Opinion about pre-school in Dulwich for Toddlers

[VALFR59]

Hi,

I would like my son start to go to school when he 'll have half pas two/Three year (he's now 18 months), like its usual to enter in school in France.

He's at the moment with a nanny at our home 2 days a week, and with me the rest of the time.I would like him to share the attention and learn the life in community. furthemore, he loves to be with other children now.I know that there is a french school in clapham but We don't want a bilingual shcool or french school because we want him to integrate perfectly in the country and offer him a british education/culture during our 5 years of expat life.We speak french at home so he doesn't need to learn more french!

I'm not british so its quite difficult for me to have a real opinion about school as it is so different from our french system and style of schools.

All pre-school I visited seem very old outside and/or inside (toys, rooms,no special quiet room for the nap and for the lunch time etc)...and so expensive for what they offer to the child...

I visited Ducks, montessory nursery and BUDS: Duks, no place before 2 years and a bit expensive for what they offer. Montessory, Didn't like the environnement without garden for the children, just a little playground without grass...

I have appointments to visit Dulwich village pre school, Alleyn's school (but start at 4 only) and little jungle nursery.Somebody told good things about St Thomas school but difficult to enter in and even if we are catholic, we don't go every sunday at the church!that it seem a condition to enter.

Anyway, I had a quite good feeling with BUDS school even if its not the school of my dream, and seem old inside.But I like the fact that they have a garden and peaceful environement outside with the view on the cricket club.The manager and nurses seem nice and kind with children.

As anybody have a child in these shcool? your opinion please...

Thanks in advance for your advice :)

Val?rie

[Fuschia]

I think if you are not looking for extended childcare but for the social experience then buds, puddleduck or possibly magic moments would all suit, for a few hours each morning?

[pripolla]

I suggest you visit Amott Road Preschool. It's in the mornings, term time only, but my daughter loves it there! As you, we are a bilingual family, and I too was a bit confused with the school system here in the UK. The preschool is on Amott Road, next to the baptist church.

[nymom]

My son goes to Buds. The staff are really great with the kids. My son names them all at home as his "friends". It took him a long time to settle as he was very clingy to me and now he really enjoys it. He started 2 months after his second birthday two mornings a week. I agree the toys are old and could they maybe use to be updated. However my son hasnt even noticed. He likes the outside space and it is a tranquil atmosphere. I would recommend it. I will be adding another day when he is three.

[VALFR59]

Thanks all for your help!I received very interesting point of view.

best regards

Val?rie

[ludoscotts]

hi my daughter goes to dulwich village pre-school and loves it! we turned down 2 school nursery places and kept her at dv pre-school as she is so happy and content there.

the teachers are great, loads of feedback for parents, lovely garden to play in and setting(in amongst trees and fields) and generally good feeling about the place.

cant recommend it high enough.

[VALFR59]

Thanks ludoscotts

I'll visit the school next week but I've apply for Buds school to be sure to have a place in January somewhere...

[prdarling]

My elder son was at Buds from age 2 until he went to Reception in January and my younger son is there now and has been for 18 months. It's not the shiniest, newest pre school, but the setting is delightful and peaceful and the staff are kind and loving with the children who have lots of fun and make heaps of friends. That's all I think a 2/3 year old needs :)

[Pilch]

I would second Dulwich village pre school. I had to move my daughter from buds after experiencing quite a few problems. apparently they have now improved a great deal though and i have other friends with children very happy there.

I can only go from my experience though that my child was much happier when moved.

Any questions feel free to PM me.

[sillywoman]

On the other hand, I had to move my son from DV pre school (some years ago now) to half moon montessori. When I went back to re-visit it 4 years ago, thinking to give it a second chance, nothing had changed at all. Still the same old issues. My 15yr old daughter and her friend are still traumatised at the memory of what they went through at that nursery. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole, but clearly there are plenty of parents who love it there.

It's all down to what suits your child & you of course. Check out as many nurseries as possible and go with your gut feeling.

[intexasatthe moment]

I'm inclined to agree with Sillywoman .

[Vickster]

Sillywoman and intexasatthemoment, would you mind elaborating as to the issues you had, PM if you prefer?

[intexasatthe moment]

Absolutely - will PM .

[VALFR59]

Oh...I would be very interested to have more information about your bad experience with Dulwich pre-school Please.

If you have time to PM me excatly what is wrong with that school, that would be very nice to you :)

I had to report my tomorow visit in this school because of a job appointment... and they could receive me not before end of June...very busy it's seem.

And to continue with the difficulties to find good solution for taking care of my son...my nanny just let us know that she will stop with us because she has found a full time 5 days a week....

Thanks

[sillywoman]

Will also PM you.

[DVnewbie]

Hello!

I'd also be really interested in views from people whose children have been to Buds, Dulwich Village Preschool or Half Moon Montessori.... Moving to the area in August (I hope!) and will have a full time nanny for my 3.5 year old and my nearly 2 year old but want to send my 3.5 year old to preschool. We don't need full time childcare so have ruled out Nelly's on the basis that it's too expensive really, considering we are paying for a full time nanny. (Oddly - they do have space in September for our 3.5 year old.) Have been offered afternoon places at Half Moon Montessori and considering Buds, Dulwich Village Preschool and possibly Little Fingers too. (We'll be living in the village if all goes according to plan...)

Sillywoman - would you mind PM-ing me about your experiences? Sorry to repeat the request!! Thank you!

Thank you!

[Fuschia]

DVN, you didn't apply to any schools for a nursery place?

[DVnewbie]

Don't have a Dulwich address yet, so no! But missed the 1 June application deadline apparently...

[bobbly]

half moon montessori is great. The staff clearly love working with children, my son thrived there, don't let the miniscule playground put you off, did put me off first time round,a nd the long holidays, but so nice to have local friends in the area who all use sunray park..... never a dull moment.

[DVnewbie]

Thanks Bobby... That's really good to hear!

[Fuschia]

DVnewbie Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Don't have a Dulwich address yet, so no! But

> missed the 1 June application deadline

> apparently...

I hear a rumour some school's nurseeries will not be full in Sept

Worth contacting your closest school to ask them

[emO]

Dear Sillywoman and intexasatthe moment....If you can bear to repeat the same information again, I would love to hear you views on Dul Vil pre-school as my daughter is on the waiting list at the mo.

Would be much appreciated!

[DVnewbie]

Don't think Dulwich Village Infants has one.... So, it would be Bessemer or Rosendale (I think?) and they have told me they are full. But, I'll try Heber as that is quite close too. Thanks

[crumbler]

Hi Sillywoman and intexasatthemoment

Again, we have just been offered a place, and would love a PM about your experiences. Equally, if anyone else has anything to add about DVPS, I'd love to hear them.

[flowermum]

I'd like to know if anyone had the same issue with the waiting list at Dulwich Village pre-school as I did - I applied in Jan/Feb 2010 for a place for my child to start in Sept 2011 (for the pre-Reception year). I was recently told there was no place for my child. Other people who applied many months after me were offered places (for children in the same academic year). I was told it was due to when my child's birthday fell - the explanation did not make any sense and why should he be discriminated against because of when his birthday is?? It was one of my top choices when I did the lookround and I was the one who recommended the place to all my friends - who were all offered places!! I went elsewhere, but am interested to know if anyone else is disgruntled at this...