Choosing between bright horizons and kido, golders green

[BeeDee2018]

Hello wise mums - I am an expat moving to the UK in the middle of the pandemic. We don't have a look see trip but have zeroed in on golders green as an area based on a LOT of research and advice from friends there. I am looking to register my 3 year old for a day care which also has some educative activities. There seem to be two good options - Bright Horizons and Kido in Golders Green. Should I register remotely with either of them to make sure we don't lose a spot that is available or can I wait until after reaching thre? Any personal experience from either nursery to share.

Hi OP, sorry can't help you with those specific nurseries, but wanted to let you know that Bright Horizons charge £200 for registration even if you don't take up a place, so something to think about.

No experience from those particular nurseries but have just registered my daughter for a different bright horizons branch.

My bright horizons branch was able to do a "meet the team" phone call before I visited due to the pandemic. I was able to ask the majority of questions there and speak to the nursery manager and then visited at a time convenient to me.

When would you want her to start nursery and how many days would you want? As I think this would influence how quickly the spaces would be booked up.

Anyway I would make contact with them as some nurseries allow you to register to reserve a place for no charge, others have a small charge of £150-£200. Perhaps contact them and see what they advise

Thank you both - guess we'll put in the hold - more for peace of mind and ticking off one action item on the list!

Not sure if you're still
Looking but if so go for kido! It's an amazing Nursey!

I know the post is a bit old now but just if some people read it: I used to work for Kido and it is from far my worst working experience!! And I have 10 years experience in childxare.
The work conditions there are so horrible, there is a massive turn over of staff in a lot of their nursery..
I would have lobe to do educational activities with the children while I was working there but it was impossible: we had close to zero teaching ressources in our playroom. The majority of their staff are from agency and the fews permanent staff at kido are presured to write documents for the parents all day long (all is about marketing for kido management team.. not the children...).
How are we suposed to look after the children if we have to fill in documents all day long? Don't get impress with their fancy playrooms, it's just for showing off. They pretend they apply Montessori and waldorf pedagogy but it''s not the case at all.. It's just one of their many lies to impress parents..

Hi how are you? I am in the same space. I wanted some insight into Kidos Golders Green my DS will be 12 months when he starts? Is it nurturing? What is the staff like at the Golders Green nursery?

I used to work for Kido and cleary NO it is not a nurturing environment for a child...
If you like to have your child in a playroom with a massive turn over of staff, not to forget the majority of them will be unqualified staff agency so go for KIDO.

I have lots of experience working in childcare and if I could give just one advice, it is clearly to avoid all this big nursery chain. Sadly making money is usually their priority, not the children..

hi all

I am trying to decide for our baby between Kido, Bright Horizons and Andis nursery?

Saw that Golders hill nursery got downgraded on their OFSTED to Inadequate...Wonder what happened

"...allowing staff to work unsupervised with children without
completing the required background checks" - ofsted

Doesn't seem like the managers are very good right now.