please help! childcare advice needed in twickenham

[letmestayathome]

So I've got to go back to work in February and I'm finding this whole childcare lark incredibly stressful.

I've been to see a few nurseries in Twickenham, but the only one that is pratical to get to and then to work is Teddies - but I didn't get a great feel for the place and it's got dreadful reviews on mumsnet.

I'm now considering finding a childminder, but there are hundreds registered and I don't know where to start. Am so overwhelmed by it all. Doesn't help that I'm dreading work too so feeling stressed about it all.

I'm looking for childcare between 8am and 6.30, close to Twickenham train station, and in my fantasy world I'm picturing outside space, sand pits, nice toys, good food, clean etc.

Any suggestions of childminders or nurseries gratefully received x

Hi there, my children go to Monkey Puzzle. It is further away from the station (Campbell Road) but they do open at 7.30am so you just need to jump on a bus to the station. I used to do the London commute and it was the only nursery I found that was open 7.30am - 6.30pm. It only opened 3 years ago so is still nice and clean and the girls there are just lovely and they do theatre bugs on a thursday which all the kids adore and they have outside space as well as use of the church to run around in on a rainy day. My daughter is nearly 4 now and has been going for 3 years (only part time now) and she has thrived. My 18 month old also goes now two mornings a week. Kiran is the lady the managers it so give her a call on 02085383999.

Hello letmestayathome. There are a lot of lovely childminders also in the area. Im a little bit biased because Im a childminder myself and live 10min walk away from Teddies.

I think it depends what you're looking for to be honest. Some parents want more one on one care, in which case childminders have an advantage and still go to playgroups which have sandpits and a variety of toys. Also they would get the interaction with children. If you like the idea of a home away from home, then childminders are the way to go. Nurseries definitely have their own benefits and I think having a look around is good.

There are local stay & plays in childrens centres e.g. Heathfield childrens centre and Norman Jackson centre. Here you can meet a lot of childminders and see them first hand interacting with the children and also get advice about what to look for in a childminder.

I also work part-time so have to use childminders myself, and my little one loves it. Good luck with the search, it gets easier as you meet more people and see more nurseries.