Upton House School Windsor- or others in the area?

[goGBTeacher]

I might be back on the hunt for a nursery school for my DS.

Does anyone have any experience of Upton House nursery in Windsor?

Or recommendations of nursery schools that would allow my to be in the center on Slough by 8.30am (also needs to offer care until 5.30ish which I would use on occasional days)?

Good luck. The one word I've had to learn since having children is compromise. It's still one I struggle with

I found this on the Brigidine website.

I can text my friend for clarification, if you like. I am pretty sure they drop off early, and pick up late on some days, although I didn't engage on the actual times.

I can't believe that any independent school doesn't cater for working parents, as having two incomes is what allows most families to pay fees. When my kids were in prep school, we dropped off at 7.45 and picked up at 5.30.

You be surprised Claire. Few places drop off before 8am.

It's not such a huge drama as I'm very happy with my choice from Reception onwards and the job makes no difference to that. TBH DS could stay with his CM until them if all else fails. I'd just love him to go to a great nursery school.

As bisjo suggests I will phone the Head of Cookham Montessori and see if I can firm anything up. I did love it, I'm just wobbly about whether we'll get a place.

Your experiences are so helpful to me bisjo, you seem to have trodden my path ahead of me!

Ah, yes, I see what you mean about the brigidine Claire. Maybe it is one to go and have a look at.

What bisjo says about the drive across Slough doesn't sound good though and confirms my fears.

Are you talking about the Datchet route or the relief road?

I did the journey a few times in March/April before the school holidays. You need to try it and see if it would work for you. It wouldn't for me as I didn't have enough time to get from school to the station and get my train. I also found it very stressful as you couldn't predict where the delays would be. Whereas the run back to Maidenhead flowed but there are fewer traffic lights on that route to snarl things up.

Sunflowers nursery at Staines prep, I think they have a breakfast club from 7.30 but may be too far away. Unfortunately their website seems to be offline at the mo! Nursery is outstanding.

Relief road Claire.

I have not yet tried the run at school time. 25mins from Meadowbrook to potential new job at 10.30am, so I am assuming would be a nightmare at 8am. I will have to try it though.

Have many options, just hard to find one that is good for everybody!

Honestly, try the Datchet route.

Ok, I will do. I had written it off, but will try anything!

Hello - your loving the Montessori struck a chord with me. I had DS2 at an amazing Montessori in Glasgow ( no help to you).

The hours were not really designed to accommodate working mums( 4 pm finish) and I recognise the logistical equations regarding travel times and routes.

I spoke to the lovely owner and she suggested I speak to some of the staff and other parents and see if anyone wanted to take DS2 home with them for collection by me when I finished work.

This is what I did and it worked really well. DS loved it and he used to have his tea there too.

I am a nursery, primary and secondary school veteran with the scars to prove it and fondly remember the Montessori to this day

I think that is a really good idea Grace. Or possibly I could find a childminder to drop him off with at 7.30am who could then take him to nursery.

I think I will check that out and if it's not possible leave him with his childminder (who is wonderful and he could still go to a cracking Montessori).

Thanks for your input everyone- helped me to think!

Pm me if you would like help finding a local cm. :)

Don't be put off about the size of Herries. There are a number of new starters in September. The head (who has been there for a year) came from St George's in Windsor and there have been big changes in the school.

Both my children went to/are at Herries and I couldn't recommend it enough.

Thanks LAlady. Herries was actually the first place I looked at after having DS as it would be super convenient for my current job. I really loved the atmophere. I want a 13+ school so I thought I would send my DS to Herries for pre-prep and then to Caldicott.

I have to admit, however, I was very deterred by the turnover of Heads and the ofsted report. Then the very small school my sister was using closed suddenly and that was the nail in the coffin!

I am now very happy with my choice of Lambrook. DS is big and bold and I think will be suited better to a big school with lots and lots of rugby to tire him out. Lambrook's flexi rather than compulsory boarding also edges it over Caldicott for me. It's really only finding a nursery I'm having a problem with!

I've only heard good things about Herries.

If you are just going for nursery, you don't have to be so worried about the longer term future of the school. You would only be using it for 2-3 years.

I may well have another look at it. I did really like it- so homely. It would only be for one year as DS is summer born so will be going into Reception at 4.

Hi there. I managed to get a place at Upton for my 3 year old to start in September at nursery after having visited it only in April this year. So it's not impossible. I also live in Burnham and am planning to take the route through Dorney and Eton which is fairly quick.

Upton House School is beautiful, huge indoor and outdoor space even a nice playground for the little once.