so not entirely sure it was all the nurserys doing.

Have heard good and bad things a bout whizz kids but have no personal experience.

Also, St. Helens have a 3+ you don't mention how old you dd is but that's when st Helen have a bigger in take.

[Gemmaluca]

Bo Peep in Edgware is an excellent nursery. My son is very happy there and their exit results are good too. Sorry, I don't have any first hand knowledge or experience of the ones you have listed.

[LifeTooShort]

I have no idea why maya1234 should call Stanmore Montessori at "big joke" especially as she appears to have no direct experience of the place. I know this is an old threat but I just wanted to provide some balance to the above comment.

My DDs have been at Stanmore Montessori for the past year and a half. They love going to nursery and I have been very pleased with the environment and they way they have thrived. They have been offered places at Manor Lodge and Radlett Prep and will also sit for Habs and NLCS in January.

The head of Stanmore Montessori is certainly not "in" with the people at Manor Lodge. I was chatting to the Manor Lodge head of infants during the assessment and she'd never heard of it, nor did the head give us any inside information on what to expect from the assessment.

[Rishman]

Hi all.. I'm planning to send my dd to little Bopeep in Edgware.. Have you got any feedback and also is this a feeder into private schools?