Daycare in SE15/SE22 - Help

[leila71]

Hello, does anyone have any recommendations or bewares for nurseries in SE15/SE22 area? I am having to return to work in Jan and am looking for a childminder/nursery. Thanks

Hi there,
I moved to SE22 in January, so I've been doing quite a bit of nursery research, however I've found it quite tricky. There is Gumboots nursery on Crystal Palace Road, which was recommended by friends, but when I spoke to them in May, their waiting list was very long. I also looked at First Steps Montessori nursery on Upland Road, it seemed very good, but again they had a 9-12 months waiting list, and close by is Mother Goose, their waiting list was similar. There are two more branches of Mother Goose in SE15, but I don't know much about them.
My ds has just been offered a place in the SE22 Mother Goose, having been on the list for 10 months, but I'm having a few reservations about it, I'll wait a few weeks until he settles in there before I recommend it or not!
I'm afraid I don't have any childminding contacts, but hopefully some mumsnetters will pop up soon with some more suggestions, good luck.

Thanks for your help. I also moved into the area in Feb but naively did not realise there would be 18 month waiting lists!
Thanks

Sorry if my post sounded a bit negative. It's always worth putting your child on two or three waiting lists, then keep ringing the nurseries and ask them for updates on the likelihood of you getting a place. Spaces do sometimes become available earlier, as families move around or find alternatives, I do think it helps if they know you are really keen.

there is an asquith court in se15 which is near the mother goose which is good- and if yu say you've been recommended by the edjit! you'll get free vouchers!! they have some kind of open day this weekend I think.

Gumboots has a good reputation but really difficult to get into.

Mother Goose on waveney Avenue is small and friendly and has a very good recent report. My dd did well there, but they take 1+ only.
Asquith is more "corporate", but they are good at looking at child as individual and not holding them in any particular group because of their age but seem to let them move through different classes according to need and ability.

Bojangles is good, Upland Road. Have to be 1 tho. Gumboots have a planning application in for an extension so should be more room there soon. Have heard the waiting list is flexible depending on who you know - which is unfair, and may not even be true.
At many nurseries even if you have name down ages you don't get a place when you want it. Places often go to those who turn up ready to start paying there and then, so your place disappears.
Magic Mind in Nunhead (close to the Asquith and Mother Goose places ) also supposed to be good.