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.

YANBU
You visited and made a judgement based on what you observed. It is the way the staff interact with the children that makes a good nursery not the snob value. Your child will not die of chavitis from going to surestart.

This is silly. In your case the Surestart might be better, but it's ridiculous to suggest this is usually the case, as your op seems to do.

For what it's worth, our local Surestart was lovely. The private nursery better, so I moved ds there. I wouldn't start a thread saying "private nursery so much better than Surestart". You've got two nurseries, the type is irrelevant. Pick whichever you know your child is happiest in, easy.

Sorry, but I feel this is a pointless thread with the intention to slag off private prep schools and offend.

Ooh look... an "all educational provision is not the same shock" AIBU.

I don't know what threads like this are meant to achieve tbh. Of course YANBU to choose what you think is the best nursery for your child, but what does the private prep school have to do with anything? The only reason for mentioning it is to get some sort of pat on the back for not taking the private route. what do you expect people to say?

Why would you be unreasonable?

YY to sethstarkadder re:vibrant and multicultural

there are plenty of dull boring people with brown skin too.

It wasn't meant to be self congratulatory...however I was aiming for cliche ridden.

When did I say that brown people are awesome?

I chose my DD's nursery because it looked fun and the staff were loving. It is a bit shabby. Five years on, it has been a fabulous choice and both DDs have been really happy there. People who chose the smarter-looking new nursery up the road ended up transferring because my nursery was more flexible. Definitely go for fun and loving!

My DD's surestart nursery has been rated outstanding by ofsted since it opened 3yrs ago. I have generally found pre schools attached to schools are quite different from day care at nurseys, the preschools seemed to be more focused on learning, doing set activities and such, whereas nurseries are more about free play and having a nice time.

But Bad, can I ask you as you are here ..
why on earth would you chose a nursery based upon other peoples perception of a type of education.
I mean practically how does that even enter your head?

With all three of my dcs I went and looked at the provision available to them and chose the one that suited that child. Why do people post " private prep or local primary, advice please"

I have been on here years and i never ever understand it as without visiting the individual schools it is impossible to have an idea WHATSOEVER what they are like.

It is the equivalent of me saying ' i have to wedding dresses here. which one shoul I chose? ' without showing pictures.

help me please. I have to understand

I want to send my youngest to Timmy's nursery. It looks fab. Can anybody tell me where it is?

My impressions of Surestart centres is that they're fab and extremely well equipped and staffed. I so hope that their funding is safeguarded long-term.

I just want my daughter to mix with more farm animals. Also having a heron as a teacher would be a bonus.

"I want mine to be friends with neglected kids who have terminal nits"

Prep school it is then.

You are being unreasonable to post crap like this

can you really be that stupid and afford the private prep?

ilover surestart its brill the toys and eqwuipment is the best, after they have plenty of money i guess

but always feel a bit guilty going to the stay and play sessions as i feel im using some thing for the disadvanteged and that its not really for me to use

Herons. Damn good teachers IME. Should be more of them in the education sector at all levels.

I was kind of taking the piss...I thought the words "intrepid and inquisitive mini explorer" might have given that away.

OK yes, I for one am convinced.

your post in no way looks like backpedalling because you made yourself look like a complete twit

nobody at all is laughing at you they are ALL laughing with you

catinthehat2.

aye we is all laughing at you in a multicultural social inclusive recovery model holistic way

Just as a point Prep schools DO FOLLOW EYFS. They have too. All under 5 provision has too inc state and private schools, nurseries and preschools.

However yanbu to chose the nursery that you feel is right for you and your child.

is prep school same as nursery?