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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Nursery decision

28 replies

MeadowTea · 25/10/2025 12:28

We are trying to decide between two nurseries. Neither are our favourite, but everywhere else fully booked.

One is 5 minute walk, but mostly young staff. I didn’t like how one staff spoke to the other. Seemed unprofessional. The outside area was tiny and plastic equipment so old. It’s also right near a council block, and I smelt weed when outside. I can only imagine in the summer what it’s like.

The other is 32 minute walk pushing the buggy. It’s very basic, an old nursery so old plastic play equipment in the garden. Also small , but nicer than first. The ladies that run it have been doing it for a very long time, and has a more motherly nurture feel. Both groups has small number of children attending.

I’m put off walking 2 hours a day for second one, but I think environment nicer.

On other hand there were doing nice activities in the rougher nursery down the road so is it daft to walk all the way to another which is similar in a lot of ways in terms of size, equipment etc?

My feel was it wouldn’t surprise me if younger staff were not as patient once parents not around in rougher nursery. I’m really torn which to decide.

OP posts:
ItsAWonderfulLifeforMe · 25/10/2025 12:30

Have you checked their ofsted reports? All available online. Are they going full time?

MeadowTea · 25/10/2025 12:33

The second one (32 min away) ofsted is rated good. I was happy with their report.

The one down the road has a new management this year, and hasn’t been inspected yet.

OP posts:
Dontlletmedownbruce · 25/10/2025 12:38

That's tricky but I would think convenience would triumph for me. As for the staff, I wouldn't assume younger staff are less competent. While they are shorter on experience, they are also newly qualified so it balances out. A lot of the approaches and philosophies in early years has changed in the last few decades so they never had the chance to get stuck into bad habits or narrow out dated views. I work in this area and have met some amazing young people but some uninterested lazy ones too. Really it comes down to the individuals and their natures so it's very difficult to judge. I would chance the local one and keep thinking it through, you could always move if you felt Dc wasn't happy. Paying an extra hour a day for your walk home and back seems wrong if you go to the other one. Moving house to a better area might be something to consider too but I know that's not a simple solution.

sillygoof · 25/10/2025 12:41

Where do you work? Does one or the other make it more convenient to get to work? The nursery we chose wasn’t even in my town but was in the middle of my commute.

ItsAWonderfulLifeforMe · 25/10/2025 12:49

Even though it’s new management do they still have a previous ofsted report? I would worry it was failing,I would try to find out as much as possible, whether they have the same staff etc

LavenderBlue19 · 25/10/2025 12:51

Do you need them for childcare, or just for socialisation/a break? Not being worried about a long walk suggests the latter.

I'd probably go for the one further away, but keep looking for a better one. Can you drive? Our nursery wasn't one I originally considered because it wasn't on our commute route, but actually it turned out to only take 10 minutes longer than the one we originally planned to use, for a much, much nicer nursery out in the countryside.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 25/10/2025 12:55

‘Rougher’ nursery staff may have more recently qualifications and enjoy playing more than the staff in the other one. Weird judging it as ‘rough’ when it’s only a 5 min walk from your own home, doesn’t it much up to the school DC will attend anyway? Maybe try a childminder.

NoKnit · 25/10/2025 13:00

How old is your child and are you planning another?

If you currently have a rather compliant 12 month old who has no issues going in the buggy then you should possibly consider that this might change over the next months and before long you might have a strong willed pram refuser insisting they can walk everywhere and then in absolute tears when the 30 minute walk is too much for them. Take possibly being 6 months pregnant into the equation and could easily be a nightmare.

Nothing wrong with young staff that is just your perception

Doughtie · 25/10/2025 13:01

Your gut is telling you no to the first one.

I think 32 mins each way walking sounds too much - but I have done a similar distance for school runs myself for several years! So maybe it's not.

