Nursery september 2012

[nabz]

Hi there

my daughter is only 10 weeks old but i would like her to start nursery in september, am i likely to get a place in any of the nurserys surronding east dulwich? is there any nurserys that have a relitively short waiting list so im guareented to get a place?

thank you!

nabz

[minder]

I would phone around the nurseries in your area but have you considered a childminder as your baby will only be 8 months old?

[nabz]

tbh im quite scared about leaving my baby with a childminder, iv heard such horror stories recently! atleast if shes in a nursery theyl be other children to play with and more then one adult...:S

[Monkey]

Try excel on Forest Hill Rosd.

[Mathilda]

Try My Favourite Nursery on Upland Rd, they are still relatively new so waiting list may be shorter. And it's lovely!

[The Nappy Lady]

I'd def look at childminders too. I know people who have worked in nurseries and y they wouldn't put their baby in one. Not saying they are all bad, but personally I think they are more suited to pre-schoolers than babies, who in my opinion are better in a home from home environment.

If you visit some childminders you may find one you 'connect' with. I love mine, she's like an extra grandma to my girls and my 7 year old, who was with her from 9 months old til starting school begs to go to her in the school holidays even now!

[sillywoman]

I tend to agree with Molly on this, all the research shows that children below the age of 3 do better with a more 'homelike' environment, with one or two primary carers, and that up to that age socialisation (i.e having other children to 'play' with) is not an issue, or of much less importance that people seem to think. Up to 2 1/2 or so children tend to parallel play anyway.

There are some great nurseries around (many have already been mentioned), but I'm with Molly, don't be in too much of a hurry to dismiss childminders because of some horror stories you've heard. There are just as many nursery horror stories out there. You've got time, ask around about both.

[echo]

Another vote for childminders:) There are lots and lots of good ones around, but they can have long waiting lists. A September start is a good time, as that year's school starters would have freed up their spaces. I recommend getting the lists and start looking for ones which are nearest your home and then work out. I did and got a great one:)

Anyway just go with what feels comfortable. Your baby is now only 10 weeks old, Enjoy:) You have ages before you need to go back to work.

[dulwichgirl2]

Errrr excuse me but the op did not ask for advice about nurseries and cms.

(For what it's worth, op, you have a point re diversification in nurseries. I see cms and nannies around in many environment and I am not impressed. Pm me and I will give specific examples.

You need to get your name on nursery lists ASAP. You are probably too late for eg DUcks but should try Asquith. Ignore anywhere with a satisfactory rating and focus on good or outstanding. It is a long day though, or so we found, for the child - would it be five days a week?

[nabz]

probably around 3/4 days a week as il be going back to uni, i know iv left it quite late to apply for nurserys have only applied to gumboots which i reeeally want however the waiting lost is incredibly long :(

but thank you for all your advice and i shall look into both although im still leaning towards nursery however it is expensive!

[Monkey]

There used to be a nursery which did not have long opening hours (therefore cheaper) and took children from people on low income and university students. Can't remember the name? Can someone remember?

[Inkmaiden]

nabz, please ignore dulwichgirl2/new mother's "specific examples", she obviously has issues with people who actually enjoy looking after children and choose it as a career, and will not provide you with a balanced perspective.

You could try the lovely Puddleducks Nursery in Nunhead (020 72528448).

Or this could also be helpful-

www.southwark.gov.uk/download/6602/camberwell_and_dulwich_nurseries

Alternatively, are there any nurseries with shorter waiting lists near your university?

[bouhbouh]

I snt you a PM. check your inbox.

[sillywoman]

Inkmaiden Wrote:

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

> nabz, please ignore dulwichgirl2/new mother's

> "specific examples", she obviously has issues with

> people who actually enjoy looking after children

> and choose it as a career, and will not provide

> you with a balanced perspective.

>

>

Ahhhh, she's newmother.

Sound of penny dropping.

[number 2]

yes, is newmother/dulwichgirl2 a troll?

i have had 2 absolutely wonderful childminders who have given nothing but love and wonderful care to our 3 year old. he is now at puddleducks in nunhead 3 days and still with his childminder 1 day as i can hardly bear to tear him/myself away. puddleducks only take them from 2 i think. my childminder is a glorious halfway house between a childminder and a nursery. 5 or 6 children, 2 sisters who work together, excellent environment and they get out every day to groups etc.

pm if you'd like their number.

[minder]

Wondered where newmother had disappeared to.

Getting back to the OP - nabz did ask about nurseries but I chipped in to give some advice so maybe the thread did change.

nabz I don't know what horror stories you've heard recently, but us childminders are not that bad, really! I could say the same with a lot of nurseries, but live and let live.

[nabz]

i deffinitly dont mind advice, the more advice on both nurserys and childminders the better! which one will work out cheaper if i needed childcare around 3 days a week?

[Fuschia]

Minders a bit cheaper

Will also often take a child who is slightly unwell

On the other hand if the minder is sick herself, there is no cover

I had a lovely minder for child no 1 (who then did one morning Pw also at puddle duck)

It was like leaving him with a grandmother, if we had had one, and he learned so

Much ... She gave him so much 1:1 attention

I do think babies under about 18 months look totally confused in nurseries - sharing a key worker with other children and moving out of the baby room to a new key worker often at 12 months. There is research that this isn't the best environment ESP for boys.

From aged 2 children do seem to appreciate the nursery setting far more, but even then it could be a long day - a minder will usually take children out to a group or park each morning then spend the afternoon napping and playing at home

In a minder's home with low turnover your child will also have older children in the 'sibling role' and as a new mother a good experienced minder can be a source of useful advice and reassurance (I learnt about toilet training from mine and also used to pop round often on days she didn't have him, to show her odd rashes etc!)

If you find the right one, it is great. Remember you can get proper references/speak to other families who used her

It can Also be a very good solution eventually for wrap around school care/accessing 5 free mornings at nursery at aged 3+ etc

[dulwichgirl2]

Yes I changed it as it was misleading. I am unfortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, far from being a nm. My concerns with one specifIc person are the lack of diversification as I said above. If you have a good one, or a relative perhaps, well done lucky you. But how do you know this on day one? At least in the nursery, there are many people looking after the children. otoh, to be fair, you do hear of children escaping from nurseries and walking home etc.. My ideal solution is to have some help while I am around as well. Is this the right thing to do - I hope so but does any of us really know for sure?

[Ruth_Baldock]

Nabz, if your not even one year old escapes from nursery and walks home, then alert the media because the ??? from selling your story would pay for a team of nannies.

Problem solved.

[dulwichgirl2]

RB, haha, very good point. I am sure Nabz's baby will manage this easily. ;-)

[simonethebeaver]

Hmmm. As someone who has spent the week settling her 11 month old in at a nursery I like very much, I'm now in tears at this thread.

[Convex]

Simone, don't be upset! Everyone is just giving their advice based on experience etc. If your little one is happy then that's all that matters.

[simonethebeaver]

Actually people are quoting research, not experience. And it seems I am doing entirely the wrong thing for my baby. I have no idea whether she's happy really, and apparently I am damaging her.

[Fuschia]

Simone, research will be at a general level and not reflect your own particular child and nursery. If it feels right, don't worry.