Christmas arts and crafts presents from L's nursery

Couple of weeks ago I had a conversation with deputy manager of the nursery about me wanting to see more of what L does during the day. I wanted to be sure that she is kept busy, that those activities help her develop certain, new skills. Since starting nursery almost 3 months ago, we never had anything to bring home from nursery apart from 2 cupcakes for Halloween day which my hubby refused to eat at first as was convinced that they are full of germs (I did hesitate too). 

Since then ever so often I would notice seeing Christmassy drawings of foot prints, paper bags which gave it away that nursery might give us something to take home for Christmas. 

So last week when I was picking L up I was given the loveliest present from nursery staff and L, this is something I will certainly cherish and keep in a special box, wish they did that more often!!

Here are just some arts and crafts masterpieces, we were also given a card form one of the toddlers in L's room and a keyring with L holding a plaque saying "We wish you a Merry Christmas".

L's progress at the nursery

L has been attending nursery for 2 months now, seems not long but it does feel like it's been a long time ago. We had ups and downs,  I had my concerns but I think now I finally realised that it is the best place to be for L.

If you may recall I have been in few nurseries prior to picking the one and only and some of them were a definite "no-no" where as others had room for improvement but not enough for me to go with them. When L started nursery I expected everything to go smoothly, knowing that she is such an outgoing kid she would blend it straightaway, but I didn't realise that leaving her there would be upsetting.

I remember the first weeks weeks being a bit of hell, I was calling nursery to check on L and they would call me straight after lunch saying that she is not well, not eating, sleeping or just nor being herself. I could never imagine how many bugs you can pick up form nursery, even now 2 months later and numerous viral infections, cold, under the weather days, L still has runny nose every so often.

My husband didn't really take part in "selection process" hence he has lots of doubts and cannot wait to express them at parents evening. He doesn't like the price,  he doesn't like that every week nursery tend to lose our things, he doesn't like that L is ill all the time, there are so many arguments against this place that sometimes I just have to shut my ears and it only makes me doubt  if I made the right choice.

I do know it is the best place for L, she is fed, looked after, sleeps, finally did her first wee in the potty there yesterday, she is happy! During the first few weeks I saw tears every time I dropped off and picked up L from nursery where as now she goes a little quiet or would go to see her new friends and will be jumping around not noticing me when I'm there to pick her up.

Of course I am too concerned about her constant colds, missing things, potty training issues but seeing L smile there and being able to eat someone else's food with and without help is a great achievement for a fussy eater.

It would be nice of course if nursery had a proper log of what L has learned throughout the day, and other things she was up to but I think I will keep this one till parents evening. 

Settling in session at nursery and mummy's worries

Last week my darling L had her 2 free settling in sessions with each session lasting 2.5 hours. During the first session I have been completing paperwork and registering in Tapestry- online system whilst L and her new friends were bringing me all the toys to play with.

I had all sorts of emotions during these hours, at first it felt awkward, I was doubting my own decision, then it got more relaxed, deputy manager answered all my questions which made me feel better about the place and our routine, I saw L interacting with kids and it felt good, it felt right. 

The next session was so much different, I was encouraged to leave L to see how she gets on without me, cutting long story short it didn't go well. Whilst it was only 2.5 hours I was constantly checking the phone thinking about L wanting to pick her up and to know how it went. Pick up wasn't easy, the moment she saw me L started crying hysterically and only calmed down when we were behind the door with a new toy as a treat. 

From that day onwards I started to think over and over again if I'm making the right decision, if L will ever settle, if she is happy there, if they do everything they can. It feels as if I'm trying to pick on things not to like the place, that everything since the day we went to nursery things don't go to plan. I see how L changed, she is no longer relaxed, sociable, outgoing toddler, she knows what's about to happen and will refuse to get into pushchair to go to nursery or let go of me. 
Her first proper session didn't go well either, during/after her second settling in session she managed to pick up cold and suffered with sniffles and high temperature all weekend and Monday morning. I did take her to the nursery when her temperature normalised, but L didn't have any food there at all and after 4 hours there, manager has called me asking to pick L up. 

I was told it will get easier, but it just gets worse, it feels worse, catching yet another bug doesn't help either.I feel so guilty for taking her there, for letting her suffer and cry, it seems so emotional for both of us. I know we can only wait and hope that it improves, wish us luck!

What to consider and ask when choosing nursery

Some of you may recall that I have been on a nursery "hunt" for L for quite some time, I wanted to feel welcomed, wanted L to feel relaxed and wanted it to be as I wanted/imagined in my head. Even though we have 5 nurseries in the area it was a very tough choice.

The very first nursery we visited, I decided to visit again on their Open day, to see how I will get on with nursery managers and what facilities they offer. You can see a massive different when they put up a show for you and when it's a random visit. Always good to compare these things. Long story short I didn't like staff members, not that I'm sexist but in the light of recent articles I have read I feel not comfortable with male staff members looking after my daughter but more so I didn't want L to pick up slang "You know what I mean, man" coming form a nursery nurse every other word is not something I would want L to pick up, so it was a big "NO".

