Relocating to Edinburgh - Nurseries and Schools

[Semsoom]

Hi all,
I'm moving to Edinburgh with my 2 sons (4 and 2) in January 2020.
I've found a place to live in Orchard Brae and have been looking for nurseries. I've seen some in Barnton/ Cramond (Little Monkeys, Flying Colours/ Peekaboo), but was wondering what the traffic is like driving out from Craigleith to Cramond in the morning, and then from Cramond to Broomhouse where I'll be working. Would the travel times be excessive?
Any insight/recommendations would be much appreciated.

Also, my elder son will start P1 in August. Our catchment school is Flora Stevenson, but I was also looking at Cramond Primary (which might be convenient if the little one is still at nursery there?). We've had a tough couple of years and my son really needs a caring environment where he wont just get lost in the crowd; he's bright, but can struggle with big emotions. So class size and nurture is essential as well as academics...I'd even consider the independent sector (Cargilfield seems really cozy and caring or ESMS, which is super local though big so I'm not sure how nurturing?) if needs be.
Any experience or opinions of these schools would be very much appreciated too!

Sorry for the huge post. So much to consider is such little time!

[MakeMineALargeProsecco]

Hi OP,

Craigleith to Cramond then out to Broomhouse is a bit of a trek in rush hour traffic. Sometimes the traffic is at a standstill on Queensferry Rd & the back route through Cramond can be very congested. It can take 20 mins to get from the nurseries in Cramond to Queensferry Rd. I'd avoid if possible.

You'd be quicker going through Murrayfield- I think there is a nursery near the Zoo. Or another on Ferry Rd at Blackhall (Bright Sparks) which would be nearer home - you could drop off there before heading over.

IIRC, there is a nursery around Crewe Toll & another (?Orchard) on Inverleith Row. Again, these would be easier commutes.

All of these options would save you doing the trek.

In terms of schools, all the local ones are at full capacity with catchment children, so a placing request to Cramond would in all likelihood be turned down.

Cargilfield does have a reputation for being nurturing, so it might be the place for you. But again, the commute wouldn't be much fun.

If you intend using Stewart Melville's, they have a private pre-school nursery attached & that would be a better commute all round.

Feel free to PM me.

[Groovee]

Leaps and Bounds at Drumbrae May be a good option to look at.

Or Murrayfield has a few nurseries on route.

[PullingMySocksUp]

We did Blackhall to Flying colours and it was always fine, against the flow of the traffic. We were really pleased with Flying colours btw.
I’m not sure about barnton to broomhouse though.

We looked round Bright sparks and were really unimpressed. The staff seemed entirely unenthusiastic and the outside space was pretty poor.

Would nursery near your work be an option?

[Bouncebacker]

Crewe Road Nursery (go down Orchard Brae past Flora’s and straight over the roundabout up the hill) is lovely - amazing staff. I’d suggest nursery and school closer to home rather than a three stage commute.

The 21 bus then goes from Ferry road (two mins from the nursery) and would take you to Sighthill / Broomhouse- about 40mins ish at 8.15 ish.

Traffic along Queensferry Road can be sticky at that time - I wouldn’t want to have to drive into Crammond and back out again during rush hour if avoidable!

Flora’s is a nurturing school, the head teacher is fab, really high energy but very focused on relationships, ask to look round. They are doing some really interesting work with an attachment specialist, and becoming trauma informed. , P1s are in a separate building at the back so it’s a good introduction and doesn’t feel like such a big school when they start.

Hope that helps!

[cazzyg]

No direct experience of schools but Cramond to Broomhouse would be a nightmare. Your options are either to go along Queensferry Road then over Drumbrae or along Maybury Road and both get pretty snarled up at peak times. You would be going against the flow of traffic to get there but would be caught up in the congestion on the way to Broomhouse.

I don’t think there’s much in the way of private nurseries nearby. I work very close to Broomhouse and everyone uses nurseries close to home.

[Bouncebacker]

Also - afterschool clubs at Flora’s - there are three options - the Flora Stevenson Afterschool Club - applications close in May for the next year so it’s worth getting on their mailing list now. Two private after school clubs also pick up from Flora’s - Smart cookies which is based at the lifecare centre in Stockbridge, and daddy day care - they have a club at Bristo Baptist church which is on Queensferry road at the top of Orchard Brae.

[motherstongue]

Can’t help with anything meaningful regarding the commute but both my DC attended Cargilfield and I can’t recommend it enough. They have the nursery too from age 3. It is a wonderful school and, yes, it is very nurturing. I can’t imagine any child being overlooked. The only thing you would need to consider is that long term at Cargilfield their aim is for your child go on to a traditional boarding type school from age 13 so they don’t really prepare, as such, for entry to the Edinburgh private day schools. Another thing, actually, is the length of day once they hit Form 5 as they start at 8.30 and finish at 6.00 pm

[Semsoom]

I got totally sidetracked by life and hadn't checked back here in a while. Thank you so much for all your responses!

@MakeMineALargeProsecco Thanks for that, you've given me a lot to think about!

@Groovee I'd like to check out Leaps and Bounds, thanks for the suggestion.

@PullingMySocksUp I quite liked Flying Colours when I visited, where do you park for drop off and pick up...does it get quite congested getting in and out?

@Bouncebacker that would have been ideal, but they don't have spaces unfortunately. I definitely need to arrange a visit to Flora's though.

@motherstongue Cargilfield seemed like a big family, genuinely caring. I really liked it, but as you pointed out, it seemed as though most pupils move on to boarding schools or Fettes, Merchiston etc. which will probably be unaffordable for me, and I wouldn't want my boys to feel 'different' or disadvantaged
As a lone working mum, the longer days may actually work in my favour as I wouldn't have to faff about as much with wraparound care etc.

Choosing the right school/environment is such a massive decision!