Marmalade Catepillar V Bertrum House Nursery Post Reply

[sw12mummi]

Hello ladies,

I am looking for some advice/thoughts on nursery schools.

We have been offered places at both Marmalade Caterpillar and Bertrum House Nursery for 2017 and I am having trouble making a decision. I'd be very interested to hear if anyone has had children attend one or both or have looked around both schools and have their own opinions on the pros and cons of each. I have a very bright and social little boy whose speech is very advanced for his age.

Mine:
- Although children end up going to the same sorts of schools (Finton, Hornsby, etc etc), MC seems to be slightly more academic with a bigger focus on Montessori learning
- BH has lots of SPACE and therefore has a feeling of a mini school (with a school hall that they have their snacks) and a large outdoor area
- Both seemed to have very nurturing staff and very impressive Heads (though MC's is more experienced given her age)

Help! All comments/opinions gratefully received!

[pie81]

Hello, my daughter is at Marmalade Caterpillar - I'd highly recommend it. PM or email me if you want to ask any questions!

[lmd.edwards]

Bertrum all the way for me!!

I have had two daughters at Bertrum (one is still there) and its been great. The staff really love the children, the space is amazing and they make real progress on their learning too. My younger daughter (who is still at Bertrum) went for an assessment at a well known independent school yesterday for reception entry and the head of early years there commented on how well she was prepared and advanced in phonics, counting, numbers, shapes and patterns etc. So I'd say its really academic too but the best bet is they always seem to be having so much fun with it! Ive known the head there for a long time and she is a very capable and experienced pair of hands and is very knowledgeable on the early years curriculum. Hope that helps.

[lmh]

Hi sw12mummi- interested to know which one you picked as having a similar dilemma- would you mind saying?

[sw12mummi]

Hi there - I picked Bertrum.
It boiled down to the following: you simply can't compare the space and better facilities - MC is one small room with a tiny outdoor area. We were very impressed with the Head who seemed to know her stuff having worked in (I cant recall which now) a local prep school so was on the ball about the different styles of each prep school, admissions process etc despite being young (early 30s or so). It had the "feel" of a school - having a large playground, separate lunch hall etc and all the staff were lovely. To sum up - it seemed as/nearly as academic as MC but with far superior facilities and a lovely and passionate head teacher.