nursery recommendations needed for brixton/streatham/herne hill

[dreamsofsleep]

Hello
I'm looking for childcare in these areas for my 13 mo daughter. Would love to hear people's experiences of nurseries. Am keener on nursery or childminder than nanny as feel it's nice for kids to be with other kids, but any thoughts on relative merits of all three also appreciated.
Thanks!

I have a friend with a toddler at KiddiCaru in Streatham Common (next to Sainsbury's) which she really loves. She says that they aren't very good with being flexible so it is more suitable if you work fairly set hours. Generally speaking, nursery provides more of a structure and there is more likely a better child:carer ratio. Childminders are usually more flexible, so better if you work shift patterns, have to change your hours at short notice from week-to-week or often end up staying later to finish work off. Childminders also tend to be cheaper if money is a factor in your decision.

With money not being an object I would choose nursery if you have very set hours (9-5 type job) or childminder if you need more flexibility.

Bear in mind also that childminders will do pick-ups and drop-offs once she gets to school age so it could be a good idea to find a childminder that you like early on and continue to use them.

thank you, that's good advice. i will check out kiidicaru.

Hi, my DD is at Nelly's on Turney Road. It's fantastic but has a long waiting list. That said, it depends what days you want - we use less popular days and didn't have to wait very long.
She was at Ruskin House in Herne Hill for a few months, which wasn't somewhere I was happy with. DD is much happier at Nelly's.