Wandsworth - Kids Unlimited or Busy Bees?

[ECT]

Do any of you have children who go to Kids Unlimited or Busy Bees Wandsworth? I will be returning to work when my daughter is about 8 mths old and don't know which one to go for. All views gratefully received - thank you.

Hello!!

I've returned to work 3 months ago and i struggled to find the childcare in Wandsworth. But my friend recommended Active learning (just the other side of wandsworth bridge) It has an amazing nursery room and an actully garden!!My little one has been so happy since she started there (there was the usual upset for the first week but the girls were great! I live in wandsworth so its great to be able to walk home with her after a work!

Hope everything is going ok with the baby (i'm finally getting some sleep and i'm actually been able to get some work done without calling the nursery every 2 mins!)

DD went to Kids Unltd for a year, I loved it first (new and very clean, happy looking staff/children, nice meals). But they seem to have problem with staff staying there or not enough staff, they always have agency girls there and I found it bit odd. And also children seem to do same activities every day, and not much outside play, as have tiny-tiny shared area for all rooms, so have to take turns to play outside. Never any outings or themed days/parties, not even for Christmas.

These are all little things and might not matter to somebody else but I personally didn't feel 100% happy with the nursery, so DD goes to the other one now.

Went to see Busy Bees too, seemed very good, lots of space and lovely staff but it was bit too expensive for us.

Hope you find a great nursery for your DD!

Naoise and MiaMamma,

Thanks so much for your messages. I last looked around Kids Unlimited back in the summer and I thought the staff looked bored and not very happy .. and no-one bothered even to ask what my daughter was called, which surprised me. I was drawn to the new purpose-built premises but at the end of the day, little ones need hugs from happy staff more than they need new surroundings. Am going to check Busy Bees out as have heard good things about it and I think is very popular. It is more expensive than KU (cannot believe the cost of childcare) but actually not that much more. Active learning is also a possibility, a bit further for me to walk but not so far as to put me off. Will have to get bum into gear and sort this out.

Thanks again.

Active Learning is very expensive.

When I was looking for nursery for DD I really liked Eveline Day Nursery on Geraldine Rd - lots of space, seemed like the do lots of messy play and different activities, children looked happy there. But they didn't have available places then, I needed a place quite quickly. Maybe it's worth checking out too!

Hi Ect I sent my ds to kids unlimited for 1 week and then took him out. When I looked around I was so impressed with the building and knew a couple of other people who sent their children there so assumed it would suit me and ds but I didn't like it from day 1. The staff looked very bored and unhappy, there was a different agency person in the room (toddler 1) every day and they hardly spoke a word the 2 times I was in the room for an hour each time. I had issues with the security there and generally felt it to be an unhappy place, it didn't have a good feel about it. They also give you a sheet at the end of the day saying food eaten, sleep, nappy change etc. I rang twice on separate days whilst he was there to be told he was asleep at about 11am which is unheard of- anyway this wouldn't really bother me but on the sheets at the end of the day it said he had slept only once at 12.30. I'm not naive enough to think that everything they write down is absolute truth but that broke my trust straight away and to be honest if he was happy he would never be asleep before 12 but they should at least tell me if he sleeps twice. looked around 3 more nurseries and I would have sent him to any of them over kids unlimited but settled with a nursery near clapham south which I love, everyone knows everyone and the staff are lovely and were not surprised when I mentioned I had come from kids unlimted. Having said all that (you can tell I was pretty pissed off with KU!) everyone's experiences are different so just go with how you feel.

Initially when i looked at Active Learing i thougth it was a bit on the expensive side too, however when i did my sums and deducted the nappies, wipes and activities (yoga, dance, sports) it actually worked out at the same if not less than other nurseries I was looking at. DD is at home with ear infection

Hi there,

My daughter spend 5 months at kidsunlimited Wandsword recently. I had concerns about the staff, not seeming very friendly, personal and keyworkers looking bored. The kids don't go on outings and seem to do the same thing each day but my daughter was only there for 2 days so it seemed exciting for her. The food she was fed I wasn't happy with, but I'm fussy. The things they brag about yoga and baby signing I didn't see any of while my daughter attended. To be honest they only reason we sent her to that nursery is that it didn't have a wait list and we needed somewhere immediately, sometimes that says something within itself, why isn't there a wait list?? Upon saying all this my daughter was extremelly happy there. I hope this helps and you find something suitable soon.

Morning! Not sure if you have decided which nursery to go with. Active Learning are having an open day on Saturday, I think from 10 to 4, worth a look at. Hope all is going well

My little one attends Kids Unlimited in Wandsworth and I'm about to take her out. I agree with all the comments above - there's no morale amongst the staff and very few of them seem to enjoy being around children. Parent feedback is almost non existent, the staff do not engage with the children and most of the little ones seem bored. Hygiene is awful in the baby rooms. The toddlers are nop supervised sufficiently - there are often incidents that the staff seem unaware of. Baby signing and yoga ARE non-existent! .... don't be fooled by the lovely premises.

