Sure and Firm nursery - anyone know what's going on?

[Jamma]

I know there was issues when Bojangles closed. But then up popped Sure and Firm. I went with my toddler to look at it a few weeks ago but it was hard to make a judgement when there were no kids there yet and only one staff (the manager, who'd come from Excel in Forest Hill, wasn't there some news story about Excel in Peckham?). Anyway they were planning to open September 6 they said. I decided to wait and maybe have another look once it was open and one could get a better idea of the atmosphere and ethos there.

I walked past this week and the church remained closed up with a banner outside saying 'Sure and Firm foundation Coming Soon'.

Anyone know what's going on? Surely you'd have to try really hard to bum up opening a nursery in East Dulwich?

[Pickle]

I've been wondering the same thing. I walk past a lot, and there never seems to be any sign of work going on in the building. If they do it well there should be no shortage of people wanting a place, however it does seem to be taking a while for anything to materialise.

[nikki73]

jamma

what kind of news on excel peckham please - it's close to me and was thinking of sending my daughter

[Mellors]

I live next to Sure & Firm. I have never seen any kind of building work or deliveries etc there since the sign went up a while ago?

[ClaireinSE22]

Nikki - there are a couple of 'I've not been there myself but my mate says....' posts re Excel II and something about a vague rumour about the building being for sale or something....and sadly these sorts of posts stick in people's minds even when they can't remember the details and must have a negative and unfair impact of the firm's reputation. I've looked at an Ofsted report from 2007 which rated some aspects of the upstairs bit (older kids) as inadequate but after reading the descriptions, there wasn't anything that would concern me personally and it was 3 years ago - all areas rated good in most recent, 2008 report. My son's recently started in the baby room at Excel II (forest hill rd) and I've been so relieved by how well he's settled there. The staff are lovely, meals great and he's thoroughly entertained. When I pick him up he likes to give the staff a cuddle before we go and at home, he's the same active and mostly happy baby we're used to. I've always been weirdly scrupulous about keeping his bum lovely (he has never had ANY nappy rash) and I was sure he'd get abit pink, as no-one could care about his bottom as like his mummy does, but his bum is as perfect as ever! After all my nail chewing I'm so grateful to them!

[dulwichmum]

I am not sure at all about the name of that nursery. Bojangles sounded like fun, "Sure and firm" sounds like a Romanian orphanage, with slapped legs and dunces hats...

What about "Happy and warm"?

[Jamma]

No need for building work. We went for a tour, rooms looked nice and all fitted out with brand new ikea toys. But with no kids there it was impossible to judge the place really. It seemed ready to open, I wonder why it hasn't.

[Mellors]

Don't know. I never see anyone going in and out of it at all?

[Emily]

Agree with Dulwichmum, Sure and Firm sounds like a youth offenders unit, or some pervy organisation catering for men of specific tastes, presumably honed at boarding school.

[Hackblade]

I called about a week ago to inquire and was told there were some issues around Ofsted recognition but that they hoped they would be resolved soon. All a bit vague.

[paps]

Think they have given it a different name - my favourite nursery (but runs from a business point of view as sure and firm)

Its now open - but still only has a few children.