MrsPR

It's difficult not to notice that there are lots of posts about the Piplings nursery which have been removed by the Familly Room Moderator at the request of Piplings nursery. It looks like freedom of speech might not be their forte. I guess that tells me enough about that childcare option...

We've been on their waiting list for more than a year and I have not heard from them since they happily collected our ?25 registration fee.So to be honest I would question their admission policy and customer service. On a more positive note, I really liked the nursery especially for over 3yrs old. I got the impression they have a good set up, great activities, food appeared to be good and lovely staff for that age group. I was a bit less impressed with the room for 2-3 yr old which to me looked like laundry room (this is because this room is located in badly done extension/conservatory not due to substandard care). I would happily send my 3 yr old there if they ever bother to offer me a place.

We have two children, toddler who is currently at nursery 3 days a week (and we are very pleased with the care she receives there) and baby who is currently at home. I am going back to work full-time in a few months and the intention is to put both children to this nursery full time. My children will then be almost 3 and just over 1. The cost for both of them full time will be just over ?3k which I think is exceptionally high and as much as I adore this nursery I feel, I ought to consider other options. I am not too keen on childminder as I just don?t like the idea of my children being put in the buggy two times a day (rain or shine) and to go on a drop off/pick up for other children that this person will have in care. I also have a long list of other reasons why I don?t think a childminder is a right option for me. So at the moment I am considering two options: 1) Take full time nanny for both of them ? I will need 8-6:30, 5 days per week. I honestly think that nanny will never be able to provide as much quality time as they get at nursery simply because at home we have much less resources and this is my biggest dilemma with this option. I think this is particularly important for my older one as she will be just over 3 yrs old then and will need some age appropriate structured learning in order to get her prepared for school which nanny will not be able to do as she will have to run around after our younger one who will be all over the place by that point. Or am I just making the bigger deal of this than it is? I also have lots of questions regarding the cost of this option: What is the current rate for these hours or similar? How much on top of that is tax? How much in addition goes on car insurance, food for nanny, play groups, swimming and other activities? 2) Keep older one in nursery and get nanny share for younger one. Again same hours (8-6:30, 5 days per week). Nursery for older one will be just over ?1k due to government funding so the idea is that the nanny share reduces the cost for younger one. I would be more comfortable with this option as the 3yr old would get all the benefits from nursery and younger one will have a playmate who is similar age and enjoy home environment. Again, I am keen to know what is the current rate, additional tax and how does this work. Any issues specific for nanny share that I should consider i.e what do you do for holidays, do both families need to take them at the same time and when nanny gets her holidays? Please let me know if you have similar dilemma, if you think I should consider childminder and why, if you have nanny/nanny share for children of similar age or if you know about the costs for either/both options. Many thanks

Thanks folks! So as I discovered this morning Sainsbury's Starbacks actually does not have wifi but the Crown & Greyhound was great and very quiet until about 1.

It looks like both dulwich and forest hill library are closed on Bank holiday Monday so can you please recommend a good local cafe with wifi where I can do some work tomorrow. It's impossible to get any work done at home because of the kids. I know Starbucks in Sainsbury's and Nero on Lorship lane have wifi but I would prefer something more quiet. Thanks