Millington Road Nursery School

[glassespaisano]

HI MNers- my family is relocating from Glasgow very soon to Cambridge -- looking for a nursery for our 28 month old son and wondered if any of you had any experience with Millington Road Nursery School. www.millingtonroadnursery.co.uk

Seems a good central location but I wonder how folks find it. Been checking out others but many are all booked up til 2013~.

Many thanks all!! :-)

It has been an amazing nursery for our two year old. Thoughtful, well qualified, creative, lovely staff who are very focused on the children and always have really interesting things planned for them. Fantastic on developing good relationships between the children and staff, based on good manners and behaviour. Our two year old is also speaking French really nicely - They do French once a week but also encourage other languages.

The one thing I will say is that they do fill out a good, detailed learning tracker report for each child, with photos, goals etc But they are not as focused as some nurseries we have experienced on the whole admin, EYFS tracking thing. IMO this is just fine as the staff seem more into spending their time doing wonderful, educational, fun things with the children. But if you are used to a more institutional, children's centre type nursery it may be a bit of a culture shock. For us the balance is right though.

Just to add .. Be aware if you are working that they take normal school holidays, with half terms off as well.

Thanks so much camgirl. Just had lovliest chat with head there and it sounds perfect and fits our ethos. Apreciate the feedback!
(maybe we will see you there with our 2 year old!)

And best of luck with your move!

My DS and his best friend went there. It's very, very good.

Downsides: it has long holidays (although they were introducing more holiday clubs when we were there); most children are part-time, so I felt the activity levels were aimed at children who are mostly at home and then need some sessions of fun and stimulation, rather than on providing a balanced day for children who are there a lot; it can get rather loud and busy, especially for younger and shyer children.

If you're just wanting a few sessions and are able to choose the less busy ones, that should be perfect.

If only someone would start a nursery with Millington Road's ethos, staff, and garden but which fitted working parents.

Great feedback. Many thanks!

Hubby just went to check it out and found it idyllic setting and very eco friendly with a nice mix of structure and free play. Seems mighty perfect as we hope to find a place in Newnham... walking distance.
The flexibility will work for us for a while as I will be on MAT leave.

Impression was that they are more set up for mature kids, yet I hope they still offer lots of TLC and empathetic limits and listening.

Anyone have any issue with Must Be Potty Trained by 3? We are going to have baby 2 in June/moving, etc and not sure 2.5 year old boy will follow the exact required schedule with all the upheaval. ( I may need nappies myself at that point after this move!)

Thanks Cambridge MNers. Hope to see you in the local parks soon! (MMMM Cambridge sunshine! Ready for some of that after 6 Scottish 'summers')

Rest assured they are GREAT on TLC, empathetic limits, listening and encouraging the children to listen to each other and say what is on their mind rather than acting out.

I didn't even realise they needed to be potty trained by 3. My DS2 was good on this though and trained himself at just gone 2 (I was all for leaving it..). DS1 was another matter, much more like yours. We trained him at 2.8, with a newborn DS2 around. It wasn't too bad.

In your case I would just speak to his keyworker and say that with the move and baby 2 on the way he may not be ready. Whatever the 'policy' they are very child lead and will completely go with this. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Update: Papers sent in today! We start in May! Thanks so much for your honest feedback - makes decisions from afar seem simpler. :0