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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

Good nursery in Limehouse, Canary Wharf, East London area

21 replies

cityangel · 25/02/2008 17:20

Hi I am looking for a nursery in the Limehouse area that comes recommended. I've heard some can have long waiting lists and its hard to find good recommendations online. It would be for a 6 month year old.

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bran · 25/02/2008 17:31

My ds has just left Lanterns Nursery which is not in Limehouse, but near to South Quay station. He really loved it there, the staff are very warm and they did lots of great activities. The owner is an ex-ballerina so there is a lot of focus on dance and music.

DS was never in the baby room, but my neighbours upstairs put their 6 month old into Little Unicorns and were very unhappy with the care there so moved her to Lanterns where she has settled very well.

Original poster

cityangel · 25/02/2008 17:54

Thanks Bran this is really helpful. I am happy to go to SOuth Quay I shall look it up. Little Unicorns is opposite my office but I haven't heard great things...

Its such a minefield!

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bran · 25/02/2008 18:12

It's off Millharbour. It wouldn't be all that far to walk from CW if you go across the footbridge, come out on Marshwall by the Hilton, cross at the pedestrian crossing by South Quay station and then walk straight down Millharbour. It would be quite handy for going home to Limehouse too as you would get a seat at South Quay before it fills up at CW.

I'm really missing Lanterns now that ds is going to the montessori on Herons Quay. Don't be put off by the surroundings, there is lots of building work going on and the developer is building new nursery for Lanterns as part of the apartment block, so it will be much better once that's all done. One of my friends sends her ds to Little Unicorns and she likes it, but he was older than your dc when he started there, definitely out of the baby room which is what I've heard the most negative comments about.

I've heard reasonably good things about the nursery on Mudchute farm, but it would be really out of the way for you. I also know a few people with dcs at Barkantine nursery and feelings are mixed, one set of parents rave about it and love the staff whereas other find that it is quite small and cramped. I wouldn't recommend Bushytails at all, everyone I know who sent their dc there ended up taking them out.

Original poster

cityangel · 25/02/2008 18:17

Thanks Bran this is soo helpful. I shall work out if any of them have waiting lists as dc hasn't arrived et but a work collegue scared me into believing I might have to put it on the waiting list at birth and I just need to find out if this is the case or not... thanks again

OP posts:

Original poster

cityangel · 25/02/2008 18:22

Oh and I found out yesterday if we move to North London the school we know only has a 3 month window of registration at age 1 for when it would be 3! Its crazy how early some of these places expect parents to be ready

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mrsruffallo · 25/02/2008 18:30

Not in Limehouse but next to Crossharbour DLR- the nursery on Mudchute farm is gaining a good reputation- I think its called muddyboots but will check for you.
There are a couple in Limehouse but the names escape me.
Will get back to you later when I have found my list

Original poster

cityangel · 25/02/2008 18:40

Thanks Mrs Ruffallo I am definitely prepared to go further on the DLR if somewhere is good. I think the thought of leaving a little one anywhere must be difficult but at this stage going back to work is on the cards. thanks again

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littlebubba · 27/05/2008 23:13

Dear all,

Sorry I am new to this forum and found a link of google. I am planning to put my 6 month old into little unicorns day nursery, however I am now slightly uneasy having seem some of the comments. I was wondering whether anyone could elaborate on the negative comments.

Thanks...

Original poster

cityangel · 29/05/2008 00:10

Hi littlebubba, I keep meaning to organise a viewing there just to see for myself. It is very convenient for the Wharf.

Negative things I have heard but don't have any personal experience of:

Its a drop your kid off and leave kind of place so can't visit to breastfeed during the day and has high fees if late. Children only get taken around the Wharf with no real outside play.

I need to check all this out for myself. If you find anything out let me know

In the meantime we were very impressed with Lanterns and have registered there. We're not looking to put it in until Feb next year but you have to start early as some already have closed lists eg. Mudchute.

Good Luck

OP posts:

Lizipads · 05/06/2008 20:42

Hi littlebubba

On the late fees thing, I think it's fair enough (they are open 7.30-6.30, so it's not like they're being draconian - why would you be late if you worked at the wharf?) The only time I was ever late in the 4 and a half years I used them was because it took me an hour from Cabot Sq car park to Westferry Circus on some day when they shut the Limehouse and Blackwall tunnels. I wasn't the only late person (nearly half an hour) but the owner's family all pitched in, the children were looked after and no-one got charged.

