Day care nursery recommendations in SW11 or Nanny share? Post Reply

[Amyfordo]

I am looking into childcare for my little boy who will be 11 months in mid June when I go back to work 3 days a week. Many people who live locally to me have recommended Bridge Lane Nursery however sadly there is no availability until October which is too late! Anyone else got any recommendations for nurseries near to Clapham Junction/Battersea Park? Also considering a nanny share but not sure if a nursery will give him more activities and structure but then he does seem quite little for nursery too. Any advice welcomed!

[Tas]

Hi Amyfordo,

My LO is at Bridge Lane but we did start him at a different nursery (7 months) and then moved him to Bridge Lane after about 4 months. We haven't regretted it either from a nursery perspective or in relation to his age - he absolutely loves it! Thus if they have availability from October it may still be worthwhile booking him in and then if he starts at another nursery you always have the option of moving him.

Depending on where you live, try Battersea Day Nursery (Asquith's) or Riverside Nursery Battersea Reach?

As well as a nanny share being an alternative have you considered a childminder? I can recommend Kelli Douglas, who some other mum's I know rave about: http://www.kellidouglas.com/index.html I believe she has availability at the moment for 1 child. It may be worthwhile visiting her site/giving her a call?

I don't think there is actually any right or wrong re nursery V nanny at it often depends on your personal circumstances as well as your child e.g. I have two nephews and one definately hated nursery whilst the other one absolutely loved it. Just go with what feels right for you......

TAS

P.S. I cried for the first month when my LO started nursery but that was about me not him!!

[Amyfordo]

Tas thank you so much that's incredibly helpful and good to know your LO is loving Bridge Lane. Sadly Battersea Reach us a little far for us but I've heard great things about that nursery. Kelli looks fantastic and could be another good option, just not sure that my days would work with her availability on her website (my work are insisting I do Mon, Wed and Fri). Do you know anything about Baby Rooms on Lavender Hill? Thank you so much x

[ekf]

My son has been going to Lavender Hill Day nursery for over a year now. I cant recommend it highly enough. its in a purpose built building so all the rooms are a good size and they all open directly on to a large outdoor area. My son does all sorts of messy play activities and it has really helped him become a very sociable friendly little boy.
He was just 1 when he started and I was nervous that he was too little but the staff are wonderful and I have never had any concerns with leaving him. All the staff know all the kids names even the ones not in their room and in my experience they really love the kids as if they are their own.

[supergirl]

Hi
That time is finished for me now but both my kids went to bridge lane. To me it was by far the best i have seen (we stopped going in october 2011).
The staff, the building, the activities, the garden, the food absolutely everything is great there. It was for me like having my children in a very nice and cosy home outside their home.
I have never felt anxious (they started at 9months) because i knew they were loved, looked after, stimulated, challenged, etc.
So IMO you should still put your child down for october and try to (not easy i know) a temp solution in the meantime.
I have heard that there is a FAB nursery not far from the river between battersea church st and the river who is one of the best kept secret. Worth trying to find it. Apparently the garden us smazing.
Good luck. Sx

[kidzibuzi]

Hi,
My son goes to Learning Ladders since he was 10 months and really enjoys it. They have space, a large garden, lovely rabbits and guinea pigs. The staff is wonderful and the cost is much more reasonable than all the other nurseries (230 per week full time) my first daughter had been before reception. I live in Clapham Common and the nursery is on my way to work to Victoria. The two lovely ladies who run the nursery for years never had a website so it has been difficult for me to find the nursery the first time, plus the number on the Ofsted was wrong... They are now making a website !
The address is : ground floor Falkener Court - Francis Chichester Way, SW11 5HX (0207 622 9300)