nursery's in Richmond/Sheen please help!

[highjinks]

I am at a total loss as to where to go - we moved here in july and my DD is 8 months. I have to go back to work at the beginning of March and I am blown away by some of the fees being charged here. Can anyone let me know any recommendations please? Bit desparate as not sure if more expensive is better..??

I know the Grena Road Day Nursery is good (not used it myself but have friends who have).

SW London is astronomically expensive for childcare (I'm in Putney). Do you definitely want a nursery rather than a childminder?

I got in touch with Richmond council and all the childminders seem to be miles away. Are Childminders always cheaper? Are nanny's much more expensive? It is just crazy money for the nursery's though - we looked at Grena road - it looked good - not sure what is good and what is not at the moment though as have only seen 2! Its like feeling around in the dark.

By and large, a nanny works out about the same as nursery if you have 2-3 children (break even point depends on the nanny and the nursery). Childminders are generally cheaper but I'm sure there are some exceptions, and it would also depend on the exact hours you need as childminders tend to charge by the hour and nurseries by the day/session. Also childminders do take holidays so you need to make alternative arrangements to cover those, while nurseries generally only close for Bank Holidays and between Christmas and New Year. It all gets very complicated.

Without wishing to panic you, you may be leaving it a little late -- in Putney if you were looking for a place at one of the better nurseries for March 2012 you would probably have needed to apply at the start of 2011 or end of 2010 (mad, I know). It may be different in Sheen, though. Again that could be a point in favour of a childminder as they don't generally run waiting lists but fill vacancies as they come up (but then, of course, you need to find a good childminder with a vacancy).

There's a few round here but only Grena Road have places I think. If you are happy with part time then Asquiths might have space but I've heard mixed reports. I'm currently debating whether to use Grena Road or a childminder (childminders are the same price round here) - I'm starting a thread on it in a minute if you're interested.

Meant to say Grena Road used to have a bad reputation but it is now owned by Casterbridge and I've only heard positive things about it.

Many thanks for your messages. We have been to Asquiths at Marshmont - there is a new manager there. REally liked it as much smaller than Grena road. Does anyone have any ideas about it?

You have probably made a decision by now but, for what it is worth, my DS, who was 2 in September, has been at Grena Road three days a week since his first birthday and has absolutely blossomed there. We also had to chose between Asquith and Grena Road - from recollection the former was about £10 a day more expensive and did not include nappies.

I cannnot fault the care my DS has received at Grena Road - the staff are fantastic and at the end of the day it is the staff that make a nursery a safe and happy environment. You just have to go with your gut instinct and remember that wherever you chose/have chosen it invariably takes a while for you and your child to adjust to the new arrangements and get to know the staff so hang on in there!