can you tell me positive stories about nurseries please?

[kveta]

I've just been offered a place at my work nursery for my DS who will be 11 months when he starts there. He'll be going for 'school' hours, M-W, and I'll be able to breast feed on demand, if he still wants feeds by then!

I'm a bit wibbly about it though, because I keep hearing such horror stories about nurseries - neglect, overcrowding, children upset by them, and my mum has started now, telling me it's bad for children under the age of 3.

Thing is, he's already with a childminder 2 days a week (We're keeping him with her), and a nanny share 3 days a week, and he seems happy enough. I'm not working full time, and the nanny costs are breathtaking compared with the nursery costs (about a 35-40 quid a week difference, but the nursery provides food and he'll be there 1 hr longer than he is with nanny, plus he'll be a 5 minute walk from my office rather than a 30 minute drive).

Please reassure me that nursery experiences aren't universally bad?

Same here Cyteen. DS went to this nursery (he was in a previous one from 7 months) at 14m and it took him about 6 weeks to settle in properly. Occasionally they do both have a grizzle but by the time I'm out of the door they are happily playing.

My DS and DD have been at nursery f/time since they were 10 wks. Both breastfed on demand.

Huge decision to take to put them there and I did several visits, which they didn't mind and didn't ask me to schedule appointments for.

My nursery is www.kidsallowed.com

Can't rate them high enough, they are amazing.

They both settled well and quickly, loads of activities, very very friendly staff who are uber enthusiastic.

Both DS and DD very social, confident and happy children. Yes I agonize about being a working mum, but then I look at the friends they've made and will go to school with and the fact that they get so much stimulation and education where they are.

At 11 months, he will of course know how to play you for a few weeks. DS WILL BE FINE !!!!!

Mine RUN into the rooms shouting the nursery nurses' names in the morning, often without a kiss/backward glance or anything. I prefer that to the alternative, nothing better walking out to work after that.