Nursery dilemma

[choco311]

I need a bit of advice on a nursery issue. My two (dd aged 3yrs, ds aged 18 months) have been at their nursery for 6 months ish. Its about a 20 min drive from our house but its on my route to work and I have a long commute so has worked well. However, my job is changing and will be in the opposite direction and for less flexible hours. I have no complaints about the current nursery (other than the usual fee hikes) and they have both thrived there - particularly dd who loves the routines and "helper chair" etc there. I have been thinking of moving them nearer to our home as that means my husband could drop off in the morning, rather than me do both. There is a nursery around the corner which is open longer hours (7.30-6.30pm) which would help with the traffic jam stress of leaving work at 5pm (I don't want them to be in till 6.30pm but it gives me a buffer). Price wise it works out the same, I like the idea of it being close to home and the theory that there may be some kids there that dd will then go to school with.

The problem is the ofsted report....its a new-ish nursery, been open almost 2 years. First ofsted was satisfactory, then it was re-done relatively soon after and it dropped to "unacceptable" - issues were that the heating was broken and the rooms were cold, children in preschool not being challenged and independence not being encouraged (helping to lay out stuff for meal times etc). There is a fair bit of local talk about what happened following this and the manager up and left suddenly so its a new team now. They had a repeat inspection two months ago and are back up to satisfactory/needs improvement rating. Generally much more positive report but still some concerns re independence. I know ofsted isn't everything (mother/sister/best friend are all teachers!). We are visiting it tomorrow to have a proper look at it (I have been before though and it is a lovely physical space with a great outdoor play area) and to try and make a decision. One of my dd's little friends does go there too (has been there since Jan) and his mother is pleased with it.

My worry is that I am making a selfish reason for moving them - basically to make the nursery runs easier on all of us (and to reduce the stress during my commute). I feel guilty for even thinking of making them leave the nursery that they love and all for something that looks worse educationally on paper (it doesn't help that both our local primary and secondary school have both recently been downgraded to "needs improving" - am feeling depressed about everything ofsted related!)

any advice??! (sorry for the long post!)

[jazyj]

i think that you may end up more stressed and guilt ridden moving them, then worrying they are not happy. i know is possibly a bit unsettling, but you could move them see if they are happy and go back if it doesnt work (taking into account waiting lists etc)

youre right sometimes ofstead reports are slightly misleading as alot of it focusses on admin and infection control etc. not the more important physical care aspect...

[BackforGood]

I would move them.
I don't have any confidence in OFSTED reports. I go a lot more on 'gut instinct' and also personal references - which you have from your friend.

I also think the benefits of not having to drive 20mins in one direction then back again before you even start your commute, then the reverse at the end of the day are HUGE, even before you started saying that would also mean your dh could share the drop offs.

Unless I really felt it was dire when looking around, I@d definitely move them.

[mygrandchildrenrock]

My school has daycare too, and our first daycare inspection was not good, mainly due to administrative reasons -not having a poster on the wall telling parents how to contact Ofsted- although the care we were giving was fine, acknowledged in the poor report.
I did tell prospective parents but it didn't ever stop anyone coming, once they'd been through the door.
We were re-inspected recently and got a 'good' grade, we now have the poster on the wall and have tightened up the paper work and the care we give is as good as it always was.
Ofsted can be jumping through hoops, sometimes you make it, sometimes you don't!