Which nursery conundrum- urgent opinions!

[Velvettoad]

Shameless posting for traffic but I need to get back to the nursery today.

I'm going back to work next March when DD will be 9 months. Clearly I've left it too late to organise as loads of the local nurseries are full. Managed to get the following 2 spaces but can't decide which to go for!

1. Local nursery in walking distance. Seemed OK when I looked around, some toys a little tired, large outside space though. Felt a little chaotic.

1. Nursery a 10 min drive away. Brand new, looks amazing. Sensory room, nice outside space, serve only organic food, wooden toys etc. Little bit more pricey but affordable.

I wfh so commute not an issue. I much preferred the second nursery but not sure if it's just because it was nice and new, plus am I going to end up really regretting having to drive to do drop offs and pick ups??

Please help me decide!

YABU- Nursery 1

YANBU - Nursery 2

I’m saying 2 because you don’t sound confident in your gut about 1 and you’ve got to feel happy.

What were the staff like with the kids? That would matter to me more than the facilities.

I would go for the second. Also, a bit random but I advise checking the online inspection reports. My son is 3 and has a place in a school nursery. I didn't realise our free childcare hours could be used in a private setting, so last minute tried to find somewhere private (more suitable hours than the school nursery). Like you, we found most were full. We found one with space, seemed nice enough- just a little worn and a bit small. I decided to look at the inspection report- they are in special measures and it's apparently an unsafe environment for children!
I can't believe they still operate to be honest but worth checking.

And I agree, go with your gut. I really wanted my son in private nursery and for some reason it didn't feel right, until I saw the inspection!

Thanks @Rainallnight . In the first nursery all the kids were outside, I saw one staff member just sitting on a tree stump near the kids and another was playing with a group at the mud kitchen. I can't remember what the others were doing. In the second nursery they were really hands on, all but one room were doing some sort of group activity.

I mean, now I've written that I think I'd be happier with 2!

@Somethingtoask Good point- the first nursery has a "Good" report but the other is only a year old so hasn't been inspected by Ofsted yet.

I'd base my opinion more on the staff. If they're warm, friendly, they'll obviously be qualified but are they all first aid trained? How many SENCO do they have? I'd also think of class sizes, food hygiene ratings, choice of meals, activities and most importantly what would the child prefer? So at 9 months would yours prefer the indoor sensory room or would they like to be out in the garden when weather permits? Check online for ofsted report and reviews too.
I picked my nursery choice based on all the above and I've probably gone with the smallest in the area. It's not the closest to me either but I know it's the kind of place my son needs.

I'd look beyond the facilities, but if the staff seemed better and more engaged at the second one I'd go for that one.

I'd try and ask around the area to see if you can get a feel for the nursery. Check the inspection report closely, don't just look at the rating.

I'd ask each nursery about their key worker system, what they do when staff are ill/on holiday etc.

@Velvettoad I've crossed posted. From your updates I'd go with 2. Hopefully they don't have to wait much longer for their report but sounds like they'll get a high one.

Based on everything you’ve said I’d go for nursery 2, if for no other reason than that’s the one your posts seem biased towards and we have our instincts for a reason.

I also wouldn’t worry too much about the driving, we’ve had a similar distance for the past 3 years taking DS to nursery and it was fine. It’s nice not having to do it anymore now he’s started at his school preschool, but it was never a massive issue.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the toys or even the food. My DC's favourite toys are tacky plastic shit, lovingly crafted wooden ones make no difference. As long as it's all safe.

Good quality food is always nice but again, there's no predicting what they'll actually eat.

But... if the commute's not an issue then you've probably answered your own question.

You have to go with your gut. FWIW the nursery DD1 went to and DD2 still attends sounds a bit like the first one. Tired building, bit chaotic but large outside space. It's been fantastic. I particularly like that the children are outside large chunks of the day whatever the weather and they've both been very happy there. But a 10 minute drive is absolutely fine and if you feel happier with nursery 2 I'd go with that one.

I think you have to go with your gut when it comes to a nursery. I doubt you’ll regret a 10 minute drive for drop off, especially when you have to walk in the pouring rain and wind.

