Wwyd nursery dilemma, quite long!

[Tournesol]

The pre school attached to my kid's school where both my elder children have gone (and enjoyed) has just got an ofsted of satisfactory. I knew it wasn't the most structured environment but the staff are lovely, they meet other local kids and have fun.

My eldest son went there for a year and my younger son for two years but will be going to school in September and at the same time has also been attending an 'outstanding' pre school for a couple of sessions a week.

Now for the dilemma. My DD has recently turned two so can now attend nursery, previously having been with a childminder. I think she would be thrilled to go to the pre school and see her brothers at play time and lunch.

However now I wonder if I should send her to the outstanding place instead?

My issue is that for the last two years I am constantly driving and picking up the kids from different locations and the school pre school would mean they would all be in the same place for the three days I work, which would make my life much easier.

But will DD suffer for not going to an 'outstanding' nursery or will the extra stuff I do with her out of school counteract it?

Sorry this is so long, trying to not to drip feed.

[odyssey2001]

Ofsted isn't the answer to everything. It sound like you like this lower graded one. I would say give it a go and see what happens. The quality and compassion of staff is normally more important than a lot of the other measures Ofsted use.

[trilbydoll]

Ofsted ratings can be on slightly odd things, I would read the report and see why it was satisfactory rather than outstanding - the summary should say why they were marked down.

The only outstanding nursery we saw was so awful, I cried when we left. So I am a big believer in gut feeling rather than Ofsted!

[odyssey2001]

Also, they are going to be trying harder now because if that inspection so things should be on the up.

[Tournesol]

Thanks for the replies! The areas where they need to improve is to tailor the activities to the individual children's needs a bit more. And yes, they are now determined to work on this, and really I feel like it has improved loads in the last year.

On gut I think I am happy with the school nursery, DS2 certainly likes it a lot better than the outstanding one so that says a lot!

[Tournesol]

The report just got sent out today and was a 3 so room for improvement or whatever it is.

It is not a funded place so that is not a factor.

I am just trying to decide if I should mix the two settings but spread over three days that is a bit bitty for DD.

[Jaynebxl]

I'd go for my gut instinct. 3 nursery sounds lovely plus it is more convenient for you.

[NaiceAm]

My Dd used to go to an outstanding nursery. I pulled her out of it when I saw for myself how, without the inspectors there they belittled the children. I think they got the grading by bringing someone in who knew how to tick the boxes etc to get the grade but I think it was a much more caring environment before that.

Go with your gut instinct and what works for you as a family.

[HappyAsASandboy]

I chose our nursery on the basis of its staff. I looked round several and this one was actually a bit shabby compared to the others in terms of decor/toys, but the staff were/are brilliant.

They hold the kids, they physically play with them as well as teaching them more formal stuff. When I collected my kids last week I walked in to them dancing, and my daughter was upside down being ticked as the keyworker danced with her. She was shrieking with laughter (my daughter, not the keywork. That would be weird). No amount of tailored activities will boost my girl as much as spending the day with people she knows care about her and want to play with her.

I think gut feel is more important than Ofsted ratings. Does the place fit with how you want your children raised? Do your children come out happy?

[somewheresomehow]

If your other children are happy and settled why would you want to send your DD somewhere different just because it is allegedly "outstanding" ofstead aren't that great at grading nurseries (everyone can have an off day) and really if your kids are happy why bother about what is in effect just a word