Chains verses independants.

[TiggyD]

What are your opinions? Which do you prefer?

As a Nursery Nurse I'd rather work in an independent nursery because you have much more control over what you do and how you do it. If I had children I would go for independent nurseries too. The quality varies a lot more than chain nurseries, but a good one will offer a more personal service with better and more committed staff.

My kids went to the nursery at my work which happened to be run by Bright Horizons. I learned over time that there was a big variation in the size and quality of BH nurseries. But as this particular one was really fantastic with great staff, low turnover and really good and fun care, I never had any kind of complex about it being a chain. It's all down to the staff leadership, I'd say. And it was also true that the staff had more career development opportunities within the chain, which was probably a factor that kept them there for longer.

About 5 years ago, I looked at a Teddies nursery near my house for DS1 but really didn't like it at all. Again, though, probably more to do with the management team than the fact it was a chain.

I as a nursery nurse would personally prefer to work in an independent nursery, and when i have kids would also send them preferably to an independent one.