Nursery Recommendations in SW18

[lorelei88]

Dear all, I'm expecting in March and plan to be at home for year. My friends are telling me I must start thinking about a nursery/childcare now for 2012. Yikes I don't know where to start. Can anyone recommend any nurseries in the Wandsworth, Earlsfield, Clapham area? Also should I think about Nanny's, Minders instead - not really sure of the difference but will need one 3 -4 days a week. Any help would be gratefully received!

I think your friends are perhaps being a little over zealous with their advice! Mine were the same: and it led me to have a lot extra (and unnecessary) stress over the first few months of my twins lives: a time you really don't need it. There are a lot of nurseries & childminders in the Wandsworth/Earlsfield/Clapham area. My children are currently at Sticky Fingers Nursery 5 mornings a week, but that is only for over 18months. It is very good though. Some of my friends liked Teddies (just off Garratt Lane) - and I really liked the nursery by Wandsworth Town: I think it is now a Leapfrog nursery. The best thing to do is to phone Wandsworth Council - they can send you a list of all registered nurseries, childminders (and while you're at it, get the 1 0'clock centre info too if you're going to be off for a year). Have a look through, visit all that you think might work for you, and take your time. You really have nothing to panic about.

BTW - in the end, we got a nanny: we only found her a month before I went back to work, but she is fantastic and has been with us ever since. We shared her with another family for a while - something definately worth thinking about - look at nannyshare.co.uk for more info.

Hope this helps.

Thanks BN138 that's really helpful. I'm not going to worry about it for a bit I think and enjoy the baby when it arrives!
Will contact the council though.