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Lanterns nursery docklands

71 replies

Asteroid · 02/02/2009 19:33

Hello,
The ofsted reports for Lanterns' nursery in docklands are taken off the web because the nursery recently moved. And ofsted hasn't visited the new place yet. Any feedback/comments regarding Lanterns?
I like both Lanterns and My nursery but I would like hear some feedback before I make a decision.

Many thanks.

OP posts:
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PuzzleRocks · 02/02/2009 20:04

Bumping for you.

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cityangel · 04/02/2009 16:18

I have registered my ds to go to Lanterns. To make sure I am still looking at other options in the area as I want to be 100% sure its the best option.

I was warned by another mum not to go for it so now I'm worried but I am not sure if this just me being nervous about nursery or me not wanting ds to go to any...

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FR · 09/02/2009 16:35

Hi

Im still tossing up Lanterns too. Is there any reason why you are not sure about it? How did you find the tour?

Im also looking at Little Unicorns too but havent' decided as yet..

Let me know how you go..

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cityangel · 12/02/2009 10:14

One of the other Mum's told a friend I was sending ds there and the friend had had a bad experience and warned me off. It has a good Ofsted report and larger facilities than most but I wanted to be 100% sure.

Now I've found one in Wapping where 3 friends put their kids and I'm going to swap. It has outside space and although its a pain to get to I want to be happy. Each to their own different nurseries suit different parents.

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olly500 · 12/02/2009 20:02

I am in a similar position with a different nursery on the Island and I am in limbo other whether to look for somewhere else. I just feel if I am not 100% sure that maybe I should look further afield. I think that if I am not 110% sure then this will rub off on DD.

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cityangel · 12/02/2009 21:13

Olly that's great to hear it really has been hard for me too. I am originally from North London and looking for a less corporate feel with any outside space and that's been hard find.

I have always booked appointments to view in the afternoon as then you can see the state of the staff/place after a full day of child handling.

I guess I was just really freaked out when a friend warned me off, very off putting. Now the one I've chosen is so new it hasn't had Ofsted in yet, but I felt more comfortable there. Its also a pain to get to, but you're right to shop around if you're more comfortable...

r

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mustincreasebust · 28/02/2009 22:04

I can only talk about the baby room but I really wouldn't recommend them. I pulled my DD out after her settling in sessions. I had number of reasons but basically being that I was sold something completely different to how it is in reality. The babies were ignored to cry a lot of the time too which really disturbed me. Sorry can't recommend another nursery as am still investigating alternatives myself.

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meld · 04/03/2009 21:04

Hi mustincreasebust, I read your post and could have written that myself as I feel exactly the same. I tried to email you in private with no joy as wanted to ask if you got your money back?

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mustincreasebust · 04/03/2009 22:31

No I haven't unfortunately, I have asked for it back but they are just stalling. I am having other non related job issues so I don't know if I have the energy for another battle to be honest. Might just right this off as a very expensive lesson.

How old is your dc was he/she in the baby room? What are you doing now?

I am having real trouble now because from what I was sold I really thought I made the right choice. I keep double guessing my instict as it was so wrong with Lanterns so trying to decide on new childcare arrangement really getting me down.

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meld · 05/03/2009 06:45

I totally understand. I have decided not to go back as I have tried two nurseries now. I explained to lanterns my problems with the other nursery I went to and they assured me that they are a caring nursery and don't let babies cry it out. I found my little one strapped in a seat, food being shovelled in her mouth whilst she screamed. I went in to rescue her and she threw up all over me. It was horrible. They definitely didn't live up to what they promised. There were other things as well. I have been sick with worry but just this morning I have contacted my HR dept saying that I'm not returning as I just don't trust leaving her with anyone now. You will probably see me on the street selling the Big issue ;-) My daughter is 6 months old.

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mustincreasebust · 05/03/2009 16:14

Gosh I am sorry you had to resign meld. The more I think about it the angrier I get so I think I will give Ofstead a call actually. I wonder if CIO and stuff is actually against Ofstead regulations IYSWIM? As in what is the minimum standard of care that a nursery has to give non verbal children.

I have pretty much lost my job myself so will join you on the big issue front, if we sling our babies on our backs we should make a mint

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meld · 05/03/2009 19:11

Haaha!!! That would be sight :-)

Good Luck! Sounds like we are in the same boat. Hang in there.

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bran · 05/03/2009 19:28

My DS used to go to Lanterns but he left to go to pre-school before they moved premises. When he was there he loved it, he used to beg to be left there when I came to pick him up. There was lots of organised activity and the staff were very cuddly and he adored most of them.

