Private nursery or LA one

[Yolo2]

Are nurseries run by local authorities generally better than private ones? I've been told they are (lower staff turnover, better trained, more access to help if special needs etc) but the council one will involve more travelling and cause changes to my working pattern. Happy to do this if it really will benefit DC. Any views?

I don't think there's any hard and fast rule tbh, I'd visit all your options and decide based on that

I wouldn't go off whether they're LA run or not, and I'd look at their Ofsted inspection instead.

We've chosen a private nursery which is Outstanding, knowing we have cover from 7.30am-6.00pm and over school holidays.

From working in nurseries I’d go for the council run one every time. Staff are usually better paid, have access to ongoing training, are better paid and have easier access to unions etc. All leading to lower staff turnover and higher skilled staff but all this is generally speaking...as others have said go and look and get the best feel for what would fit your child.

I do think LA nurseries will often have the edge, but bear in mind that they tend to offer shorter hours and not to operate in school holidays.

I don't think private v public is the divide. each nursery should be looked at individually.

some private nurseries are brilliant but very, very expensive. some LA nurseries are poor quality because they are so stretched and underfunded. others are less underfunded because they get the same funding per child but are located in an area which gives them an easier demographic to serve.

the nursery I used was technically private but was run by a charity with any profits used to benefit the charity, and generally aiming to not make massive profits. I thought it was excellent, and was genuinely child centred and all about doing best for the children rather than being run as a business.

Teacher here; LA for sure. The staff are trained alongside school staff so work to the same standards and expectations. Children are more appropriately prepared for school.

We often have to undo the incorrect learning children have acquired from private nurseries, especially in literacy.

Children really shouldn’t be ‘learning’ in nursery. They are 2 & 3 year olds. They should be playing and socialising and learning self care. Choose the best nursery that feels right and has the hours you need.

We only have private nurseries around here and one that is attached to a school (I think it’s still private as we use their holiday club and there is nothing to indicate the nursery is LA), but it’s the closest I’ve seen and I wouldn’t send my dc to nursery there. It’s tiny with little resources and the staff don’t seem that interested. Dc have gone to a lovely private nursery and it’s been a wonderful home like environment with great facilities.