To think a nursery should be clean?

[Treesandbees]

So the area I live in is totally oversubscribed for nursery places so my 2yo DS has been going to one out of our area for 15 months. It's a shiny, well run nursery with good staff. The problem is its location and price! So we finally got a place at a local nursery which I've wanted for ages. It's on a city farm with great outdoor space and they spend time with the animals regularly. But we had our first session yesterday and I feel so disappointed and regretting the decision to move him.

In a nutshell is was really dirty, the toys were knackered, staff seemed disorganised and it was a bit chaotic! However the children seemed happy.

DS was a bit tentative but to be expected. He did however LOVE playing outdoors in their wood and that was one of the primary reasons I wanted him to go.

Just don't know how much emphasis to put on the other things I saw? Am I being swayed by the other nurseries gloss?? Going to loose a lot of money if we move him back and need to decide in next 48 hours so that he's old place is still available.

Any advice on how to decide???

Realistically, anywhere on a farm is likely to have a bit of dirt. Do you mean on the floor, walked in that day, or not cleaned properly for months type of dirt?

Old toys wouldn't bother me, even slightly dirty (often it's stains, not dirt anyway), for the same reason, as long as they're in good condition. You say knackered - do you mean broken? What specifically? Perhaps they encourage the kids to play outside or look at books more.

You do tend to get what you pay for with nurseries (as with many things). The outside space sounds wonderful though.

I know what you mean about dirt from the farm but this was grimy! The toys were more old, worn and not well organised. I'd say they hadn't been replaced for a long time. I did see some things that were broken (e.g cars missing wheels etc) but nothing really dangerous. I think there is a lot of emphasis on outdoor play there but I guess they still spend considerable time indoors too. But yes...how many children get to say they go to nursery on a farm!! They fed the pigs last week apparently...

I'd stay in the dirty local place unless things like child locks are broken making it dangerous. Our nursery has old toys and home made bits and pieces (play house. Play horse etc) and many toys seem broken although I've now realised they don't put batteries in them to keep noise levels down.

Can he go to both. ..? Part of the week in each

What is their Ofsted like?

I agree with you, a nursery should be clean and it should not have broken toys.

I can't drop his hours down at the new nursery for 3 months so he can't do both now and I don't want to risk him not getting his old place back by waiting. They both have good Ofsted reports but his existing nursery dropped from Outstanding last time. Due to the children not having as many opportunities for 'independent learning' as before.

I would go with the farm nursery every time. You can always ask if they need some new stuff and offer to donate or do a bit of fund raising with them. He is 2 now so won't be spending years there. And if the dcs were whinging about the toys I am aure they would repair or replace them.

My ds is 20 months and gia favourite playgroup ia one that looks a bit tatty. They don't care aa long aa they are having fun!

I would go for farm and woods over new toys any day.
In fact children that are exposed to dirt have stronger immune systems and are less likely to have allergies.

That said I would make sure that the food prep area was spotless, did you see that bit. The chaotic staff is a bit of a worry too, I would monitor that as well.

so the kids are happy.

your son loves it

kids that young couldn't give a shit if a toy is a bit shabby

what's the problem??

I would go to the farm nursery on what you have said.