to worry too much about choosing a nursery...

[rockpaperscissorsstone]

To cut a long story short... We changed ds' nursery due to relocation. We didn't like any of the nurseries near by except one. According to a rumour through a friend of a friend, apparently that nursery is always short staffed. Aibu to listen to rumours or should I trust my judgement. What are other mnetters nursery choosing criteria?

Erm loads (everyone wants different things) but basicly if you are happy that is what matters and if not you can always try to sort it out with the management or change nursery.

YANBU to worry about it, but I think it's best to trust your judgement rather than rumours through friends of friends.

Sometimes these rumours have a habit of lasting longer than the actual problem does, it may be that the nursery was short staffed for a couple of months two years ago and the mud has stuck.

Ask the nursery directly what their ratios are and if they are fully staffed, there should be no problem with them telling you.

I chose based on feel; when we went to visit the kids all looked happy and were playing outside in all weathers. All the staff wanted a squeeze with DS and just generally seemed to enjoy working there. I think choosing childcare is often down to gut feeling.

THey are not rumors... rumours are that Ms Joe Blogs is humping the vicar.

Only the most boring sad individual would spread rumours of staff shortage. I'd consider it to likely be true and see how I feel from there.

Depends why they are short staffed. Did a great new owner come in and then the shit staff realised they would have to leave quickly? And is the rumour right anyway?

The Tiggy System™ of checking nurseries is:
Are upset children in the baby room being left uncuddled?
Look at the toddler room books. Is the rack/box full of shredded pages or readable books?
Look at the pre-scool pencils. Are they usable or are they all flat?
In general are the staff warm, friendly and happy?

I got a good vibe generally... All of the kids seemed happy and staff were friendly, but didn't stop tending to the children to spend time with us. We went to see the nursery unannounced too, so they wouldn't have had time to hide anything! There appeared to be enough staff on shift for the children that were in. We are moving to a town which doesn't have a great variety of childcare, from a big city which had lots of nurseries and childminders. I work for social work so I think sometimes you can know too much! And, I'm a bit pfb I suppose! Anyone had any bad nursery experiences?

I do like the tiggy system though... I'll look a right butter rooting through the books for torn out flaps and suspicious stains....

Our nursery passes the tiggy test
I sharpened all the pencils- my preschoolers helped me
And I just throw ripped books away- but not before I give the speech about not leaving books on the floor

I think they're little things, but good indicators as to whether staff are kind and caring, think of what the children need, and whether the nursery spends money if necessary.

And it's the Tiggy System™. (Alt + 0153 on the keypad)

I just realised I'd obvs be a nutter, not a butter. My phones must know that I'm on a diet! I'm going to put the tiggy system (on a mobile so unable to do the mini tm) to the tear on Monday....

Judgement all the way.

I checked out 2 nurseries. The one I thought would be awful was fabulous - the children looked happy and it was obvious staff and children adored each other. The one I thought would be great (and was just a 4 minute walk from my house) well, I nearly walked away the minute I saw and heard staff shouting at a toddler. I carried on with the viewing and it just confirmed my initial observations that I would not want my child at that nursery.