Auden Place Nursery/Active Learning West Hampstead

[Booper13]

I wondered if anyone has any feedback on either of these nurseries - or recommendations for any others in the NW3 area (or within 10 mins drive). My ds is 15 months and I want him to go to nursery 2 half days per week to socialise with other kids and learn to share. There are a lot of nurseries in NW3, but most seem to only take them from 2. Thanks. x

My 2 year old son goes to Active learning in w hampstead and has since it opened last september. I've always been really happy with it and I've recommended it to several friends whose children now attend. He's also been to Teddies in west hampstead (which is awful) and Asquith as well - which i wasn't happy with either.

Thanks so much for this. As there is no OFSTED report yet, its reassuring to hear you're pleased with it. We're going to look on Friday, looking forward to it (although haven't dared find out how much the fees are yet. I'm praying that its not as crippling as the one we went to see in Hampstead which was £55 for a morning session 8 - 12:15!

Hi Booper - My DS is starting Active Learning in a week. Quite a few local friends bubs go there and majority are getting on just fine. Only one mother has given me slightly negative feedback - but it doesnt worry me enough to not star DS there. Big bonus is the remote video camera system that you can log into and watch.

My child was badly hurt at Teddies in west Hampstead and I pulled him out immediatley. The place is dire, the women who work there look miserable no one makes an effort to say hello or tell you anything unless you ask. Tedddies charges an arm and a leg but you may aswell send your child to an over crowded state subsized facilty for a fraction of the cost as the service is the same. My child was always filthy, a few times his nappy was badly soiled and dry(which means he must have been sitting in his own poop for awhile). I would stay clear of this place.

I am looking to send my 3 month old son to nursery in west hampstead from February 2011. Have looked at teddies and Asquith so far and also looking at active learning. Have read the bad review of teddies from October 2009, which is obviously a big concern. I went there today and met the manager who joined in May this year who seemed good. Does anyone have more recent feedback on these nurseries? I wonder why teddies got a new manager in May... Any history there?

Would be very grateful for people's views.

I do not know about the history of Teddies, all I know is that the nursery has received a number of complaints, I was not impressed when I visited them either, however that was a while ago so hopefully things have changed, when choosing a nursery go by what feels right to you, other parents views help of course, but ultimately the decision is yours and sometimes your gut feelings are more acurate then logic, if you don't like a nursery and can't put your finger on why, then it's not the nursery for you. I am going to see the Active Learning nursery in 3 weeks, I like the idea of the webcams! If you want I can post my views when the time comes. I will reccommend a nursery though, it's called Hopscotch on Chevening road, Kilbun and recieved an outstanding ofsted report.

Mrsgitfinger I am also looking to send my twins to nursery in West Hampstead from January 2011. Have been to see Teddies and actually it seemed fine to me. The nursery manager was really polite and friendly. Have you seen any others? I went to see Asquith and wasn't happy with it.

Hopscotch is only 2+ so no good for me yet.

All the nurseries in West Hampstead seem to be down the Kilburn end, we're up in the Fortune Green end and I can't seem to find any nurseries within walking distance from there, does anyone know of any?

Any other views much appreciated.

I have both my girls at active learning. The younger one started in the baby room and I am very happy with the nursery. The administration side is a bit of a let down but the actual nursery staff more than make up for this

I went to look at Teddies and found it very unappealing. It was my first nursery visit and seriously considered giving up work after looking at it thinking that this was possibly what nurseries these days were like!

The lady showing me around made me wait for 20 minutes (fair enough, if they're busy). She then said they were too busy most days to fill in the parent feedback forms.

I thought Asquith was OK from a limited choice.

There is one on Westbere road called Little Ark. It used to be good but not sure anymore and I haven't been for a visit.

Active Learning has good reports from friends.

Hi. Just thought we'd give you an update on Teddies nursery. I'm sorry to say that we've recently taken our son out of Teddies. We got the feeling he was being a little neglected. Reports of unchanged nappies are true (he gets really bad nappy rash after being there a few days, which clears up after being at home) and they seem to give jarred food alot despite advertising having their own cook. They did have enthusiastic staff, but they seem to of left. Management and staff seem chaotic. A real lack in coordination. Most of the staff where nice and friendly, but we got a strange vibe from a few of the staff members. Nothing particular just a feeling. The manager did say she was trying to recruit new staff members, but they've been short staffed for a while now.

I've just found this thread and was wondering how much importance should I give to the Ofsted report. I'm going to visit Active Learning but since it's the only one I know with cameras, so far it seems to be my only option.

However I was a bit put off by the "satisfactory" Ofsted report. Would you get discouraged by this or just ignore the report?

our son is now at Active Learning, and we are very happy with this nursery.

