I have seen a nursery that I like and has a place for my daughter, but it's quite expensive (like all in London) and from next term they can only deduct SOME of the fundings (you know, her free hours). This nursery is also a bit far from our home (20 min walk), but we (DD and I) both loved it. DD could start immediately with 2 or 3 morning sessinos (8 to 1) and I could look for a job (I really need to work).
On the other hand, there is a small nursery very close to where we live, but there are lots of children and I didn't really like it (nothing terrible, but it seemed very messy/dirty and too many children. The staff didn't seem particularly nice, neither terrible, but a bit overwhelmed). They offered us a free place for her in the afternoon class, starting on January, but the afternoon class is only from 12 to 3 PM, so I wonder what would actually happen if I found a job that needed more hours. I think the other one is more flexible.
So, the first nursery: DD would start NOW, but it's pricey, far away from us, perfect in every other sense.
The second: DD would start in JAN. Free hours, close to us, messy and don't know if DD would be really happy. BTW they said they couldn't offer settling in sessions at that time of the year, so I would just have to leave DD there.
What would you do? :-/