Which nursery to choose?

[StripySocks1]

I've been looking at nurseries for my DD for when I go back to work and I've narrowed it down to 2.

Nursery 1 would add and additional 20 minutes to my journey, it's rural, has its own farm animals, the babies room was quite small in an attic like space (pitched roof to the floor), 3 cots available for naps and they change the bedding for each child, the staff seemed nice and the activities they did with the kids sounded great but everything looked a bit worn and in need of decorating. It's £800 per month for 5 days if I provide my own food.

Nursery 2 is on the same street I work on, has language lessons for the babies from native speakers (we've lived abroad in the past and opportunities for her to learn languages are very important to us) it had nice outdoor areas for play and was all on one level, the babies room was large and each child has their own cot. I didn't see the staff interact with the babies but I did see them with the older children and they seemed to be engaged with them. Everything looked new and clean. It's £950 per month including food.

If they were the same price I'd go for nursery 2 but our combined income is £2600 per month and our out goings are about £1500 so the cheaper place would leave us more money to spend on holidays and doing fun things as a family, what would you do?

[marmitecrumpets]

Number 2 as it will be so much easier/quicker for you to get to in the morning, plus less fuel etc will make up some of the difference in price

[Bobbybobbins]

I'd still go for nursery 2. I think the distance and providing your own food would be a pain and would negate the extra cost. How do they store it if you take your own food? Mine have a hot meal at nursery every day and it has been great for helping them to learn to eat a range of food etc.

[oldtrees]

How old is your DD? You mention the baby room.

I'd check out local CMs. There are some truly excellent CMs out there and when children are younger I reckon they benefit from being in a smaller group.

(I've been lucky enough to send mine to excellent CMs and a )n amazing nursery so I have no bias!)

[StripySocks1]

Thanks for the replies, I know i should go for nursery 2, it's just the difference in cost that held me back, the cost of nursery 2 seems to be pretty standard for the town it's in, I'm guessing nursery 1 is cheaper because it's in the middle of nowhere so the rent will be lower.

Oldtrees She'll be 12 months when she goes but I hadn't even considered a childminder, I'll ask around for recommendations in case that is a better option as the local primary has a nursery she can join when she's 3.

[insancerre]

Nursery 2 because the difference in price between the 2 will be eaten up by your extra travelling and having to provide food
Baby rooms upstairs always worry me when considering the ratio is 1 adult to 3 babies. How do they evacuate in a fire?

[StripySocks1]

Thanks Insancerre, that is a really good point about evacuating in a fire, I hadn't even thought of that!

[insancerre]

I'm a nursery manager and we have a special evacuation for that we can put 3 babies in that one member of staff can wheel out on their own
That's hard enough to do and we are all one level
I don't know how they would do it from upstairs
In other nurseries I've worked in all spare staff go the baby room and carry a baby out but that's been on the ground floor
My instinct would be to get out straight away, not to go up flights of stairs
It would also concern me how much time the babies get outside if they have to be carried up and down stairs each time

[insancerre]

• evacuation cot