Nurseries in/around Didcot opinions pls!

[cottagegirl]

Hi,

We have just started to look at nurseries in and around Didcot for our 6-months old son.

We kind of liked Kids Unlimited in Milton Park, but then read a very bad Ofsted report (basically could not be any worse, almost everything is inadequate). Does anyone know what is happening in that nursery behind the scenes so to speak?

And any positive/outstanding experiences with other nurseries in this area?

With many thanks,

Olga

I'm a qualified and experience Nursery Nurse.

I've worked in another Kids Unlimited branch. It was dreadful. The foyer and bits parents saw was quite good, but then....

The staff were nice but not very good. The systems were poor. There was tons of paperwork which means less time with the children. The equipment was old and tired. The resources were sparse. The dinner was very cheap and there was no chance of extra. (Even the ice cream was sent to the room in scoops to make sure nobody had too much!).

On the whole, avoid big chains.

On the other hand, my DS is at the KidsUnlimited at Harwell and I couldn't be more pleased with it. DS started at 9 months and found it hard to settle initially - they are brilliant in the baby rooms and Jude (Baby 1 room leader) was fantastic at working to settle Isaac in. Now he toddles in without a care in the world. Getting him to come home can be another matter . I have been in at meal times and have no problem with the meals and the overall standard of care is very good. I do know that we now have the former head of the Milton Park nursery - when she left Milton Park things there went downhill fast and they had a new manager again quite shortly afterwards as the first replacement was dire. What date is the Ofsted report you've seen?

I have had very good reports about Bramley's in Ladygrove Park and also the one in Ardington, from friends who use those nurseries, and we also saw a couple of others - Little Acorns and the Bright Horizons one at Harwell - not my preference for various reasons, but nothing awful. I would suggest that you go around several of them (maybe go back for a second look at a lunchtime, too, if you are concerned) and make up your own mind. Personally I prefer chains because they have 'head office' keeping an eye on them - whilst that can bring restrictions, I also find it reassuring.

Hope this helps - I'll check back in later in case you have any other questions.

My daughter attends Milton Park and is so very happy. The staff are lovely and are doing a wonderful job at helping me potty train her and look after her eczema, which is quite a task some weeks. Some of the equipment does look tired, but each new batch of funding brings in lots of new equipment to replace it. There are regularly new things to play with that my daughter reports back to us on at the end of the day! Everyone has their own experience and it is down to personal taste and opinion - mine is I would recommend it. If you don't try it....

Just wanted to second the above as I've read some bad things about KU on Milton Park. My daughter has gone there since the start of the year and absolutely loves it. I was unsure at first but they have helped her blossom into a lovely sociable little girl. The staff have always been helpful and devoted, and my understanding is that they received an outstanding on their last ofsted inspection... much deserved and I am so glad I wasn't put off by previous reports.