hitherfield school/Nursery

[zicca007]

Hi,

We just been offered full time place in Hitherfield nursery. Up until now we have been using private nursery close to my work but the cost was killing our home budget.

I have got couple of questions to more experienced local mums. Firstly it's our first kid, secondly I'm not too familiar with the area yet.

1. Obviously I would like to know your opinion about the nursery @ Hitherfield school - we will be moving our daughter in September from the well known environment of the cosy small nursery where she is fully settled into the unknown!

1. I understand that the nursery is open 9-3 which is nothing if you compare it to the full time work hours - I know that there is a chance for the breakfast and afternoon club (- If we get a place) but I'm bit worried about my 3 y/o girl being there - how does that work? How many teachers are there?

1. The most horrifying thing for us is half term/holiday time - I've counted these days and it's more than mine and my husband holiday work allowance all together. As we are from abroad we don't have any family/friends to help. Are there any childminders who will do drop-off and holidays? Do you know anybody along the Leigham Vale road and the vicinity? I've looked at registered childminders @ Lambeth web but I can't see anyone very close by and I don't want to go by the bus one direction to then have to come back to go to work the other direction if you know what I mean....

Thanks in advance for all your answers!

Best!

Hello! My daughter is currently at Hitherfield nursery, and moved there from a much smaller, cosy pre-school. She moved because her older brother was in year one there and so when she turned 3 it made sense to have them in the same place.

I was a little worried as it's much bigger than where she was, but she LOVES it, and I far prefer it to her previous setting. The teachers are amazing, everyone is so friendly, the range of activities is wonderful and the outside space is second to none. I have absolutely no regrets about moving her and she will start in reception there in September.

I'm afraid I don't know too much about the breakfast and after school clubs but I think nursery are eligible - give the Children's Centre a ring to ask, they are super friendly and will give you all the info you need.

PS just to add that even though it's bigger, she's getting much better academic support than she was at her preschool and is currently in an extension group for phonics and she is ready for and enjoying a little more learning. They are great at identifying exactly what your child needs. I just wish I'd known about the nursery there for my older child too.

I am sure the nursery at Hitherfield is very good - but you need to bear in mind that school nurseries are the first part of the EYFS - the first stage of education, rather than day care that is provided in private nurseries. So, the ratio of staff may be smaller, do they get a chance for a rest / nap if they need it?

Holiday cover is a fact of life from nursery or Reception onwards, so it is good t find a local child minder who will do holiday cover. Some do because if they take teachers' children during term time they have places in school holidays.

Hi,

Many thanks for all your posts! I shall add separate post about the child-minder then!

thanks,