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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

nursery for 2 yr old - best or most convenient??!

22 replies

Beesmummy · 05/01/2009 11:50

I am in a complete dilemma - do I go for a nursery that is rated outstanding in every way by Ofsted and has an amazing reputation but is 20 minutes away (probably half an hour in rush hour), or one which is rated good by Ofsted, but is only 10 minutes away?
I don't want dd's education to suffer just because it is more convenient for me, but on the other hand I have DD2 arriving in April and I don't know how boring it will be to have to spend so much time in the car?
Is education really so so important at the age of 22 months?
argh, going round in circles here and I need to decide today!

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rubyslippers · 05/01/2009 11:52

no - eduation is not important for a 22 month old

having a loving and lively environment is

you need to visit both and see which you like more - OFSTED ratings are important but not the deciding factor

27 · 05/01/2009 11:54

I would go for the best one, but I dont think that it is the quality of education that will decide what is best for a 22 month old. Have you visited the nurseries?

FiveGoMadInDorset · 05/01/2009 11:56

Visit both, DD is in a nursery with is good, but we chose that over one rated excellent as it wasn't right for us IYSWIM

IdrisTheDragon · 05/01/2009 12:00

Visit them and see which you prefer. Ofsted rating shouldn't be the main factor, I don't think.

Blu · 05/01/2009 12:02

Depends on the areas which account fo the difference in ofsted rating!

Half an hour twice a day is something to be thought of, but to my mind - and experience of having Ds in day nursery when he was a baby and again at 3 - i would say don't worry about the educational aspect at all. What is important is a safe, warm environment with experienced committed staff who provide continuity - not a constantly shifting staff -and are cuddly, friendly and caring. Playing with children happily is ore important than the minutae of the early years 'curriculum'.

Which place 'feels' nicer when you visit? (visit more than once), talk to parents.

Original poster

Beesmummy · 05/01/2009 12:32

umm, well visited both before Christmas, but still can't decide. The Outstanding ofsted one (only just looked at that today) immediately feels superior - lots of little classrooms out the back of an old rectory, each room immaculately decorated and small class sizes (no more than 10, or even less) - to be honest I loved it.
The nearer one is about 12 children in one nissan hut and it seemed perfectly nice, but not nearly so many facilities. The far one has also been going for years and they obviously just have it sussed, whereas the nearer one seems a bit more disorganised.
If they were both 10 minutes away it would be a no-brainer, it is just the distance that is putting me off the far one....
both seem to have really nice staff.
oh gawd, I know, it is just up to me isn't it?! I hate making decisions!

OP posts:

wishingchair · 05/01/2009 12:33

Agree with others. Whether Ofsted have rated them as good or outstanding, I'm pretty sure they will still learn the words and actions to Wheels on the Bus, will come home proudly displaying their arts and crafts and will make friends. They will also learn to count, recognise colours, shapes and letters. The differences between the two might be nothing even to do with education. Ofsted scores them on some pretty diverse stuff.

Personally, the most important things to me are:

does it have a nice feel to it ... are the children happy, are the staff happy
do they get to play outside in all weathers, not just when it's sunny
what do they actually do ... I want to see lots of fun activities and play, not just a load of toys and free-play all day

School is for "education". When DD1 started school, all they wanted was for her to be able to get clothes on and off, recognise her own name, and have social skills.

If it was me, I would go to the closest one (assuming you like it) so your DD can make local friends who may also end up going to the same school.

revjustaboutwipestheslateclean · 05/01/2009 12:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wishingchair · 05/01/2009 12:37

Just seen your last message ... facilities and decor are important to adults but not to children. DD2's nursery always seems a bit disorganised and is very cramped but the children are all happy and she loves it.

Is the near one a 10 minute walk or drive?

I avoid driving like the plague as hate putting kids in and out of car seats and your new baby is bound to fall asleep on the 20 min journey.

A 20 min journey will end up being an hour round trip. 2 hours a day nearly ...

