East Dulwich Nurseries - recommendations

[Clare11]

Dear ED mums and dads,

I'm starting to look into nurseries for my son, who is 12 months old. I know, I didn't book him in when he was conceived, but it's only now I'm at a point where it would work for us financially.

Nevertheless, he's been with a childminder thus far, and unfortunately (for us) this arrangement ends at the end of August.

So, nurseries nearby, can anyone recommend one? Or not recommend one?

I really am not sure where to start.

I want my son to have a routine of things to do during the day and more importantly, have a good environment for socialising with other kids. Outdoor play space is a big plus too.

I've emailed Oak Tree Nursery on One Tree Hill, but apart from that, I'm wanting to look into others as well.

Any help would be appreciated!

[Clare11]

SO apart from one PM I've received, no one can recommend a local nursery?

Well that's very worrying.

[rachel83]

I thought about replying with a recommendation for my daughter's nursery (Gumboots) but I doubt that there's no way you would be able to bypass their waiting list and get a place in August or shortly after. I imagine a lot of nurseries in the area are operating with similarly lengthy waiting lists which is perhaps why you have not received a response yet from Forum users.

As a point of interest - don't expect nurseries to answer your emails. You need to go there in person and then call, call and keep calling to get a place. Most don't respond to emails as they don't always have a staff member infront of a computer all day.

[Indiana]

Also - do a search on the forum - there have been plenty of threads recently on this giving recommendations - might be why people haven't responded

[Norfolkvillas]

Of all the full-time nurseries I looked around, I liked Piplings (ED and Forest Hill branches) the best. In the end though, we've decided on a place at Buds which is short sessions and term-time only so might not be what you're looking for. The children at Buds seemed to be having far and away the jolliest time.

I was also due to look around Gumboots on Crystal Palace Road which I believe is highly regarded but gets quite oversubscribed.

I think choosing a nursery is such a personal thing, involving so many different factors which are specific to your circumstances (cost, hours, location / convenience, length of waiting lists, term-time only or full year, half days or full days etc etc) even before you start thinking about the more qualitative (and subjective) aspects of the care and the setting.... maybe that's why you haven't had many responses to your post.

I would suggest making a shortlist of the nurseries that tick your boxes in terms of the 'need-to-haves' according to your location / budget / session requirements, and then do a search on the forum for each name on your shortlist and it should bring up lots of local opinions already posted (with the exception of Mother Goose Upland - I and several others have posted asking for feedback on this nursery in vain).

Southwark council will be able to provide you with a list of nurseries - I think someone's posted the link on a recent nursery thread...

Hope this helps!

[Clare11]

thank you all, that's great advice.

I know there's lots of recommendations out there, I'll definitely make a short list and visit in person.

great tips, thank you.

[EmilyE]

You could try oak tree on tell grove as well. They're just about to start having babies (under 2s) so probably have some spaces.

[jennyh]

My daughter is at My Favourite Nursery on Upland Road and loves it. The staff are all very sweet and caring and they have a good routine of fun and exciting things to do, they follow all the necessary EYFS guidelines so she has focussed play, decent food, one-on-one support with her development and lots of other children/hustle and bustle around her. They do have a garden with slides and swings etc but it is tarmac and walled, depends on whether you wanted something greener and less urban!

It has only been open 18 months or so, I think when she started last September there was no real waiting list but it has since got very popular and like most nurseries they have a fairly long waiting list for Mon-Thurs, I think friday is free, not that it helps much. There are lots of other parents with children at the nursery on this forum so if you do decide its a contender then there should be lots of advice/opinion.

[gfrancis]

Hi Clare,

Hi Clare,

New Beginnings East Dulwich offers a unique ofsted registered childminding service managed by mother and daughter. Our childcare setting is based in a spacious Victorian family home just 5 minutes walk from Dulwich park. We provide a caring and stimulating environment where children from all backgrounds are encouraged to shine. All activities are also supported by the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

If you are currently looking for childcare and would like to know more about our services please visit our website www.newbeginningsed.co.uk or email [email protected] or call Gaynor on 07956 952 411.

Best Wishes

Gaynor

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

[esme]

My son is going to Bright Horizons soon - I have a friend with her daughter there and she loves it. My childminder also used to work there and recommends it. Plus I put my son's name down only a few months ago and already have a place - amazing! I also liked Little Jungle, My Favourite Nursery and have heard rave reviews about Piplings (tho pricey) and Mother Goose supposed to be nice too. I think you have to go with your gut instincts as everyone has different views and I have heard good & bad about various ED nurseries. Good luck with your search!

[Monkey]

I can't recommend Asquith Peckham Rye highly enough. Great staff, very low staff turnover, great premises and fantastic, hands on manager.

[Smiler]

Is over two years since we used it, but we didn't like Bright Horizons, mainly due to a poor manager (probably gone by now) and high staff turnover meaning frequent changes of keyworker.

[Clare11]

Thank you everyone, there's lots of leads on here for me to look into.

Hopefully I can find something that suits what we need.

[sarahnickharry]

Hi Clare

Try Blossoms on East DUlwich grove - gorgeous and only about 20 children total - it's montessori and the staff are absolutely lovely. It's only school hours though - don't know if that's a problem for you.

[Polmoche]

Puddleducks in Nunhead--if that's not too far for you. It's in a great space--a big airy, light modern church hall, with good toilet facilities and good outdoor space. They also serve hot lunches. The staff is friendly and Carol, the woman who runs it, is very approachable, and struck me as very concerned with always looking for ways to improve the nursery.

[esme]

Smiler Wrote:

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

> Is over two years since we used it, but we didn't

> like Bright Horizons, mainly due to a poor manager

> (probably gone by now) and high staff turnover

> meaning frequent changes of keyworker.

My childminder used to work there and said the same - manager now changed and staff all moved on apart from 1 girl apparently - current staff are excellent, my son is loving it so far and I am very impressed (and I consider myself hard to impress haha)

[little h]

hello

our 2 boys, 3.5 yrs and 16 mths, are at mother goose on waveney avenue and love it. The staff are great and its quite a small nursery. Depends what you're looking for but the slick, corporate nature of some of the bigger nurseries like asquith wasnt for us - though i know lots of happy children there. Its in a victorian house and although it could do with a lick of paint its a homely friendly nursery with a great outdoor space. The staff are great, and even ali the chef is a big part of nursery life, and popular with both our boys!

H

[esme]

Bright Horizons is excellent (nr Sainsburys) and may have a place in coming months - no fee to put your child down on the waiting list either :)

Good luck and go with your instincts (and forget about waiting lists as a lot of luck involved too - I only put my child's name down 4 months before he was offered a place!)