preschool in twickenham/hampton/teddington area?

[poppy34]

Posted elsewhere but thought might have some more luck here..

any suggestions for good preschool/nursery reception in twickenham/hampton/teddington area? Have got a few ideas (eg the mall, twickenham prep etc) but wanted to see other mnet think.

Also how early do you need to put name down? I am just concerned as baby likely to be late in school year (due in matter of weeks) and have heard stoires re being too late on list. Am quite prepared to look at a few if required.

If you type "preschools in TW1" into Google then a list with maps and addresses will come up. I tried to put the link here for you but couldn't get it to work. It comes up with quite a few, including some in Hampton.

Also if you go to the local government website and look at pre school education it will have info on what is available (private and non private).

thanks gustwriter..will give that a go - hadn't thought about the local website but that is usually pretty helpful (which is more than can be said if you actually phone them up!)

Yes I know - they never seem to answer the phone!

Unfortunately they don't always list the websites of the schools themselves so you do end up doing a lot of googling but you will find out a lot, along the way.

Do you know if you are having a boy - if you are considering the Mall? I put my DD's name down at 6 months - got a place at Twickenham Prep and only the waiting list at Newland House but DD is a November baby. There are a huge number of pre-prep schools in the area and an even greater number of preschools and nurseries. For preschools and nurseries best to ask local mums as you would want one you can walk to.

nope expecting a dd (unless scans very wrong in which case will be quick rethink on names wink])-my preference would be for jack and jill if poss but will ask around.

I have been delighted with Jack & Jill on Twickenham Green, heard great things about Sunflower Montessori too.

Have you read Sunflower's OFSTED report though?

I don't know how much store people put in these things but I found it online and it sort of worried me. They had 3 problems with it at last inspection

1. Insufficient toilets for children and adults - posing hygiene risk

1. Teaching process not actively helping the children with working out the correct answers - their work just crossed out in some cases.

1. Non-teaching staff have not been CRB checked! (i.e. cleaners etc)

I've been to see Sunflower myself and have friends children that go there, it has a very good local reputation. DD will go either there or Jack and Jill.

They've got more toilets than when the report was written. Marking only happens in reception, they are getting rid of a reception class next year, everybody is now CRB checked. They say themselves they will never get an outstanding OFSTED report because they fundamentally disagree with a lot of the OFSTED recommendations.

Sunflower is very different to alot of nurseries, it depends on whether it suits you and your child.

thats really good to know - i find the whole ofsted thing a bit daunting and it seems quite random at times too -

JJJJ - have just been to see Jack and Jill - very impressed by reception but less impressed by their nursery. DD also got a place at Sunflower and would have a place at J&J, both for September next year. Can you tell me what you like about J&J?

I'm not sure I got the wrong impression of J&J because I saw the first free play hour rather than more structured learning. I do find it odd that you can't get nursery funding for J&J but you can for Sunflower - saves £300.

Its not odd, its just that they've chosen not to register with OFSTEAD - if they had, funding would be available.