Our daughter is still really happy there (having been there since May this year). She also puts her arms out to go to the staff as well.

We're happy with the care she receives and although there have been some staff changes recently, the managers for each room have not changed and our daughter has a new key worker whom she adores.

I think there are still issues with the management though. They had another inspection in January (don't think the report is out yet) and the shortcomings related to the files they kept.

I'm sure the parents and ofsted will ensure that management continue to better the nursery and address any areas of concern.

It's really difficult to know but ultimately we have a bright and bubbly toddler who is confident and happy to go to Grove Hall and therefore we're happy.

I just want to reiterate that everything has changed at GH - the staff are wonderful, the old manager (who caused all of the problems) has gone. Also children are very perceptive, if they hated going somewhere then they would make it very clear. My daughter flies into the arms of the nursery staff when she arrives and is absolutely full of it when she is picked up. (She's teaching me yoga!)

haggis68 wrote:OMG! Thanks so much for posting this - I was just about to register my daughter for this nursery having researched a few months ago and read the previous OFSTED report and on various recommendations - I probably would not have looked again had I not seen this!!

I was actually put off slightly as when I popped in a couple of months ago to check they had space and get the forms there did seem to be a number of babies in high chairs crying and not being attended to - having not been to a nursery before I thought maybe I had caught them at a bad time (around 4pm so picking up time for some). I was also told by one of the assistants that the manager would come and see me and give me the forms etc. - having waited about 20 minutes the manager walked straight past me and left the building. Again, having not booked an appointment or anything this did not completely put me off but I was a bit surprised given how much money you spend at these places!!

It is a shame as I live so close to Grove Hall but I am now going to look elsewhere and at nanny/childminders. If anyone has any recommendations for other nurseries in the area, that would be great?

Thanks again!

Nightingales Nursery by Clapham South tube is fabulous but it's very small so very hard to get into but worth a try. Can't recommend it highly enough.

well, the children are happy because they dont understand. they dont care if the ratio is not covered, if the food is not good, if the nappy is not changed enough times.
I am in touch with an ex member of staff and I did heard awful things. Mina was fired because she used to keep cash that we pay as canteen money and then she used to buy cheap and rubbish food, how can we trust them now? when a child cries , they put them in the sleeping room alone. and the ratio is not still covered most of the day. Staff keep leaving and I find this quite worrying, because if staff is not happy our children are not happy.
we have been looking for others nurseries in the area. we dont know what to do. it is difficult to know which is a good nursery.
if someone have better references about a different nurseries, please let me know.

Agreed. My child is really happy at GH. The staff in the toddler room are fantastic. I think they could do with some management support but the care they give is brilliant and the kids are happy.

As I have reiterated several times, our son who is 3,5 years old still loves the nursery. He has started 1,5 days in another montessori (which is rated Outstanding) just because we wanted him to get used to a different environment pre starting school from Sep but he still wants to go to Panna and Sarah after each session at the montessori. Having seen the facilities, I really do not feel that GH deserves the current "inadequate" rating at all. If it's purely due to the admin issues of not having the proper paper work filed and they have addressed all the initial problems - I don't think parents should be put off by bureaucracy.

Having the right papers in place mean nothing if the carers themselves are not good with your children. I rather have someone who is less than perfect on paper who loves my child and keeps him happy. The staff are great, the place is very flexible and working parent friendly with minimal holidays. Some of us don't have the luxury of (and may not even want) the 9:15-3:15 term time only option which Ofsted also seem to rank highly.

My son is actually just as (if not more) intellectually stimulated and developed as any child going to those so called "perfect" nurseries and montessoris.

I have nb 2 on the way and the only reason I wouldn't put him/her in GH again would be if the drop off for my son would be in the opposite direction but my first choice would still be GH for the baby! Hope this helps.

I would completely echo what lexierose1 says. My daughter is 16 months old and goes to the nursery full time. She well cared for, happy and thriving there.

My 2 year old daughter attends this nursery and is absolutely thriving. Mina was sacked last year - the manager is now Olive with Koveena running the pre-toddlers and Sarah and Panna running toddlers. They have all worked incredibly hard to get the nursery up to standard. My daughter absolutely loves going there, she is a confident, thriving toddler who is very fond of her keyworker and the staff. I would suggest you go and meet the staff and see for yourself how loving they are.

There is a Full report of Grove Hall Nursery :
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-rep ... E/EY416962

Hi, Ofsted I don't think so but parents yes .But the manager don't let them any way. I was doing like this I was telling if the child has bad day or didn't eat. The kids not always cry be coos they miss parent but if something is wrong or they didn't like . They are smart even they are small. In my opinion the parents pay for they kids in this places and they should know . If the kids not happy or they not eat every one need to be informed .

bilingualnanny wrote:I just want tell that . When ofstrd came they know before and the ofsted officer only talk with lider room or some staff . The new staff is not aloud to talk them or parents as they are not prepared . The easy way check that is do some activity with children . Coming before time or talk with staff but not lider room or manager Mina.

Hi, and do you think any staff will talk freely to ofsted in front of their manager or boss? I don't think so...

I just want tell that . When ofstrd came they know before and the ofsted officer only talk with lider room or some staff . The new staff is not aloud to talk them or parents as they are not prepared . The easy way check that is do some activity with children . Coming before time or talk with staff but not lider room or manager Mina.

haggis68 wrote:Hi all

Just wondering if anyone could tell me what the current situation was at Grove Hall - has it upped its game or not really? Any comments much appreciated - I am going back to work in April, was originally going to send my daughter to Grove Hall but then saw the negative report and comments, now looking at a nanny but so expensive so still interested to know how the nursery is getting on.

Thanks!

Hi there,

I reserve my full opinion about that nursery, although I know some friends' children who are in there. I just can tell you that they are changing staff all the time, what is not good for the children's progress and the relationships between them and the staff. I went for a visit once and the environment seemed artificial, as if they where acting in front of us. Apart from the reports, which are really bad... My question is, if they don't do things right when Ofsted is in the setting, what can they do behind? Just think twice about it!

Hi All. That is true I was working there for one year. Is dirty nursery with staff that newer told true , How was the child in the nursery or what they doing. The unswer is alway he was great have fun. I was cooking and looking after children there 2011/12 . And honestly some of my best friend left as well as the manager ask as to laiabout conditions of the kids.

Interesting re Ecole de Benjamins. I looked at it for my daughter way back mid July 07 and within 5 minutes of waiting in reception I was absolutely disgusted and horrified by the several things going on, including utter chaos surrounding a child being carried through with blood on his head, and then somehow agreeing to continue to do a tour, was told that nappies were only changed at specific times of the day. ??? This is atrocious. When I assertively queried this with the teacher, why they would allow a child to maybe sit in a soiled nappy for 2 hours?, she had no adequate answers for me, other than they were too busy to change them other than at changing time. Needless to say, my daughter didn't go there, but thank god other children have been saved from the horrors of it if it's closed.