Good nurseries in Hackney? Please help!

[FiftyShadesOfDuckEggBlue]

Any views and experiences of nurseries in Hackney around the Dalston, De Beauvoir Town, London Fields area? We would like DD to start full time when she turns 1 year old. Safety and carer to baby ratio are the key criteria for us.

These are in our list so far:

• Independent Place
  
• Rosemary Works
  
• Zeeba
  
• New Generation
  

I'd like to hear about both positive experiences and places to avoid... Any help would be hugely appreciated!

(I've found some previous threads about the area but they are quite old in their majority.)

[FiftyShadesOfDuckEggBlue]

Anyone?

[imip]

I am very much a fan of Grace Montessori, just off London Firlds/broadway market. Probably put me, but I've sent 4 dcs to both local Montessori's and think the teaching method is fantastic. I highly recommend....

[imip]

Sorry, I've had friends who gave sent dcs to your first 3 and have been happy. Also to Mapledene, but having spent lots of time with young dcs, I really do love Montessori!

[imip]

Argh, sorry Montessori is from 2yo, and it wouldn't be full time hours. Child minder til then?

[FiftyShadesOfDuckEggBlue]

Thank you so much! I'll definitely have a look at Montessori even if it's from 2 years old. I've heard good things about Mapledene too but unfortunately I was told it has a 2 year waiting list! We've been thinking about the childminder option but I'm worried about the lack of flexibility (if they are sick, for example, I'll have to take the day off at the last minute)...

[Eastie77]

Two of my friends chose Zeeba for their DC and they are very happy with it. I was put off by the lack of outside space (not sure if that is still the case, I visited when it was brand new about 3 years ago) but it seemed like a nice setting.

There is a newish nursery in London Fields called Fount that seems quite small so may have the child / carer ratio you're after.

If you can face going as far as Stoke Newington, Coconut Nursery is vey highly rated as is the Fire Station community nursery.

The only nursery I visited that I really didn't like was Little Angels in Hoxton. Staff were really rude.

We opted for a childminder in the end but she takes DS to Mapledene - I think they do some kind of play & stay - and she agrees their nursery is great. I also myself on the wrong end of a 2 year long waiting list when I tried to get a place for DD a few years back so didn't even bother trying with DS!

[FiftyShadesOfDuckEggBlue]

Thanks a lot!! Yeah, that's the one thing that put me off Zeeba.

I'll definitely check Fount and Coconut Nursery. I've heard of the Fire Station before, mainly good things although it may be a bit far...