Hello. This is my first post to the forum, so be gentle. Was just wondering if anyone could recommend a good child minder/nursery in Sydenham. Can stretch to Forest Hill. We have a two-month-old baby and are starting to get very worried that we've left it to late to find a child minder/nursery for her next year. Ridiculous, I know.
Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated.
PS: There's a place called Rubadubs near Forest Hill train station. Don't know if anyone's heard good/bad things about them.
Thanks again!
Child minders/nurseries
Hi Tonyade,
I don't have a name or recommendation, but start your search on
www.childcarelink.gov.uk, or call Lewisham's Children's Information Service on 0800 0850 606.
Nurseries and childminders are now all registered with OFSTED - Childcare Link lists those available by borough, and by digging a bit deeper on www.ofsted.gov.uk you can read inspection reports.
Then it's a matter of visiting the nurseries or childminders, asking questions and using you 'hunch' for a good place. It should be well run, the staff should seem relaxed rather than harrassed, there should be plenty of activities for the children, places to rest, good food etc (see below), and the staff should be happy to answer any questions you have.
The National Day Nurseries Association has a useful checklist of what to look for and what to ask on www.ndna.org.uk.
Finally, BestBear compiles details of the UK's best nurseries as voted for by parents. I've not trawled it for SE26/ SE23 recommendations but it's probably worth a look: www.bestbear.co.uk.
Good luck!
---------------------
Better Nursery Food Now
A new report produced by Organix and the Soil Association has found that the foods served at nurseries can be unhealthy, highly processed and potentially dangerous – and the Government does nothing to stop this happening. Some nurseries spend a pitiful 25p on food per child per day, and there are no clear nutritional standards, particularly for state maintained nurseries.
Over 600,000 children in England and Wales go to nursery for up to ten hours a day. In many cases, nurseries are providing the majority of their daily food during the working week.
Lizzie Vann, founder of Organix and campaigner for better nutrition for children, said: "We commissioned this research and published our report because someone needs to draw a line in the sand from which improvements can be made. The state of food in too many nurseries is indefensible. The Government must take responsibility for food in nurseries as they have in primary and secondary schools, and substantial changes must be made urgently. Our children deserve nothing less."
Organix and Soil Association have launched a campaign to improve nutrition in nurseries by calling for national nutritional standards to be implemented by the Government. To find out more or sign up to Better Nursery Food Now, go to nurseryfood.org.
I don't have a name or recommendation, but start your search on
www.childcarelink.gov.uk, or call Lewisham's Children's Information Service on 0800 0850 606.
Nurseries and childminders are now all registered with OFSTED - Childcare Link lists those available by borough, and by digging a bit deeper on www.ofsted.gov.uk you can read inspection reports.
Then it's a matter of visiting the nurseries or childminders, asking questions and using you 'hunch' for a good place. It should be well run, the staff should seem relaxed rather than harrassed, there should be plenty of activities for the children, places to rest, good food etc (see below), and the staff should be happy to answer any questions you have.
The National Day Nurseries Association has a useful checklist of what to look for and what to ask on www.ndna.org.uk.
Finally, BestBear compiles details of the UK's best nurseries as voted for by parents. I've not trawled it for SE26/ SE23 recommendations but it's probably worth a look: www.bestbear.co.uk.
Good luck!
---------------------
Better Nursery Food Now
A new report produced by Organix and the Soil Association has found that the foods served at nurseries can be unhealthy, highly processed and potentially dangerous – and the Government does nothing to stop this happening. Some nurseries spend a pitiful 25p on food per child per day, and there are no clear nutritional standards, particularly for state maintained nurseries.
Over 600,000 children in England and Wales go to nursery for up to ten hours a day. In many cases, nurseries are providing the majority of their daily food during the working week.
Lizzie Vann, founder of Organix and campaigner for better nutrition for children, said: "We commissioned this research and published our report because someone needs to draw a line in the sand from which improvements can be made. The state of food in too many nurseries is indefensible. The Government must take responsibility for food in nurseries as they have in primary and secondary schools, and substantial changes must be made urgently. Our children deserve nothing less."
Organix and Soil Association have launched a campaign to improve nutrition in nurseries by calling for national nutritional standards to be implemented by the Government. To find out more or sign up to Better Nursery Food Now, go to nurseryfood.org.
Hi Tonyade - I don't want to worry you but from what I hear some of the nurseries in the Sydenham/Forest Hill area have about a 1.5 year (!) waiting list or have actually closed their list. I haven't even had my baby yet but have looked around a couple of recommended ones. I'll need childcare in March 2010 but have still not been guaranteed a place!
Rubadubs has been recommended to me, also Cornerstone in Jew's Walk, Sydenham is very popular. Check the Lewisham council & Ofsted websites for others.
Good luck!
Rubadubs has been recommended to me, also Cornerstone in Jew's Walk, Sydenham is very popular. Check the Lewisham council & Ofsted websites for others.
Good luck!