in choosing the vibrant, multicultural Surestart day nursery in favour of the joyless private prep school...

[badcoverversion]

I visited both today and my 2.10yo DS bawled when leaving the Surestart group. I don't blame him TBH, there was just so much to get involved in...from playdough to paints and super sized lego, a vast array of books and computer games and outdoor grounds fit for the most intrepid and inquisitive mini explorer (bird baths, pet snails, tree stumps, gazebos, tents!)

I found the prep school oddly soulless and disorganised. There were very few activities laid out at child level and the outdoor area consisted of a couple of rubber tires and some empty crates (WTF?)

It was the little things that got me though...
In the Surestart nursery the children were encouraged to serve themselves fresh water from a nearby cooler and they have access to the outdoors at all times...the Nursery workers seemed enthusiastic and my LO was casually encouraged to count and talk as he played. At the prep school I was told that children must ask for drinks and be served them...and they were allowed to go outside, weather permitting...like a bit of rain or wind ever harmed a wee one!? The staff also seemed to be going through the motions and rarely engaged with the kiddies.

I know Surestart in general gets a bad rap on many of these forums so I suppose I'm just fishing for a bit of encouragement (re: my current stance) and feedback from your own experiences. I take my DS to Surestart 'play and stay' type groups on a regular basis and I've never had any issues...but leaving them on there own for a few hours a day, well it's another area altogether really.

BTW, between this and the last topic I created here it kind of seems like I'm trying to initiate class wars a-go-go...not the case but apologies if it seems that way.

I lobe the sound of that sure start nursey so no YANBU.

I looked at 2 nurseries for my ds1 back along, and like you found the sure start one to be much nicer, spacious, colourful, joyful etc than the dingy, dark, tiny private nursery that had a mud patch as an outdoor play area.

Shame our sure start nursery has a waiting list of up to 18months.

I love not lobe.

Heck no, YANBU, SureStart is fab :) recently got our new centre (least deprived part of town so last to get one) and can't imagine how I coped without it tbh!
Going to volunteer there too hopefully.

The nursery I'm sending DD to is set in a Surestart centre but run privately. It's just how you describe and I can't wait for DD to start there. She'll only be doing one day a week, but I know she will have a whale of a time.

Oh, YANBU. Almost forgot where I was for a minute!

I don't think one prep is a fair comparison...my DD attends a small prep and the nursery there is vibrant, well equipped and organised...but if in your case these are the only 2 to choose from then there's no question you choose the SureStart one!

Wahey, positive responses thus far.

aPixie aww that's a shame you couldn't get your DS in the Surestart nursery, I'm sure the nipper is flourishing all the same mind!

Freudian, I've had a whale of a time at all the Surestart groups I've been to...and my DS loves his dancey dance groups and his swimming fun and all that jazz.

Wimple, totally valid point...I'm just going off my favoured options in close proximity to me with generally good WOM and good Ofsted reports.

I'm sure there are plenty of grand Prep schools out there...this is all based on my own personal experience today.

prep schools don't follow eyfs IIRC so a different set up altogether

they don't need to do free flow, or be child-led etc

YANBU - choose the one you want. though if you can afford, and find one better than the surestart YWBBU not to go for that...

anywya, the one i sent Dd1 to is grade 2 by Ofsted, but IMO is outstanding - there's no quibbling with a smiling toddler who begs to go to nursery even at the weekend.

yanbu @ all, surestarts are generally brilliant i think. for some reason a few people on here seem to be against them, i really dont understand why. im sure your ds will love it

My DD goes to a Sureshart nursery. It's totally fab, I love it (as does DD). I really don't have a bad word to say about it.

our local surestart nursery is rated 1 - the bad rap is because of the parents, not the kds, or the facilities which are legendary.

I'm totally going with Surestart right now. Thanks for all the advice folks!

Surestatr sounds a great choice for you. Not sure that I'm that happy about paying for it, when you could afford to pay for nursery education yourself. Surestart was intended (a good idea) to give an early leg up to children from families without financial or educational resources; and I'd rather that my taxes were used to help them.

My DD goes to an independently-run day nursery but it shares premises with the surestart centre and has the same ethos etc. It's a great place, just like you describe and DD loves it.

From your descriptions I would have absolutely no hesitation in choosing the surestart one. Don't be put off by a name- go with your observations and your instinct.

pointissima The OP would still be paying for childcare if she chose sure start, it's not as if it is provided for free in a sure start centre. I don't know to what extent it is subsidised by the government, but there isn't always that much difference in cost between sure start and private nurseries. And without knowing the OP's circumstances or the difference in cost I don't see how you can judge her.

lol,are you trying to score mn brownie points.oh the splashdacash school was rotten and the worthy yet maligned was so much better

doh

if its that bleedin obvious why you need to ask aibu

what next am i being unreasonable to not pay £45 for cup of tea and silver spoon when i can get a better one for 12p in local cafe

yanbu to choose the best childcare for your child, and yanbu to follow your instincts; all your reasons for preferring the Surestart one sound good.

yabu to use the cringemaking cliche 'vibrant multicultural'.

chose which ever one you like.

why would you expect anyone who has not visited either and has not met your child , to have a worthwhile opinion?

Go with the Sure-Start. I take my 2 year old to a couple of different sure-start centres for Stay and play and the facilities and activities provided are fantastic.

arf at sethstark..

although the whole op is the worst class ridden cliche.... DDs pre-prep was the most fantastic buzzy place.

the op drips with cliches.publicsectorspeaktastic

Exactly what Scottishmummy said, but imagine it in a slightly different accent.

I love these selfcongratulatory posts.

Let me pat your head for you OP

[stands behind catinthehat with award for services towards self congratulation ]