Which one to pick?

[Hardyz25]

Hi,
Need some impartial opinions on the choice of two nurseries. I'm going back to work on September, and my little one will be just turning 6 months.

Nursery A
Reserved the last spot last year. Small nursery, dedicated baby room. Lots of wooden toys, outside space, crafts and sensory every day. Closer to work - about 10 minute drive, but 40 minutes from home on a good day. No dedicated key person - they want the Babies to get used to everyone in case someone is off sick. No reviews really, but local word of
Mouth is very good in my office.

Nursery B
Found a place last week. 10 mins from home so husband can do pick ups. Nice setting, good reviews, lots of children doing activities and different things all day. Wooden toys, outdoor time. Babies and toddlers in same room, but have key worker dedicated to each child. Not sure how I feel about them being in the same room....

Not sure what to do. Nursery A was love at first sight, but I now have a baby and the logistics just don't sit right. It's also about £300 more expensive but my gut also isn't 100% on B....

What do I do?

B
On the basis that a 40 min drive with a sleeping tired child will make evenings hell. Good that dh can collect.

I agree with above, the shorter the journey after nursery the better. You and they will be tired so make it as stress free as possible.

From the point of view of a nursery practitioner, the key worker bond is really important for many children to help them settle and feel secure so that would also sway me to B.

But ultimately it is down to you as a family, which does your husband prefer?

I've just been in almost exactly the same dilemma myself. We have gone with option B. It's close to home, husband can do pick ups. Worried if I lost/moved job the other one could be a nightmare to drop off and pick up and it's also much more expensive. I preferred A but logistically B works for us much better and it's still a nice nursery.

B
40 minutes in the evening with a baby would be my idea of hell. Firstly they will fall asleep so bedtime will be a nightmare. Also I had one who was car sick and wouldn't have managed a journey that long.

Husband able to do pickups is a definite plus. Also closer to home means easier if you're on annual leave etc, baby can still go. You'd spend 3 hours there and back twice to the other one if you're not working.

Dedicated key worker would be important to me.

I'd slightly prefer a dedicated baby room but not for £300 a month more.

Thanks all! You've really helped me see if clearly and I've gone with B. Now to just get settling in sorted and get over my guilt sending her so young

Hope all goes well for you.

A few days after I posted, one of my reasons being that it's better to be close to home in case I moved jobs... I was notified that I am at risk of redundancy! Would have been a nightmare if we went for our A option and I do infact lose my job.

Good luck 🙂