Please help me decide between 2 nurseries. DH and I are going round in circles between the 2.
Background: DS 2 years 3 months, small for his age, shy, only started walking independently at 2, speech seems to be delayed (not had 2 year HV review yet but his paediatrician didn't seem overly concerned), as he doesn't string sentences together and most words are sounds (ello, iya, dink, go, no, dere, dis, da, etc).
I work full time with very generous flexi, DH works shifts evenings and weekends but hoping to move more to weekdays once DS is in nursery for a couple of days a week. DH currently only finds out his shifts the Friday, but works seem happy to give him set days if required.
Nursery 1:
- pay weekly
- can change days on a weekly basis, let them know the week before
- open bank hols 10-4 and between Xmas and NY.
- structured lessons as well as free play times
- some staff are trained in speech & language
- 2-3 year olds separate from older kids upstairs
- big back garden, but don't have access all day as are upstairs
- availability for all sessions now
- focuses on preparing for school - optional uniform, teaching children to change for mini PE lessons.
- occasional day out - beach, nursing home, pond nearby
- DS seemed shy and hesitant both times we have visited, played on his own.
Nursery 2:
- pay beginning of the month
- need to know shift patterns a couple of weeks in advance
- closed bank hols and 1 week between Xmas and NY
- limited availability till September
- 2-5 year olds downstairs together, worried tiny DS will get squished.
- open plan
- lots of free play, inside and outside. Doors always open to outside
- smaller back garden
- activities from outside sources - drama, football
- split into age groups for age appropriate activities
- focuses on lots of play and outdoor play to learn, kids can pick their own activities they want to do.
- lots of days out - park, library, pond, nursing home, beach etc
- DS seemed happy to play both times we have visited, interacted with others.
Both have small numbers for each age group, so don't worry about overcrowding, have rooms they close off for nap times, routines for meals and nap times, both seemed lovely, provide variety of meals.
So which one do you think is better?