Independent Place nursery, London E8/Leapfrog nursery EC2 - views?

[nellieellie]

Anyone have any knowledge of these nurseries. Am having a hell of time finding somewhere for my DS !

[frogs]

My ds used to go to Independent Place, and it was very good then. BUT it seems to have changed hands or management, because I've heard less good things about it recently.

If your ds is 18 months or over I can very heartily recommend the Bath House, which is just over the wall from Independent Place in Shacklewell Lane.

[wannaBe1974]

My ds currently goes to a leapfrog nursery in Swindon. It oas originally a jigsaw nursery but they were then taken over and since they've bee taken over things have changed signifficantly. Where children used to get freshly cooked food they now get bought in, little things ike that. the crowning thing happened last week when our local nursery announced that they're closing because it's not pheasible to have two leapfrog nurseries in close proximity to each other. They told their staff on thursday night, and the letters had already gone out to the parents so some came in Friday morning wanting to know what was going on and the staff had had no time to prepare for the parents. An appauling way to treat one's staff imo. Luckily ds is leaving anyway at the end of this month because he'll be going to preschool five mornings a week, but parents have been given 6 weeks to find alternative nursery places, not always that easy to achive with such short notice imo.

[frogs]

In the same area, I also know several people who rave about Mapledene nursery in London Fields, but the catchment area is quite tight.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I think I know people who've used Leapfrog - is it near the law centre? Anyway, they were quite happy with that branch, used it for their DD from 6 months to nearly 3.

[nellieellie]

Thanks for all this. Unfortunately DS is just 12 mths so Bath Place is out. Mapledene has good rep but extremely long waiting list. Was told that this Sept are taking 2004 applicants. Children have to be 6mths before can go on the waiting list. When I pointed out that this means they can't have any children younger than 2 there I was blithely told "oh yes - we do have young babies!" - which begged the question - How! After a lot of pushing and explanation of basic maths (2006 minus 2004 = 2), I was told that siblings of current attendees get priority. Not wholly convinced though. Other local nurseries are either just not impressive or too long a waiting list. Am at wits end!

[frogs]

Put him down for Bath House and get a childminder/nannyshare for the intervening 6 months? I can't recommend it highly enough -- it looks a bit scruffy and chaotic but if you like a creative, child-centred vibe with really lovely dedicated staff you can't do better.

Whereabouts are you? There are other nurseries in the N1 area Rosemary Works and The Grove spring to mind. Although I'm never that impressed with the Rosemary Works lot when I see them at the local park twenty-something staff chatting to each other rather than playing with the children.

I do know someone with an under-one at Mapledene but yes, she also has an older child there.

[eastendgirl]

Have 2 friends with kids at Mapledene, they are not very happy actually with the place, both think the staff is lazy, uncaring and seems to lack very basic social skills, for example they don't even say hello to the parent and kid when they arrive in the morning! Heard the same about Independent Place unfortunately. Don't know Bath House. It's very stressfull I know, good luck to you.

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[nellieellie]

I might look into Bath House as I have heard other good reports about it - so thanks for the info. At the moment I'm also considering nanny/childminder though I don't really want to leave DS with a person unless I get very good positive recommendations. I'm finding the idea of leaving DS somewhere where he won't get one to one really difficult.

[sarahryan]

I worked at a leapfrog nursery, children always well cared for by all staff, but the way the company operates is very money making orientated. staff to child ratios not always met. more of a buisness than a nursery.

[catsmutha]

Nellieellie sorry to hijack this but its worth a bash - i'm in same dilemma bit worried about dd being too young for nursery, so looking into childminder or nannyshare if i can find one - would you consider sharing a nanny? If so get in touch. DD will be 8 months when i return to work in Dec. I live in Lower Clapton but walkable to Dalston.

[hoxtonchick]

very surprised to hear about your friends' experience eastendgirl. how old are the children? my dd goes to mapledene (waves at frogs!) & ds has just left after 3 years. we are so happy with it. obviously staff can have off days, but generally it's a very happy place.

[hoxtonchick]

also, i looked round the leapfrog nursery & thought it seemed very corporate. and it's underground isn't it? the lack of natural light really put me off. and i was a bit suspicious about the immediate availability of places.

when ds was little he went to the queen mary university nursery in mile end which we were also happy with. a bit hard to get to from hackney (though it actually only took 10 mins to drive) but maybe worth investigating.

[eastendgirl]

Hi Hoxtonchick, my 2 friends have dds who are almost 2. Spoke to another woman in the park the other day, her dd was 3 and a bit, the woman wasn't very happy with Mapledene either. Not sure why.

[Ktay]

OP will be starting to think about secondary school now