Pre nursery school options? Post Reply

[pie81]

I have a very busy and sociable 16 month old and am wondering about putting her in a nursery type setting for (ideally) just one morning/afternoon a week so she can do some activities she won't get at home (and to give me some time off).

I am not sure what the options are for this in the BTC area. I presume most day care nurseries won't take bookings for just one morning or afternoon a week?

There is Baby Drop on webbs road which looks good but quite expensive with the registration fee.

I have seen Little Learners but they want 2 days minimum.

Any other options? Thank you

[pie81]

I think there is also Tiddlywinks on broomwood road but think they also require 2 sessions minimum?

[Ginatonica]

I had the same challenge - most day nurseries wanted minimum 2 full days or 4 half days, and nursery schools don't take them until 2 or 2.5.

There are some nursery schools that take them from 2, which isn't too long away for you, especially as they may have waiting lists. Their minimum requirement is generally 3 mornings rising to 5 later on.

I went with the Montessori infant community on hambalt rd (just off abbeville road). Their sessions are tues and thurs, 9.30-12, and this works very well for us (my son is nearly 2) and only costs £26 per session. The only downside is the location for us - we're in Balham so it's a bit of a trek in the morning but so far it's been worth it.

Google Montessori infant community for more info.

[pie81]

thanks, I will have a look! We are registered for nursery schools but think the earliest she would start there would be January, so looking for something from now till then...

[carolhugs]

Hi,
Have you thought about ofsted registered childminders. Don't cost as much as nurseries. Your child should be able to participate in all development areas.
Carol

[pie81]

Hi Carol, that's an interesting idea. Would a childminder be interested in having a child just for 2-3 hours once a week though? I would have thought that like nurseries they would want a commitment to more time than that?

[balhamite]

I think some childminders might. Often they look after kids who are at nursery for part of the day so it could fit quite well. I found the wandsworth childminders association very helpful when looking for a childminder. They run meet the minder sessions where you can drop in and meet childminders with availability. Another great preschool with very flexible seasons is Lochinvar preschool playhouse on oldridge road. I think they take from 2.

Childminders details are here
http://wandsworth.childrensservicedirec ... annel=2260

[twobusyboys]

Tiddlywinks is great, run by two local mums. You drop them off for two hours, 9.45-11.45am. You can either do mon,tues, weds (three mornings) or thurs, fri (two mornings). It's aimed at toddlers 18-30 months and was great for my little boy who had never been in any childcare before. They haven't got a website but contact details are Mel - 07889 060906 and Emma - 07941 260740. They get pretty booked up though, so not sure whether they would have any space.

[LittleLearners]

Little Learner's is a great option. Run by 2 qualified Early Years professional's, fully OFSTED registered with a fantastic outside space.

We can be flexible on the numbers of days offered too.

Feel free to contact us for further information.

Michelle
07956816789
www.claphamlearners.com
littlelearners_in_clapham@hotmail.com

[Martina1]

Or you could join one of the gym's with a crèche, but you have to stay on the premises. You could fit in a class or a swim or just sit in the café with a coffee. My friend used to do this at Holmes Place in Clapham Old Town. I think they normally just do two hour sessions.

[tiredmom32]

Hi, the information above is a bit dated and possibly posted by the carers themselves. Be careful with one of the names mentioned above. My sister had really bad experience and a case of negligence.(cant name for obvious reasons)

I would ask them to stay and watch a whole session before committing. Depending on the problems they have handling children they will refuse ! There is a reason there is no post for years. The demand is so high that most places are full and then they just praise because they sent their child not because they believe it!

[pie81]

For the record, since my thread has been revived, I went with Little Learners in the end (or rather my daughter did ) and we had a great experience. That was Sep 2014 to July 2015.

[LLearners]

Thank you Pie81! I would also like to reiterate that here at Little Learners there has been no incidents or issues concerning safety or quality of care.

We are OFSTED registered and all of our staff members are qualified childcare professionals. There is a Pediatric Nurse, Early Years Teacher and SEN qualified practitioner amongst us.

We offer an open transparent service working in full partnership with all our families, and of course we allow parents and perspective parents to sit in on our sessions, we encourage it!

Michelle
Little Learners
http://www.claohamlearners.com

[Newish to clapham]

My little boy started little learners last September and I couldn't praise it enough - he has come on in leaps and bounds with his speech, socialising and learning through fun (he can even put his coat on by himself now!)! The teachers are fantastic and it also helped him (and me!) adjust to the arrival of his baby sister