Hi, does anyone have any updates on the west Hampstead nursery situation? Thanks!

Hmmmm, just found this thread through googling Teddies as we visited today and wanted to see if there were any reviews of it. Not particularly comforting reading!

I actually really liked it - didn't meet a manager and the deputy had only been there 3 weeks but both her and one of the staff in the baby room spent a long time with me explaining everything, and seemed pretty good. DD happily played with other babies and staff whilst I was chatting, and the kids seemed happy.

Not great outdoor space but not expecting too much in London tbh.

Not actually in Kilburn/West Hampstead, it's just one of the areas that would work partway along my commute. Will look into those recommended above and appreciate any more recent comments on nurseries in this area if anyone else got experience!

Hi all,
I'm a mother of two at the Fortune Green end of West Hampstead and I just wondered if you all knew about Sington nursery, which is next to Beckford school on Broomsleigh Street?
I sent my eldest there, and my youngest is about to start. It only takes from two but the staff are really wonderful - it's small and loving. It's a charity, so it keeps its fees low, and it's run by mums (including me, there's my bias!!!) on a voluntary basis, so it's totally unlike a private nursery.

Do check it out. You can call the manager, Sumudu on 0207 431 6712

ps we're campaigning to be moved up to the Fortune Green play centre, and Camden are still considering this, so fingers crossed!!!

Sorry, that was the wrong phone number for Sington nursery:

it's 0207 431 1279.

It has 20 places for 2-5 year olds. It offers the 15 free hours to over 3s. It's open 8.30am to 5.30pm, 47 weeks of the year.

hope that helps everyone!!

my two children have been at Teddies West Hampstead and I can honestly say as a mother I feel 100% confident when leaving my children.
The Nursery Manager Donna joined the Nursery in May 2010 and I have been constantly impressed by her dedication and enthusiasm. The currently are recruiting due to increased number of new famailies joinig the nursery. The deputy manager has just joined and she seems great too!

I want to give an update on Teddies Nursery in West Hampstead. I read your comments and was really concerned, but my son has been there for 4 months now and I really like this nursery. They are very friendly with the kids, the kids learn a lot and the staff can always tell you what your child did every day and even what it ate. The staff is well trained and the children feel very comfortable there. So have a look, it is a good nursery!

Hello, very sorry for the shameless self-promotion here but just wanted to say that we are opening a new independent nursery and pre-school in West Hampstead next to Fortune Green (on Fortune Green Road on the ground floor of the Sager Building.) I've actually been following this thread for a while after initially trying to find a place for my 2 year old son (now nearly 3!). We are hoping to be open by October and will be offering flexible part-time, full-time and term-time only sessions for 2-5 year olds. If you are interested you can check out our website (very much a work in progress...) www.fortunegreennursery.com or contact us at [email protected] or on 0208 819 5358.

Hi, 2 years ago I visited Teddies in west end lane- my son was then 9 months, but I didn't like it and wasn't comfortable sending my child there. I went to Asquith instead, it was fine first, but now they have just increased their fees unjustifiably I was recently unhappy with them, my son is always dirty when I pick him, I find the room now too small and overcrouded and it smells.
So I visited Teddies again today, I found it SO different, the new manager was friendly, the rooms are bigger than asquith, I was given lots of details. I read some bad reviews but I hope these relate to 2010 or before? does anyone know more about the new Teddies (Bright horizons acquired) nursery?

Hi does anyone have any views on fordwych road nursery in west hamostead? Its meantto bemazing but i cannotfind anything on the internet about it

Hi, my neighbour has been sending her 2 years old son to Fordwych Road nursery and she highly recommends it. She said the atmosphere is caring and relaxed and he's happy and learns well. I'd be interested in hearing anyone else's views and experience of this nursery too.

Fordwych nursery changed ownership a few weeks ago apparently so i hope it continues to have such a great reputation. Apparently, the manager and staff remain the same.

Hi, I am looking for a nursery place for my 10 month old daughter and the reviews of the w/hampstead nurseries are really useful. I am going to the Teddies open day tomorrow. Does anyone know of any good nurseries in the Willesden Green area?

Lolacat I have registered my 11 month old at Teddies and have got a place there to start in April. I looked into some other nurseries near Willesden and found a couple that I really liked - Living Spring Montessori near Gladstone Park, and Happy Stars in Willesden. Unfortunately neither of those have places until at least September which I'm very disappointed about, but will try and get my son in there if Teddies turns out to not be so good.

I'm a little nervous about Teddies TBH as I've seen some bad comments, but these have been from years ago and they've changed management so really hoping it's a good nursery now. Would be very interested in hearing your thoughts!