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

[sweetpotss]

Hi,

I am thinking of enrolling my daughter at Teddies in West Hamsptead or Happy Child day nursery in Kilburn. Could anyone give me there views on these nurseries. I looked at this thread but it seem a bit out dated so was looking for a more recent review. Thank you.

[ipot]

Just wanted to give my views on Fortune Green Nursery. My daughter is very happy there, they seem very organised & there is always someone to greet you when you arrive. Manager is very hands on & approachable.

DD is always bringing home things that she has made, they plant seeds, make biscuits, do yoga once a week!

Took her out of Asquith after a few months as she did not seem happy & was more expensive.

[Amy10]

Hi there, just wondering whether there are some recent views on Active Learning if available for my 5 month old DD. anyone has any experience with Bright Horizons at St John's Wood? Many thanks,

[Hpbp]

Active Learning was the only nursery that ticked most of my boxes when I visited it in 2009 amongst Teddies, Asquith...
Since then, my son has been very happy, he started when he was 10months old, he is now 3.5 yo. He loves it. The staff turn over can be daunting especially when LO is young but kids are more resilient than we think. I don't have any thing bad to report. I feel very comfortable leaving my son everyday. Even if the first month was horrible, he cried so much and I felt so guilty but eventually he settled and is very excited about going to nursery.
When something happened and I have not been told about, after I raised my concern, the senior staff would investigate and let me know straight away.

[Amy10]

Thanks Hpbp, there has been a change in principal lately-has it settled in well? Also do you really use the log in cameras. Any recommendations for key persons in Baby Room? Sorry, lots of questions!!

[Hpbp]

Amy, yes there has been a change of principal in March 2012. The previous one has opened her own bakery !
The new one seems very competent, she is friendly, takes the time to meet you when you ask for an appointment, I find her helpful as well. Not that the previous one wasn't but they are 2 different personalities.

I like the Wooden floor, the big garden, the organic on site kitchen, the Montessori approach without ostentation and of course the cameras. I do use them at least 3 or 4 times a day. It allows me to feel less guilty, to be a working mum, and take part in my son's day. Also when I mention that I have seen this activity or that other thing, staff feel that parents are indeed interested in their job and that makes a difference in term of relationship and feedback. I must admit I sometimes use the tool as a gentle way to say 'I am watching you'.

Regarding Baby room key person, I am afraid I cannot comment as I have not met them for a long time. Zoe, long dark hair in her 20ies and Rose Mary were my favourites but It was about 2 years ago so I don't know if they are still in the baby room or not.

Hope I have answered your questions. If not please feel free. I am expecting my second, and there is no doubt in my mind that she will be going to Active Learning as well as soon as I find a new job.

[Amy10]

Hpbp, Thanks a tonne for patiently answering all my questions and very comprehensively too. All the best for your 2nd:):) and in the new job:)

[Hpbp]

Glad if I could help. It is so difficult to make a decision on nursery, especially for DC1, I guess most mums feel guilty when they go back to work. To me it was very important to be able to trust some one/organization, I had to be 100% comfortable with my choice. And I am very happy with Active Learning.
Good luck to all of you

[Amy10]

Hi, carrying on from the topic of the original thread - does anyone have any recent experience with Active Learning WH? My baby is there since late last year but with recent change sin management the place seems to have deteriorated a bit. Anyone else with the same experience or am I overreacting?

[DharmaBums]

Hi, we've just taken our son out of active learning in WH. It certainly has deteriorated recently and I think the staff aren't very happy overal. this seems to be to do with the head office management.The staff/child ratios are awful and I often found my DS crying on his own in the corner it's very impersonal and I think they are more worried about profit than child care. I don't know any of the parents that are entirely happy. Obvs this is just my opinion

[shannonlondon]

Hello - Any updates on Active Learning? Are people still generally unhappy with it? I'm looking for a good nursery in the West Hampstead area for my 2 year old son.

Thank you!

[cordiality]

My dd is there. It certainly has had a bit of upheaval recently, lots of changes of staff, lack of communication and a bit of a funny atmosphere. I've felt a few times that I'm being annoying by wanting to know stuff about plans for changes of room, mentor, etc, that I should be made aware of.

However, it's never crossed my mind to move her. Toddlers care not for administrative issues, they care about being loved, cared for and well occupied and I have no issues at all about her care. The food is great, the garden is redone and lovely, the ladies in her room are caring and kind, she does all sorts of brilliant stuff, especially in art (i think that the art teacher, natalie, is amazing) and in general I am blown away by how much a two year old can actually do.

So yes, I'd recommend it, they'll sort out the boring side of it soon enough.

[marina30]

My daughter is her final year at Active Learning west hamstead and I can say that there has been a lot of change in Management in the last few years however, the management team currently there have pulled it back together. The nursery has changed a lot for the better in the last year and can see a lot of good changes. I was tempted to pull her out last year but very glad I kept her there as she is a very happy, bubbly and caring child. Active learning have prepared her for school and she has made good relationships with the staff team and children in her group. I have already enrolled my baby Tom for the toddler class from next month and would recommend the nursery for parents who are looking for a nursery in the west hamstead area. (smile)