How to decide? Worried I haven't asked enough questions...

[Sistermoondance]

Hi,

Having had a quick look through some other posts on here I am now worried I haven't been thorough enough and put enough time into finding a good nursery for DD. I knew it was important but never could find the time! I just asked around all the people I knew who sent their kids to nurseries in the area.

So that gave me four options:

Nursery 1 - liked the building and area, had a nice baby area and nice staff in the baby room, but didn't like the overall manager, and have to pay full days even when only need a half day. Also no option for term time only. Then the toddler room scared me- just a few grotty toys and mayhem!

Nursery 2 - the facilities were much better than nursery 1 for toddlers upwards. The nursery manager was lovely. They can be more flexible and I can pay term time only. However didn't quite like the baby room staff as much. The toddler room was brilliant though!

Nursery 3 - has a brilliant rep, didn't visit though as apparently nursery 2 has a better baby room (this one doesn't have a separate sleeping room) and not so flexible.

Nursery 4 - also has brilliant rep but not flexible and don't know if I have time to visit before I need to let nursery 1 or 2 know ASAP.

So basically, I am thinking that nursery 2 is the best option, because overall the facilities were better and I felt more at ease there. However part of me is worried and thinks that because the baby room is better at nursery 1, maybe I should start her there and then swap her when she moves up a class as there is no way I would ever want her going in that toddler class! However, then it would be new babies and a new place to get used to. I feel I can't win and just want to say f* it and not go back to work! But we have to as can't manage finically if I don't :-(

I also feel maybe I should have visited more places and by the very fact these nurseries has spaces means they potentially are not that good.

I feel like a rubbish mum for not sorting this out sooner....

Sorry this is a ramble, really I want to know if people think it is better to go to a place where I am happier overall and she stays in one place?

Thanks

I would avoid any nursery that didn't have a great manager. The manager should set the tone for how all the children are looked after.

Could I ask what in particular stood out in the baby room that you preferred, the best baby rooms do not need to contain anything other than good staff for your DD to be happy. I would be looking for lots of photos and the childrens own work on the walls rather than a load of Disney murals.

The judgement of the nursery management is best made with the use of the latest ofsted report, just check it relates to the current manager, some large chain nurseries may have huge turnovers of nursery managers, changing almost monthly in extreme cases.

I am trying to put my finger on why I prefered the first baby room. I think it was cos they asked me to take off my shoes and it seemed cleaner and quieter. They wore shoes in the second one and it seemed more messy- however they had just been playing with gloop so maybe not a fair comparison. Think the staff were younger in the second and one seemed a bit off hand...

Both have good offered reports but are a little out of date..

i would always go with the better manager and the staff you feel more comfortable with but having gloop out means that nursery does a lot more sensory activities which is good

Hello, I'm in the same position. I've only looked at three nurseries and feel that that wasn't enough in an ideal world and I also wanted to investigate childminders. But, I fell in love with the one I've picked at first sight. Building was gorgeous, baby areas had loads of homely pictures plus a separate sleep room with proper cots, loads of outdoor space and so on and I really liked the manager.

From the other nurseries I didn't like one of them at all, particularly didn't like the woman in charge of the baby room or the fact that the babies were expected to sleep in the same room they played in. The final one, was also pretty great and I would have been happy to send DS there though the baby room wasn't as great, there wasn't as much outdoor space and I wasn't sure about the manager/lady in charge of the baby room. That's not to say that it was wrong, just the other nursery felt better. All three of these places - main nurseries in the area I live in had spaces available so I wouldn't let that worry you.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you pretty much need to go with gut instinct on this one. Read the OFSTED reports etc but ultimately you'll pick the place that feels right with the people that you feel will be best for your DD.

Shoes off could mean they are concerned about having to replace the carpet.

Should a baby room have a carpet at all, baring in mind all of the fluids and solids emitted uncontrollably from every orifice ?

I would want my shoes on for my own protection !

How often are the carpets cleaned and what chemicals are used and how safe are those chemicals ?

shoes off in baby/toddler rooms is to prevent any little hands getting hurt (trodden on!)