Can't choose between two nurseries!!

[taylorgrace]

Nursery 1 - In a new building built specifically for a nursery. All seperate rooms for different age ranges and the rooms are HUGE, like living rooms two/three times over. Toys look new, clean and there appears to be a huge range of different activities and toys. Outside space is amazing, HUGE gardens for each age range, mud kitchen, car and bike area, and a separate cabin for quiet time or time out. 2 parents evenings per year and keep an eye out for SEN concerns with liaison to local paediatric nurses, and will manage referrals for you if there is an issue with SEN or developmental delay. Far more children - from 2 years old there are 30 to a room. Gave very primary school vibes and looked like a primary school classroom in the preschool room. Lady who showed us round was friendly and interacted with children but didn't seem as engaged/genuine as nursery 2. 15 minute walk from home.

Nursery 2 - In a detached victorian house, smaller rooms by about 1/2 meaning DD will be in a one room environment when she starts until she's 2 years old where they then have 2 rooms per group. Still outdoor space but again, half the space compared to Nursery 1 - mud kitchen and play equipment but no little cars. Has a french teacher once a week in pre-school room, and also utilises Forest School. Less children, but lady who showed us round seemed more engaged and friendly with the children - seemed slightly more genuine. Parents evenings 3 times per year. 10 minute walk from home.

Most people we have met in baby groups are keen to send theirs to Nursery 1, but haven't mentioned even viewing Nursery 2 (have mentioned other viewings). She would know at least 3/4 people in Nursery 1 if she joined.

Dilemma - LOVE that nursery 1 looks like the perfect stepping stone to primary environment and wondering if more children around might be good for confidence, playing, making friends, being used to bigger groups etc? HOWEVER, Nursery 1 is more expensive by around £120 per month.

Feel as though I would expect to pay more for Nursery 1 after seeing facilities etc, but wondering if it's worth £120 more....especially as I'll be looking for a new role.

Has anyone else had to pick between two nurseries? Head is completely frazzled and now I have NO idea!

Disregard the SEN stuff - that is what any setting is required to do. Personally I'd prefer a smaller, more intimate environment for an under 3 but I think you have to go on gut feeling. Incidentally, I've never had a parents' evening for nursery and not felt like I've needed one, but I'm a teacher so have a feel for how my children have developed against expected milestones and didn't send them full time so perhaps that's why.

They have a lot of years to be in school- I’d want something different. The Forest School and language lessons would swing it in that direction for me.

I'd go for closer and cheaper unless you feel like nursery two is so small in the rooms and garden that it will feel quite restrictive to them. A good size outdoor space was a priority for me.

Do the children have to use stairs in the second nursery? I discounted one nursery because of that as I was concerned about accidents coming in from the garden/ lunch etc.

Nursery 1 is unlikely to stay that shiny and new, and all nurseries would get involved with any SEN concerns, that's their job! I think any childcare setting is beneficial for starting school but would prioritise a more homely feel/smaller setting where their individual needs can be identified and met more easily and they can grow in confidence, learn to articulate their needs etc. That will be infinitely more helpful in reception than 'can co-exist in a room of 30 children'

What does the day to day look like.

I would go for free flow, attentive leaders and not too many changes of room (ie keep leaving friends as they "go up") over most things.

We turned down one with amazing facilities but unegaged young people working with the children for a smaller setting with truly amazing staff. It's all about relationships and how they'll treat the children really.

Yes Nursery 1 has no stairs whereas nursery 2 has stairs for preschoolers

What are the reviews like? I would probably go for nursery 1 - nursery 2 could well put their fees up.

When looking around was there one you had a better gut feeling about?

Forest school, more engaged staff and smaller classes would swing it for me.

We had a similar dilemma. I would go for the closer one, and as a bonus it’s cheaper. A 10min walk is great when they start refusing the pram and you have to walk (end up carrying them!). Also, annual %increases are less on a smaller amount!

Have a look at the hours they offer (08:00-18:00 can be much easier than 08:15-17:30). What are their leave policies? Do they have closure days? How many weeks a year do you pay for?

You don't need to worry about whether it's like preschool at that age. Safety and comfort and ease (for you also) come first.

Nursery 2, engaged staff are the number one priority.
We went with a smaller, scruffier nursery that had a happy family vibe over the bigger, fancier, tidier one. Never regreated it.

30 2 year olds in a room is a lot, they have their whole school life to have to deal with those numbers.

Ignore "people they know" as a reason, they're not at friendship stage

And will they give calpol??! Very important. You don't want to leave work for a teething toddler.

I’d go smaller. 30 children in one room is a lot. The staff can’t possibly get to know them all as well as a smaller group and it would be easy to overlook quieter/ well behaved children.

The more engaged staff is really important too.

Id also go smaller and don't underestimate your gut feeling about how welcoming and engaging and natural the environment felt.
Sometimes you can be wowed by the new expensive toys and glitzy surroundings but that stuff is just superficial and doesn't mean anything if the environment and culture is not welcoming relaxed and friendly.

What is staff turnover like

What is organisation like - do they seem prompt with emails etc

I don’t like the idea of 30 littlies in a room. A quiet/passive kid could get overlooked. A noisy/demanding kid would just be shushed rather than engaged with. A lot of kids would get overwhelmed by the noise and busyness.

I would go with 2. Smaller, engaged staff, closer.

I would go for the closer on that seemed homelier. Don’t overthink it - you’re lucky to have the choice and there’s no wrong answer. It is great to be able to walk or cycle to a local nursery.

Go with your gut. Which from your post I would think is the second one?
With DD we looked at 4 nurseries. One was by my work, one in our village, another one was a 5 min drive away from home, last one a 10 min drive (both of the last 2 were in the opposite direction from home to my work) - the last one on paper I had no intention of sending her to really, it was the most expensive and had the least facilities. Guess which one I chose for her? That was 5 years ago, DS now goes there and it's still so lovely.

On your description nursery 2 sounds better.

Do they do stay and plays. I had sessions (like a baby class) where you could see the staff over about an hour period...

All other thing being equal I'd prefer no 2.
Geographic distance is way more important than I thought it would be!

We had a very similar choice and chose mine 2. We've never regretted it, although a big ones good us is that they bring them for a walk every day.

For me, nursery is a substitute for home not a training ground for school, so looking like a stepping stone to school would actually put me off.

However, now that eldest is at school we've met plenty of families who used number 1 and they were happy too.

Plenty of stairs in ours btw as it's over three floors, never been a problem!

I'd pick on the basis of which nursery is more likely to focus on your child's requirements.

I had a choice of 2 nurseries. Nursery 1 was small but because of fewer staff, made all children nap at the same time. Nursery 2 was bigger and let children nap as per their own needs. I chose nursery 2 for this reason - not just napping but a more child focussed approach generally. My baby wasn't ready for 1 nap a day and I thought a child led approach was generally the most critical thing.

Also, remember you can change nursery later if you think your child would be more well suited to a bigger nursery at pre-school age. This might depend on where in the school year they are born as a September born essentially does 2 years of pre-school (usually from free hours at 3) compared to an August born doing 1. I was much less worried about my summer child getting bored at nursery than my winter born one.