So my DS1 has been in an OFSTED outstanding (prev. good) central London nursery (part of a children's centre) since he was 11m. He's now 3y 3m. IMO things started to go downhill once the current head of the nursery took over, a year or so ago.
Several things have happened that have made me doubt the place : 1) the head of the nursery changed from a guy who was passionate about and set up the nursery to a pencil-pushing I'll-get-an-OFSTED-outstanding type who is quite parent-unfriendly, 2) staff cuts have meant that there are only NVQ3 people in the 3+ room whereas previously there was an EY teacher, and 3) I'm not convinced that a 1:8 ratio is enough for 3-4 year olds and as an example, my son came home the other day with a 1" hole slashed into his (nice leather) shoe. Apparently Henry (don't know him) had made it, presumably with my son's full cooperation. The time it takes to make a 1" hole in leather shoes must mean they were completely unobserved for quite awhile, and that really concerns me. There was nothing malicious about it, it's just that they were able to do this that bothers me.
This nursery generally has a very good reputation and the other rooms were great, but I think a combo of uninspired leadership and cuts has meant that the great staff have left and now the staff are less great and there are just less of them. The 3+ room has a couple of staff who are ALWAYS sitting down, often with a glazed look, when I go to pick my son up. This worries me but there are positives: beautiful building, beautiful and large outdoor space, great, well-kept, well-considered toys and equipment, general benefits of being a children's centre, generally boy-heavy and so I think, quite boy-friendly.
The main alternative I'm considering is a private Montessori that accepts children from 2+ , with an OFSTED 'good', for what that's worth. Positives: 1:5 or 1:6 ratio depending on the time of day, 3 staff members with a Montessori diplomas (which I think is quite a lot?) in the 3+ area at any one time, generally raved about by parents, is a 'nursery school' and only takes children from 2+ so maybe more suited to my son who is already 3+. Negatives: outdoor space nowhere near as nice or as big though they do take frequent trips to the large park down the road, unknown quantity, can't put DD1 in there once she's 1 year old, since it only starts at 2 so would have to use a nanny with her, described as 'quite structured' by owner and can't decide whether this is good or bad or neither.
My son has just over a year before he'll move onwards, so I think if I want to move him, now is a good time to make it worthwhile. He's happy enough where he -- happy enough to go to nursery but also very happy to be picked up when I arrive. He has specific boys he mentions but they are by no means BFFs.
What should I do? Please help me think this through.