Nursery for 10 month old

[qeetah]

Does anyone send their children to the Cherry Tree Montessori on Lancon Road or Gum Boots on Crystal Palace Park Road? I'm looking at putting my 10 month old there in February next year and wondered if anyone has children there and any feedback? I'm also looking at the mother goose nursery's but they are a bit further away.

Many thanks

P

[Fuschia]

Are they accepting names on the Gum Boots waiting list atm? When I tried for mine, there was a wait to even get to wait.... I gave up in the end!!

[prdarling]

Indeed - tell us your secret re Gumboots!

[Fuschia]

Arent gumboots relocating temporarily anyway because of their major building works?

[barrybrains]

When are Gumboots moving, that's been on the cards for ages. I am on the waiting list from nearly 2 years ago but won't be able to move her there until they are back on the Crystal Palace Road location.

[qeetah]

no secret re gumboots unfortunately I didn't know there was such a long waiting list - thanks for letting me know I will look elsewhere!

does anyone have any feedback on the cherry tree montessori?

[Melplatt]

I have a friend who's little one goes there and loves it, and another that said to avoid like the plague! I think if you've visited and are happy then go with it. My 14mth old goes to Piplins and LOVES it. She's a clingy, tiny little thing and I was really worried - but no need!

[Pickle]

I looked round Cherry Tree when I was trying to find a part time place for my son, and had a dreadful experience. Really rude staff (basically shut the door in my face telling me to go away, despite me having an appointment), and when being shown round I wasn't taken into the room the children were in at all - got a quick glance in from the door, whisked away into the kitchen, given a few sheets of paper and told how much it would cost to register, then ushered out again. Not an experience to be repeated, needless to say we didn't sign up!

[redjam]

My eldest went to Cherry Tree for a short time. Wouldn't recommend, sorry.

[Fuschia]

I looked at Cherry tree back in 2003 and there was something a bit creepy about how subdued the children were. I then heard bad things about it, so didn't consider it. They weren't very polite to me either, when I said I was only looking for a part-time place.

[Jamma]

I'd recommend getting your name down for every nursery you can. You're unlikely to get in any for some time from my experience. And if you do get offered a place, then you an always turn it down if you don't fancy the nursery for any reason

[Tanza]

My son went to Cherry Tree for a very long time and I definitely wouldn't recommend it.

[bodsier]

Trust your instincts on that one..... if in doubt,leave it out....

I think a rounded approach from the nursery is a good indicator, their emotional well being as well as everything else. Family run business can be a good thing, but staff turnover is a good indicator, and in family run business, people can stay their for longer than they might otherwise??? Also they can be less objective (fall into dynamics that are dificult to break). My little one went their for a long while..... i took him out and moved elsewhere.....It wasn't awful, but lets just say some are better than others.... maybe the non existent waiting list is a good indicator?

[gill10]

Hi

Could I ask why? My 2year old daughter is due to start there part-time soon and the posts have got me all worried.

Thanks

[Jobug]

yes, I'd like to know too! Perhaps it suits different people? Be good to know actual reasons why your son went for a 'very long time' but you wouldn't recommend it Tanza?

[bodsier]

ok well personally i think that educationally its great, but emotionally and environmentally lacking in certain areas..... depends on whats important to you really. Best i can offer publicly. I know that my child is far happier in her new nursery, and far more expressive. hope this helps future parents considering this place without worrying those whose children are currently there.

[jessdow]

my son goes to Cherry Tree and has done since he was 8 months old. He loves it there and we have never expereinced any problems witht the staff!

[bobbly]

that's great. i found the manager/directress a really poor communicator. Any concerns you may have she talks over you, doesn't listen, is extremely defensive and in my experience is quite economical with the truth. She was dismissive and her heart didn't seem in it. Took my little one out after a year. There is a distinct lack of joy at that place in my opinion. She seems to care more about the cash than the work, and It seemed a bit dirty when i went to look around. Also what's with the montessori sweatshirt???? Unless your child is there on a Thursday there is no need for it. They don't take them out in them. At least my child never did, it was always at home and they never asked for it once. Besides they sold me a second hand one and charged me the full price. Really not impressed.

[peggoula]

Hi,

My daughter just started on Cherry tree, so we're still on the "settling in" period, and as she is 9 months old and cannot really tell me herself, I would appreciate if you could let me know why you are saying you would not recommend... I have found the staff being quite professional, maybe not in a mumsy sort of way, but I still cannot help being wary as it doesn't get good reviews on the forum... Could you please be specific when you say you don't recommend...? Thanking you in advance.

[dedah]

Reading through all of the above I couldn't agree more. It has settled my mind as I thought it was me over reacting!

My child attended there for 7 months and its always been just about the money. I was never notified verbally or in writing of new staff joining the nursery, I would only find out when my child was handed over to me at the door, I had to always introduce myself. I was never welcomed inside.

My child has recently left and to my horror there was no good bye or communication between staff that she was ever leaving in the first place.

I am investigating the nursery further.