Can't Find Childcare in Greenwich, SE London. Any Help/Advice??

[helenvarty]

Hi all,

I live in East Greenwich and cannot find childcare. I am returning to work four days a week (Mon-Thurs) in May/June when my daughter will be 11 months old.

The headache for me is actually finding available childcare in the first instance, as Greenwich, SE London seems to have a massive shortage.

Even though I don?t start back at work for 12 weeks, I have put my daughter in a nursery two afternoons a week, just to get her on their internal consideration list. This is costing £230 a month but we have no option at this stage, as wait lists don?t seem to exist! The other nurseries I have tried have practically laughed in my face when I?ve asked for places. I haven?t found available childminders.

It is all so draining, I thought the problem would be carefully deciding what option, whereas it seems basically if you can find anything, you are lucky. Does anyone have any ideas to help, interested in sharing a nanny or any childminders magically free?

Thanks so much, Helen

Not surprised really. Have you looked at Catherine House in Lewisham? It's a bit of a hike but might be doable between you and dp depending on where you work and how you get there (eg cycle).

We ended up using my work nursery in Westminster as couldn't get place at Robert Owen, didn't like Teddies and Cath House was just too far. But have a friend with 4yo at Cath Hse who's pretty happy with it.

That looks a great place, but a little too far as I don't drive or cycle. I am still waiting to hear from Robert Owen but not hopeful as they seem to be more geared towards people who need childcare while looking for work, not those already in work.

I work in Westminster too, but found a nursery there, Just Learning on Horseferry Road a bit grim.

Thanks for the tip, looks like a nanny share might be sensible. Or setting up a nursery myself in SE10?!

I know, it would be a great business opportunity if you had some start-up capital - so much demand. Good luck with the search.

Have also heard good things about the nursery at Eltham green but again, that could be too far. And there's one on Westcombe Park Road but they only take them from 2, I think.

I know there are places at Sherington Nursery - just the other side of the underpass near Westcombe Park Station.

A few friends have had their babies there from a year and have all been very happy with it.

Good Luck!

Hi we live and work in westminster and are about to move to kent and have same problem as you but out there. Alas we will be giving up ours sons place at Little House Nursery in Westminster (not far from Horseferry rd at all) its Montessori and our son loves it. Google it..

And if you're concerned about taking your dd on commuter time transport, get the boat from Greenwich pier to Embankment. It's more expensive than the train but worth it as very relaxed and is NEVER cancelled. Kids love it - I do it 3 x a week and get the train home from Charing X as you always get a seat there.

We're in Lewisham and this time round have opted for a nanny-share with friends. When DD1 was little, and until she was nearly 4, she went to the Quaggy Children's Centre (just by Elverson Rd DLR) which I'd definitely recommend.

I too am SE13. I used Broadfields in Hither green for DD 1 and it was wonderful but that was a few years ago. I now have a fantastic childminder. I could ask if she has spaces? She does a lot of parents who commute and she is v flexible.

Lillingtons Montessori on Chudleigh road is held in high esteem in this areatoo I just remembered but I have no personal experience of that one.

Hi there - any recommendations for childminders in West Greenwich??? Seems there's an even worse dearth of spaces in West Greenwich than East. I tried Robert Owen before DS was even born and they (very kindly) told me I wasn't in their catchment area as I live the other side of the park. Also heard from the grapevine they are only admitting siblings this year as there is so much demand!

think i will move to greenwich, far too many cms in croydon, no work for us lol

im in east greenwich too and having the same problem i have 3 weeks to find a childminder

i was quite lucky as robert owen offered us afternoon sessions, i only filled forms in monday but still stuck on care for them both while i do training.

think with both robert owen and teddies you have to persevere - phone regularly to see how the waiting list is going?

robert owen i think the main criteria is that you live close? have professional friends whose kids went there (both lawyers) so not sure there is a preference for those looking for work?

teddies - was told there was no chance but kept bugging them and did eventually get exactly what i wanted (only to them move to blackheath!)

i spoke to teddies monday they were sorting the waiting list, only day could offer was a friday, or get put on waiting list

robert owen are in process of sorting places at moment but i think thats only the free sessions,xbeckyx as i havent been offered others i asked for