I need a nursery that keeps DS clean, safe and not crying - I don't need anything else. Apparently, that's complicated. (London, NW3 if possible)

[schroedingersdodo]

I need a nursery for when DS is aproximately 14 months (he's 8 mo now). I've been to the Active Learning in West Hampstead today and wasn't impressed. There was a baby having a bottle by himself with no staff to supervise. Children were put to sleep in a dark room where no one listens to cries (we checked the room, there was a little girl crying and staff said "she'll go back to sleep by herself" and closed the door). There were rubbish bins and brooms on the floor, within reach of the children. We had to take off our shoes to get in, but staff was wearing trainers.

However, they have computer classes, science classes, dance, foreign languages, sensory rooms, organic food and all sorts of gimmicks. One mum who was visiting the nursery was very interested in the school her baby would be accepted after going to this nursery (her baby was 5mo!).

I'm going back to work part time, I'll provide my son with plenty of stimulation, so I don't need any of these gimmicks. And I believe there's no rush to start with classes since he'll soon go to school and spend the following 20 years (at least) attending classes.

All I want is a place where people will take care of him so I can work: keeping him clean, safe and not crying until I come back and collect him. I can do all the rest.

Is it too much to ask? Does anyone have any recommendations of a nice place where he can stay for 2 days a week at 14 months old? I'm in London, NW3.

Thanks in advance.

if you're having no success with a nursery have you considered a childminder? or a nanny?

don't be fooled by all the "extras" a nursery offers. that's all I will say. the main things are what you have listed in your title- people who actually care about the children, enjoy their job and can keep him safe and happy.

thisisyesterday, I haven't seen many nurseries yet, but I'm already considering the alternatives. However, I can't afford a nanny and have no recommendation of any childminder around. I thought of having a babysitter while I work from home but I need to go to office at some point, so it's not the ideal solution. In fact, I don't know where to start!

Supersunnyday many thanks for the recommendation - I'm willing to travel a bit if that's a place I really like, so I'll check this one, definitely. We have no religion, but the Jewish thing is not a problem at all (in fact, coincidentally DS's godfather is Jewish).

My children went to the nursery you linked to (Beginnings) part time a few years ago. It was ok. I used to own and run nurseries so knew what to look for. It wasn't perfect.

In your situation I would get a childminder or a nanny. A part time nanny would not cost more thanthat nursery. You can interview and find the one that's right for you.

IlanaK I understand if you don't want to get into details in here, but I would also like to know what is not so good about the place. I'm new to all this so every comment helps me to know what to look for...

Supersunnyday I'll let you know what I thought of the place when I go there, don't worry.

We've done Teddies and Asquith in West Hampstead and Active Learning was by far the best - DS2 still goes and DC3 will go when she's 8 months. Staff all have seperate indoor shoes , I wouldn't want staff to go into my child if they were crying a bit, I like them to try and self settle.
Nurseries will never do things exactly as you would at home - in the baby room they are more flexible, but by the time they're in the toddler room (usually at 12-16 months) they follow a similar routine.

The other options you have at 14 months are Clowns - which gets very good Osfted - its not my cup of tea or Chaston which may not be near enough.

I would ignore ofsted etc tbh. I think it's your gut instinct that tells you all you need to know. That's what I've found in 13 years parenting and nursery use. The nursery you saw today is probably great for other parents and children but it isn't for you.

you could try Regents Park Nursery at the top of parkway next to Regents Park. It is in NW1 but only just (5 mins from Primrose Hill). We looked round a couple of years ago and it is very clean and they certainly seem to keep a close eye on the kids. They have a nice playground area and also use the park. We decided on a childminder in the end but if being sure about safety, monitoring and sleeping arrangements etc is what you want, this place would probably suit.

My 13 month old has just started at Luton Street Nursery - are there any LEYF nurseries near you? Carlton Vale ring a bell? Anyway new manager took over about a year ago at Luton Street and I really like her and the staff. Think its very important to find someone at the top you agree with/like because it will influence the rest of the staff. It's all a bit inner city (they're working on making the nursery playgrounds more garden and less tarmac) but they do loads of good activities (I check what makaton sign they're focusing on each week or what they're doing in home corner e.g. this week they're doing opticians so parents are donating old pairs of glasses). It is near Edgware Road station so may be too far away but suggesting it on the offchance it's on your way in to work. Also during this period of settling in the nursery workers have all been really patient with DS who is taking his time (his key worker was not allowed to leave his side for quite a while.) Under 2s room is quite small at the moment - not too many children. Most recent Ofsted (few months ago) was Good - when pregnant I was all hellbent on Outstanding and then when visiting places realised it didn't mean as much as my gut instinct and everyone's is different.

Not sure you will find anywhere where they can guarantee he won't cry, but agree would have been nice to have seen the child being comforted

I know a truely fab nursery in HA3, if you go to work in harrow, slim chance but worth mentioning

Otherwise have you checked all the surestart centres near you? They sometimes have nurseries or preschools with good equipment

Karoleann, I think Clowns is a bit too far for me - but I'm curious to know why you said it's not your cup of tea. I wonder if it means it may be mine?

TwinkleToes76, thanks, I'll take a look at this one. I'm starting to think a childminder may be a good idea, but have no idea how can I find the good ones...

BelleDeJure, I work near Old street, so anything on the way from NW3 to the city works fine by me. I'll check this one as well.

coccyx, you're right. But if they try to stop him crying, instead of letting him cry (as I'm sure that's what some places do) it's good enough for me.

littleducks, I work near the city, but thanks for mentioning. I can check the surestart ones. I thought innitially they wouldn't be as good. But now I'm rethinking lots of things...

Thanks for all the lovely suggestions. In the ideal world I would find some nursery where people believe in things like "attachment parenting" and avoid "controlled crying" and such. This would be a place in line with how I've been raising DS so far.

I've replied to your question on the childminders section...

Do check out Surestart ones, I have been using my local one for 4 years now and we have been very happy.

No real advice here other than to trust your instincts. When we moved to London I looked at 3 or 4 nurseries, and the one I felt happy with was the one in a portacabin about to move into a new building. Initially we discounted it as it was a bit further than the others. Having seen the others and re-checked the route, we went for it, and have been totally happy. Absolutely no reservations - but for you geograhically it wouldn't work (Northwood).

The waiting list at Active Learning is horrendous - my friend's DD has been on it for six months and finally managed to get her one morning a week. But they probably won't tell you that until you've paid a deposit.

I took my DS out of nursery when he was a baby and moved him to a childminder - think they're much better for babies.

childminder

A good childminder (and by that I mean one that cares about your child, not one that is obsessed by early years curriculum) is worth their weight in gold.

Near the city....ok, this one has been recommended to me:

www.islington.gov.uk/directories/page.aspx?dir=LTCDP&dir_name=LTCDP&docid=0901336c803ce1b8

I considered sending ds there but he goes to nursery near home and i then commute in, i decided i couldnt do the whole baby on train thing

I had a friend do a placement there (we are training as SALTs) and from the 'inside' she says it was very good, staff cared about the children

Sorry if thats no help!

Hi, clowns only does veggie food. May not be a problem if only going a couple of sessions, although from memory I think they do min of three full days for under 2's. I also found the woman in charge to be very officious. They have this split thing a three, the children going to private school go to manor house pre school full time, whilst the other children stay on at the nursery, they seem to be a bit neglected compared to the pre school.
Why don't you get a nanny? Fordwich nursery is a very part time one and lovely, you could combine that with a nanny. Children start from 2.5, only issue is you need to queue overnight to register!