My son is at Kids Unlimited in Wandsworth and I'm also going to take him out as soon as I find another nursery. I completely agree with everything that has been said. They have serious staff problems and my son's basic care has been neglected. I wouldn't recommend this nursery to anyone.

This is very interesting and helpful.

I intend on sending my DS (will be 6mth in march) to nursery and havent found many which will take children that young.

From the posts I've gathered that active learning and busy bees are best in the area. Is there any others?

What should we be looking for when we check out nurseries?

Is there other nurseries just as good but cheeper a little further afeild?

What should we be paying? What should/n't it include?

When should I register/hold a place?

Sorry for all the questions but it is a minefield out there.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I haven't used either but I know several people who have used Busy Bees and been happy; don't know anyone who's used Kids Unlimited. Active Learning is supposed to be fantastic but eyewateringly expensive even by SW London's already eyewatering prices.

Magie73, whereabouts are you in Wandsworth? If you're over towards Putney there are other good options options (cheaper than Active Learning but I suspect (although don't know) more expensive than Busy Bees) although they tend to have waiting lists (but you might be lucky).

Thanks for that.

i'm actually near Wandsworth Bridge so am expecting to grab a bus to the nursery (whichever one it is) and then the train(s) to work.

SW6 is very expensive and popular from my initial research.

I am in Wandsworth - near to Wandsworth Town. I had heard less than good reports of Kids Unlimited so didn't look at it when I was expecting DD and looking for a nursery. I looked at a nursery near Clapham Junction which seemed OK but I didn't get a 'click' with it. Looked at Busy Bees just off Wandsworth roundabout and thought it seemed good, staff in the baby room seemed kind and attentive and children seemed happy. Would have gone for it had I not found the lovely nursery just round the corner which we ended up sending DD to - she loves it there. It is one of a small family run group of nurseries in south west London and I feel completely happy and confident that DD is very well cared for when I am at work. She has built very strong bonds with her keyworker and a couple of the other ladies who work in the babyroom and is happy and smiling when left in the morning and still happy when I pick her up in the afternoon. The staff genuinely seem to care about her and her well being. Can't ask for more really. Waiting list though - we looked round when I was 6 months pregnant and could only get 2 days to start off with for when DD was 6 months and I needed to go back to work! We were offered extra days within a month or so of her starting, though.

I no longer live in Wandsworth but I was concerned with the amount of phonecalls I was getting from Kids Unlimited after I enquired about a place ( at one point 2 per week) trying to get me to register my dd and get her to go there. Wasn't too happy about it frankly and decided that if they were that desperate then I didn't want dd to go there.

There are some good ones that have been running for a long time a little further west than you near southside, but waiting list was quite long when I was looking. Also none are inexpensive!

Good luck, go and have a look around - also heard good things about Eveline.

Hi Littledduck, Do you mind me asking which nursery your daughter is at? I live in the area and am really struggling to find a nursery for my daughter

for those recommending the Active Learning nursery - what do you mean by it is expensive? what daily fees are we talking about? 60? 75? more? they do not give details of their fees on their website which suggests it must be higher than other nurseries?

My kid goes to Eveline Nursery on Trinity Crescent. When DD joined, it was very good. However in the last 4-6 months, their standards have come done.
Lot of staff changes. Cleanliness has come down. My DD's face is always messy when I pick her up (She is not like that when I drop her off!) And when I asked once for a wet wipe, her carer simply used an old filthy cloth to wipe her face! I was taken back. If that is done in a parent's presence, I can only imagine what is done behind!

Plus, they are more expensive than a lot of nurseries around. AND you have to supply the nappies.

I have applied to put my child else where... currently on waiting list. Can;t wait to get my lil one out of Eveline!

Mace Montessori nursery is another option. I decided to go elsewhere but they have now gone from Good to under measures because they failed their Ofsted. I am re looking at Mace and most likely am going there

OP's DD is probably going into Year 1 or Year 2 in September...

I've heard a few less than enthusiastic stories about Kids Unlimited, but no personal experience of them. Loved Busy Bees - the manager seemed very passionate about what they do and the staff were lovely. Eventually went for Eveline on Geraldine Road as they also seemed great and are closer to home. DD's just started - seems to be getting on ok!

Hello, sorry to hijack but just wanted to remind you about our lovely local discussion board for Wandsworth.

We get lots of questions about nurseries, and have had lots of posts about Eveline Day in particular local.mumsnet.com/Talk/wandsworth/local-active.

As you were

mums, any advice about good nurseries in East Putney, Wandsworth? i am soo confused.. Thanx

Hey is there anyone out there that knows about any good enough nurseries in Wandsworth/Clapham Junction/Putney area? I have just been offered a job in the area and need to find one asap. I've heard good things about Busy Bees in Wandsworth. Anyone know about Carrot Cake in Clapham Junction? Or Lavender Hill? I'm not from the area I would love to hear about any other nurseries or feedback from the ones I've mentioned. Thanx