nursery in highgate/crouch end/muswell hill

[highgatemummy]

Hello ladies,

Am regular (ish!) but have changed my name due to imminent move to Highgate! I know there are quite a few of you north london mums, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good nursery school in n6/n8/n10? I'm hoping to start my little boy somewhere part time in September - 2 days a week, he'll be 13 months then. (It seems like a lot of local places only take them from

Have heard excellent things about Greygates and am going to an open day next week but know the waiting list is LONG! Also spoke to The Nursery Montessori in Muswell Hill, but got a slightly bad vibe from the Manager there, tbh. Have also heard mixed reports of The Activity Nursery in Highgate.

Any thoughts/recommendations? Feedback and mumsnet wisdom MUCH appreciated...many thanks xxx

meant to say - a lot of local nurseries only take them from 2! x

don't know whether your intested but theres a new day nursery opening next week in finchley central called the Rocking Horse Day Nursery, its about a 5 min walk to the station . . interested?

Greygates is a daycare centre. It's rare to get a part time place. Which Montessori? There are two. Activity Centre I've heard of but no opinions.

Hi again,

Thanks for this. Think the Finchley nursery will be too far for us really...the Montessori nursery is called 'The Nursery Montessori' and is at 24 Tetherdown, Muswell Hill. nkf - when you mention the activity centre, do you mean the highgate activity nursery, part of the bright horizons chain?

Any other thoughts/advice on nurseries in this part of town? Many thanks in advance x

I know a bit about both the Montessori nurseries.

The one on Tetherdown runs term times and I think children can stay till age 7. It's like a school. Rather precious I think but some people like it.

The other Montessori is supposed to be good but it's a little eccentric. Also more like a daycare place. It's open all year.

I know which one you mean in Highgate. It's supposed to be a bit rigorous. Kids are writing by the age of two and so on. Some people like it.

I've heard the nicest one is on Fortis Green but very long waiting lists. Do you want a few hours or childcare?

My friend's DD goes to the Montessori nursery at 23 Woodside Avenue but this is for the over 2s. They have a site somewhere else for teh youngre childern - it might be the Tetherdown one that you mentioned. If that is the case, her DD went to the Tetherdown one first. She's been very happy although she has mentioned to me that one of the ladies in charge (the owner I think, an older lady) is a bit weird.

Also, they don't accept government funding when the child turns three (I know your DS is only young at the moment but if you were looking for a place that you would stay at for a few years, the funding issue might be relevant.)

Thanks nkf, really helpful...I'm looking for part time, either a couple of mornings/afternoons, or two full days maximum. (At Greygates that's the minimum amount they will take them, and they have to 'match' you with a parent who wants 3 days. They don't like kids doing just mornings or afternoons as it disrupts the routine).

sorry to keep asking questions, but when you mention 'the other montessori' (the eccentric one), where is that?

thanks again x

There's one on Woodside Avenue. I think you can mornings/afternoons or two days but it doesn't run on school terms.

If you want just a few hours during term time, there are any number of pre-school places that take children in the mornings.

There's also a place in Crouch End called Three Monkeys which is supposed to be very friendly.

Thanks ladies... are you in the area yourselves? How do you find it with kids? We are moving from Shepherd's Bush and think North London will be far more family friendly....

nkf, without meaning to drive you nuts with questions, what exactly is the difference between nurseries and preschools? I like the idea of somewhere my boy can stay for a good few years and build up his time there...x

The pre-school places are short. A few hours, term time only. They are like the nursery places that some schools offer. Nurseries are more likely to offer full time daycare and all year round. Basically, Highgate, Crouch End and Muswell have plenty of all kinds. From a few hours in a church hall to state of the art places with sensory rooms and webcams so you can watch your baby being cared for. There's a Steiner nursery in Crouch End. There are loads.

Muswell Hill was of course what I meant to type.

There are several preschools in Muswell Hill. Most of the preschools run in morning or afternoon sessions from 9.15 to 11.45 or from 12.45- 3.15pm. They are mostly free after the age of 3 or there is a small voluntary contribution. At my son's preschool this is £3 per session. My son attends the 345 preschool in Church Crescent (although we have had to relocate to another hall until Christmas because of building works). There is also one in Tetherdown hall and one in Springfield avenue. They are not connected to any particular school but nearly all the kids from all the 3 locations go on to Tetherdown, Muswell Hill Primary, St James School or Coldfall. Some also go on to Highgate primary schools as I understand there isn't much free provision in Highgate. Other Muswell Hill preschools include St James's and Three Monkeys (already mentioned). At 345 some of the afternoon sessions are still available as the mornings tend to be more popular. There is a long waiting list in most cases.

Hi highgatemummy

I just came across your question about nurseries in Highgate and thought I'd throw in my thoughts.

My son has been going to the Highgate Activity Nursery for the last 18 months, and I'm really happy with it. He is there full time, 5 days/week and and he absolutely loves it, which is the most important thing.

I think it's very well run, the team are fantastic, there's been very little turnover since we've been there, and IMO they really care about the kids. So I'd definitely recommend it

I'd also like to highly recommend The Active Learning Nursery in Crouch End (address is Hornsey). It's really lovely and the building is part of the Cricket Club (obviously completely separate!), but the children have a lovely green space outside and tennis courts to play on in the summer. It's perfect and I couldn't recommend it enough, although it's not cheap....x

my daughter is 2yrs old and we have a nursery sorted from Jan 2012, but between now and then I am looking for classes or nursery in highgate (2 mornings a week) that I can take her to... other than mini mozart... any advice?

Hi there,
We hold Baby Ballet classes on a Monday morning at St Michael's Church Hall. Your daughter would be in our Tiny Toes class which starts at 10.30. For More information visit our Website at www.babyballet.co.uk or email me on [email protected] :)

Hey, How much is the The Active Learning Nursery? I can't see prices on the website?

I love being a mummy in Highgate! The village and woods are lovely for walks. Waterlowe park is nice too and join the village societies!

Also - has anyone tried the Bright Horizons centre at the bottom of highgate hill> I have a 4 month old and just need one day a week to get some work done...

TeamStyle I'm planning to visit that Bright Horizons. Will report back. Have also been to see the Highgate Activity Nursery and Greygates.

We've been using Fortis Green nursery for almost 5 years now. It it is fantasic. Lovely light building, big garden, good staff. They would offer you mon/tues or thur/fri if you want 2 days. They have a creche for babies and a 2-school age bit