On outside play, they have fresh air pumped into their indoor play areas, but they do take the children out round the wharf a fair amount. Admittedly not the same as an outdoor playground but better than nothing. Certainly more than I get at work!

I have definitely seen breastfeeding mothers at Columbus Courtyard (there was one there on my first day, I remember). And I'm pretty sure they'd have no objection. I know someone who used to leave expressed milk, but she didn't work at the wharf.

Hope helpful

Original poster

cityangel · 08/06/2008 00:23

Hi Lizipads, very helpful I need to phone them and organise to view. thanks for the first hand feedback.

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SmileySmiley · 11/08/2008 11:15

Hi all,
My little one is now 6months old and she is getting into the Columbus Courtyard nursery on the 15th September this year.

Breastfeeding not allowed there is a myth. I've heard that before so I asked them explicitly about it. They have no problem whatsoever. In addition, they have parents who take their children out for lunch and then back in the nursery. They also have a dietitian and cook on the premises for the kids but you are allowed to take your own food if you wanted to.

Fees are quite expensive but I think is pretty much the same everywhere. I just work across the yard from the nursery. Proximity to my child was the most important thing for me.

Lizipads · 11/09/2008 21:24

Best wishes for next week, smileysmiley

tadpolesmum · 12/10/2008 21:30

Hi All,

Can I hijack this and ask you Canary Wharf parents a few things? Do you all live in the area or do you drive to Canary Wharf? If you do not live locally what advantages do you think there is to having children near your work?

Sorry for the questions I live within 20 mins of Canary wharf and am trying to decide whether to put my dd with a CM near home or a nursery near work

DDsMumma · 13/10/2008 20:51

I find it convenient as she simply travels in to work with me on the tube instead of a nursery which is not enroute. Also when my little one is poorly I am only 5 mins away to collect her.

tadpolesmum · 14/10/2008 15:32

Thanks DDsMumma, do you tend to see her during the day?

Beetroot · 14/10/2008 15:39

there used ot be one that was very drama based..not sure if it is there now as this was 10 years ago. Very near canary wharf

DDsMumma · 14/10/2008 21:53

Tadpolesmum - No I dont visit during the day as Im worried I might unsettle my DD by showing up. You are allowed to visit anytime during the day. When she first started I used to call up every lunchtime for the first 2 weeks to see how she was. Good luck searching!

NorkyButNice · 14/10/2008 22:00

DS started at Little Unicorns at Canada Square a month ago - he's settled in really well and seems to be loving it there (he's 12 months old).

I am surprised by the negative comments about Unicorns, and also the positives about Lanterns - we found the manager there rude and unresponsive, and there were children left crying and unattended - I certainly wouldn't have felt happy leaving my child there).

So far I've not been to see DS during the day (he'd assume I was taking him home!) but they do say you are welcome to take your child out for lunch if you wish. Breast-feeding mums are also encouraged to pop in during the day to feed.

We live in Greenwich, and take DS on the DLR with us - it's better for us as we work long hours and finding a childminder or nursery near home would mean leaving work too early.

seenitdoneit · 06/08/2010 10:27

Hi mums - does anyone have any knowledge of the Limehouse Arches nursery? I've booked my dd in but I can't find any reviews anywhere? The girls I met seemed lovely but I'd love some feedback if anyone knows anything about it? Thanks xxx

myfirstlove · 16/08/2010 11:20

Hi Seenitdoneit,

My dd goes to Limehouse Arches and she has done so for the last 2 years, she loves it there! She will be leaving in January 2011 and i know she will miss it alot! She has some of her friends leaving with her so im sure it wont be to bad for her. Limehouse Arches have a dance teacher and also a sports coach that both come in once a week and my dd comes home showing me all her new 'moves'. The staff are excellent and so is the manager! When i first started the manager couldnt do enough by explaining all about tax credits and any other discounts i was eligible for witch was a great help being a single parent! The staff always take the children out to local parks and farms etc. Lovely nursery cannot fault it

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