27 · 05/01/2009 12:37

How would you feel if the closest one was the only one, would you be happy to use it, or would there be doubts?

SpandexIsMyEnemy · 05/01/2009 12:44

I went for the one which was on the way to work.

BUT it's also got the best facilities of any of them around. I also went on the feel of the place, and it has a lovely warm feeling. the ofstead thing I don't really understand so asked mum to look at it (she's a teacher) and she said it's good buy that - also it helps stalking to other mums & a family friend i've been told ds's nursery all go on the proper courses as well.

can't beat word of mouth I think as well.

SpandexIsMyEnemy · 05/01/2009 12:45

(talking not stalking! lol)

Original poster

Beesmummy · 05/01/2009 13:01

27 good point - if the closest one was the only one, i would still be v happy!
and wishingchair, unfortunately we live rural, so have to drive everywhere, I hate it.
but revjustaboutwipetheslateclean (long name!) that is exactly what I am worried about...
think I am going to ask to go and see them both again and make a decision.
thanks everyone -and if anyone else has an opinion, please tell me, it is all so useful! We have just moved to the area, so I don't know many people around here to ask.

OP posts:

SpandexIsMyEnemy · 05/01/2009 13:08

try asking on here - someone's DC might go there - if you don't mind being noticed in RL>

blueshoes · 05/01/2009 13:27

Location played a big part in choosing a nursery for me. Frankly a nursery 20 mins drive away would not even make it on my radar. But I accept you live in a rural location.

Best thing is to check with parents who use the nurseries.

Original poster

Beesmummy · 05/01/2009 14:30

The really good one is the Lemon Tree in Taunton, if anyone knows it!

OP posts:

snuffyp · 05/01/2009 14:34

i would,nt be swayed by the ofsted report as when i took my daughter to a local nursery they let me stay the first few times and the place was a total joke but when day i went they knew they were having a ofsted report done they certainly put on a good act getting out a jug of water to the children,making it look like they learnt things all a act!they know when the people are coming so they prepare for it.i,d go more by what other mums have to say about the place

27 · 05/01/2009 14:34

TBH if you would still be very happy with the closest one then I would go for that. You need a good nursery, if you have that near you than I would go for that, rather than committing to spending an hour in the car every day.

MrsBadger · 05/01/2009 14:38

'lots of little classes' worries me a bit - would she be frequently 'moved up' to a new room with new staff etc?

The smaller nursery with only 12 children in total would hopefully mean less changes of carer (and with dd2 on the way the more stable nursery is the better)

wishingchair · 06/01/2009 11:03

Been thinking about this. You need to think also practically about your second child:

if you're doing at least an hour round trip to drop off and an hour to pick up from the 'outstanding' nursery, what kind of fun is your new baby going to have. If DD1 is only doing morning sessions for example, this will leave you with no time to go to play groups, music classes, swimming etc with your new baby and where you might make friends (think you said you were new to the area)
you also need to look forward to the school DD1 will most likely go to and what bearing that will have on which nursery DC2 would go to. If the school is local to you then the local nursery would surely be most likely because you probably wouldn't be able to manage a school drop-off then the big drive to the 'outstanding' nursery. If so, then if it's going to be good enough for DC2, then ...

Original poster

Beesmummy · 08/01/2009 14:29

hadn't even thought about what happens when DD2 (its another girl!) goes to nursery --- the closer one is also a primary school, so that makes much more sense.
Going to see two others I have found that are my side of Taunton tomorrow when DH has a day off. But I have definitely decided not to spend all that time in the car going to the school 25 minutes away, due to comments on here and from my friends. Not fair on the new baby and not practical for the whole family, despite its amazing reputation. Shame!
thank you so much everyone who commented, it really helped.

OP posts:

steph101 · 08/01/2009 18:36

I know this is a bit late but when ever I get a call from DD's nursery to tell me she is ill I always have a panicy drive to get to her (on one occasion a temp of 104 and they asked me to take her to a and e) and i could not imagine how i would feel if i had to drive over half an hour to get to her!!! Just a point to think about!

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