Nursery Options - which would you go with?

[Nuanna]

Which you would choose and why? These are our two options - both quite different. If I wasn't breastfeeding two would be our choice, however, plan to breastfeed until at least two (child not born yet so this all may change). Both need deposits 12 months in advance to secure places.


Nursery One:

The cheapest.
Short opening hours.
Three minutes from work.
Would be able to breastfeed twice a day during the day.
Only 1/2 an hour of outside time per day.
Google has an entire room map that anyone can view.
Very wealthy area.
Babies and children from all over City (as linked to work place)
Offstead Outstanding
Meals cooked nearby at canteen - three week menu, only lunch and one snack provided

Nursery Two:

More expensive.
Longer opening hours with pick up and drop off flexibility.
Three minutes from home.
Children from local community.
Would be able to breastfeed at drop off and pick up, but pumped BF during the day.
Up to three hours outside per day, always over 1.5 hours outside.
Very security conscious
Wealthy area, but all social classes in nursery classes.
Offstead Outstanding
Meals freshly cook on site - four week rotating menu - breakfast, lunch, two snacks provided

[namechangedtoday15]

Number 2.

You will have no idea until the baby arrives and gets older how long a day is with an inquisitive toddler (say 8-5.30/6). They need lots of stimulation and for me, half an hour a day outside is just not enough. Our nursery (which was one of the reasons we chose it) had a puddlesuit for every child, we had to take willies and from as soon as they could walk, they were outside, in all weathers, having fun, going on little walks. Even when they were younger (crawling etc) lots of the activities were done outside on mats etc. A nursery that can offer that is SO much better for your little one than one where they're inside for 10 hours a day.

And yes for all the other reasons too - near home (someone else can pick up occasionally - grandparents? - and take baby home for you), you'll make local friends, they'll make local friends, you liked it better, more flexible etc. What happens if you pick nursery 1 and your job changes?!

As far as the breastfeeding is concerned, its bloody hard. You / your baby might not be able to do it, you / baby might not be able to feed for a prolonged period even if you start- there are so many unknowns with feeding that it shouldn't be the factor on which you based a nursery decision.

[namechangedtoday15]

Oh god - I meant wellies - we had to take wellies

[FV45]

You can actually pick your child up from nursery at any point in the day - they're not going to stop you, are they?

Love the longer outside play time for 2.

I actually preferred having my kids nearer to my work than home, it was just very reassuring to know I could be with them in 1 min if they were poorly.

Also, we would see them during the day being taken on walks around the campus, or (when older) going on bike rides. When tiny I'd just look from afar so as not to disrupt the day, but when older I could pop down from my office and say hello. It really felt like the children were part of the campus life.

I BF both of mine for ever and as other have said, by 9 months it's likely your baby can do w/o breast milk during the day.
They certainly both nursed more during the night because of this, but that's the trade off. I'd rather snuggle with my baby at night (really nice when you're away from them in the day) than fart around expressing.

What's the google map thing of the room layout?

In the end you need to go with the one you feel happier with. There might be pro and cons on a practical level, but those are insignificant compared to trust and a good relationship with the staff.

[Joinourclub]

The best things about my child's nursery: (bear in mind that they will be there from 9 months to 4 years so their needs will change)

Outdoor space/time outdoors - no way would I be happy with only 30 mins! In the summer they spend most of the day outside.
Staff - happy and caring.
Close to home, now I am on Mat leave with Dc no.2 , it is easy to drop off dc no.1. When I was working DP or I could do drop off.
Home cooked meals X 3 daily
Lots of contact with home, pictures on a parent portal.
Term time only, so don't pay during school hols.
Flexible drop off/ pick up.

I would definitely go with number 2 from your list. I have friends who would choose number 1, because they could then stay at work later, but that doesn't seem like a good enough reason to me!

[JenTeale]

The 30 minutes outdside a day is really worrying.

I'd choose 2 on that alone.

[TataEs]

2
by 9 mo u may only need to pump one bottle a day if any.