Nurseries in Blackheath

[Bennsy3]

My husband has just got a job in London so we are thinking of moving to Blackheath as it will be easily commutable for me to Canary Wharf. Can anyone recommend any nurseries and what the waiting lists are like? as I am going to have to give up the space I have at the lovely nursery in Jersey! Also if there are any other areas other than blackheath which would be a good commute to canary wharf all suggestions are welcome!

Curious you think blackheath will be a good commute to canary wharf - it's lovely there but the transport links aren't great! You'd be better off in Greenwich (DLR takes about 10mins to canary wharf) or (like us!) in Brockley (new East London Line in May should be 15mins to canary wharf inc one change).

I don't know much about specific nurseries in Blackheath as we're outside their catchment area but certainly waiting lists around here are pretty long(1-2+yrs) if you need a space in the baby room, a bit easier for older children.

I'm sure there'll be some blackheathers along to tell you all about it!

Thanks Cassell, I had not looked at the transport links properly. Dulwich might be a better option as that seems like a nice area too and direct into London Bridge? But I would expect that nurseries there are just as bad for waiting lists!

Dulwich is lovely, East Dulwich seems to be one of the most popular places around here for "yummy mummies", loads of cafes, baby clothes shops etc. Transport links are good if you're close to a station but when we were looking it was very difficult to get somewhere within 10mins of station.

Yes nurseries there have long waiting lists too - apparently it has the highest birth rate in Europe!

Also depends what your budget is and what sort of property you're after?

The only childcare I have seen in action in Blackheath is the Village Montessori, which is fantastic. Can't remember what hours it does, sorry.

Not to sure on what type of property as yet we are looking to spend between 400 - 600 but apparently so is everyone according to the estate agents.

When you say long waiting lists is it kinda get the babies name down as soon as you find out your presgnant? (I know that's what it's like here) The fact that I will be looking for a place starting Septemeber might be a complete challenge!

What is the difference between montessori and non montessori?

Yes it's a popular price band! Well in East Dulwich/Blackheath/Greenwich you'd probably be looking at either a 3bed flat or small 2/3bed house within close reach of station for that. Around here (Brockley/Telegraph Hill) you'd be able to get a 3/4/5 bed house as prices quite a bit cheaper (but then it's not quite as nice but transport links good).

Well with ds I put his name down at 2 nurseries when he was a month old and one of them came up with a place for when he was a year old the other one didn't. But if your dc are older and not in the babyroom then it may be easier but certainly you should put name down asap if you need a place for September!

montessori is a specific "educational philosophy" more important at school age than nursery as it's about play and freedom rather than structure and curriculum (iirc but may have got that wrong!) the montessori nurseries & schools generally have a good reputation though but the one nearest me doesn't offer part time or long enough hours for what I needed

You are a wealth of knowledge thanks so much.

It will be the baby room that we will need a place...... let the challenge begin! Just need to decide on a general area and start ringing round.

oh and if you're looking at east dulwich they have a useful forum for families here and I think there are nursery recommendations on there

good luck!