To be totally torn between nurseries but leaning towards the logistically difficult, more expensive, chain one?

[stqueen]

As it says really. Looking for DD who will be almost 12 months when she starts. I'm restricted to 3/4 nurseries as it needs to be close to home for work etc. I've discounted 2 already leaving the other 2:

Nursery 1 is (on paper) ideal. It's on route to my work, close to DH's work so drop offs & pick ups will be much easier. Family run, homely feel, in a nice village. Flexible payment system (weekly, monthly, whatever suits best), nappies included in the cost. BUT…the nursery seemed a little worn, tatty & messy - just little things like the carpet in the baby room a bit grubby, masking tape covering a patch on the floor, outside space was a mess etc. The kids looked happy & comfortable though… I'm a FTM so no idea what im looking for & what's good/what's not. I just know I didn't get a strong feeling that I want DD to be there 5 days a week!

Nursery 2 is a bit further out from work & will therefore be a challenge to pick up and drop off - do-able but will be a race against the clock some days when DH can't do pick ups (3 days every 3 weeks approx due to working away). This nursery is significantly more expensive than nursery 1, it's bigger in size as capacity for up to 50 children & it's part of a (smallish) chain so less flexible on things like payment schedules etc. This is the one I got 'the feeling' in & my gut is saying this is the one. Nice large rooms, 3 large rooms for the little ones (0-12m & 1-2) & downstairs another 2 large spaces for 2-3 & 3-4. The children are moved up depending development not age (as with nursery 1).

I'm torn & I need to make a decision to reserve DD a place. My head is saying go for the one that's easier to get to/from & slightly cheaper. My heart is saying go for the one I feel DD would thrive better in (can't even quantify why I think this though - responses to my questions were similar so the differentiator is just a nicer environment I guess). Both nurseries are OFSTED Outstanding. Any advice from anyone who's been there done that welcome

I agree with you bimbly I just threw it into the logistics question for the OP as I've had to pick up my DS from school recently. I don't have family nearby and DH is over an hour away and know parents/ carers are called most days as child are taken ill/ can have a bump etc.

I actually think the OP is really lucky to have a choice of two 'outstanding' places

Good point raised on the glossy brochures etc. The chains can evidently afford to churn these things out with the higher fees paying for the marketing. I love anything shiny & expensive so I'd be lying to say that hasn't sucked me in.

I could possibly get those 3 days every 3 weeks down to 2 days with a bit of family help, & I could arrange to leave work early (4.30pm) on those 2 days, arriving half an hour earlier instead - not a problem nursery wise as DH will be doing the drop offs on that week. I don't think that would be too unreasonable given most of my dept work part-time etc. but it is a lot of pissing around when there's a simpler option (nursery 1).

My original dilemma was convenience for me (nursery 1) vs. where I think DD be more likely to thrive. I haven't actually got anything to hang that statement on though, except for first impressions & the fact I thought nursery 2 was 'nicer' & if I'm honest, just more professional feeling. As other posters have said, it's the quality of care, opportunities for development etc. that's important & I'm not going to know until she's there!

Nursery 2 is also almost £10.00 more each Day than nursery 1 - a not insignificant amount of money.

I could opt for nursery 1 initially, see how it goes with nursery 2 in my back pocket if I really want to change.

Might take DH to both for his opinion, for what that's worth!

Still on the fence but food for thought.

Greenhill you're right to be chucking all ideas in, it's good to covervall the bases.

OP I think it's a great idea to look round them again with DH. Hopefully they will happily accommodate you and if not, that tells you something.

There are couple of preschools round here that don't make appts for people to look round. They say just turn up when you like. In contrast the shiny, expensive chain nursery only let me look around at 9.15. 9.30 wasn't convenient. Put me right off.

FYI pick up is never really 6pm, you'll need to be there at least 10 minutes prior to closing time.

The thing is with 'gut feelings', that unless you enroll her in both you're pretty much guaranteed to prove yourself right as you have nothing to compare it to.