Nursery for 2 year old Wandsworth Common Post Reply

[mrs_pavlova]

Hi everyone

I'm new to posting, but everyone always seems so helpful and knowledgeable I thought I would ask away!! Hope you can help me.

My son turns 2 years old on Sept this year and I have his name down for the Crescent II nursery on Trinity Road. I loved it when I looked around and didn't hesitate to register, but was aghast when I got the revised and increased list of fees in preparation for him starting 3 mornings a week: £1,500 per term! Perhaps I'm being naive, but this seems a huge amount to pay for 3 hours per session.

Are there alternatives in the Tooting Bec/Wandsworth Common area? I'm currently looking into Wee Care and Red Balloon.

I also have his name down for Fircroft School nursery, but the trouble is, if I wait for a place there (free of charge from the September following their 3rd birthday) my son will be nearly 4 years old!!

I'm keen for him to start this September as my second child is due this June and I think he'll benefit from it hugely.

Any suggestions or encouragement that it's money well spent will help me hugely!

Thanks millions

[Little-Starlings]

Hello,
I run Little Starlings pre school with my sister Lisa.
Not sure if our set up is what you are looking for, we run 2 hour morning sessions.
We have a website with all our information www.little-starlings.co.uk
you are welcome to call us for a chat 07801 865526

Just a suggestion for you and good luck

[mumble]

In my experience (which is not huge) those fees seem pretty normal for a child of his age.
Need a 1:3 ratio at that age

[ready2pop]

Yes, I pay about the same for my son at Marmalade Caterpillar. We also looked at Red Balloon and Crescent and fees were much the same at all of them.

[CornishMummyinLondon]

Hello there

I think those fees are pretty typical for five mornings. You might find they are charging you for five mornings even though you are only planning to send your son for three? My two year old daughter attends the Wainwright Montessori on Chestnut Grove which is closer to £900 a term for 3 mornings from 8.30 til 12.15 with the option of paying an extra £7 a day for her to stay for lunch until 1. I am really pleased with the flexibility of this nursery and my daughter is very very happy there.

Good luck finding somewhere.

[mrs_pavlova]

Thank you so much for all posting a reply, especially Little Starlings (I will be in touch to arrange a visit) It's helped me to understand what is on offer, and what is normal.

Just to clarify what I've been offered at The Crescent, it's definitely £1,500 for 3 mornings (3 hours) which can be increased to 5 mornings for £1,858.

Wainwright sounds lovely, and certainly more in the region of what I was hoping to pay. Don't get me wrong, I think these nurserys offer a fantastic service, and I don't mean to sound a penny pincher! It's just that they vary so dramatically. Thanks again for taking the time to help me out.

[nataliesmummy]

Little Starlings are fab give thenm a go

[DinosMom]

Those fees sound high to me - but I'm American and just began researching nurseries. My son started at the Steiner School for 2 mornings per week I'm paying 98/month. But, we are taking a break and enrolling him again when he turns 4 this fall. He's on the young side (July b-day) and the nursery there is actually kindergarten from age 3-6.

[Suslik]

The fees creep up every year. i am paying £1600 per term for 5 mornings per week and have found this to be the average price for nursery schools in sw11 area. The highest i have seen was somewhere around £1800 per term for 5 mornings in mouse house (the sessions are longer than at other nursery schools and they are very good, so i can see why they can charge more). The price you have mentioned seems out of range.

there is a purple dragon nursery school near battersea park who charge over £2000 per term which is more like what you get charged north of the river. they are brilliant though and well worth it if you have the money.

[tooting]

Derinton Family Centre in Tooting is really good. The staff are really kind and my child really enjoyed going there. They are also flexible with there sessions. My child had the morning 3 hr session and occasionally would stay on for lunch. The rates at that time (2 years ago) were 6 pounds for a 3 hr session.

[Bluebells]

Hi,

I don't know if you are still looking but Bluebells Nursery School are opening in Battersea in September 2011. We take children from 2-5 years old and are open term time. If you would like to find out more or arrange a viewing please call us on 0207 7202010 or have a look at our website www.bluebellsnurseryschool.co.uk

[DomsMom]

Worth looking at Bertrum House on Rowfant Road too - they do 3 mornings a week at around £1,400 per term so pretty much the same cost but they do 3 mornings a week for the whole of the first year whereas Crescent ii only let them do 3 mornings a week for the first term, then they have to go for 5 which I felt was a bit much for a 2-3 year old (if you are not working...if you are then needs must...) May have changed but that's what we were told 6 months ago.

My son just started at Bertrum House playgroup (which they do as a gentle introduction to the nursery which is a great) He is loving it - the staff are really nice.