Id also try visit each nursery at a different time. You want a mix of free play and activities. Visit nursery 2 while they're having some free play and nursery 1 while they're doing some activities if possible (or ask at each nursery what the schedule is). I wouldn't judge nursery one negatively because you saw the children enjoying some free play (unless it felt dangerous or the children were not happily playing etc).

How warm and caring were the staff? Did you talk to them about the care you were looking for and were they open to working with you? I found that a nursery where staff are willing to see your child as an individual and to be willing to meet their needs was better than toys and facilities. For example, when we were looking, one nursery said we'd have to sleep train our dd because they put them in a 'cot room' for naps and they are expected to self-soothe with checks every 15 minutes. The nursery we chose, someone actually held her for naps for the first month until she was happy to settle in a strange place.

All that being equal, I would go with #2 if that's what your gut says. I've never been able to walk either of mine to nursery or school and it's not been an issue.

From what you've said I'd go with nursery 2.

Also, if the second nursery has opened more recently they might be trying harder to establish themselves and therefore be more cooperative and try to provide better care to build a good reputation. (My dc1's nursery was brilliant and super accommodating as they had just opened two months prior to her joining. Now with dc2 the same nursery is now well established and very popular and standards have definitely slipped. It feels more like a business now.). Also a newer nursery might have less children, which in my books is a good thing especially in the beginning.

I agree with the others, and also I’d look on local fb / mums groups to see reviews and ask for opinions. The local nursery to me which is similar to yours seemed ok and good reviews but when I posted on the local fb group it turned out a lot of parents had negative things to say / reasons they hadn’t gone whereas the shiny new nursery had only positive comments

Nursery 2 for now, possible Nursery 1 when DC older. Relaxed and outdoor environmental is fantastic for older toddlers/preschoolers. Nursery 2 sounds more structured/academic etc
Regarding staff, always try and avoid high staff turnover. I always went for enough mature staff. Is the manager mature with a genuine love for babies & children etc and often I found you need some kind mature staff looking out for the girls straight out of education too.

You dont mention some important things...did the children seem happy and thr staff situation. I wouldnt care about the toys or if stuff looked new.

Being outdoors can be better...

Do they have high stsff turnover ? I would avoid anywhere thst felt chaotic tbh

New stuff is not really relevant ...

We've just pulled DD out of nursery which got taken over by a chain which is all about organic & mostly vegetarian food, new equipment and so on.

Ultimately, the staff weren't happy and happy staff creating a warm and loving environment is the most important thing.

How did the children seem at each? Did you chat to any staff?

(Don't worry about free flow play vs group activities as they should do both).

I also love being able to walk.

Unless you thought there was actually something wrong with the first one, I'd go for it if it's also cheaper.

I'd personally not want to drive so would go option 1. Also I'd be worried the 2nd doesn't have an ofsted yet, as it's nice because everything is new but you never know what might be happening behind the scenes.

You know the phrase 'all fur coat and no knickers'? Nursery 2 style joints tend to be that- if it's all new, how experienced are the staff?

Go for the established nursery, where staff are settled, long term, looked after, and played with toys. Walking distance and not over-priced are worth their weight in gold.

Are both run for profit? If either is non-profit go for that. Which pays its staff more? Go for that. Don't be swayed by organic food, or a fancy 'sensory room'.

Did you ask about staff turn over?
do the children move rooms to accommodate ratios?

Nursery 2, but only if you can park easily and traffic isn’t bad at the times you’ll go there. If you are stressed out finding a parking space twice a day and 10 mins each way is actually 25 mins each way (could easily be that bad round here at school times) the benefits of the nursery will quickly become irrelevant I suspect.

In my experience wooden toys and organic food are the least important factors. What matters most is how engaged and carign the staff seem. The best nursery we saw facilities and "concept" wise we opted against as the lady showing us around refused to comfort a crying child that apporached her because she "had a sore back". We later heard that that attitude was pretty representative of that particular nursery.

But if Nursery 2 is better then a 10 min drive wouldn't be the decider for me.