Are all nurseries just not that great?

[gourd]

Childcare gone horribly wrong and desperately beed day care (10 hrs a day, 4 days a week) from 01 Sept. DD almost 4 hasbeen at 2 CMs since 9 months. Idea was for CMto take herto the free school-nursery place at local school in Sept where she has friends and will go to reception next year. Now got no CM so she cant go. I had bought uniform which will now have to give away. Looked at 2 local nurseries. Not dreadfulbut really not what i want. Very concerned that there doesnt seem to be a packed lunch option and meals sound poor from the menus i have seen. Actually think DD will not like them as she has never eaten many of the "foods" listed (baked beans, bacon, hot dogs). Not happy. One was bit run down/dirty. (School one also v dirty but 3 hours a day isn't the same as 10). One was nice, snaller, had more higher qualified staff (interaction with kids was better) but not open early enough really, has no place only waiting list. I know she has ti go to school next year anyway so will just be a number etc but she really deserves so much more. I want her to be pushed to acheive her full potential and i know that wont happen at bursery or school really, but the nursery with the place was so depressing. They do go out for walks/to park tho which is v important as in winter DD doesnt see daylight apart from weekends if she cant be outside at childcare setting. The nicer place had nice outdoor space but it was small and they dont go anywhere else plus hadnt got place anyway..
Cant find another nursery that has 1-3 Ofsted (sone bearby are "inadequate") and is open the hours we need and has a place. No other CM drops at local school nursery..
This is a nightmare. Is it always this difficult? Dd misses the CM and her friends too..

[BucketsnSpades]

The nursery we chose for DS and now DD is brilliant. They give the children an amazing menu of food and do allsorts of activities and walks in the new forest where they are located. Sometimes the only thing that keeps me at work is the fact that it pays to keep DD in nursery.

You can get used to a less than perfect childcare setting, but can you research some more options before committing? It sounds like you need to look at all the options including a nanny, including parental leave from work or an unpaid sabbatical year to come to a decision which you will be content with.

[wonkylegs]

DS was in a great nursery from 7months until reception. Great staff, great surroundings, great activities, food was fine, children were happy.
They do exist, sometimes they take some finding and the best ones fill up quickly.
Recommendations from others are usually your best bet.

[HamAndPlaques]

In your position I would consider looking at some of the 'inadequate' nurseries. There's the possibility that the poor report has forced them to make rapid improvements and they may now be providing good care. Be prepared to interrogate the nursery manager, ask why they failed their Ofsted and what improvements have been put in place.

[catchingzzzzeds]

Have you thought about a nanny or au pair?

[CultureSucksDownWords]

Is there no chance of finding a replacement child minder?

Not all nurseries are poor. Like PP, the nursery my DS goes to is fab. He loves it there and has a wonderful and gentle learning experience. They have plenty of outside space as well. It also allows me to drop off from 7.30am. So it is possible.

Have you tried looking further afield, maybe near to your work rather than where you live? (Apologies if you have)

[flingingmelon]

Maybe keep looking? My DS' current nursery is wonderful, not especially posh (there's no organic this, yoga that) but they adore my son and I have total confidence in them.

Moving shortly so in total I've toured about eight nurseries. The difference between some of them was huge and I looked at a couple of baby jails before settling on the one I liked, in fact it appears to be nicer than our home

[gourd]

Nearer work would be hour-90 minutes each way on public transport which think shed hate. Would rather she was able to run around at nursery for those 2-3 hours a day rather than being in car or standing up on bis, then train and then on another bus each way- its not really safe for a small child (no seats free) and its a long journey in the car too. Think nanny will prob be too expensive but will have a look at that now.. No other nurseries at all withon 3 miles which are open early enough. Further away than 2.5 miles at rush hour means 30-40 minutes plus in the car getting through town to home with her so keen to avoid if possible. Obviously getting to work from a nursery further from home and the motorway junction near home (if driving) also means starting work and therefore leaving work later (longer day in the childcare setting) but may have to go with that -thats if we can find anywhere open longer than the 10 hours we already use. Thank you.

[gourd]

She could go to completely different CM but that defeats the object- she can only go to local nursery school if the Cm can drop and pick up and there is only one other CM in our area who does this according to local council site but she is either on holiday or gone- house empty, not answering phone. Also depends if we like her as a CM of course and whether she has a place. There isn't another one. The CM in next street goes to a different school much further away as her kids go there. We could try to get a place there i suppose but prob wont as we don't live in the area and it might be too late now as applications are usually in April for Sept.