to think this nursery is the very embodiment of gentrification in London?

[roundaboutsroundabouts]

I won't name the group of nurseries as I don't know if that's allowed (is it?) but I've just seen them referenced on instagram by a scandi toy brand. They are all in vair gentrified hipster parts of London and the fees are fcking EXTORTIONATE - £90 a day for the under-threes. I know that isn't unusual in London (although in my much cheaper part of London I only pay £55 a day). It holds a "curated" "programme" of monthly "events" (including pilates). The children get a daily smoothie - tomorrow's is beetroot, banana, ginger, berry, lemon and hemp. It describes itself as "design-led" and it's all vair tasteful scandi wooden toys in neutral colours. Design led?! Why does a NURSERY need to be "design-led"?!

You just know that everyone who sends their child there is going to have an ombre "lob", wear clothes from Arket, carry a fjallraven kanken backpack, own a bugaboo or a babyzen yoyo, dress said children in varying sludge colours from Mini Rodini, and have linen bedding in their Victorian Terraced house with white painted floorboards and scandi style planters.

I am BVU I know. But it is so irritating. I grew up in London, the child of an immigrant, and I feel like it's just an endless line of artisan coffee shops and overpriced farmers' markets these days.

I would have thought you’d see more mini boden and frugi at a fancy nursery

No, hipster parents don't like colour.

This is not a post to bash nurseries. My 3 year old son is in a nursery 9-5, 4 days a week and has been since he was just over a year and a half old. Fwiw, he was with a childminder initially and hated it - he's much happier at nursery.

I don’t understand your ‘hipster’ stereotype op, I just don’t recognise it but then I don’t live in London

no OP we all do what's right for our children. I'm a ft working parent too and one of mine went to a nursery as a baby. I then chose to spend those fees on 121 care instead. But we all make our own choices.

and actually I feel very strongly about the polarisation of the lives of children in London at the moment. It's getting worse. More children are in poverty and this is increasing. These parents may not be causing it, but they're a symptom of that. These parents live in some of the most deprived areas of London. Their boroughs are the worse for poverty (and yes I know where they are) and it's horrendous that this is happening.

I'm with you OP. It's utterly ridiculous!

and I bet all their Our outstanding early years educators are paid pittance

Design led??? Wtf??? Most nurseries sell themselves on being child led.
Also 'curated'.... that surely just means arranged or organised or something.
But these are all words that you see describing fashionable things these days, whether it's a food shop or holiday. So it's good for marketing to people who are impressed by those types of phrases. Which is a bit stupid in relation to a nursery but there you go!
I do agree gentrification/hipsterness is a bit dull if everywhere/one looks the same while congratulating themselves on their uniqueness.
But let them get on with it.

I work in a nursery and 100 per cent are with a PP who sour about a nursery describing itself as 'design-led' rather than 'child-centred'. Incidentally, one of the most popular toys, especially with special needs children, are those plastic colorful balls you get in soft play!

A good nursery is about experienced staff, people who love working with children/ love children, a good structure with creative learning eg. How do they teach children phonics? (This is important by pre school age).

Anyone who doesn't recognise my description of hipsters obviously doesn't follow certain folk on Instagram.

I don’t think the price is particularly high for London tbh.
But I thought the new trend for childcare was more along the lines of forest childcare & playing with nothing but cardboard boxes.
What really matters though is having carers who actually want to be with your child & really love their job.
Sadly, I’m not sure that’s the case for all childcare workers, to many it’s ‘just a job’ which is fair enough I suppose.

I find you rather judgey OP.

The hipsters are not the reason for your dismay.

The real issue is the divide. Run for local office and try to do something about it instead of writing a few posts in MN. I have very little time for the complainers who clap themselves on the back for what they see as ‘calling out’ certain sections of society. I’m just waiting for someone to come along and make the original claim that the pen is mightier than the sword.

If you really feel strongly about it, DO something about it!

I know what you mean OP. The children are like little fashion accessories to show off the parents' good taste.
I don't mind mine running around in polyester Spider-Man costumes. I think they'll grow up the less entitled for it.

I don’t follow anyone on Instagram, I think you are just as ‘bad’ as the ‘hipsters’ You take the piss out of.

I do plenty, thank you SlipperOrchid. What makes you think I don't?

Why are you stalking people on Instagram op?

I think following hipsters on instagram is a big mistake!

Greenglassteacup

Do you know what Instagram is?

You need to unfollow op not good for your anger levels

I'm OK with being angry at some things but thank you for your concern.

I don't follow anyone I don't like on Instagram. I am just saying anyone not recognising my hipster description clearly doesn't use that particular social media platform.

I have a happy life!

Not concerned no need to thank

You do sound more pretentious though, in parts

Actually the people described are not what I would call hipsters. They're just what used to be called Yuppies.
Hipsters would be more likely to form a nursery co-op housed in an abandoned pie and mash shop (with original tiles).
The would serve gluten free curry goat and play with sticks, wooden crates and Final Cut Pro.

yes but they'd still be called Rufus and have gone to a nice London day school Hepzibah.

The people who are in poverty are the ones who have always been in poverty. It's getting worse though and you need more money in london just to get the basics now.

Angeles

'Yes it sounds very wanky.'

My favourite quite so far on this thread! 😂

Rufus eh? Good name, makes me think of men in kilts (that's not a strange fantasy, just a thought). Hepzibah is a Hebrew name, never heard of a school by that name; girls called Hepzibah are known as 'Eppie'. Not that I've ever known one.

A hipster is someone who is interested in new and unconventional fashions. I think many people are like that at times, if something appeals to them. What's wrong with it?

Slipperorchid: Run for local office and try to do something about it instead of writing a few posts in MN.

Agree with you. Even if you don't run for office yourself (not everyone has the talent or time), strongly support those who are campaigning for the poor. There are many things we can do rather than just moaning - and being angry - neither of which achieve anything. Feel strongly by all means and channel that feeling into action.