However I heard that things went downhill around the time of the move. It was a bit rushed as they had trouble finding premises to move to and after the move they had some staff leaving (before the move there was hardly any staff turnover in DS's room). One friend of mine is still sending her younger child there (older child is DS's age) but will be taking him out when he turns 3 as she doesn't like the way the year 3 room is run.

DS was never in the baby room as he was already nearly 2 when he started, but I used to walk past the baby room at all different times of day to pick up or drop off and the carers were always cuddling the babies and there didn't seem to be much crying. I'm sorry to hear that it's not as good as it used to be, I heard that quite a lot of staff left from that room so perhaps the replacements aren't as good as they should be.

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cityangel · 10/03/2009 23:41

officially pulled out and pleased as after I did so some of the other mum's came forward with similar experiences. Have found a nice one in Wapping to try. Not a convenient location but know other Mums who are happy with it.

Should it come to it we will be taking Lanterns to the small claims court for the deposit back in 6 months time. Mustincrease bust I signed up for similar reasons but if the reality is different our children shouldn't lose on on money that can be put to good use elsewhere.

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FraggleMum · 11/03/2009 21:17

My DD just started the settling in period this week in the baby school!!! She looked like she had been crying today when I went to collect her but the staff said she had only cried 'a bit'. I don't beleive them. However, she seemed to be really quite happy and chatty when we left. I don't know whether I'm being over sensitve and there should be a bit of crying if they are settling in. I'm really worried now I've read this. I have to go to work on Monday and there is no time for me to change my mind at the moment. I don't think I'll be at work for long if I think she is being left to cry.

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cityangel · 12/03/2009 23:36

FraggleMum I don't really know what to say.
I liked it when I went last year... enough to pay a £500 deposit. With any child I would expect a certain amount of adjustment crying. I am certainly expecting that from my ds in the new nursery we've chosen.

I just had to go with my instincts and mounting negative feedback. Things I liked about Lanterns was they said you could pop in whenever. If you're really not sure turn up an hour early and see if you like what you find then when you're not expected?

just go with your instinct and big hugs
let me know how you get on?

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cityangel · 12/03/2009 23:43

it is hard to find one in the area that meets these criteria!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/nurseries/715008-How-to-spot-a-good-nursery

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mustincreasebust · 13/03/2009 12:07

Am sorry too fraggleMum. Just the act of going back to work is gut wrenching enough without this mare. Like cityangel I can only advise that you monitor the situation quite closely and pop in at unexpected times.

They told me that DD only cried a little bit the first day too but I didn't believe them either and then on the second day my suspicions were confirmed. But then again DD as always been 'high need' so it could be just her personality not suited to the place IYSWIM.

Do whatever feels right, worse case scenario I would call other nurseries around the area and check out availabilities etc just so you are aware of alternatives.

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FraggleMum · 13/03/2009 20:55

I pulled her out today and know I have done the right thing as feel much happier. Luckily my work have been great about giving me time to sort something out.
She was only in there for 2 hours yesterday and looked really unhappy when I went to get her. Ultimately I had too many doubts and the staff seemed to be really inconsistant with their answers to any of my questions about crying, eating etc. I would rather someone was honest and told me there had been lots of crying. It's easy for a mother to know if their baby has been crying alot...so why fib!!!!

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cityangel · 19/03/2009 00:04

tough one Fraggle Mum every case is different but you've got to do what works best for you.

The mounting evidence both on MN and in the local circle of friends suggests Lanterns isn't great.

I've heard good things about 'my Nursery' if that works as a location. I've picked one in Wapping there are a few over there that are good, but not the best location.

big hugs

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wahwah1270 · 20/03/2009 18:41

hi which nurseries would you recomend in city area - is bright horizons any good?

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cityangel · 21/04/2009 23:06

don't know the city ones I'm affraid only wapping & the docklands

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espanolita · 16/06/2009 14:58

cityangel,

Is the nursery that your DS is attending Dreammaker Day Nursery? We are thinking of taking our DD there but I would like some feedback from other mums about this nursery.

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maoftwo · 08/09/2009 16:33

Hello,
I have also decided to pull my DS out fo Lanterns during his stelling period. Exactly same concerns as mustincreasebust/cityangel/meld. I am very interested to know if you have managed to get your deposit back. Also, if you took can actions against them. As what she told me during the visit is totally different from reality. And now when I told them my concerns they are not even getting back to me.
I will really appreciate any help/suggestions in this matter.
Many thanks

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cityangel · 15/09/2009 09:20

Its looking as if we're going to have to go to the small claims court to get our deposit back. Has anyone had any results going down this route, just hassle we don't need right now.

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