Are nurseries always a bit rubbish?

[Newmum288]

Just that really
My 7 month old is due to start soon and so far I’ve visited 3 nurseries and all are varying degrees of crap. Adults tramping around with shoes on between crawling babies. Chaos. Every kid looking a bit bewildered. Kids sleeping on mats on the floor. Old toys. Is this just what happens?!

Not in my experience. Chaos and mats on the floor is normal (it's amazing how they all happily toddle off and sleep on them!) but the rest would concern me.

Have you looked at ones with the best reviews in your area?

Some is normal like sleeping on mats. Having old toys is no bad thing so long as they're in working order. Nurseries are always a bit chaotic too. DS' nursery has all of that and it was absolutely brilliant.

But I wouldn't like shoes in the rooms or kids not looking happy.

I think some are. Just call first and see if they allow shoes in the babies room, if they do, don't bother visiting.

Mats are normal.

Can't relate to this at all. I viewed three nurseries, all were good overall with calm baby rooms. One had a particularly lovely baby room - was like a big living room, was so cosy with soft carpet (no shoes), lovely toys set up each day, caring staff - just a really lovely atmosphere. But it's actually not the nursery I chose as my child was starting at 12mths and I could already see that the outdoor space and facilities at another one would suit them in the longer term. There are good nurseries out there for sure.

Keep looking, and consider childminders as well.

Mats are for safety reasons - can't fall far off them and there are no gaps for anyone to get stuck. But there should be a calm/quiet area for sleeping.

The size of the nursery can make a big difference. My middle child was very unsettled by a busy, chaotic nursery and did much better when we moved him to a smaller one.

Not my experience, all the ones I visited were excellent

Mats and chaos totally normal. Bewildered children and shoes, crap.

Our nursery was bloody chaotic but wonderful. It is weird seeing tiny kids sleeping on mats but actually it was a lovely nursery. I got instant bad vibes from one I visited. Trust your gut!

Yes a lot are unfortunately is the reality. I used to work in nurseries and felt the same way. Try a childminder

Chaos, mats and old toys very normal. Even if they’re calm during show arounds there will be chaotic moments in the day.
Shoes are 50/50. Some nurseries are cleaner than others!
Bewildered children - ideally not.

what were you expecting I mean it's a building with lots of babies and toddlers of course its going to be noisy and chaotic and .I don't think all the toys were old I mean well used isn't terrible is it ?

I think probably q nanny or childminder would suit you better.

Not all, but the vast majority.

It's inevitable when you try and provide group care for small children at a reasonable price.

Lots are unfortunately. We had to go in an ever increasing circle to find a reasonable one, years ago, when most were better funded than they are now. Settled on one at an independent school in the end.

Ours isn’t noisy or chaotic. It’s structured, with the babies in one room that is calm and lovely. The other rooms have children engaged in activities and some may be noisier than others such as outdoor play but not chaos.

The childminders I’ve come across are far more chaotic and that would put me off but one important point to bear in mind is different people and indeed different children like different things. I have a seven month old baby who gets carted to various groups, parks, soft play and so on as she has an older brother and I think she rather likes the chaos. Other babies more used to a calm environment might hate it!

YES! Full stop.

Ask if they are "inside shoes" that the staff wear only in the room