Cherry Tree Montessori on Lacon Road PLEASE HELP

[Silvia78]

Hello everyone, I have just moved to the area and I'm fastly becoming addicted to the forum! Anyway...

I have been sending my boy to the new nursery on Barry Road (Little Fingers) but I am considering moving him as they have no children yet and I'm getting tired of their procrastinating to get things started.

I am considering moving him to Cherry Tree, however I have just seen some pretty serious complains raised in 2012 on safety and hygiene, which are making me quiver a bit.

Is anyone sending their child there right now? How is it?! Please help me making this decision!! thank you so much!

[Jellybeanz]

I'd recommend Bright Horizons nursery nr sainsburys. I looked at cherry tree but having to prepare packed lunch daily and price put me off, seemed okay but nothing spectacular. Good luck with whatever u decide

[Deniseb]

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[Claudia73]

Hi, my baby is at the cherry tree montessori and he is very happy.....and so do we! he has been going for a while only 2 days a week but after Easter he will go full time as I noticed a lot of improvments since he started the nursery. The staff is very friendly and professional. I suggest you to consinder this nursery for your baby....you will be very happy. if you would like to give me a call and discuss more in details please PM and I will give you my mobile number.

[Silvia78]

thank you all for your help. We have decided to keep our boy at Little Fingers for now as he's happy and seems other children are starting to arrive so he will have company soon hopefully! We'll give it until the summer and see how it goes.

thanks again!

[bodsier]

Deniseb,

I may not have commented on this thread, but comments i have made about cherry tree on other threads I can assure you are from first hand experience, not spitefulness. Sure your experience may be different, also what you want from a nursery may be different. Academically I think it probably scores high because they place such an emphasis on education.

[Deniseb]

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[Dulwich Born And Bred]

I have (looked for myself) and I seriously would not send my child there . Ever .

[Tanza]

Deniseb - are you anything to do with Cherry Tree (apart from being a parent?) Are you related to the owners? Or anything to do with the management of this nursery?

I note how well informed you are about the nursery, the plans, where people's children move onto after attending the nursery - even to the point of defending the whereabouts of the manager saying, "the manager doesn't need to be there all the time because there are about 10 highly qualifed staff which are first aiders and are always floating around the building."

I may be speaking out of turn and if so, I apologise but we have seen on other threads that it's not unknown for businesses themselves to post. When I look at the posts about Cherry Tree from satisfied parents, while there are a few with a posting history, they are outnumbered by posts from people who only post about Cherry Tree and about nothing else.

I see that Cherry Tree has received a very positive Ofsted report - which is something to be applauded. So, I think that if people from this nursery are posting under the guise of parents they are probably doing more harm than good. Anyway - that's my two-pennethworth!

(In the interests of openness - I did send my son to this nursery many years ago - too many years ago for my experience to be relevant, however any posts I made in the past were never made out of spite)

[Deniseb]

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[peggoula]

Hello,

My daughter has been going to Cherry tree since she was 10 months and she is now 3 1/2. We have been very happy with it and mostly she has been very happy in there. Also she can already write a few bits and bobs and even read a bit which I think is great for a 3 year old. As there are not that many kids they can spend time with each and everyone of them which doesn't happen in other nurseries.

Obviously the place is not Without problems (and the manager does come off as moody - but never to the kids!) but they have made a tremendous effort in the last year, which is shown on their ofsted. I will be happy to speak more about it, if anyone is still interested PM me.

Ad no, I definitely am not related to the owners!!!

[SarahW]

Hi - our toddler has been at CTM for about a year and we're generally happy with how he has settled in. The staff are caring and calm. The kids mix between ages, and its good to see them all getting on together, singing and dancing when we do pick up - even though it is 'the witching hour' and they clearly have been busy (judging by the biscuits / paintings / sculptures we regularly take home).

They do a great mix of activities, with what appears to be a high montessori content, whilst also fitting with the Early Years Scheme. We asked in-depth questions about the poor Ofsted inspection / complaints from 2011 before we committed and were very satisified with the responses. The staff have made alot of effort with their feedback, which has improved alot in the last few months, and taken on board our suggestions. We adore our child's key worker as she is always sweet, smiling, and patient with her young charges, and happy to have a chat when we do the pick up.

I can reiterate comments above, there is room for improvement, but we are generally content. Cosmetically it may not be as shiny and new as other places, and the manager may not get 100% if she were to sit a customer service exam, but she is genuinely interested in her children and has a positive approach to encouraging the best for them. She also keeps a close eye on her staff and is very involved with the day to day running of activities. I would say visit and get a feel by staying for a few half hour sessions and make up your own mind.