As I get closer to going back to work I need to actually commit to one of the two nursery places ('Nursery T' and 'Nursery O') I could use, and I'm having a dilemma.
Costs
Day rates are about the same but Nursery T has a weekly rate where Nursery O doesn't. T is therefore about £30 a week cheaper right now. T also seems to throw in more for the price (eg nappies). However, down the line when 3yo 30 hours funding kicks in, T chargers loads of extra fees, whereas I don't think O does.
Location
I don't have a car, and it's likely that at least for the next few months I'll have a split between some days working in the office and some at home. I'm also hoping to move house sometime soon which complicates things a bit.
Nursery O is on site at work, although right at the other end of the site from my office. Current walk would be 35 mins to nursery then 15 to office. From planned new house it would be 40 then 15. There are options, with both houses, to come home at the end of the day via town, pick up eg a bit of shopping, and get the bus back.
Nursery T is more between my current home and my office. 20 mins walk to nursery then 20 to office. From new house 30 then 20. Locstion makes it less likely I'd be able to run errands on the way home to new house.
Nursery info
Nursery T is 'Good' Ofsted rated. Nursery O doesn't have a rating yet but it's the new version of a nursery that was 'Outstanding'.
O is in a purpose-built facility that's only a couple of years old and has nice green outside space. T is in an older building and has a playground kind of space.
The info O sent on settling children in is just lovely. Really thoughtful and just gives me a good feeling about it. T are more 'you get three settling sessions'.
I've had friends use both (albeit the ones that used T it was a while ago now) and generally both got positive reviews. O have been excellent in dealing with the friends who currently use it, during some quite complex circumstances for them.
Basically, head says T but heart wants O. Thoughts welcome!