N16 Playgroup v Holmleigh Primary School Nursery Class in Stokey?

[expuffinbookclub]

Hi - my son will be 3 in June and has been offered places for September at the N16 Playgroup on Stoke Newington Church St and also at Holmleigh Primary School nursery class. I've heard good things about both - the play group comes recommended by friends but I haven't had chance to visit the nursery class yet. Does anyone have any experience of either? He has been at a child minder 2 days a week until now but she is no longer available. I won't be working next year so will be taking him part-time to one of the options. Many thanks.

[MotherJ]

My 4yr old is currently at Holmleigh nursery after moving her from a truly awful place on Stamford Hill. She has been there for a year and has loved it. The main key workers are lovely as well as the assistants and the work placement staff. The children have a loosely structured day but have access to the outside space pretty much all of the time. Because it is attached to a school, it can come across a bit 'schooly' in that they sometimes attend an assembly in the main hall where some older kids will put on a little show for them or for example yesterday they had a magic show session. They have lunch in a small section of the large hall but only with the reception children. All of this did freak me out a bit at the beginning but my DD is not phased at all.
They do lots of activities like yoga, rugga babies (rugby type games for toddlers with a soft rugby ball!), lots of singing and music classes. They go to the library to pick books for story time. They do encourage children to problem solve, to mark make which eventually turns into writing some of the letters or their complete name, they really do focus on the early years learning goals. She will sail into reception in September (I hope!)

I did visit the N16 play group and thought the staff were lovely but the building didn't seem right for me. I was told that they didn't have any outside space and took the kids over to Abney park everyday and the hours they had available were no good for me. Whilst I was there I did get a glowing report from one of the parents. I guess you have to work out what setting will be better for your little one. Speak to your friends and give the place a visit.

[expuffinbookclub]

Thanks MotherJ - it's very reassuring to hear from you. I like the sound of yoga and rugga babies! I'm glad your daughter is happy there. I don't think my son will mind the schooly bits either as his childminder often takes him to her daughter's school for a play & stay group or to watch the odd assembly and he seems quite taken by the older children.