Think I've found a nursery but would this put you off?

[Lucy1977]

Hi

I'm panicking a bit and might be asking some stupid questions but I'm really grateful for your opinions/advice.

I had a nursery lined up for my 11month old DD but the place was never confirmed and yesterday they told me they don't have a space afterall. I'm going back to work in 6wks time and so I'm frantically looking for a nursery/childminder.
So,I visited a nursery today that opened in December and so far only has 10 children (1 x 1yr old, 1 x 19mth old and 6 x 2.5 yr olds, 1 x 3 yr old and 1 x 4 yr old). Currently all the children are in 1 room with 3 adults. The care commission has agreed that the children can all be in one room due to current numbers. Would this put you off? (THe few children, DD being in a room with all ages etc?)

It was lovely and new and is a purpose built building.

THanks for your opinions

Lucy

Personally it wouldn't put me off.
DD is 15 months, she is at a CM so she is the youngest child and various older kids with her.
She's been there since six months, she is confident and happy.
You could always put her in there and see how she goes?

Grrr about your original nursery btw

Hi Elf, thanks for your reply.

Good point about a childminder having a larger mix of ages etc. I am torn between childminder and nursery. I found a great childminder but she's not in a good location for both DH and I to pick up/drop off and she has 5 wks paid holiday a year (I don't begrudge her holiday but we wouldn't be taking the same holidays as her so it'd be like 10wks paid holiday).

6 wks prior to start date is late notice from the original nursery isn't it? I chased them before Christmas, then in the New Year then on Friday for them to get back to me on Tuesday.

Lucy

sounds fine to me

Had you looked on the goverment website for childminders in your area (as a back up in case you are not happy?)

Do you know what, I think that would actually encourage me to send my child there! And especially as its all new and lovely.
I guess the only difficult thing is there being no track record or recommendations to go on.

No it wouldn't put me off. quite nice for the older ones to learn to care and be careful when younger ones around and nice for the younger ones to aspire to the older ones. Sounds like a nice number of children to adult ratio and if its built for this particular purpose then it should be fabulous

Hi Lucy,

Firstly, it says a lot about the nursery if they forgot to get back to you, maybe it's not too much of a bad thing that your DD can't go afterall.

Secondly, I think your DD will be fine, at 11 months she's quite sturdy, and there is another child there the same age as her.

I used to work in a nursery and vowed I would never send my children to one however when I was nannying I found a lovely nursery, and I chose to send my DS there 2 days a week just so he could be away from me and I had a break (I was PG at the time) It was great for him and he loved it. I only took him out as we were moving away.

I think a lot of it is gut instinct, if you don't feel right about doing it don't. Although it's normal not to want to do it! I still cried even though I'd chosen to send DS! See how it is when you pick her up, you'll be able to gage how she's been through the day. Don't take too much notice about how she is at the start of the day as I've seen parents ripping themselves apart with guilt as their little one cries when Mummy or Daddy leaves; only to have LO playing within minutes quite happily!!

I hope it goes well, I can't explain it, but having been on both sides, you'll know if it's the right place for your DD. Always follow your mothers instinct! Good Luck!

Mumatuks - I know what you mean about being on both sides.
I work in a pre-school, where ds used to come. He's now in school nursery and I sometimes leave him crying in the morning. I know he will stop soon, but it still makes me feel pretty yuk. And then I go to work and help other parents tear themselves away from their lo's!!
Gives you much more empathy imo.

Hi again

Sorry, for consistency I thought I should mention I made a post on 7th Jan about the nursery letting me down - at that point that was my gut instinct after me chasing them so many times but it wasn't confirmed to me until yesterday and they hadn't given me an incling that I hadnt got the space until she sounded unsure when I chased on Friday.

THanks for your lovely messages. I'm taking DH with me on Friday to have a look . (not meaning to double up the threads but the other post I made asked for what people's priorities are when looking for a nursery - the replies were great but I don't think this new nursery has/does any of it!). Still, will take DH along and he can visit some others with me too for comparison.

Thanks
Lucy

Not sure if this is a true reflection but every time I've visited a nursery/childminder DD has wanted to get down and play and keeps waving to everyone and doing "high fives"! I think that's why I warmed to the brand new nursery, the manager showed me round (she was 1 of the 3 girls looking after the children) after a while DD put her arms out to go to her and she was great with her. Currently DD is looked after me 100% of the time and although we go to toddler groups and meet with our pals I thought she might be more clingy (but I'm glad she's not)

Lucy

Send her to the nursery - it sounds lovely. My dd has been in nursery since she was 18 weeks old and loves it! She even cried (for a few months) when I arrived to take her home!

Aw it sounds lovely Lucy!! I'd deffo send her there The small numbers would encourage me! Ds goes to a childminder who has 2 other little mindees who are 3 & 21/2. My little guy is just turned 2. The c/minders children are 9, 6 & 5. So lots of different aged children all playing noisily when I go to pick up ds.. he's usually the noisiest!!!

my dd is the youngest at the CM's and she rules the roost! (in a good way!)