Nurseries recommendations

[TashTashTash]

Hi. Im after recommendations for nurseries in Edinburgh... I am looking at nurseries around Morningside, Bruntsfield, Colinton, Oxgangs but happy to hear about ones in town too as I work on Chambers street.

Also, does anyone know what Fairmile House Nursery on Oxgangs Road is like as it's considerably cheaper than others in this area?

Thank you!

Highly recommend the bright horizons at Morton Mains. On the pricey side but worth every penny.

New town nursery too in Forres St is excellent, I've never been less than delighted with them.

The university nursery is good but was full with massive waiting list when I tried to get in ... the Council's Cowgate under 5s centre always gets rave reviews but has a different ethos to most other nurseries and also has a waiting list.

I would visit lots of nurseries and look at the Care Inspectorate gradings too. The ones who were top of my list initially did not make it on my shortlist - I suppose it depends what is important to you. For me it was good outdoor garden space, freshly cooked meals (rather than staff reheating something you have brought in) and at the time, separate sleep room for babies.

Last time I looked at Fairmile House it didn't get good CI gradings and this put me off to be honest - but they might have improved now

Oh thanks codswallopandbelderdash. That's a good point, I didn't think of checking the Care Inspectorate gradings! I've only been to see Little City Nursery and Bright Horizons in Bruntsfield so far and preffered the latter but would still like to see a few other ones. You are right about the outdoor space, I wasn't impressed with either of them but Bright Horizons had a great menu with healthy meals and they didn't agree with bringing food from home, so it is winning at the moment.
Can I ask which nursery you ended up going for?

Little voices in Bruntsfield - great garden and nice rooms over three floors

I really strongly recommend city Nursery for age 2+ but we didn’t use little city as we lived in Bruntsfield originally and used little voices from 6mo-2yrs which was great for that age.
I didn’t like bright horizons or the cranley on comiston road as despite both having great ratings both felt cramped to me.

To be clear I’m not “not recommending little city, I just have no experience of it - except the management which is same as city.

We have used two of the Cranley settings, and don't have a bad word to say about them. They have nurseries at Buckstone, Colinton, Craiglockhart and Lanark Road

We went for the South Gillsland Corner House nursery. It used to be family owned. Unfortunately family retired and sold to a bigger company and there was a few issues IMO re consistent management - actual care staff have always been great. But new manager came in April and she is improving things. Looked at Headstart in Morningside but too small and no outdoor space (use Morningside Park) and also another one in Morningside Child's Play but thought it was a bit cramped tbh. City Nursery had a bit of a bad patch about 5 years ago but know they have been trying to improve things.

Forbes Childrens Nursery. They have one in Forbes Road and one which over looks the links.

a wee bit out of your area, but Kidzcare Norwood House on Kilgraston Rd on Marchmont is outstanding. We just finished 7 years there and have been so happy there. They cook fresh meals in house each day, wonderful menu, and have access to a large garden with lots of plays things. They regularly take trips out and about, and run nature schools up in Blackford for the older ones. Lots of classes come in too (sparkle arts, ballet, yoga etc)

Thanks everyone! We decided to go for Little Voices in Bruntsfield. Just had the best feel, good CI gradings, large garden and right beside the Meadows. Staff seemed great too.