Ruskin House School in Herne Hill?

[womble24]

Does anyone have any feedback/knowledge of Ruskin House School in Herne Hill? I am thinking of sending my daughter there when she is 1 and its our closest. Have heard good and bad things but don't know how it compares to others..

hiya, am about to send my son here - he is nearly 11 months - I too was looking for feedback from other mums - out of interest - what good and bad things have you heard? cheers!

Hello Belgianbun

How did your visit go yesterday morning - I'm a childminder in the area and am often asked by parents if I can recommend any nurseries.

Haven't read the Ofsted report yet - must do that - the only other nurseries other than state school nurseries attached to schools are the Montessorri in Half Moon Lane and Nellys in Croxted Road - I've heard they are quite good but they have waiting lists.

I can see you must be worried because as you say these are basic hygiene matters - and food and nappies don't mix!

Good luck with your search.

Just on a last note a couple of years ago a three year old in my care since 7 months old went to Ruskin House but Mum had to take him out after a few months as he didn't settle.

Belgianbun - Hope you can find the above helpful!

my views on the place weren't great. my little one was there for a while and not very impressed. Sorry!

Belgianbun - do you change your clothes between nappy changing and food prep - because in all my years of nappy changing, I never once did this

Perhaps you should focus on the things that are important - and not on the trivial things that ofsted like to worry themselves about!

BelgianBun...interesting.

I have to say I never changed clothes or wore an apron for either nappy-changing or cooking...

The montessori nursery on Clarence Ave Clapham has received accolades from many a MN-er...is it called Elm Park?

I have heard some terrible reports about this nursery. Allegedly a member of staff there reported them to Ofsted in confidence as she was afraid she would lose her job. I am not sure I should give any more details about this but I would certainly contact Ofsted to inquire about this.

here's another thread on RH www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2320&threadid=580813#11855012 with mixed views

Hi there. I am moving to the area in January and Have my ds registered for Ruskin House - have found it impossible to get him into any of the other nurseries in the area. I liked it when I went round but have been concerned by very negative comments in these discussion pages. I spoke to the nursery management about this and the Feb 2008 Ofsted report and was satisfied with the response.

What I would like is to get a feel from parents who have their children at Ruskin House or who has first hand experience. Anyone out there ?

Hello. It's a real shame when you read through the msg post above, I have sent my daughter to RHS and now my sons attend the nursery.

During my daughters time there she absolutly loved it, she grew in confidence and really came along with her reading and french.

My boys are 2 now and all of my children have been there since they were 6months old.

I think what they do at the nursery is great, my boys are fed well, get good rest and are full of stories to tell me when they get home.

The staff are lovely and very warming, helpfull and caring. You really can see the passion that they have for the children, which I think is one of the most important things.

It's very clean there and they have an onsite house keeper.

Management deal with any worries or concerns and are there most weekends painting or putting new things around the building.

I really would say go and have a look around and cast your own opinion.

I think it's like a home from home for my boys. I wouldn't dream of putting them any where else.

Most of these posts are pretty old now, but I would like to add that I currently have two children at Ruskin House. My eldest started in May 2008 and youngest in January 2010.

We have always been really happy with the care both children have received at Ruskin House and both children love it there. The staff are very caring, engaged with the children and enthusiastic. They are happy to talk to us about our childrens' days. I also like the fact that my children get to see each other throughout the day as much as they like, even though they aren't in the same class.

There have been some changes on the management side this year and this has brought with it some positive changes in terms of the responsiveness of the management to parents comments and questions, and continuing investment in improvements to the nursery.

Does anyone know when the management change was? I visited earlier this year, and wasn't that enthusiastic. However, I'd be prepared to give the place another look, especially if the management has changed.

I had one of those SE24 booklets come through my door last week (dated September 2010)and noticed there was a big advert about Ruskin with the words "under new management" at the top.

Have you tried The Whitehouse Nursery in Norwood Road or is that too far for you? My daughter went there last year and I know that they don't need to advertise. All their children/parents come through recommendation which I thought was really impressive. Its a small, cosy nursery with really friendly staff and a brilliant garden area. My daughter is in Y1 now but she still talks fondly about her time at The Whitehouse.

We recently moved to the area and inspected all of the local nurseries with my mother who is a harsh task master! Despite the reviews we read on this site we got the best feel for this nursery, and still six months on are really happy with our decision. Our son is very very happy there and has formed close bonds with several of the staff who are really caring and enthusiastic with the children. Previously he was at a larger group nursery and I feel that he is much happier in this homely environment. My husband was concerned about their satisfactory ofsted report several years ago, however he spoke to the owners who are very open about this and the changes they have made since based on the feedback. I am certain that they would get a much better grading if reviewed now.

Does anyone have up to date experience with any nurseries in the Herne Hill area, in particular Ruskin House School? I gather that it previously had a bad reputation, but has since improved under new management....
Looking for a place for Jan 2013.
Thanks a lot!

Have sent you a PM.

Hi ACJB, did you get any good advice? My daughter is due to start nursery in Nov 2012 and it looks like the nursery in herne hill we had her name down for is not going to open in time so I'm in full panic mode! Does anyone have any recommendations for Ruskin House - old reviews look very poor but the most recent ofsted report is quite good. All help much apprecaited!