Ladies, My daughter is at Abacus and whilst it might be a little rough around the edges - the staff are fabulous and my daughter loves them! She has been there for 2 years and in terms of love they give to the children I could not ask for anything more. Is a tough decision, but I would go and visit the nurseries and stop Mums at the gate and ask them how they find it - as a Mum you are the best judge of where your kids go to nursery, not a chat forum as everyone has different things they look for. Goodluck!

I'm in the same position as mum2monkey re fees, but we still love babyroom and I was surprised by the post about it going downhill as we haven't seen a decline.

I haven't noticed a lack of investment in toys / renovations. The nursery was brand new only 2 and a half years ago and looks fine to me. It's a while since I last viewed other nurseries, but I remember being put off several in the local area because of their shabby state / difficult to adapt space (often because they were in old buildings). I certainly wouldn't put babyroom in that camp. Earlier this year they created a new Yellow room, complete with new toys, have installed astro turf this summer (which can't have been cheap) and I understand are in the process of creating a new Purple room. While there isn't a Wendy house there is a 'home corner' and imaginative play is very much encouraged.

I haven't heard current staff talking about leaving (and those we know who have left did so to pursue alternative careers) and I guess experiences might be different depending on which room your child is in as there are different staff in different rooms (with some moving around). We think the current manager is fantastic - full of energy and ideas, great with the children and the parents. We are also very happy with the staff who work in the room our daughter is in and if their morale is low they do a good job of not letting it affect their care of the children / communication with us.

So, in short we think the nursery is still great... though it's certainly not cheap!

My little one absolutely loves Babyroom. I haven't noticed a lack of investment - the toys seem fine, outside area fit for purpose, food great and the staff absolutely lovely.

However, I do agree with previous posters that staff morale seems low with many staff actively talking about leaving. Also the fees have just gone up again which is making the nursery rather unaffordable. Like a couple of the other posters, I definitely would recommend the nursery, but may myself end up looking for another one as we just can't afford the increased fees. Which is really sad.

Please do PM me if you have any questions.

I use stepping stones for my 14 month old (its on Elmfield Road) and love it it is right oppposite the entrance to Baby room. The staff are loving and caring to food is nutritious and my little one barely looks back when he gets there arms open for a cuddle and he is off! He is happy and learning fast they have him using spoons and have helped with his walking and words I cant' recommend Stepping stones highly enough it is full of loving staff and bright interactive little people

My son has been at babyroom balham for two years. Staff turnover is reasonably high but I don't think it is much more than other nurseries. It is expensive but we would not change it. Our son has been really well cared for, and loved. Our second child will go there in January and we have not hesitated at keeping them there. The manager is good and there is investment, such as a new classroom for the older children. The food is frozen, but the standard is very high.

Yes - good luck, it's a tough one! I've still got a child at baby room so if you want to PM me with specific questions then do feel free. For what it's worth, she still loves it.

Ultimately, choosing a nursery is a very personal choice and all about what's important for you. For me, it was being able to do a long working day knowing that my LO would be looked after by a hugely caring team, with good quality home-cooked food and fresh fruit, plenty of structured activities (dancing, music, baby yoga, art etc) and a place for a proper rest.

But some of the other criticisms are absolutely right - it's not the prettiest of places, there's no wendy house, and it's expensive (though do bear in mind that they let you 'roll over' any days you are on holiday, for a small admin fee - they are one of the few places to do this).

And finally, in defence of the staffing: of the three staff that I know that have left, one was to have a baby, the other to work in a call centre, and the other to work in events (it's not like they've gone to rival nurseries).

More importantly, they are absolutely lovely people who will genuinely care for your child as if they were their own. Which to me was the biggest priority of all.

And if you're still not sure, try hanging around at pick-up time around your final shortlist of places, and ask the mums that you meet!

Good luck!

And will look at Asquiths too!

Thanks so much for the advice everybody! I hadn't looked at Lochinvar cause of the short days (even a 'full day' isn't enough for me to do a post-work pick-up - I need somewhere open until 6.30pm, basically), plus I have a friend whose daughter goes there, who says it is 'fine', but that she is basically biding her time till she can get her into Balham Nursery (also my 'end goal', eventually!)..... but yes will take a look at Eveline. I called them ages ago and found the lady really off-hand on the phone, she said I had to have a brochure before I could have a tour etc, but maybe that's the price I have to pay to go somewhere really good..... will perservere! Thanks again all

Hi there. Yes, Eveline a really good option!

Asquiths is another full time Balham nursery or your other option is a nanny share along with maybe a part time nursery.

Have you looked at Lochinvar Preschool near Clapham South tube station?
Fab little gem of a nursery, they do both half (morning or afternoon sessions) and full days (from 9:15am till 3pm).

Eveline Day may be your best option

Have you considered using a childminder?

hi pinkgrasshopper - can you give some ideas of where you DO recommend? Am about to start looking for a place for my little boy (15 month) - as he is more than ready for a nursery... but all I keep hearing are the negatives, eg:

abacus - dirty, feed the kids 'smash'
chestnut grove montessori - feed the kids up on sugary biscuits
nightingale - do things without telling parents (eg move the kids up to the next room, or feed them things they've been asked not to be given)
grove hall - not changing nappies frequently enough, kids going thirsty
second steps - force tiny toddlers into nursery routine before ready
marmalade caterpiller - does actually get great reviews but doesn't do full days, so for yummy mummies only it seems!

and one that went bust recently (I forget name) and all the parents lost their deposits!

at my wits end.... can you help? I really want a nursery, not a nanny.... preferably near balham tube too (for commute). Can be flexible on days. Too much to ask? XX

I'm afraid I have to be a dissenting voice on this. (With a heavy heart as it used to be great...)

Our child attended Baby Room for a significant period, but standards have fallen off a cliff so we have changed nursery (along with several others). The key issue seems to be absolute lack of investment - staff told us that there would be no work done on the Balham nursery for four years due to rotation with the other nurseries. A basic example of this is the state of some of the walls. The nursery also lacks some of the equipment other nurseries have (playhouses etc) despite the higher cost. The poor treatment/reward of staff is also palatable and morale seems to have dropped with some popular staff members leaving and others openly looking for other jobs.

I have also just heard from another parent that the nursery has increased their fees. Once again the justification is ropey to say the least citing 'advice to us' from the Day Care Trust', which is actually gleaned from a Day Care Trust survey discussing the whole of the UK. The parent was very upset at this flawed justification - it seems to assume people either have more money than sense, or are not intelligent enough to critically analyse an appalling business case - I imagine Baby Room Balham will shortly have another space.

All of this is a real shame as it was a super place for a long time, but lack of care from Head Office and the proprietor have let a gem fade fast. Many of the actual nursery staff are lovely and as others have said things like food are good, and the organised activities are varied, but overall there are better options in the locality.