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Original poster

Nurseries in Kingston-upon-Thames?

22 replies

Pookielino · 09/06/2011 10:17

Hello,
We'll be moving to Kingston later in the year and am trying to find a good nursery there. Does anyone know of any nursery that they would recommend (or wouldn't!)? My boy is 15 months and I'm hoping to put him in nursery part-time. I would be grateful for any thoughts or ideas.
Thanks very much in advance!
Emma

OP posts:
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narmada · 10/06/2011 20:37

Which part of Kingston? Are you going to be travelling from a station into London?

Original poster
Pookielino · 12/06/2011 06:38

It's going to be north Kingston as we are hoping to get him into Latchmere or Fern Hill later. And we will be using Kingston station or possibly norbiton. Tx

OP posts:
narmada · 12/06/2011 13:36

I think there is a nursery called Active Learning nearish to Kingston station - a friend has a daughter there they like it. There is also Dolphin - another friend has her son there, but her reports of it have been a bit middling.

You prob know this already, but for any house you see advertised, do check the postcode with the school admissions team at Kingston Council to see if there's a chance of getting into Latchmere/ fern hill - from friends it seems their intake areas are absolutely tiny and there are some school black holes which are near to lots of schools but not near enough to any of them!

If you're open to suggestions, Coombe Hill is a nice primary school (ofted Outstanding if these things matter to you....) and you may get a bigger house for your money around Coombeside than North kingstonIt's still handy for kingston. And in coombeside you also have dicky birds nursery which is where my DD's been going, and it's quite nice.

narmada · 12/06/2011 13:37

Near norbiton station, there's two nurseries - Little Stars day nursery and Coombe Day nursery. I have a friend with a daughter at the latter and they think it's fab.

TicketToHull · 16/06/2011 22:40

I know someone who worked at the Kingston Active Learning who thought it was a beautiful place with lovely resources. The only problem they could see though was that the children have scheduled lessons like art, music and dance which means that they are moved from room to room with little time for self chosen play. This isn't really what the Early Years Foundation Stage is about, and would put me off, but it is a lovely environment (have looked covetously at the website photos).

Katie2222 · 01/03/2012 18:07

I would highly recommend Coombe Day Nursery in Kingston. My daughter went there for three years, she and we absoloutly loved it. The staff are wonderful and caring, has a real family feel and the is so much on offer. The nursery is beautiful with lots of natural light and fab paly area. Since then our neighbours children attend and my freinds who have children there now, in my view it's absolutely outstanding!

economistextra · 15/10/2012 15:56

Hi, does anyone have any more current advice on Kingston nurseries? Have looked at asquith (Kingston Day nursery) seemed nice but not blown away by it. Not keen on dolphin. Any advice much appreciated!

JoEW · 16/10/2012 16:16

I send my DS to Stars on Gloucester Road, it's lovely and the staff are all fab. It's quite a small one and the children seem to stay for a long time. I would recommend it. Apparently the one by Norbiton Station (is that Coombe Day Nursery?) isn't very good. My neighbour claims to have seen the staff having a fag outside in the morning!

economistextra · 19/10/2012 13:51

Thanks Jo, we did look at Stars but it was a bit too far away for us.

Emsmaman · 23/10/2012 21:29

DD has attended Kingston Day nursery and it didn't suit her/we didn't like it. Nothing terrible just a collection of small issues. Don't want to out myself on here by going into it but feel free to pm me.

DD attends Active Learning on Victoria Rd and they are fab, expensive but worth it if you can afford it. Also happy to give you more info if you want by pm.

I didn't really like Stars, was really impressed by Coombe but felt it would be too small for DD when she got older and they stuffed us around in the registration stage which put us off. Not sure what staff smoking outside really has to do with it? FWIW I often see the Kingston Day Nursery baby room staff out smoking but if it's in their break time and they have a jacket or jumper on over their uniform I don't think it's really my business.

economistextra · 29/10/2012 08:53

Hi emsmaman, I would be very interested to hear more of your experience, can't seem to be able to pm you? Thanks!

JoEW · 31/10/2012 12:36

Staff smoking outside would put me off a place. Just my opinion!
I also know people who use Active Learning and have lots of good things to say about it.

l8000r · 01/11/2012 12:22

Hello! I moved to New Malden recently and there are lots of nice nurseries there. Someone on here recommended a website called kidzcare compare and it listed all the nurseries in the area and some had some parent reviews too. It might help filter your search? Good Luck!

Fuchzia · 01/11/2012 12:36

Hi Dolphin used to be dreadful IMO but they have a new manager now who people really seem to rate and she's sorted out the staffing problems. 192 is supposed to be quite good. It's on Park Rd. don't have any personal experience of it tho.

If you are looking for something smaller Katy's House seem to be lovely but something between a childminder and a Nursey really.

fallingsun · 13/11/2012 20:40

Hi, I looked into nurseries in Kingston. I thought Active Learning was ok, but found the manager very pushy and full of sales patter. The 'classes' seemed more geared to appeasing parents than for the little ones, it wasn't really for me. I liked asquith, thought it was much more professional, they have a mobile phone ban and I had to hand mine in on entry etc (no other nursery did this).

Having said that, I opted for a lovely childminder as I felt my toddler was better suited to a home environment and a single carer.

Id recommend looking at all settings and seeing what you like best.

Sombrine · 12/01/2013 09:11

Also had a bad experience on my initial visit to Coombe Day Nursery. Only chose it following the reviews on mumsnet, but after poor treatment by staff (rude and uncaring) I decided against it. Very pleased with my decision.

Ended up sending DD to a more local preschool, which is excellent, soo much cheaper and I'm altogether a lot happier. DD loves it.

racheyp · 05/04/2013 20:03

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Blossom13 · 06/04/2014 21:59

Hello,
Does anyone know active learn nursery in Kingston?

Blossom13 · 06/04/2014 22:15

Hello,
I'm looking for a nursery in Kingston for my 2 years old son.
Does anyone know if active learning is a good nursery?

JoEW · 07/04/2014 16:10

Hi Blossom,

We're still with Stars but we've looked at Active Learning a couple of times and have quite a few friends with children there, who are very pleased with it. It's very structured and quite large. Stars is smaller and more homely, but I don't think the prep for school is as good. Having been in Kingston for a couple of years now and spent hours banging on to people about the pros and cons of various nurseries I would stay Active Learning has a good reputation for the area. I blow hot and cold on Stars, mainly because they do rattle through the staff but I'm also aware that's common elsewhere. Hope that helps.

194 is also popular, on Park Road. Much more about free play compared to Active Learning. www.197earlyyears.co.uk/

Kaurs123 · 27/07/2014 22:20

Not sure if it's a bit late but just saw this thread.
There's a new nursery open near Kingston station recently. Impressive setting. Worth having a look. I found them cheaper than other nurseries too, maybe because they're new. Good luck in your search x

Kaurs123 · 27/07/2014 22:21

Sorry, should've said, it's called a Monkey Puzzle.

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