As PP said is this necessary for you to work? Keep on waiting lists for other nurseries and be prepared to move your child or delay start.

passmeaglass · 25/10/2025 13:08

Is there honestly no other option, from what you’ve written I wouldn’t be happy sending my child to either of these places

MumOryLane · 25/10/2025 13:12

It's really tricky. As someone doing a 15minute walk each way so a solid hour each day in the wind and rain this week, don't underestimate just how difficult this is, especially in the dead of winter. And your little one will also be out in thay cold twice a day for that length too.

vivainsomnia · 25/10/2025 13:46

In these instances, always go with with future feeling. I vote for nursery two.

Starrystarrysky · 25/10/2025 14:26

I would check how many of the nursery staff in option 1 are apprentices. There is a fabulous apprentice in my DC's room, and as she's alongside very experienced staff I am very happy. If it was a young team overall and also a significant proportion were apprentices, I would have concerns.

user2848502016 · 25/10/2025 16:04

I would go for nursery 1 because walking 30 mins seems impractical, you can put DCs name down on waiting lists for other nurseries and move when a place comes up if you still aren’t too keen on the nursery

FuzzyWolf · 25/10/2025 16:07

Surely the one that is a five minute walk from your house is in your neighbourhood.

MeadowTea · 25/10/2025 16:38

ItsAWonderfulLifeforMe · 25/10/2025 12:49

Even though it’s new management do they still have a previous ofsted report? I would worry it was failing,I would try to find out as much as possible, whether they have the same staff etc

In 2018 which was good, but new manager and staff now completely new.

OP posts:
MeadowTea · 25/10/2025 16:39

LavenderBlue19 · 25/10/2025 12:51

Do you need them for childcare, or just for socialisation/a break? Not being worried about a long walk suggests the latter.

I'd probably go for the one further away, but keep looking for a better one. Can you drive? Our nursery wasn't one I originally considered because it wasn't on our commute route, but actually it turned out to only take 10 minutes longer than the one we originally planned to use, for a much, much nicer nursery out in the countryside.

It will be just for socialising/break

OP posts:
MeadowTea · 25/10/2025 16:41

ToKittyornottoKitty · 25/10/2025 12:55

‘Rougher’ nursery staff may have more recently qualifications and enjoy playing more than the staff in the other one. Weird judging it as ‘rough’ when it’s only a 5 min walk from your own home, doesn’t it much up to the school DC will attend anyway? Maybe try a childminder.

We live at the edge of the nicer part of town on a nice street . Suddenly turns rough 5 mins away. You’re right though , and we are looking to move in couple of years.

OP posts:
Whoevenarethey · 25/10/2025 16:41

MeadowTea · 25/10/2025 16:39

It will be just for socialising/break

How old is your child? I would wait til a place came up elsewhere and not choose either of these settings.

MeadowTea · 25/10/2025 16:42

Doughtie · 25/10/2025 13:01

Your gut is telling you no to the first one.

I think 32 mins each way walking sounds too much - but I have done a similar distance for school runs myself for several years! So maybe it's not.

As PP said is this necessary for you to work? Keep on waiting lists for other nurseries and be prepared to move your child or delay start.

Hmm no I think she really needs more social interaction/getting use to being away from me etc

OP posts:
MeadowTea · 25/10/2025 16:43

Starrystarrysky · 25/10/2025 14:26

I would check how many of the nursery staff in option 1 are apprentices. There is a fabulous apprentice in my DC's room, and as she's alongside very experienced staff I am very happy. If it was a young team overall and also a significant proportion were apprentices, I would have concerns.

Seemed like a young team overall, but good idea. I will check

OP posts:
hardtocare · 25/10/2025 16:45

For me definitely the further away one. You’re trusting these people with your child so you need to be comfortable with that. The walking isn’t so bad once you get used to it

FunnyOrca · 25/10/2025 16:48

I’d go with the staff that make you feel most comfortable. Staffing makes a nursery. If they are passionate, caring and involved they can make up for poor resourcing and less than ideal environments.

Nickyknackered · 25/10/2025 16:52

How old is she?

Have a look around for childminders too.

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/10/2025 16:56

for socialising and not work then not essential they go.

Look for childminders. More local 32 minutes away it’s too far.

How old are children?