Early Days Nursery - Pre-school

[KHMC]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone has experience of Early Days nursery (pre-school)in either Walker Street or Doune Terrace Edinburgh. I'd be grateful for any opinions or information. Thanks in advance.

I had a brief and not good experience with their branch in Palmerston Place. I put my 8 month old DS into the baby room for his trial and settling in period. The nursery asked for a 300 pound deposit plus a months fees up front. We lasted 2 sessions - there was a lot of equipment for putting babies in (high chairs, stationary baby walkers etc) but not much going on and not much crawling around space or engagement from staff. A disabled kid was in his swing chair with no toys every time we were in. I took my DS away and when I asked for my money back as it was a trial I was given the months money but not the 300 pound deposit as I was told I had prevented another child taking the place. I still bristle with anger every time I go past! Having said that the rooms for the bigger kids looked better as did the outside facilities.

I hope that my experience isn't representative but it is the only nursery I have had any contact with that demanded a deposit (not perhaps the 50 quid to be put on a waiting list) which to me suggests that this scenario isn't unheard of.

Hi
My ds is at Early Days at Palmerston Place and we're very happy with it. The staff have a huge amount of energy for getting the little ones out and about - swimming and soft play go on once a week and they're always off on an outing somewhere. It was a big change from our previous nursery which was really spacious, modern and bright but I've got over that now that I see ds is getting lots of stimulation.

I'm also interested in this thread, as am planning to place my 2yr old in early days palmerston place. any other opinions on it? or advice on other new town/west end/ stockbridge nurseries to try instead? thanks you in advance.

Try the New Town Nursery on Dean Terrace. They have a key for Dean Gardens and the kids are outside most days unless the weather is dreadful. Low staff turnover and a very good manager who keeps the place running smoothly.

Check out care commission website for inspection results...

The kids are taken out for walks, not out all day

I live near early days and the kids are definitely taken out for walks - I regularly see them in Princes Street Gardens etc. However, my friends worked there for a while (has worked in several nurseries) and said she wouldn't use it for her own child, felt that the staff were generally disinterested and didn't really engage with the children.

We've just started at the Orchard Nursery which is just between stockbridge and craigleith - doesn't look much from outside but seems nice. I've also heard good things about the nursery at Port Hamilton (Careshare?) and the one on Rutland (Bright Horizons I think.)

My son is 4 1/2 and has been attending Early Days/Walker Street since he was 8 months old. I have also worked in nurseries and really liked the feel of ED from the first visit. My son has gained so much from the nursery. Already he can write, add, subtract and tell the time (amongst other things). I don't know of any other nursery that has so many qualified teachers rather than just nursery nurses. Most children in my sons class, including him, complain when they need to go home. This I think is what's most important not whether you like the decor or not. As for the deposit. Why shouldn't they request a deposit when they are so popular, lets face it Anne if you took a job over another then was told they didn't need you, you would expect to be paid wouldn't you?

My daughter has been at Doune terrace for 2 years now in pre-school room and she loves it. I am very impressed with the ethos, quality of care and opportunities offered to the kids. They are taken out of the nursery most days with recent trips including museum, library, zoo, princes st gardens, inverleith park, botanics, cinema, North Berwick (by train!). I would not hesiate to recommend it.

There is a Chapter One nursery on Douglas Gardens which just got an excellent Care Commission report. I use one of their other nurseries and know staff that work at the West End one who are lovely (and will be missed at the branch I use!).