Your Views/experience on Tooting/Balham nurseries

[Dr3ammu]

Hi. I'm a mumsnet newbie. DD will be 1 yr old when she'll be starting the nursery very soon. So far, DH and I have visited Bright Horizons, Looking Glass and Eveline around tooting bec and balham. They have got their pros and cons each and it's so very hard to decide which one to choose. Like, Eveline is very focus on educational activities, structure, planning etc but it does not provide anything except food and wipes, and it's the most expensive...Bright Horizons is very cosy, friendly and provide everything and it's cheapest but DH thought it's kinda unorganised and stuffy...Your views and experience on each will be very much appreciated to help us with the decision. Thanks

Hi, I too live in this area and have been looking at nurseries for when DS is 12 months old in the new year. I visited Looking Glass and was overwhelmed by how many children they take and noticed that the majority of staff who worked with the children rather than management were very young and I asked them about turnover of staff and it seemed to occur with some regularity.
I love the look of Eveline and have DS name on the 3 in the area, although Seely Hall is my favourite. Yes it is more expensive and you do have to pay for nappies etc but I did have such a good feeling from all the managers and observed some very good interested care from several of the staff members. I haven't visited Bright Horizons as yet.
I too like your husband, noticed the organised side of Eveline and this appeals to my personality!
Good luck with your decision, I don't think it's easy but at the end of the day which place would cause you less worry?

Both my children attended Bright Horizons in Balham (DD is just leaving to go to school). I've been very happy with the care they get, and my 2 have been very very happy there and made some lovely friends. It is very cosy and friendly, the staff are super and really work as a team and are focussed on their job and the children. And I say all this as a parent who expects a lot from people who care for my children!!
Compared to what I have heard of Eveline, Bright Horizons it isn't as focussed on "education", but they do follow the EYFS programme, they record progress on a weekly basis and they have goals for individual children to achieve. It has set my 2 up well for school: socially, behaviourally and "academically"!!
I think if you are planning to send your child along the pre-prep, prep route than maybe Eveline is the one to choose (that said, some of DS's peers have subsequently gone the pre-prep route).
But if you are happy with a nursery which will nurture your child through the toddler and pre-school phase, and not "push" them (surely that can wait until they are 4?!), but look after them in a relaxed and caring environment, then do consider Bright Horizons.
Good luck with the decision!