Choosing a nursery

[LadyPrigsbottom]

Hello!

We are choosing a nursery for dc2 and struggling with the options. Thought I would ask MNetters for opinions please!

Option 1) small, local nursery. Friendly, but very small and therefore limited in what they can offer in terms of activities. Dc1 went here and, while it was fine, we did have a couple of small issues, which meant I wasn't in LOVE with it.

Option 2) fancy pants nursery, located further away, but on DH's way to work, (but he is currently working from home...not sure how long for). I have been to see it and loved it, but this was a while ago. They are, understandably, not doing viewings at the moment. It's very nice, award winning etc.

Option 3) closer that option 2, not as close as option 1, but a bit of a tricky drive. Dc1 went here as a baby and we loved it, except it's main road location etc. Otherwise lovely. It's a big nursery and part of a chain. It is also in the way to a big town with more job opportunities for me, so, theoretically, i could get a job there. Also, it can be on the way to DH work. As far as I know, we could view this one.

Having written that down, I think option 3 sounds the best, and I think I will try to arrange to view if we can. But would love some outside perspectives if anyone has any thoughts please.

Excuse typos

Tbh I tend to think you go on the feel of a place- I wouldn’t pick a nursery without viewing it, (surely they could offer a tour after hours etc). There were a couple of red flags I picked up on when viewing some nurseries (concrete steps to gardens with the door open, a spray bottle randomly on the side). I saw an all singing all dancing expensive nursery- didnt think it was worth the money, saw a “cheap” nursery And saw why it was cheap!

3 sounds good. But 1 would be fine for me if I liked the staff (staff are a huge factor for me) can you give an example of what kind of activities they lack?

What’s your gut reaction?

Thanks, I think you're right about viewing. I think I will reply to option 2 and say thanks,but we arent happy to register him without viewing.

Option 1 is small, so there isn't much if an outdoor area and is just one, not enormous, room indoors. It is a halfway house between no frills and all singing, all dancing. So they do some activities like football, dance etc and they try to make sure every child gets a go, so it isn't like we only do dance on Mondsys, so if you don't do a Monday session you miss out. So I think this is nice. I think the problem with the small size is that the kids are all on top of each other with no running around space. Option 3 has a huge garden and loads of different rooms, so different age groups have their own space. I liked the staff at both. Particularly liked the managers at Option 1. Preferred handover at Option 3 as we heard more about dc1's day, which was nice. Option 1 was just "here you go, have a child back" sort of thing. I had to press for more info.

My gut says not Option 1 and I don't know why! I really, really don't! I don't know if I can trust my gut though, as, writing it down, it sounds far from bad and DC1 remembers it very fondly and wants to go back etc.

I was going to say rule out option 3 easily, so was surprised by your follow up post!

My DD is in a nursery more like your option 1. We looked at a few larger ones but they were chaotic and I think would have been overwhelming for her. She does loads of activities though, I can't see what more she could do just because a place was bigger. In some ways it's nice that they don't have separate rooms for all the groups because they circulate round the different areas instead.

@Spam88, I would describe Option 1 as a little chaotic, as different age groups are all in the same, not very large, space, whereas Option 3 has more space. More children too though and Option 1 would let me stay all day if I wanted, whereas Option 3 is very organised, but less friendly in that way. So, if i wasn't going to work, maybe Option 1 would be nicer in a way.

Our nursery has four rooms: baby- walkers/ 1yr-2.5yrs, preschoolers x two rooms (2.5-3.5/ 3.5 up).
I saw one nursery where babies and walkers were in the same room and I wasn’t happy with it, so I understand that need for space. I think 3 sounds like a winner. Any cost difference ?

Thanks. Yes, 3 is more expensive and also, they are a bit less flexible in how you use childcare vouchers (or whatever you call them now), so it would work out a good bit more expensive... However, this would be fine if I was totally happy with it.

I wouldn't be too keen on option 1 if all ages are in the same room. So is that babies with 3 year olds?

No, it isn't babies tbf, which I don't think would really be safe. It is ages 2 to 4, so all walking and most are potty trained.

Nurseries can change quite a lot in a short time due to staff turnover. Culture change makes a big difference to the children's experience.

The priority is that the children are treated with respect and affection by staff who genuinely care about them (assuming that safety is a given for all options). Go with the place your gut tells you that this will happen.

Your instincts tell you a lot so make the most of them.