Nursery options Oxford

[Onthecouch]

I have posted this on preschool education but thought I may get more response here as preschool education has less traffic.

We have looked at some Montessori nurseries for our 3 yr old DD. Does anyone know much about the following nurseries?
1.Field house Montessori nursery, Woodstock rd, Oxford

1. Small world Montessori nursery, Kennington
2. Oxford Montessori, wolvercote

The other alternatives that I liked were nurseries attached to Manor prep and Chandlings manor school, both in Abingdon. We were considering these prep schools earlier but have ruled them out. DD will be going to Oxford high junior school next year, so not sure if it will be ok to put her in nursery of other prep schools for just 10 months?

We need nearly full time place in nursery due to work commitments. Nursery No. 1 and 3 finish at 3 pm, so we will need to consider pick up and drop off by childminder for at least 2 days a week. I am worried if that will be too much for DD with change of area, house, nursery and then change again next year...

Does it have to be Montessori? My DS went to St Thomas' nursery - which is a parent-run (ie not for profit) nursery in the centre of town (nearish the rail station) and we ALL loved it. They are open 8am to 5.30pm (I think from memory). I cannot recommend it highly enough. Good luck.

Hi kw13. No, the only reason I thought of Montessori is that it's more structured. My DD currently goes to a regular nursery which she loves, but I feel that at her age she may benefit from a bit more structure. I would have stuck to the same nursery, if we were not moving. I will check out St Thomas's as well. When you say it's parent run, do parents have to participate in childcare? For work reasons, we will not be able to do that.

What about Forest Farm? If you add the afterschool club it rund until 5.30pm?

Looks lovely to me!

Oxford Montessori, wolvercote is run by Forest farm nursery, EBDteacher. Although it's advertised as Montessori, it's not strictly Montessori; that's what they told me when I visited the wolvercote branch. Like you, I was very impressed looking at the website, not so much when I visited the place. I wonder if anyone has first hand experience of that nursery?

That's a shame. I too am keen on purist Montessori. My DS is going to the pre-school attached to a Montessori primary school (in Warfield, but I'm sure that's much too far out for you). It has such a calm, purposeful atmosphere. There is not a flashing, noisy toy in sight!

I have firsthand experience of the Wolvercote
Montessori - I think it's a lovely place. I shall PM you more info but am on phone now, ping me if I forget!