changing nurseries - which aspects of your current one would you like to keep?

[Maveta]

I ask because we are looking at new nurseries as we are moving house. I have seen about 6 so far, 2 so far on the ´best of´ list:

first one is nice and small, by that I mean maybe 30 kids, don´t know if that is small by uk standards but it is for here. size wise smaller classes than where ds goes now (10 per room, 3 rooms - 1 x 1-2 yrs and 2 x 2-3yrs) but the layout and structure of classes/ activities is different. this one also has no space til september so until then we´ll need to travel back to the old one (about 30mins drive each way) which is a pain but doable if it´s the best option. The garden is very big, half concrete patio and half grass with trees. very nice, but small classes mainly seems to be because the school is VERY small physically.

second one is bigger, 2 classes of each age group and more in each class but within normal authorised limits for here (same maximums as where he goes now) so on the whole more kids. BUT the classes don´t seem to mix during the day, they are kept to their own tasks/areas so he is still effectively in the same size groups. Patio smaller but they have 2 - 1 for the little ones and 1 for the 2-3yr olds. AND this school follows the same layout as where he goes now e.g. they have a floor area for ´assembly´ with photos of each kid and their family, they talk about the day and the weather etc, they have ´activity corners´ which the other place has no space for.

So I like the fact that the first is small. It´s SMALL but homely and such a great garden, they seem to encourage a lot of outdoor play (and the weather here does permit that 90% of the year so that´s good). But then the second is well laid out, has more space (apart from each classes´ room they have a multifunction room) and he would be very used to the structure of the day.

what would you go for? oh, the second has space NOW so no need to wait til september to move. Both owners were lovely, the second one maybe a bit more so but both nice and both known by and recommended by our current nursery´s owner.

DS goes to 2 preschools and the things I like about them are:

Small preschool (36 children 2 x 18 classes)

Big garden - grass area, patio area and earthy area with trees , pinecones, sticks etc. (Preschool A)

Healthy snacks - fruit, crackers, cheese, yogurt, milk, water etc

Staff who really seem to care about the children and know them well individually
(Preschool A)

They incorporate French into some of the games and songs (Preschool B)

Completely playbased (Preschool A)

Learn about different cultures and religions.
Incorporate science, nature, colours, weather, geography, history etc into general chatting and games.

They don't make them do anything. They suggest different activities but if they don't want to paint or go outside when everyone else is they don't have to.

Preschool A has a parent rota so you can help out if you want.

Preschool B has a meeting every month or so that parents can go to and voice any concerns or ideas they might have. They also put on pampering sessions for the mums.

What I don't like:

After they've eaten the healthy part of their snack they give them 2 biscuits.

Small and narrow outdoor space. Just decking with no grass for them to roll around on or no trees, plants or soil for them to explore. (Preschool B)

Some of the staff (especially the manager) seem uninterested in the children. (Preschool B)

As they are only there for 2 hours sometimes they forget to check if they need changing and DS has come out soaking.

When my friend's DD has lost hairclips etc she was told oh they've proably been put in with the dressing up stuff. Surely anything like that found on the floor should be kept until the parents come so they can see if it belongs to anyone.

Sometimes unsure how children have got hurt if they've got scratches or marks on them for example.

They try to teach them to write their name, to count, shapes etc in a more formal way than I would like for this age. (Preschool B)

Some of the toys are old and parts are broken, rusty or the paint is peeling off.

They don't get the oppurtunity to go outside every day even if it isn't raining/snowing/below freezing.

When I've helped out I've heard them slagging the parents off a bit. For instance one boy had a bit of a temperature and they said "oh we best leave it a bit before we ring, cos you know what she's like." I've also heard them talking about things like Sex and the City which I'm not sure is appropitate.

Preschool B doesn't let the parents help out.

Preschool A pushes a lot of fundraising stuff which you feel you have to do. Something for the Xmas Fayre, sponsored things for the Xmas Party etc.