Next nursery didn't have a garden attached to premises and a little balcony they have, is not always accessible due to slippery decking, it was also confirmed by a staff member that kids don't tend to go outside. Not only that shocked me the fact that they didn't say a word when L climbed onto a mattress (in her outdoor shoes) where kids sleep but also one of the nursery nurses was not interacting with other kids and choosing to sit in the corner listening to my conversation with other staff member. 

Third nursery just didn't feel right, with it's massive activity rooms I didn't feel that we clicked as well as I didn't like that they had no grass in the garden area which is also facing people occasionally smoking right by it. 

Visit to the fourth nursery was a random one, I didn't book an appointment but was welcomed anyway. I liked that L would be able to sleep on her own bed under the shelter on a fresh air, I liked that they didn't dismiss an idea of potty training and reassured me about that and many other things. It just felt right even thought it is furthest out of 5 nurseries. 

Now to the question and tips:
Tip: Even though I didn't book an appointment to visit any of the nurseries on my list I would suggesting calling prior to your visit or you may be turned down at the door. Having said that when they least expect guests who can see the real nursery and staff, you can see what what it really is.

To be honest with you OFSTED report is something we didn't take into consideration at all, according to some sources these could be easily adjusted and do not reflect reality. I based my assessment on our experience there, our likes and dislikes.

It is a good practice to ask about their policies i.e. accident policy, illnesses, food allergies, drop off/pick up policy (to they charge if you are late for picking up, how strict/flexible they are with dropping off hours, who can drop off and pick up your child).

I have enquired about few things:

- ration of children to nursery nurse, if they have a key worker who would be responsible for taking a good care of your little one

- daily routine (it was important for me to know what L would be up to during the day firstly to know what educational and fun activities they hold and secondly for my own comfort)

- I have assessed the grounds and room sizes in general and a sleeping arrangements for the day. I'm not very keen on L sleeping on a floor even on a mattress I wanted her to have sleeping routine close to what she is used to at home. In L's nursery they provide beds and sleeping bags, those kids who are used to sleeping in a pram/stroller can sleep in a buggy

- Have a look at a menu (if the provide food and cook it on site, if not don't be afraid to ask about the food supplier and if they allow sweet snacks, drinks) 

- Do they do trips out and where to? How much do they charge if they go to classes

- Do they aid in potty training and what is there policy on that

- How nursery will update you regarding your child's day and development. Some offer updates via Tapestry (online source where you can also add your comments or photos as well as keep an eye on your child) or paper daily report where you can comment in written form 

- Do they hold parents evenings (where you can get to know other parents and meet and talk to other staff members as well as learn about your child's ups and downs or even ask additional questions

- Do they supply with wet wipes, nappies, drinks? What sort of drinks do they offer?

- Settling in procedures, price list ( for the full day, half a day, hourly rate, absence rate, registration fee). Do they accept payment via salary sacrifice scheme 

- Do they adjust to fit your usual child's routine and if your child goes 5 days a week how would they go about settling/adjusting your child to the nursery routine?

- Fussy eaters, will they be able to assist if your child is a fussy eater

- How many change of clothing to bring in general and when potty training and what items your are expected to label and buy

- What's their policy on dummy? Will they allow a child to use it if used to it during nap times and when upset? The same with comforters. 

There could be more questions or your questions could be different to mine, but it's all about how you feel and your child feels about the nursery/staff and how the nursery can adjust to suit your requirements. 

Hope this could help some of you!

Review: Bibetta Lunch Bag

As some of you may know I was on a little search to find suitable nursery for my little L, one of the main factors for me was in-house lunch and snacks as I'm not a particularly good cook. I have found an ideal nursery (I think) who had a very appetising lunch menu the only problem- they are changing food supplier and in the meantime children need to bring homemade food. As it's only for a short while (I hope) I needed a lunch box/bag that would keep L's food fresh and fit everything I want L to eat during the day at the nursery. 

Bibetta have a lovely range of good- sized lunch bags (£9.99). You can pick turquoise, green, pink and blue lunch bag, each has it's own design and comes with an animal shaped name tag attached to the handle.

As we had so many comments in the past that L looks like a boy I have opted for a girly colour- pink with cute flower and butterfly print.

I was really surprised to learn that you can use neoprene not only for swimming/surfing purposes but for creating quite unique lunch bags! I assume that if neoprene suits keep your body warm in the water, 100% neoprene lunch bag will keep food inside the bag under certain temperature for quite some time.

Another great feature- perfect size! The moment I saw this lunch bag I knew it can fit from ordinary lunch boxes and bottles to odd shaped ones. It's the perfect size (it can also be slightly stretched) for almost any possible lunch/snack you are planning to fit in it, be it in a packaging or loose and carried by an adult or a child with no problems at all.

