I second little learners its amazing!!! Its structured, activities are seasonal and its well thought out. Michelle and her team are fantastic; caring and super nurturing and the outside space is great too.

I think they're pretty flexible about the 30 months thing - my daughter was there till 32/33 months, and she wasn't the oldest. You might find he is the oldest there in that last autumn term before starting nursery, but as long as you're happy with that, I expect they would be too.

Thanks everyone. Little Learners looks great but is it only to 30 months? We're looking for something until he starts nursery at just over 3. Thanks

Another recommendation for Little Learners. My son is there and loves it! There's one in Balham and one off the Northcote Rd

I think one year of preschool is sufficient to prepare for school
Especially if you have a great nanny anyway

Little Learners offer structured play sessions for young toddlers from 15 months. The play sessions are 2.5 hours 9.30-12.00 during the term time.

wwwclaphamlearners.com
07941103860

Michelle

Little Starlings is wonderful start to nursery life, they take a very gentle approach and the two hour sessions work well - we were VERY happy there. We moved to a nursery that does full morning sessions and follows more of a curriculum and whilst we've had a nanny I do think that nursery gives them so much more. If you're able to I would use a nursery for mornings, even if just a couple of mornings per week.

Also worth a mention that Telferscott were full in September this year so no january intake. Henry Cavendish had a January intake

My son is a late autumn baby too. He started nursery school in Jan last year after he turned 3 and he settled into school very quickly as he's quite a friendly boy although initially you could probably tell the difference that he had a nanny as opposed to having some time previously already in a nursery setting. We had his teacher telling us to organise more play dates with his new classmates (even though our nanny had kept him busy everyday with play dates and I had organise an activity for him almost everyday like playball etc) and his preference for adult lead activity but one year forward, and in his second year in nursery, he's very well settled into school.

I got your PM but can't respond!

He started 2 mornings a week but we quickly moved it to 3 when he loved it. It's only 2 hours so by the time drop off and pick up have been done it doesn't leave long. Usually time is spent washing/putting away clothes or prepping food.

A friend had the same conundrum with her nanny and agreed with her that if she did general hiushokd duties one of the days (tidying/cooking for family/shopping) then she could have the other morning off for a coffee. Seemed to work well depending on how flexible your nanny is.

Im so happy we chose Little Startlings, it's a really great environment and the staff are so warm and caring.

Highly recommend Little Starlings too! My youngest went and it's such a lovely setting.

Thanks everyone - lots of helpful comments and I really appreciate it.

He's a late Autumn birthday and the state nurseries near us (Henry Cavendish, Telfescot) take them in January so I think he'd be just over 3 when he'd start there. And he'd been there for 5 terms before starting school at nearly 5.

Great to hear such good things about Little Starlings as that's probably my leading contender at the moment. Liz, I'll message you.

I had the exact same conundrum as you, it's not an easy one.

We started my little boy at Little Startlings in Balham and it's fabulous! It's designed as the step between nothing and pre school and he's taken to it straight away.

It's been the perfect gap filler for us, 2 hours a day up to 4 days a week and not expensive. PM me if you want more personal feedback

Liz
X

Most people I know (including myself) send their children to nursery at about 2.5. It doesn't have to be 5 days a week, you can do it just for 2 or 3 half days per week (depending on where you find availability).
I think it's really good for them to be outside of the comfort of their own home/nanny, to learn to interact with other children and be independent. In my experience, they spend the first trimesters learning basic thinks like sharing, taking turns, etc. And then at 3.5 they start learning letters, numbers, drawing, etc.

Having said that, I am sure that starting nursery at 3.5 can work well as well, if your child is already quite independent and you have a nanny who can do the educational stuff well.

Not sure about the demand for nursery at 2.5 comes from SAHMs ...I work full time but was quite keen on starting at 2.5 because at nursery they have a better chance of learning IMO (they are better behaved generally than they would be at home).

My twins were with a nanny 3 days a week and with me the other 2. They went to a state school nursery age 3.5 for one year before starting reception and settled with no problems and are thriving at school (now in Year 2). I don't think it makes a big difference. I personally think some of the drive for nursery at 2.5 comes from SAHMs who want a break (!) (said without judgement as this is what I have done with my third).