It is also very light, soft to touch, can be easily wiped or cleaned in a washing machine, the shape of the lunch bag designed to be almost seamless inside which helps to clean it without the need of brushing crumbs from the corners, zip puller made of rubber material makes it easy for little hands to open and close.

Disclaimer: I was sent the item mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's time to go to nursery

My husband and I have discussed nurseries before as I would need to go back to work at some point. At first we agreed that we would send L to nursery when she is 2, but as I struggle to have a little bit of free time to tidy the house, do some washing we have decided that it's time to go to nursery before L turns 2.

I have spoken about this with my mum who advised to postpone it as L would be more prone to illnesses in the nursery than at home, and my in laws offered to help me choose the nursery.

We have picked 3 nurseries which are not far from our house as it is more convenient without a car.

On one of the childcare websites we found that the number 1 nursery from our list has messy play classes every Wednesday for 50p. To check if it's up to date I decided to call them, the lady on the other end of the phone didn't understand me at first, we had a bit of "lost in translation" moment but eventually I found out that it was an old advertisement. Few days later we went to visit the nursery to see if I can get a better feel of the nursery number 1.

I was greeted by one of the staff members who showed me 2 big front rooms and answered some of my questions. Few minutes later the lady who I spoke to on the phone joined us, who presumably is the nursery manager. To my surprise this lady looked very cross and uninterested, I have even tried to make a joke but even then she didn't smile. 

She told me that they don't allow kids to attend for 1 or 2 days due to harder settling in, and advise to stay in the nursery for at least 4 days. She has also mentioned that they have 65 kids in their nursery which is the highest amount of children I have heard of. Once we have finished and I turned my back to open the door I was completely ignored as if I wasn't there whilst I stood there for few more minutes trying to work out how to open the front door.

The overall conversation and lack of any customer service made me think that it is not the right place for us at all.

Yesterday we went to see the 2nd nursery which had very good reviews from local mums. I was greeted by the staff member from the baby/toddler floor who didn't hesitate to show me around whilst L was playing with other kids. The first minor negative they didn't ask me to take my shoes off, I would prefer a nursery with "No shoes" policy.

The ground floor had 3 small-ish rooms with lots and I mean lots of toys. I have counted no more than 5-6 toddlers and 2 newborns and 4 staff members including the lady I spoke to. She showed me the outside play area with unfortunately is not in use due to slippery decking ( why would you even consider decking knowing it's a hazard?!) so kids are stuck in this 3 small rooms all day. We were there at the time of a free play which to me looked bizarre, toddlers looked absolutely lost, 2 staff members were holding newborns and didn't pay any attention to toddlers and the other I assume apprentice just set in the corner listening to our conversation. 

They showed me lots of documents and policies they need to adhere to, but to me it just didn't have that "yes it's the right place" feel. What surprised me as well is that kids where having naps on bean bags and on a single mattress on the floor, as "they like to sleep whilst holding hands", it sounds absolutely lovely but it is far off from what I imagined nursery should be like.

Regardless of it all L liked playing with kids and toys but unfortunately caught a cold from a little snotty girl, and like my mum said it's not the last cold she will catch if she goes to the nursery.

You may think that with my requirements I will not find the nursery but like any mum I want the best for L.

Now I know what I'm looking for in the next and last nursery and hope our 3rd choice would end up the best choice. 

Nursery Wish List

This weeks it's all about "Nursery". We are not planning to have a cot just yet, as our Little L will be sleeping in our room (when she moves to her own room that's where we will need lots of furniture and other bits). We are also not planning to have a changing unit, we have a quite wide chest of drawers which will be used to store baby's clothes and to change our little one. 

Please note, I have picked only one items from each company as it's impossible to fit all items I like into one post, but feel free to browse their website for other options and colours.

As always if you can think of anything else please let me know.

"Bed nests"/cribs:

1. SnuzPod 3 in 1 Bedside Crib- £169.00

2. Chicco Next 2 Me Bedside Crib- Mamas & Papas, BabiesRUs, Mothercare £149.99

3. Saplings Bethany Swinging Crib comes in white- Argos £58.99 

4. Kiddicare Swing Crib- £59.99 

5. Mothercare Swinging Crib- £59.99

6. Bednest- £299, rent from- £79

Moses baskets:

1. I Love My Bear Pink Spot Moses Basket- BabiesRUs £39.99 (comes in blue)

2. Little Rocker Moses Basket- Asda £25 (comes in white, blue)

3. Prickles And Two Moses Basket- Lollipop plane £64.50

4. Mothercare Little Lane Moses Basket- £54.99

5. Bedtime Story Palm Moses Basket with Quilted Liner- Clair De Lune £59.99

6. Moba moses basket- £99

Disclaimer: I have a written consent from all brands mentioned to use above pictures.